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By Tina Perinotto
27 January 2012 – Stockland has claimed the energy costs of its new homes can shave more than $2000 a year off the energy bill for an average four bedroom suburban home in Sydney’s outer western suburb of Penrith. A new three bedroom home can cost $1787 a year less to run, it says. But are these figures right?
According to leading Australian energy expert Alan Pears, Read more
Message needs to stick
27 January 2012 –Paul Keating not long ago lashed out at “sandal-wearing, muesli-chewing, bike-riding pedestrians”.
It was another Keatingesque king-hit. He somehow managed to lump the whole green/climate change/design-sensitive agenda under same limp wet blanket.
Our most amusing former prime minister might want to respect greenies and climate change champions. Instead he mocks them. Why?
Because when it comes the media and marketing the green/climate message has failed to ignite the imagination and fire in the belly of mainstream audiences. Read more

A Fifth Estate Special Report
25 January 2012 – In November last year Green Capital pulled out all stops to find out why the green and climate change agenda has failed to deliver the media and marketing wins that are now critically urgent. In a forum held in Sydney and Melbourne some of the best experts in the business distilled key messages. Read more
24 January 2012 – More than half of the 12 superannuation funds surveyed in a report by actuarial firm Mercer have included climate change risks into investment decisions.
The funds surveyed including AustralianSuper and VicSuper had combined assets of almost $US2 trillion ($1.9 trillion).
The funds were surveyed to determine what action they had taken since Mercer found in a earlier report, Climate Change Scenarios – Implications for Strategic Asset Allocation that climate could account for 10 per cent of typical portfolio risk. Read more
27 January 2012 – The case against wind farms on health grounds took a dramatic step backwards this week after Freedom of Information documents obtained by Friends of the Earth slammed claims that wind turbines are bad for local residents’ health.
The Climate and Health Alliance also this week rejected claims of anti-wind farm groups that wind power poses a health threat. Read more
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Stockland claims reveal a stunning turnaround in energy costs for housingBy Tina Perinotto
27 January 2012 – Stockland has claimed the energy costs of its new homes can shave more than $2000 a year off the energy bill for an average -
News from the front desk: Issue No 86Message needs to stick
27 January 2012 –Paul Keating not long ago lashed out at "sandal-wearing, muesli-chewing, bike-riding pedestrians".
It was another Keatingesque king-hit. He somehow managed to lump the whole green/climate -
Green Capital forum: how to win in media and marketing
A Fifth Estate Special Report
25 January 2012 – In November last year Green Capital pulled out all stops to find out why the green -
Mercer report find super funds taking climate seriously24 January 2012 – More than half of the 12 superannuation funds surveyed in a report by actuarial firm Mercer have included climate change risks into investment decisions.
The funds surveyed -
Forest agreement may create thousands of Tasmanian jobs 24 January 2012 – A $120 million fund in an intergovernmental forest agreement could create 3000 regional jobs in Tasmania, a report commissioned by Greens Leader Bob Brown has shown. -
Wind farms: nail in the coffin on health claims27 January 2012 – The case against wind farms on health grounds took a dramatic step backwards this week after Freedom of Information documents obtained by Friends of the Earth -
New Urban Policy Forum: the full list20 January 2012 – The Federal Government on Friday announced its new Urban Policy Forum of 30 members.
It will include former South Australian Premier Mike Rann, former Deputy Prime Minister -
News from the front desk: Issue No 85Ethical dilemmas Parts I, II, and III
20 January 2012 – It's the start of the year so let’s take a big picture look at what's in store.
Starting globally.
In India, they're -
Report: We need more resilient infrastructure
20 January 2012 – Australia's energy, transport and telecommunications infrastructure could well do with a new national body to co-ordinate greater resilience to climate change, a new government report has -
NSW politics: Lisa Corbyn steps down after major changes at OEH
By Tina Perinotto
23 January 2012 – Long standing and well regarded head of the NSW Department of Environment & Heritage Lisa Corbyn left her job suddenly on Friday, amid reports
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Mercer report find super funds taking climate seriously24 January 2012 – More than half of the 12 superannuation funds surveyed in a report by actuarial firm Mercer have included climate change risks into investment decisions.
The funds surveyed
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Report: We need more resilient infrastructure
20 January 2012 – Australia's energy, transport and telecommunications infrastructure could well do with a new national body to co-ordinate greater resilience to climate change, a new government report has -
Japan's sustainable fast track includes subsidies and tax breaks 18 January 2012 – Private developers in Japan may qualify for 50 per cent subsidies to build shared use buildings under a program to foster more sustainable cities. And buyers -
Colonial First State – pushing for new ways of investment thinkingby Lynne Blundell
FAVOURITES: 22 November 2011 –At the Colonial First State Global Asset Management Responsible Investment Forum earlier this year chief executive officer Mark Lazberger expressed frustration over the
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Wind farms: nail in the coffin on health claims27 January 2012 – The case against wind farms on health grounds took a dramatic step backwards this week after Freedom of Information documents obtained by Friends of the Earth
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Report: We need more resilient infrastructure
20 January 2012 – Australia's energy, transport and telecommunications infrastructure could well do with a new national body to co-ordinate greater resilience to climate change, a new government report has -
Bathurst Burr: Somali pirates, when the food runs outBy Michael Mobbs
20 January 2012
When Somalia’s political system collapsed the country had no government.
