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NewsletterMarch 2009EBA NewsContentsPerspectiveEBA news EBA member news Australia news International news Welcome to new EBA members Diary of events Career opportunities and search PerspectiveAs the UK Government produced market data putting the global market value of the low carbon and environmental goods and services sector at around 3 trillion pounds in 2007/8 (over Aus $6 trillion (www.berr.gov.uk) Environment Business Australia's forum on building new markets, new industries and new jobs highlighted some of the ways forward for Australian business.
EBA newsNext forum on building new markets and new industries EBA member newsStop the haggling and say yes to Green Transformers Australia NewsTreaties report on the Kyoto Protocol - House of Representatives19 March 2009. The Chair of the Parliament's Treaties Committee, Kelvin Thomson MP, released the Committee's report into the Kyoto Protocol. The report uses the most up to date scientific evidence to make recommendations about how Australia should approach the climate change problem in the post-Kyoto world. "The Report shows that climate change is happening faster and at lower levels of CO2 than the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has been predicting. The scientific consensus is that it would be dangerous to allow the amount of carbon in the atmosphere to exceed 450 parts per million," Mr Thomson said. "After examining the evidence, we have concluded that it is in Australia's interests to get global action delivering deep cuts in carbon emissions in order to stabilise greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at 450 parts per million or lower by 2050." The Committee argues that the world cannot meet the 450 parts per million or lower figure unless the developed countries are willing to cut greenhouse gases by 80 per cent by 2050. "The Committee recommends the Australian Government be willing to adopt an 80 per cent target and take that target as a negotiating position to Copenhagen in December this year," Mr Thomson continued. The Committee has also recommended the Australian Government investigate using revegetation as an adaptation mechanism to reduce temperature and increase rainfall in applicable parts of Australia. "Retaining native vegetation, and indeed re-establishing native vegetation, is something we can do in Australia to help our situation here - this is something we can do for ourselves," said Mr Thomson. Report 100 is available on the Committee's website: www.aph.gov.au or by contacting the Committee Secretariat on (02) 6277 4002. Linking the Australian Emissions Trading Schemes Climate Strategies has published a new Working Paper "Linking the Australian Emissions Trading Schemes" written by Frank Jotzo; Australian National University and Regina Betz; University of New South Wales, which evaluates the proposed Australian scheme with regard to international emissions trading and linkages. The report can be downloaded from: www.climatestrategies.org Global green trade war fear Lenore Taylor, National correspondent, The Australian 20 March 2009 FEARS are rising of a global green trade war if Copenhagen climate change talks fail, after US Energy Secretary Stephen Chu suggested the Obama administration would consider "carbon tariffs" against countries that had not put a cost on pollution when the US introduced its emissions trading regime. "If other countries don't impose a cost on carbon, then we will be at a disadvantage ... (and) we would look at considering perhaps duties that would offset that cost," Mr Chu told a house science panel. Mr Chu said a carbon tariff would help "level the playing field" if other countries hadn't put a cost on carbon when a US emission trading regime came in. Climate Change Minister Penny Wong said protectionist carbon tariffs could be "very costly for a small, open economy like Australia" and would in any event be very difficult to administer... ...The debate over green protectionism came as The Climate Institute think-tank claimed major Australian corporations had been "loose with the truth" because they had protested at the allegedly crippling cost of emissions trading while failing to implement relatively inexpensive energy efficiency measures that could save them between $28million and $62 million a year. Analysing figures the companies must supply under a law enacted by the Howard government, the Climate Institute has calculated that 20 of Australia's biggest polluters had identified, but not implemented, energy efficiency measures that could reduce emissions by 1.2 million tonnes a year. That means that under an emissions trading scheme, the measures could save the companies $28 million a year at a low $23 a tonne carbon price. Bluescope Steel could save at least $6 million a year, according to the calculations. Analysis by Innovest late last year revealed Bluescope would receive more than $170 million in government compensation in the scheme's first year in 2010. BHP Billiton could save $3.8million a year and Rio Tinto $3.7million. Alcoa, whose jobs loss claims were used by the Opposition in its political attack on the ETS, could save $3.7 million a year. Xstrata, which has claimed 1000 job losses, did not provide enough information under the mandatory reporting scheme to be included in the analysis. The Business Council of Australia, one of the few leading business groups that has not called for the ETS to be delayed, said businesses were deferring decisions on energy-efficient investments because of the lack of certainty about national climate change policy. ...In Australia, the cement industry, the food and grocery industry and the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union have expressed support for a carbon tariff on imports. Source: www.theaustralian.news.com.au Victorian Government to fund new large-scale solar power station 11 March 2009. The State Government will provide up to $100 million to develop a new large-scale solar power station in Victoria, Premier John Brumby announced. "Our Government is taking action to change Victoria's energy mix and promote renewable energy and we will be seeking proposals for a solar power station which can produce about 330GWh of electricity per year or enough power to run 50,000 homes," Mr Brumby said..."Solar has huge potential in Victoria and large-scale solar is the most economical form of solar energy generation which is why we are providing this funding. "This project is expected to drive investment and create jobs in regional Victoria. "Expressions of interest will be called for immediately and the aim will be to have the plant operating by 2015." Mr Brumby said the Victorian Government funding would be subject to the project receiving matching funding from the Federal Government. "This Government is supporting the full spectrum of solar generation and has provided a $6 million grant for the Organic Solar R&D project and $50 million through our Energy Technology Innovation Strategy for the Solar Systems 154MW large-scale solar plant near Mildura," he said. International NewsVCS Registry System
The Voluntary Carbon Standard Association (VCSA) launched its start-of-the-art global registry and project database system. The VCS Registry System, which includes the VCS Project Database, ensures all carbon credits generated under the VCS Program - Voluntary Carbon Units (VCUs) - can be tracked from issuance to retirement. It is a key part of the VCS Program which ensures that all VCUs are real, measurable, additional, permanent, independently verified, unique and traceable. Three international companies are contracted to act as VCS Registries for the VCS Program: APX Inc. (a leading environmental market infrastructure provider in North America), Caisse des Depots (a leading French financial institution and developer of CO2 registries in Europe), and TZ1 (a leading international financial markets meta-registry in the US, UK and Asia Pacific). VCS Registries will issue, hold, transfer and retire VCUs representing one tonne of greenhouse gas reduction or removal. The registries will interact directly with the VCS Project Database, which can be viewed publicly (www.vcsprojectdatabase.com) to upload project documentation and obtain unique serial numbers for each VCU. Together, the infrastructure provided by the global registries and the database provides a transparent, robust and scalable chain of custody for the voluntary carbon market.
