While Australian politics is still locked in deeply negative mode on home insulation stimulus spending, the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has a new shining vision to go beyond insulation in a major way. This includes a plan for substantial ‘eco upgrades’ on about 7 million homes – nearly as many as the entire Australian housing stock of approximately 8.3 million homes – by 2020. UK DECC says: ‘Domestic energy efficiency is good for fuel bills, good for the fight against climate change and good for our national energy security. That is why, in the Low Carbon Transition Plan, the Government sets out our ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from households by 29% by 2020 consistent with our carbon budgets set under the Climate Change Act.’ Click here for more….

While the Australian Government is pouring billions of dollars of taxpayers’ money into helping local manufacturers like Holden, Toyota and Ford develop hybrid petrol-electric versions of popular vehicle models, 100% importer Nissan is shooting ahead on the all-electric front. Nissan put its electric plug-in ‘Leaf’ on show in Sydney in March 2010 and has since announced pricing for it in the US ahead of release there in 2011. While the US price tab will be about 10% higher than the hybrid market pioneer and leader, the Toyota Prius, generous federal and some state rebates to encourage plug-in uptake could make the on-the-road cost lower (roughly about $AUD27,000). The ‘Leaf’ is expected to debut in the Australian market in 2012. Click here for more…..

It’s been great to see consumer watchdog CHOICE augment its annual consumer products and retailing expose awards ‘the Shonkys’ with a counter view, recognising the best performers as chosen by members rather than the worst. Panasonic won the CHOICE Heritage Award for the best manufacturer over its 50-year history, followed by Sony and Philips. The best retailer was The Good Guys. See at www.choice.com.au

The global food and consumer products group Unilever, a major supplier to Australians, has been named at the top of a ‘best 10 list’ for environmental sustainability that rates food and beverage (F&B) firms. The list was developed by a UK business ratings consultancy called Two Tomorrows. Unilever’s credits include its early support for nutritional information on labels, fair trade, the Marine Stewardship Council for seafood harvesting, and also action on palm oil. In Australia Unilever highlights its sustainability focus across food, personal care and home care products. See more on this story at www.twotomorrows.com/news/ and also www.unilever.com.au/

Business and Government agnecies are invited to attend an information session for The Sustainability Card™ (prior to consumer & B2B launch March 2010).

Seating is limited and allocated on a first in basis. Registrations must be received by close of business 11 December 2009.

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• Sustainability Card Public Announcement OCTOBER 2009.pdf

Industry and green groups say Australia could have an electronic waste recycling scheme by mid-2010 if federal and state environment ministers deliver on new laws at their meeting next week.
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The purchasing push.

Aggregate enough green procurement initiatives and case studies and eventually you reach a tipping point. Could we be getting close, asks Richard Collins?

When the world’s biggest retailer asks its suppliers for their environmental credentials, manufacturers of consumer products everywhere had better sit up and listen. When Australia’s largest retailer follows suit, local firms had better take action. Continue Reading

Australia’s $30 billion a year advertising, marketing and media industry will need to observe a new ‘green claims’ marketing code from January 1, 2010. The Environmental Claims in Advertising and Marketing Code has already been published by the Australian Association of National Advertisers (AANA).
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