Environmental

Disclosing sustainability risks, engaging stakeholders vital to corporate interests

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 26 AUG 2011  |  NEWS
Although the growing acceptance of reporting frameworks such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is spurring strategic thinking about disclosing and managing sustainability risks, companies and other organizations need to do more, including setting ...

R. M. Williams Agricultural Holdings to fund NT property conservation with carbon rights

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 19 AUG 2011  |  NEWS
R. M. Williams Agricultural Holdings (RMWAH) has purchased a AU$13m pastoral property in the Northern Territory with the goal of funding the restoration and conservation of land through the sale of carbon rights and bio-diversity values.

GPT moves into refurbished, greener headquarters

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 19 AUG 2011  |  NEWS
The GPT Group (GPT) is aiming to have its newly refurbished headquarters in the MLC Centre in Sydney recognised with a 6 Star Green rating within an existing building that has not undergone a major refurbishment.

Carbon price will capture mines' fugitive emissions

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  WEDNESDAY, 17 AUG 2011  |  NEWS
The Australian government's carbon pricing plan will tax mines for "fugitive" gas emissions - emissions of trapped methane that are released during the extraction process, according to a briefing from the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM).

Carbon price package could yield greater than expected reductions

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 12 AUG 2011  |  NEWS
The government's carbon price package could help Australia achieve a greater than expected reduction in greenhouse gas emission by 2020 if successfully implemented, according to research from ClimateWorks Australia.

ACCIONA to develop NSW wind farm

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 12 AUG 2011  |  NEWS
ACCIONA, the world's largest independent, non-utility, renewable energy developer and owner, will develop a AU$147m wind farm in New South Wales. The Gunning Wind farm will generate 46.5MW. It is ACCIONA's 278th in the world and will deliver enough renewable ...

Sensis certified carbon neutral

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 12 AUG 2011  |  NEWS
Sensis, producer of the Yellow Pages and White Pages directories, has been certified as carbon neutral for its print and online directories under the Australian Government's National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS).

Forthcoming GRESB report to benchmark RE environmental, social performance

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 5 AUG 2011  |  NEWS
In September, the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) will release its second survey assessing the environmental and social performance of public and private real estate investments. GRESB will be used by institutional investors to engage ...

FSC, ACSI release ESG reporting guide for ASX companies

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  FRIDAY, 5 AUG 2011  |  NEWS
The Financial Services Council (FSC) and the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI) have launched their ESG Reporting Guide for Australian Companies, a framework for assisting companies in identifying and reporting their ESG risks.

Assistance will "significantly reduce" effects of carbon tax on industry

RACHEL ALEMBAKIS  |  WEDNESDAY, 3 AUG 2011  |  NEWS
Companies that fall under the government's proposed carbon pricing scheme will most likely see the negative effects on costs and earnings "significantly reduced" by the planned assistance package, according to research from MSCI. Emissions Intensive ...