Narrow cost-benefit analysis, not the task, Stern says Lord Nicholas Stern told the Washington D.C. symposium the task of responding to climate change is about managing the risk of the "large probability of a catastrophic outcome". That is a "different question from turning this into a narrow cost-benefit analysis", he said. "The risks involved in this are so large ... that we have to see it directly as a risk management problem" and consider what sort of "insurance premiums" we are prepared to pay, he said. Stern said that if greenhouse gas emissions continue to build at current levels over the century then that would imply a high probability "of ending up with warming of more than 5oC". The symposium also featured the first major public speech by U.S. climate negotiator Todd Stern. Welcome to new EBA membersOgilvyEarth is the leading sustainability communication and strategy consultancy. Key to their success is being able to draw on a diverse team of communication and sustainability professionals from across the Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide network, with skills and a wealth of experience in stakeholder engagement, government relations, employee behavioural change, issues management and media relations. For the past 6 years OgilvyEarth has been assisting organisations in the development and implementation of effective communication strategies and action plans to engage internal and external stakeholders in their objectives to improve sustainability performance and strengthen corporate reputation. With Australian industry and peer award recognition under their belt, OgilvyEarth grew into a global practice operating in over 18 countries. OgilvyEarth's mission is to assist organisations in developing and sharing a credible sustainability story with key stakeholders. Measurement and "walking the talk" is the mantra of the OgilvyEarth approach.Enquiries: Stephen Hale, Director, OgilvyEarth, Level 2, 72 Christie St, St Leonards NSW 2065. Tel: 61 2 8281 3208 Fax: 61 2 8281 3223. Email: stephen.hale@ogilvyearth.com.au www.ogilvyearth.com.au Negotiaction is a vibrant and dynamic advisory and project company based in Melbourne, Australia. We work with organisations to identify, pursue and secure major energy and natural resources projects. Specifically we:
Level 3, 233 Collins Street Melbourne 3000. GPO Box 330 Melbourne 3001. Tel: 03 9639 9030. www.negotiaction.com.au Diary of EventsgreenBusiness09 - Transition to a low carbon economy. EBA members are invited to participate free of charge, Sydney, 31 March 2009. Contact: Paul Noon, Deputy Consul General & Director of Trade & Investment, British Consulate General, paul.noon@fco.gov.ukCarbon reduction and trading expo, 31 March - 2 April 2009, Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Southbank. See www.aec.net.au Solar Innovation and Investment Asia, Shanghai, 31 March - 1 April 2009. To be run alongside the 4th Annual AsiaSolar Expo - www.asiasolarexpo.com Waste 2009 Conference - Australia's premier waste management conference. Pacific Bay Resort, Coffs Harbour NSW www.impactenviro.com.au/waste2009 or waste2009@impactenviro.com.au China Carbon Trade Summit 2009, Beijing, 1-2 April 2009. A CDM Bazaar. Supported by ASrIA. See www.merisis-asia.com/Carbon/Overview.html Carbon Trade China 2009, 21-23 April 2009, Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel, Beijing, China www.chinacarbontrade.com.cn EBA Forum - Wednesday 29 April, Sydney, subject and speakers to be announced. 5th Australian Wind Energy Conference - 29-30 April 2009 - Adelaide Hilton. In association with the World Wind Energy Association (WWEA) including International Keynote Speaker, Stefan Gsanger, Secretary General of the WWEA. Contact: angus.munro@informa.com.au www.informa.com.au/ef China Green Business Summit 2009, Beijing 13-15 May. A focus on CDM and Water. See www.cfeci.com/cgbs2009 Sustainability and Business Growth Summit, Darling Harbour, Sydney, 22-23 May. See www.chillimarketing.com.au World Business Summit on Climate Change - 24-26 May 2009. Copenhagen. www.copenhagenclimatecouncil.com/world-business-summit.html Climate and Clean Energy Week, Manila, 15-19 June 2009. Including 4th Asia Clean Energy Forum 2009, Asian Development Bank, preceded by a High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change in Asia Pacific. register online - mms.adb.org:8000/form/event.php?id=22 EBA Forum - Wednesday 17 June, city, topic and speakers TBC Green Building/Green Cities Expo, in conjunction with the China Ministry of Construction's 14th Annual Trade Show and Conference - 18-20 June 2009, Beijing International Exhibition Center. Email info@ecoexpo.com or see www.ecoexpo.com Carbon Markets Asia. Kuala Lumpur 23-24 June 2009. The 5th annual Carbon Markets Asia. www.greenpowerconferences.com/carbonmarkets/carbonmarkets_asia09.html Wind Power Asia - 8-10 July 2009. Beijing, China www.windpowerasia.com Clean Energy Expo China - 8-10 July 2009. Beijing, China www.cleanenergyexpochina.com EBA Forum - Wednesday 29 July, Sydney or Brisbane EBA Forum - Wednesday 19 August, Sydney Clean Energy Expo Asia, 16-18 September 2009, SUNTEC Singapore - www.cleanenergyexpoasia.com - in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS). 