Environmental

ANZ creates hydroelectric power policy for lending

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 16 NOV 2012  |  NEWS
ANZ Bank has created a hydroelectric power policy so that the bank can align its lending practices with best practices regarding issues such as water quality and working with communities that might be impacted by infrastructure development.

Combet announces phase-out of solar credit mechanism

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 16 NOV 2012  |  NEWS
The federal government will phase out the solar credit mechanism in January 2013, six months ahead of schedule, a move that is expected to lower the cost of electricity and curtail a potential oversupply in renewable energy certificates.

Fewer ASX companies see carbon price as a business risk

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 9 NOV 2012  |  NEWS
There has been a 12% drop in the number of listed Australian companies identifying a carbon price as a business risk, indicating their increasing comfort with the pricing regime, according to the Carbon Disclosure Project's Australia and New Zealand ...

Environmental, operating risk to unconventional oil projects

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 9 NOV 2012  |  NEWS
The historically high price of oil is fuelling the economics of unconventional petroleum projects, but investors must factor in greater risk from environmental liabilities such as marine hydrocarbon spills and ongoing operational costs when assessing ...

Sustainable development and Australia in the Asian Century

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 2 NOV 2012  |  NEWS
The recently published Australia in the Asian Century white paper is a roadmap detailing how Australia should navigate the opportunities and challenges of the rising wealth and development of the Asian region. Sustainable development is an implicit and ...

Responsible investment in The Asian Century

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 2 NOV 2012  |  NEWS
The recently published Australia in the Asian Century white paper is focused on structural changes to the Australian economy and society that will put the country on the path to respond to the opportunities and reduce risks of some of the challenges.

Australian infrastructure underprepared for climate change

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  WEDNESDAY, 31 OCT 2012  |  NEWS
Australia's infrastructure is not equipped to handle more frequent, extreme weather events and other impacts of climate change, with the electricity, road and rail and financial services sector underprepared, according to a report from The Climate Institute.

Low Carbon Australia finances stadium lighting upgrade

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  WEDNESDAY, 31 OCT 2012  |  NEWS
Low Carbon Australia has helped finance a deal to install a clean technology lighting system has reduced the energy use at a New South Wales youth club stadium by 28%.

CDP: increased water risk awareness, lagging board response

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 26 OCT 2012  |  NEWS
More companies globally are reporting awareness of the risks of water-related issues to the Carbon Disclosure Report (CDP), but there has been no change in number of companies with board-level oversight of water strategies.

Wesfarmers publishes 2012 sustainability report

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 26 OCT 2012  |  NEWS
Wesfarmers reported decreases in greenhouse gas emissions and energy use, and a fall in lost time injury frequency rate, as well as increases in water consumption and declines in community contributions in its 2012 sustainability report.