Australia can play a key diplomatic role in securing China’s participation in global climate change solutions, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said in his speech to US think tank the Brookings Institute. Rudd announced that his government would seek to engage China and other Asian nations in talks around climate change mitigation, together with the US. […]

AES and Riverstone Holdings have announced they will commit US$500 million each over the next five years to launch AES Solar with the aim of developing utility-scale photovoltaic projects around the world. The joint venture of global power developer AES and private equity firm Riverstone will take on projects ranging in size from two megawatts […]

China plans to spend Y41.8 billion (A$6.5 billion) on energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emission reduction schemes this year, an increase in funding of 78 per cent from 2007, the Ministry of Finance says. The Chinese Government has set national targets to reduce its emissions by 10 per cent between 2006 and 2010, and reduce […]

South Australians should be prepared to pay higher electricity bills as a consequence of the record heat wave recently sweeping the state, according to Energy Industry Ombudsman Sandy Canale. Canale says many householders would already have forgotten about their extended use of air conditioners and in some cases swimming pool pumps. “Some bills are going […]

EnergyAustralia says New South Wales Central Coast households are expected to save more than $1 million on their water and energy bills and will reduce carbon emissions by almost 11,000 tonnes after taking part in their energy efficiency campaign. Energy and water saving devices were installed free of charge during March 2008 in about 3000 […]

Climate change represents one of the greatest economic and environmental challenges of our age, according to the Council of Australian Governments. “The projections for Australia of the impacts of climate change are serious: a drying climate in our traditional agricultural area; a greater frequency of floods; droughts and storms; and, the impacts of higher temperatures […]

“We should take the opportunity with the revenues from the emissions trading scheme to address both inefficient taxes as well as inefficiencies and inequities in our income tax system,” says Federal Shadow Treasurer Malcolm Turnbull. Turnbull says Australia’s ETS will result in the transfer of many billions of dollars from business and households to Government. […]

Mitsubishi Electric Corp has announced it will invest ¥7 billion (A$77.5 million) as part of its effort to boost annual production capacity of solar energy to 220 MW from 150 MW in October 2008. The Tokyobased company also aims to establish a photovoltaic cell program that will have an annual capacity of 500 MW by […]

The first update of the Carbon Offsets Guide shows the market continues to grow, according to Victorian Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings. Jennings said the comprehensive online directory showed a 13% growth over its first three months with 36 providers now listed in the directory. “The Guide, developed by Global Sustainability at Royal […]

South Korea’s Environment Minister has announced a freeze on the country’s greenhouse gas emissions at their 2005 levels over the next five years. Environment Minister Lee Maan-Ee presented a report to President Lee Myung-Bak, recommending the reductions. Under the Kyoto Protocol, South Korea is considered a developing country, and is therefore not subject to mandatory […]