| If you are having difficulty reading this email click here to view an easy to read web based copy. |
| EnviroInfo A bi-weekly eNewsletter for professionals in the natural resources and environment management fields |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Links to:
|
Welcome to EnviroInfo
EnviroInfo is an information service for people involved in the natural resources and environment management fields, distributed to over 9,000 people. It is free to receive, but there is a charge to advertise. Please feel free to forward this email to others who may benefit from receiving it. This edition is presented in html format, allowing you to browse all the latest news in the environmental sector with even greater ease. If you experience any difficulties with this format, please email info@envirocentre.com.au. © Copyright 2004 Hallmark Editions To access the latest environment and water job opportunities, click on
to http://www.envirojobs.com.au |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
EnviroInfo Headlines |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The decision by the States to take the lead on renewable energy levels in the country, and investigate the possibility of doubling the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target will not generate any legal or competition policy issues, according to an investigation by Environment Business newsletter (the publication from which news for EnviroInfo is sourced) . The state governments are planning to supersede the statement by adopting a state-based approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including the commencement of a greenhouse trading scheme, after analysis showed that the supposed $500 million Low Emissions Technology Demonstration Fund is worth a total $3.3 million over the first two years– barely covering administration expenses, while the following two years will attract just over $50 million each. At a meeting held soon after the energy white paper was released, energy ministers from NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania denounced the statement as “visionless” and agreed to immediately form an Inter-jurisdictional Working Group to establish a model for an emissions trading scheme, which will be finalised by December. From that point, work will commence on determining targets, timeframes and allocation of permits for the state-based renewable energy target. It is anticipated that the states will use the Tambling Report's recommendation of 20,000 gigawatts per year by 2020 as the target. Robyn Glindemann, Senior Associate in the Perth Office of large law firm, Allens Arthur Robinson, told Environment Business that “there is certainly nothing in the Constitution that prevents the states from setting such a target.” Glindemann said that while the Federal government could pass legislation overriding any inconsistent State laws, as occurred in relation to euthanasia legislation, it is unlikely to do so in this case. Some states have greenhouse gas reduction targets and abatement schemes in place already, with the NSW Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme being the most advanced. “It is open to the states to effectively set their own targets,” says Glindemann. “What will be interesting to see is whether the states will replace existing schemes or whether there will be a new one.” The decision by the states to go it alone is not in breach of national competition laws, should a price rise occur for electricity companies as a result of the purchasing of renewable energy, so long as the target is “clearly in the public interest,” according to the National Competition Council. The full story is available in Environment Business. For further details, go to http://www.halledit.com.au/publications/envbiz.htm Senate Expresses Concerns About Environmental Impacts of FTAAn interim report by the Senate has expressed concern that the Free Trade Agreement may have more significant impacts on the environment and for the potential for compensation for US exporters, and has recommended that the Government undertake a review of the environmental impact of the Agreement and that legislation be introduced which will ensure that all future free trade agreements contain results of an environmental impact assessment prior to final agreement. Even though there is not an explicit provision for investor-state dispute within the FTA, there are some concerns that private investor/s may, through their respective governments, raise a matter of concern. In that event, the two governments must consult. Many of the concerns are due to unknown factors about how disputes will be handled and / or how the dispute results will impact financially and on Australia's natural resources. There have been concerns raised regarding the provision relating to 'expropriation' under Chapter 11 and Chapter 22.3. These concerns relate to how these articles apply to taxation and potential claims for compensation, and the potential impact upon any future environmental levies, or taxes, and thus prohibiting the introduction of new taxes and levies to encourage environmental sustainability, including activities to reduce global warming impacts. The inclusion of water and water services (by not excluding them through
any reservations) has the potential to limit or bring to a 'standstill'
future state and local government regulation. This could have enormous
implications any future government water reform agendas - particularly
public water services that are delivered on a commercial basis. The Committee