The government collapsed after a 2006 US-backed Ethiopian invasion.
There was no one to issue fishing licences, to -
Peak car use: urban planning needs to change say Newman and Kenworthy
26 May 2011 – FAVOURITES: Peter Newman and Jeff Kenworthy of Curtin University's Sustainability Policy Institute in Perth, Western Australia, say a new phenomenon is under way – “peak
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Stockland claims reveal a stunning turnaround in energy costs for housingBy Tina Perinotto
27 January 2012 – Stockland has claimed the energy costs of its new homes can shave more than $2000 a year off the energy bill for an average
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The resi challenge is to go green, stay green
By Jacqueline McArthur
7 December 2011 – Carrot or stick are the two options architects, body corporates and government policy makers have at their disposal when protecting their green credentials.
But -
Study reveals sustainable design of a home reduces energy useBy Ben O’Callaghan and Richard Hyde
This is an edited version of their paper, presented at the World Sustainable Building Conference 2011 in Helsinki.
20 December 2011 – Significant effort, capital and time are being invested by western countries to address climate change impacts by constructing more sustainable buildings. -
Bringing BedZED to AustraliaBy Scott Willey
13 December 2011 – The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology’s Centre For Design is working with the UK entrepreneurial charity Bioregional to extend BioRegional’s portfolio of leading demonstration projects.
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Wind farms: nail in the coffin on health claims27 January 2012 – The case against wind farms on health grounds took a dramatic step backwards this week after Freedom of Information documents obtained by Friends of the Earth
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Sydney’s “sociable seating” winds up in New York’s better zoning 23 January 2012 – New York's city zoning comes in for an entertaining analysis in this article by Julie V. Iovine from The Wall Street JournaI that shows that NSW is not the only state to suffer from frustrating zoning laws. Sydney's "sociable seating" is one of a range of cosmopolitan influences adopted by the city, it says, (clearly not the steel convex seating at bus stops designed to deter homeless people from getting comfortable). -
Bloomberg reports solar investment outstrips wind 17 January 2012 – A report by Bloomberg New Energy Finance shows a 36 per cent surge in total investment in solar technology in 2011 to $US136.6 billion, nearly double the $US74.9 billion investment in wind power, which was down 17 per cent on the previous year. -
“Conservative” energy solutions now risky, expensive and dangerousBy Alan Pears
15 December 2011 – What is “conservative” when it comes to energy policy?
As energy expert Ian Dunlop pointed out a
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GBCA recognises products with hard surfacing standard23 January 2012 – The Green Building Council of Australia will recognise products certified against Good Environmental Choice Australia’s hard surfacing standard level A – entitling conforming products to 100 per cent of available Green Star points.
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One stop shop helps building owners with energy options18 January 2012 – Norman Disney & Young, e + architecture and quantity surveyors Rider Levett Bucknall have joined forces to help building owners assess their options in response to the commercial building disclosure legislation and to support the Melbourne 1200 buildings program. -
Jones Lang La Salle reaches 1000 energy professionals goal18 January 2011 – Real estate consultancy Jones Lang LaSalle has reached its goal of 1000 energy and sustainability accredited professionals in 29 countries one year early because of strong client demand. -
GBCA wraps up a big year20 December 2011: The Green Building Council of Australia has wrapped the year with 100 Green Star buildings certified, the highest in any one year.
GBCA chief executive Romilly Madew said
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Blackbutt timber in university centre minimises environmental impact18 January 2012 – Case study: Blackbutt timber linings and details were used in the refurbishment of the University of Western Sydney’s climate change and energy research centre because of its longevity, durability and minimal environmental impact. Another reason was that the purpose of the building is to test climate change effects on natural plant matter, such as trees and plants, the project' s designers said.
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Recycling of assets – new thinking leads to rewards in GPT and NAB offices
By Amanda Stanaway, Woods Bagot
13 September 2011 – The refurbishment of the GPT Property group headquarters at the MLC building in Sydney's CBD was a unique challenge and could -
Sustainable features at Ravenswood School double as educational toolsBy Lyn Drummond
24 August 2011 – Sustainable features which can double as educational tools have been incorporated in the design of the $20 million Mabel Fidler Resources Hub Building for Ravenswood School for Girls in the northern Sydney suburb of Gordon. -
Leighton puts its money where its design is, with HQ Brisbane17 August 2011 – Case study: The time has come when tenants want to know how many bicycle racks there are in a building, rather than car spaces.