12th International Riversymposium, 21-24 September 2009. www.riversymposium.com EBA Forum. Wednesday 23 September, Melbourne. EBA Forum. Wednesday 21 October, Sydney. CARBON MARKET EXPO AUSTRALASIA 2009, 26-28 October (TBC), Gold Coast, Queensland co-sponsored by EBA. CSR Asia Summit 2009. Kuala Lumpur 27-28 October 2009. www.csr-asia.com EBA Annual General Meeting. Wednesday 4 November, Sydney. UNFCCC, Conference of the Parties COP 15, Copenhagen. 7-18 December 2009. Career Opportunities and SearchEnvironment Sector LeaderReady to build your own empire? Bring your specialist experience and take the lead in building a whole new business within a hugely successful technical consultancy. This global consultancy is already established as a credible organisation with a strong reputation for delivering exceptional outcomes on engineering and environmental projects worldwide. With success comes growth, and with growth comes the opportunity to enter new markets that align with current services in environment, property and infrastructure segments. This business rewards success and encourages entrepreneurial attitudes. We are interested to hear from senior specialists and/or managers who have significant experience operating at a senior level within markets such as environment, water or waste. As a strategic thinker you will enjoy planning for success. As a business developer you will have a positive reputation and proven influence within professional networks within Australia that will be invaluable in this role. As a commercially astute individual, you will be an energetic person who has high levels of professional motivation and drive the growth of new markets. As you build business you will also build your team to deliver on projects, so your proven abilities or aspirations to manage and lead people will be well regarded. This role can be based in Sydney or Melbourne. An attractive salary package including share ownership options will be offered commensurate with level of experience. Please forward your resume 'in confidence' (quoting job title and code KHEBA628) to: apply@principal.net.au or call Kerrin Hosking for a confidential discussion on 1300 855 258 (direct line). To find out more about Principal or subscribe to our job updates by RSS or email, please visit our web site www.principal.net.au Principal EIA An exciting opportunity for an experienced EIA professional to join this leading specialist consultancy in Brisbane. Geotechnical Engineers Variety of projects and plenty of work to keep you busy at this large multidisciplinary consultancy in Perth. Environmental Impact Function Leader Like the sound of working in a business that rewards its people and provides real opportunities for career development both in Australia and overseas? Natural Resources - Business Unit Manager Natural born leader required to head up Australia-wide Natural Resources & Mining services business for progressive technical consultancy. Naturally, we would love to hear from you. Business Development - Environmental Consulting Use your natural outgoing personality and industry networks to help this Environmental & Engineering Consultancy to continue their growth. Environmental Assessment/Planning opportunity Branch out of Contaminated Land at last! Use your Contaminated Land experience to leapfrog into other areas of Environmental Assessment and Planning work. Principal - Contaminated Land This dynamic consulting group are looking for an experienced contaminated land professional to join their Melbourne team. From one water professional to another... As specialist recruiters in this industry our business is knowing your business and the companies you want to work for. ESD Professionals This specialist engineering firm is looking for experienced ESD professionals to join their dynamic Sydney team from graduates to Senior Consultants. Senior Electrical Engineer An excellent opportunity exists for an experienced Electrical Engineer to join this leading specialist Consultancy based in Brisbane. Hydrology and Hydraulics Team Leader Great opportunity to utilise your hydrology and hydraulics expertise in this lead role in well known consultancy. Coffee provided! Environmental Consultant This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Environmental Professional to join, lead and build this Darwin based business. To find out more about Principal or subscribe to job updates by RSS or email, please visit the website: www.principal.net.au Deadline for articles 20th of each month. Disclaimer: This newsletter is only for general information and is not to be taken as a substitute for specific advice. We accept no responsibility for any person who acts on the contents of this newsletter. |
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