Energy Efficiency Claims: cars and vacuum cleaners
It’s good to see energy efficiency is making headlines. Last month it was VW over their fraudulent emissions and fuel efficiency claims, which will result in billions of dollars of repairs, customer claims, penalties and untold damage to its, otherwise, excellent reputation. In a positive twist, it seems that VW may redeem its reputation by escalating […]
Read More12 sustainability goals successful companies know
Sustainability plays a significant role in many companies today. They are seeing benefits from operational efficiencies, goodwill and compliance as well as the greater advantages that come from managing their impact on the environment and communities. Nestlé, for example, has promised to achieve zero energy waste in all of its 150 European factories by 2020. […]
Read MoreAre you sick of seeing waste packaging littering the streets?
I am! Not only because I am tired of having to drag Lulu past Mc Donald’s packages, ice cream wrappers, milk cartons, chip bags etc every time I take her for a walk! If you own a scavenger, you become very aware of rubbish!! Another (less selfish) reason is the energy and resources that go […]
Read MoreThe confusion over which solar panel system to buy should soon be removed
Choosing a solar photovoltaic systems (“PV systems”) is a complicated process with different technology, government incentives, billing options and suitability being considerations the buyer needs to assess. Adding further complication to the buying process, the buyer often has to deal with different people throughout the process- those involved in the sales, installation and post- sales. […]
Read MoreFuel cells: An under used energy source. What are they?
Two articles came across my desk on Monday from very different sources about fuel cells. One was published in Business Spectator and the other in Science Daily. Science Daily reported on a 2 year pilot program soon to be undertaken in Texas, California and New York where the refrigeration units of frozen food delivery vans […]
Read MoreFood and packaging: Japanese style
I’ve just spent 2 weeks holidaying in Japan. It is a fascinating country; one full of contradictions. Among other things I was interested to see, from a sustainability perspective, how so many people can live in such a small area. It’s crowded; without a doubt, with over 125 million people living in an area of […]
Read MoreThe low hanging fruit: money from saving energy
A new report from The International Energy Agency predicts that by 2016 global electricity generation from wind, solar, hydro and other forms of renewable energy will grow by 40% and will exceed electricity generated from gas. (“Medium-Term Renewable Energy Market Report”) In 2008 McKinsey, in their report “An Australian Cost Curve for Greenhouse Gas Reduction” […]
Read MoreEnergy price savings and free range ducks
Misleading consumers about the nature of the energy comparison services offered by Energy Watch and the savings that their customers could make when switching retailers, has resulted in the company ( which has gone into liquidation) and its former CEO being ordered by the Federal Court to pay fines of $1.95 million and $65,000 respectively. This comes as […]
Read MoreEnergy Efficiency Information Grants open on 13 February for Industry Organisations to help their members save money, energy and carbon emissions
What benefits can successful organisations give their members? Successful applicants will be assisted by the grant to provide valuable information and advice to support their members move to the low carbon economy which is becoming increasingly important as energy and carbon emissions become a more significant part of a business’s bottom line and sustainably produced goods and […]
Read MoreDoes the ACCC have you and your company in their sights?
The ACCC and State regulators of the Australian Consumer Law (“ACL”) will select particular issues and traders to target in line with what they perceive to be the risks and new and emerging issues and enforcement priorities that need addressing. The national projects that the regulators have identified to target for 2011/2012 includes environmental claims, […]
Read MoreDoes your company need to comply with the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act this year?
The NGER Act is now in its third reporting year and the threshold levels triggering the obligation on companies to report their greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption or energy production levels have dropped again. The threshold levels that trigger the reporting requirement this year are emissions by a facility of 25kt CO2 equivalence (CO2-e) of […]
Read MoreStudy suggests efficient use of energy could reduce demand by over 70%
A recent study ( Environmental Science and Technology, DOI:10.1021/es102641n) by Julian Allwood et. al. of the University of Cambridge calculated that over 70% of the world’s energy use could be cut by improving energy efficiency. They suggest that reductions in energy use could be made from better home and building insulation, covering saucepans when cooking, […]
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