Jobs news: Skills shortages threaten infrastructure-led recovery + our pick
“Shovel ready” infrastructure projects are playing a starring role in Australian post-pandemic recovery as a way to create jobs and stimulate the economy.
Poppy Johnston
How Covid is changing the way we use energy
As response to Covid-19 becomes the “new normal”, lots of people are predicting what will happen beyond the immediate crisis. The obvious answer is “it depends”. It depends on how governments, business and households react. The reality is there will be powerful competing forces.
Here’s an idea: Let’s plant our way out of the Covid crisis
There’s never been more love and appreciation of green spaces from the community. So how can we achieve an environmental, economic and health “triple point score” by delivering more and better green space as part of the post COVID-19 recovery?
Green Gigs: NSW organic collections grant, sustainable irrigation, water sensitive urban design
A round up of business opportunities in sustainability, including government tenders, grants and accelerator programs.
Investing in startups will create the jobs of today and tomorrow
“This is the last chance for Australia”, warned Christiana Figueres, the lead UN negotiator of the Paris climate agreement, at the launch event of Beyond Zero Emissions’ Million Jobs Plan last week.
How digital technologies will shape household energy use in the future
A new study at Monash University is giving Australians a glimpse into the not-so-distant digital future of energy efficient smart tech.
New podcast ep: Esther Bailey on the quiet achievement of public service
Some people have a knack for driving change, and Esther Bailey is one of them. Joining our editor Tina Perinotto on the How to Build a Better World podcast this week, Esther talked about what she’d been up to at NABERS, the government’s environmental rating program for buildings, where she’s head of market development. NABERS […]
The startup putting energy efficiency in the hands of first home buyers and renovators
For many people, building a home can be exciting, with fun decisions to be made about the size of the living areas and the colour of the walls.
Dexus looks to the future risks on climate and prepares
Property owners have a huge new world of responsibility falling on their shoulders with the climate emergency and Dexus is taking things seriously.
We needed a wakeup call, and that’s what we got
A slap in the face is exactly what was needed to wake people up to some hard truths about our times.
Green Gigs: Manufacturing efficiency grants; waste control for small businesses; community housing and more
The Fifth Estate’s weekly roundup of government tenders and grants that provide opportunities for doing business, sustainably.
Is the world creating a “paradise for corruption” that weakens its resilience to future disasters?
Countries around the globe are set to launch the biggest round of infrastructure investment since the post-2008 financial crisis stimulus measures…
Forza Capital’s 6 star NABERS Brisbane rating shows how to make sustainability a value add
Amid darkening clouds on the office market horizon it seems you can still find room for a major uptick in sustainability ratings and do well financially.
Alan Pears: Submission on the federal government’s Technology Investment Roadmap
The Technology Investment Roadmap discussion paper provides a useful review of a range of technologies that could contribute to management of Australia’s climate impact. But this is just one (important) element of the actions required for Australia to build a successful clean energy-based economy.
Customers warming to green homes, but it depends how it’s framed
Selling sustainability and energy efficiency to home buyers is still no walk in the park but customers are increasingly receptive to the idea, according to sustainability-conscious builder Mark Maloney.
Government seeks private sector help to Covid-proof energy markets
The Australian government has thrown the door open to suppliers with a huge range of skills and services to future-proof Australia’s energy markets.
A big day for Commonwealth Bank’s 6 star groundscraper at Eveleigh
It was a big day for Mirvac, the Commonwealth Bank, AMP Capital and for premier Gladys Berejiklian in her first public engagement since Covid that was not about Covid.
The Planners Declare movement is here
Australian planners have declared a climate and biodiversity emergency.
Green gigs and government tenders: Affordable housing in ACT, sustainable tourism and more
The Fifth Estate’s weekly guide to green business opportunities around the country.
Gas is not the solution for our clean energy future
Say it with me: gas is not a transition fuel. COVID-19 could be the trigger for the much-needed step change in our clean energy transition. But the Morrison government has stacked the National COVID-19 Coordination Committee with oil and gas sector representatives, pushing for fossil fuel lobby-led economic recovery. It looks like gas is tipped […]
Our podcast, How to Build a Better World: Dr Brad Pettitt
In this episode of our podcast, How to Build a Better World, our managing editor Tina Perinotto talks to Dr Brad Pettitt, the Mayor of Fremantle.
Mr Morrison, you can cut ‘green tape’ without harming nature – but it’ll take money and gumption
Prime Minister Scott Morrison this week announced environmental approvals for 15 major infrastructure projects will be fast-tracked to accelerate investment as Australia emerges from the COVID-19 lockdown.
Transforming suburbia into “superbia”
With the pandemic upending normal work life, Australians are rediscovering their local suburbs and considering the bigger role they could play in a post COVID society.
Sustainability doing really well in Melbourne’s inner north
A mixed-use residential development with strong green credentials in Melbourne’s inner north sustainability hot spot of Collingwood has been “blessed with consistent sales” during the pandemic.
The electricity market is about to turn upside down – in a good way
On 31 August 2018, three public advocacy groups wrote to the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) asking it to change the rules governing how the Australian electricity market works. Their request? Allow consumers to be paid for electricity they avoid using.
Europe’s €540 billion recovery package is aimed at realising the Green Deal and a just transition
Every nation would do well to emulate Europe’s Green Deal approach. Here’s how it works.
BIM to unlock efficiencies and life cycle analysis – time to step up governments
There has been considerable discussion among architects in Australia over the past 12 months about carbon footprints in buildings – in design and construction; and across existing buildings and new projects.
We want a green recovery and we want it now!
Around 70 per cent of Australians expect the government to put the environment centre stage in its pandemic recovery, according to a new Ipsos survey, reflecting the significant media coverage of this idea.
Why we need to assess the performance of the great outdoors
How do we know if the thing built meets expectations? There are ways to measure this so you can check out the “performance gaps” – the difference between the way a building, or any kind of space, was expected to operate, and how it operates in reality.
Our pick of the jobs
Here’s a fabulous job for someone who’s clever at finance and ambitious to help save the planet. The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) is growing, hiring a lead research analyst to focus on the Australian electricity generation sector. The not-for-profit organisation is looking for the skills mentioned for a role reporting to […]