also heard that there had not been due consideration of the indirect effects
of the Free Trade Agreement. NCC Wants Environment Issues In Its Reach The National Competition Commission believes that its sphere of influence should be extended to include environmental issues such as land use planning and greenhouse gas abatement, according to a recent submission to a Productivity Commission inquiry. In the submission, the NCC argues that competition policy has made a significant contribution to water reforms, and says that there is potential to apply this approach to other environmental sectors. “An integrated sustainability package could extend to matters use as land-use planning (and clearing) and pollution (including greenhouse gas abatement),” it says. The Commission further argues that many environmental issues have national consequences, so it is not sound public policy for those issues to be dealt with by the individual state governments. “Environmental and sustainability matters could benefit from being addressed explicitly with a focus that emphasises national co-ordination whilst acknowledging regional variations. Having jurisdictions adopting separate approaches to national externality problems would not appear to represent sensible public policy. It may be feasible to bring these matters together into a national resource management reform package.” It concludes that “future reforms could be developed by drawing together and building on programs designed to ensure and maintain sustainable environmental outcomes. Environmental degradation represents a drag on future growth, but may not be reflected in (or appear as a gain) in current GDP estimates. The Productivity Commission will release its draft discussion paper of the Review of National Competition Policy Arrangements in late August. For further information about the Inquiry, and to view the submissions, go to http://www.pc.gov.au/inquiry/ncp/index.html New Report from Industry-Science Climate Group Greenhouse gas emissions should be cut by 60 percent over the next 50 years, according to the first report from the newly-formed Australian Climate Group (ACG). The report has been released by the ACG in an attempt to guide public opinion and government policy towards a solution to the issues of climate change, in a similar way as the Wentworth Group, which was formed to tackle land and water issues. The Group, which consists of Tony Coleman, Chief Risk Officer, Insurance Australia Group; Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, University of Queensland; Professor David Karoly, University of Oklahoma; Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe, Griffith University; Dr Chris Mitchell, CRC for Greenhouse Accounting; Professor Tony McMichael, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health; Dr Graeme Pearman, CSIRO Atmospheric Research; Peter Scaife, Centre for Sustainable Technology at Newcastle University; and Anna Reynolds, WWF Australia, has recommended a cut in Australia’s greenhouse gases of 60 per cent by 2050, and the establishment of a national emissions trading scheme by 2007. The report, Climate Change, Solutions for Australia, outlines other climate change initiatives, such as the need for individuals to take responsibility in reducing greenhouse emissions; the implementation of measures to minimise the impacts of the climate warming, from building improvements to deal with more intense storms to investing in new agricultural industries which require less fresh water; and the development of new business opportunities to take advantage of the moves by the rest of the world to adopt a low carbon energy future, such as increasing use of renewable energy, the potential hydrogen economy and increasing the efficiency of the generation, distribution and use of fossil fuein l electricity, as well as new agricultural practices, and the development of new technology for storing water and storm-resistant buildings. The report acknowledges that there are a number of initiatives already underway at a government level (Federal, State and local) to support the development of opportunities, but says that more initiatives that are carefully targeted should be progressively but urgently implemented. To view the report, go to http://www.wwf.org.au HR Helping to Drive Sustainability Human Resources has a pivotal role to play in sustainability by driving the culture set from the top of corporations down through the operations levels according to new research.The study, conducted by KPMG, also shows that even though Australian companies were comparatively “late bloomers,” sustainability reporting has increased significantly over the pasts five years, with more than 100 companies and government entities producing triple bottom line reports. According to Rob Hogarth, KPMG partner, Audit and Risk Advisory Services, sustainability reporting has clearly moved from the margins to the mainstream, driven by the clear business case for such reporting. “The business community increasingly understands that organisations that record and report sustainability information are well managed, with a full picture of the health of their entire operations at their fingertips,” he said. The issue facing HR professionals is finding a balance between management expectations and employee advocacy. “The challenge for them will be to fit a sustainability framework into that sort of tension. As more and more companies get involved in sustainability reporting that pressure is just going to increase amongst HR professionals generally.”