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Bathurst Burr: Somali pirates, when the food runs outBy Michael Mobbs
20 January 2012
When Somalia’s political system collapsed the country had no government.
The government collapsed after a 2006 US-backed Ethiopian invasion.
There was no one to issue fishing licences, to -
“Conservative” energy solutions now risky, expensive and dangerousBy Alan Pears
15 December 2011 – What is “conservative” when it comes to energy policy?
As energy expert Ian Dunlop pointed out at a recent Climate Alliance conference, humans are -
Peak car use: urban planning needs to change say Newman and Kenworthy
26 May 2011 – FAVOURITES: Peter Newman and Jeff Kenworthy of Curtin University's Sustainability Policy Institute in Perth, Western Australia, say a new phenomenon is under way – “peak -
Study reveals sustainable design of a home reduces energy useBy Ben O’Callaghan and Richard Hyde
This is an edited version of their paper, presented at the World Sustainable Building Conference 2011 in Helsinki.
20 December 2011 – Significant effort, capital and time are being invested by western countries to address climate change impacts by constructing more sustainable buildings. -
Letter: Give ceramic fuel cells a tariff breakBy Brendan Dow, managing director Ceramic Fuel Cells
15 December 2011: Letter – Ceramic Fuel Cells – a Melbourne-based manufacturer of highly-efficient generators for homes and buildings – has argued in -
Energy efficiency conference: leadership, building upgrades and good sense21 November 2011 –There is a new pool of funding and improved project economics for efficiency thanks to the Clean Energy Futures Package, the Energy Efficiency Council conference heard this week. Following is a special report, provided by the EEC that points to these and other key highlights covered in the conference. -
Bathurst Burr: How to play the numbers game with local politicsBy Michael Mobbs
29 November 2011 – I want to lobby for a food garden along with my neighbours but the council staff don’t want it. How can I persuade the council to approve a food garden in our park if the staff oppose it? -
Letter: Melbourne CBD residents will be entombedBy Alicia Brown
1 November 2011 – I recently came across the article Melbourne’s new sky park, 33 storeys up posted 22 June 2011. The article discusses a proposed development -
Cities and how to live in themBy Robin Mellon
24 November 2011 “In 1960 we saw a change of paradigm - towards more automobile-centred cities,” Danish architect and urban designer Jan Gehl told the audience at the -
Avoid the easy route in retrofitsBy Paul de Podolinsky 16 November 2011 – Architects need to search harder and wider for innovative solutions to get the best return on investment for their refurbishments and retrofits.
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Stockland in new global award27 January 2012 – Stockland has added another notch to its awards belt with a position on the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World compiled by Corporate Knights -
AO recipients back nuclear weapons treaty26 January 2012 – Order of Australia recipients are today calling for a nuclear weapons treaty. -
More schools reap solar grants24 January 2012 – A total of 784 schools have each been awarded grants of up to $50 000 under the 2011-12 national solar schools program, Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Mark Dreyfus said today. -
Applications accelerate when planners decide24 January 2012 – When councils delegate planners to make development decisions major projects accelerate, a report by Urbis on the performance of inner Sydney councils says. -
GBCA recognises products with hard surfacing standard23 January 2012 – The Green Building Council of Australia will recognise products certified against Good Environmental Choice Australia’s hard surfacing standard level A – entitling conforming products to 100 per cent of available Green Star points. -
One stop shop helps building owners with energy options18 January 2012 – Norman Disney & Young, e + architecture and quantity surveyors Rider Levett Bucknall have joined forces to help building owners assess their options in response to the commercial building disclosure legislation and to support the Melbourne 1200 buildings program. -
Jones Lang La Salle reaches 1000 energy professionals goal18 January 2011 – Real estate consultancy Jones Lang LaSalle has reached its goal of 1000 energy and sustainability accredited professionals in 29 countries one year early because of strong client demand. -
NDY launches charitable trust15 December 2011 – Engineering consultancy Norman Disney & Young has established the NDY Charitable Trust to support needy communities.
“We are currently supporting the work of Disaster Aid Australia and -
From factory roof to vegies and fish farm14 December 2011 –Three Berliners have earmarked a massive former factory roof to produce both vegetables and fish for local residents. -
New journal on architecture scoping survey Former editor of Architecture Australia Justine Clark has recently issued a call for expressions of interest in a new publication on behalf of the Association of Architecture Schools of Australasia -
AIRAH signs agreement with WA energy body14 December 2011 – The Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating has signed a memorandum of understanding with the WA Office of Energy – the first the institute has signed with a state based energy authority. -
Nominations called for global energy prize 12 December 2011 – Nominations are being called for the $1million 2012 global energy prize. It will be awarded at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, in June 2012. See -
AGL rejected as Hunter wine industry member 12 December 2011 – Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association’s committee wants to oust AGL as a member because of its lack of collaboration with the wine industry. -
Homelessness conference needs contributions12 December 2011 – A conference on homelessness run by The Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology is inviting abstracts on themes including cost benefit evaluations of homelessness.
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