TRAINING FOR CHANGE & THE ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY PROJECT present… GETTING STRATEGIC: TOOLS FOR STRATEGIC THINKING, PLANNING AND DOINGAn Australian first! – an East coast opportunity to work on your campaign or organisation’s strategic thinking and planning. Many environmental and social justice advocates are flying by the seat of their pants and looking for effective strategies to address social and environmental issues. Would you like to build the skills base in your organisation? How do you develop a plan? Strategic analysis? Are you just trusting your instincts or are you being more reflective about your work? This workshop provides you with an opportunity to not only reflect, but to learn new skills in strategic thinking and planning to add to your activist tool kit. There are some excellent skills and tools for helping us become more pro-active, and creative as an organisation. We can become smarter at strategy! Four seasoned trainers will be facilitating two days of active and experiential learning on strategic campaign analysis and planning. Workshop goals:
And apply these skills and tools to your organisation! Brisbane > Thursday 29th & Friday
30th July @ Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm How much? $220-550 > sliding scale [includes GST unfortunately] Contact Amy for more details: workshops@environmentaladvocacy.org or 07.3875.4030 or check out http://www.environmentaladvocacy.org/resources/workshops/2004/strategy.html for fliers and registration forms. River Styles Short CourseDate: 1st - 5th November 2004 River Styles provides a catchment-framed geomorphic summary of river character and behaviour. The explanatory and predictive bases of this catchment-framed approach to the analysis of River Styles provides a rigorous physical basis for river management and rehabilitation decision making. Venue: Goulburn, NSW Duration: 9 am - 5 pm, Monday - Friday Cost: $1,550 (inc. GST) (registration closes 31st Aug) Price includes:
Price excludes:
Course contents: Monday morning – lecture Monday afternoon & Tuesday - fieldtrips showing a range of River Styles Wednesday – identifying and interpreting River Styles Thursday – field analysis of sites identified from air photos Friday - geomorphic condition, recovery and management applications Application forms: Information on River Styles or course contents:
World Energy Congress: Energy Policy a FocusOrganisers of the 19th World Energy Congress have welcomed release of the Federal Government’s energy policy. The 19th World Energy Congress will be held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, from September 5 to 9. The event will bring together the world’s energy leaders to consider the latest developments and trends in energy supply and use, and to shape the best way forward to sustainable energy policies around the globe. “It is important that energy policy is defined and debated, so it is positive that the Australian Government has laid out its approach,” notes Philip Aiken – Chairman of the Sydney Congress Organising Committee and Group President Energy, BHP Billiton. “The World Energy Congress will be doing just that, aiming to identify the best way for various countries and economies to power the future in a sustainable way.” ISSUES TO BE COVERED INCLUDE:
The Australian Government will be taking an active role, with the event to be opened by the Prime Minister, on Sunday September 5. Energy Minister Ian Macfarlane, will chair a Ministerial Forum with Ministers from several countries. www.tourhosts.com.au/energy2004 www.tourhosts.com.au/energy2004/pdf/energy_policy_response.pdf Back to Headlines>>National Marine Educators Conference Noosa, Queensland - October 2004 Invitation: Theme: Who should come: Why should you come: Venue: Dates: Program: Registration details: or Bob Moffatt Australian Association for Environmental Education’s 13th Biennial Conference Early Bird registration still available!! Prizes to be won!! The Australian Association for Environmental Education’s 13th Biennial Conference CREATING ETHICAL COMMUNITIES NOW: footprints, pathways, possibilities is to be held 28 September – 2 October 2004 in Adelaide. Conference partners are: Keynote speakers are: Presenter and discussion themes include: Contributions being sought for: Organic and bioregional food; welcome; dinner and closing ceremonies not to be missed!! More details–and registration–at http://users.chariot.net.au/~aaee/2004
Smart Approved WaterMark Scheme – Second Round of Applications The Smart Approved WaterMark is the nationally endorsed water conservation labelling scheme that recognises products, services and organisations which are assisting all Australians to help save our most precious resource - water! The Smart Approved WaterMark Scheme is managed by Australia's peak water agencies: the Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA); the Nursery and Garden Industry of Australia (NGIA); the Irrigation Association of Australia (IAA); and the Australian Water Association (AWA). The key objectives of the Smart Approved WaterMark scheme are to assist in the reduction of per capita water consumption – especially in the areas of outdoor water-use via the labelling of appropriate water using/saving products and water related services and organisations. Products that may be included under the scheme include: trigger hoses; tap timers; rainfall sensors; mulch and weep hoses. Services that may be included under the scheme include: retrofit services; water efficient design services; education and training programs; and information advisory services. Organisations that may be included under the scheme include: schools; local government; new urban developers; and retail outlets. The Smart Approved WaterMark scheme is not-for-profit, voluntary and applications are assessed by an independent expert panel. The second round of applications closes on Friday 13 August 2004. For further information on the scheme go to www.smartapprovedwatermark.info Glenelg Hopkins Soil Health Action Tender No. 2003-0460 Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority invites tender submissions for the development of the Glenelg Hopkins Soil Health Action Plan. Investigations involve identification of assets and threats, risk analysis, priority setting, community consultation, cost benefit analysis, and management priorities for soils in the Glenelg Hopkins region. Tenders close at 4.00pm on Friday 6th August 2004 at Glenelg Hopkins CMA office, 79 French Street, Hamilton 3300. Tender documents can be obtained at www.glenelg-hopkins.vic.gov.au Contact Colin Dunkley,
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Customer enquiries: 03-9530-8900 You can obtain a subscription by sending an email to info@envirocentre.com.au with the words 'Subscribe EnviroInfo' in the subject line. Opting out of emails: Terms and Conditions EnviroInfo is published by Hallmark Editions © copyright 2004 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||