Feed aggregator

Leaked memo shows managers were given 24 hours to name 75 staff to be redeployed to work on a no-deal scenario

The environment department has been accused of “panic” over Brexit after a leaked document revealed the emergency redeployment of staff to prepare for a no-deal scenario.

Managers at the Environment Agency (EA) were given just 24 hours to name 75 staff to be sent to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). In September, the National Audit Office said Michael Gove’s department will not be ready for a no-deal Brexit, with meat and dairy and chemicals exports especially threatened.

Continue reading...

Spanish renewable energy developer FRV says Goonumbla solar project in NSW was one of the eight winning bids in the tender held by Snowy Hydro.

The post FRV’s Goonumbla solar farm lands deal with Snowy Hydro appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The DNA secrets of a flower thought to have inspired a Greek legend have been cracked by scientists.

Indonesia, one of the world’s biggest GHG emitters, could have an emissions trading system or similar market mechanism ready for launch as early as 2021, a government official said.

Tesla's Musk talks about the projects that really excite him - like the Tesla ute and the latest Roadster which he says will be best sports car "in every dimension."

The post Tesla ute, electric semi, next-gen Roadster… and VTOL jet! Musk’s big EV ideas appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Survey commissioned by Jaguar Land Rover shows nearly 50% of young Australians would like to buy an electric car over an ICE vehicle.

The post Millennials lead push to drive electric, says Jaguar appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Chinese internet giant signs agreement global carmakers Volvo and Ford to help put China at the centre of a massive autonomous electric car market push.

The post Ford and Volvo team with Baidu in China autonomous vehicle push appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Hyundai and Kia look to add solar cells to the roofs of their cars to boost charging and range for EVs and hybrids.

The post Solar roof tech tipped to power Hyundai and Kia EVs by 2019 appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The big cats are horribly easy to kill with poisoned meat, allowing poachers to hack off their faces and paws – but rangers are now on their trail

• Warning: this article includes graphic images some readers may find disturbing

“That’s fresh, just a few hours old,” says Kris Everatt, pointing at a clear print of a lion’s paw in the hot dust. “It’s the ghost pride.”

The print is female. A bigger male print is soon spotted, also leading towards a precious water hole, then a smaller one. “A cub, less than two years old,” he says.

Continue reading...

It isn’t just car fumes that fill our urban centres with particles. Why is air pollution on the rise, who does it affect most – and what can we do about it?

Nothing is more vital to life than breathing: in a lifetime, about 250m litres of air passes through your lungs. Yet walk along a busy city street and you will inhale something like 20m particles in a single lungful.

Continue reading...

Single-Column Responsive Email Template Vic-Tas Chapter Newsletter November 2018 Community Renewable Power Level 31, 600 Bourke Street Melbourne 5.30 pm for 6.00 pm Thursday 8th November This event will focus on the evolution of renewable energy projects and community involvement and the technical aspects of the increasingly common hybrid renewable projects. Attendees will gain an insight into meeting the planning and community/legal/financial aspects that require careful consideration in preparing a successful project strategy from Barry Mann who has been involved with a number of community renewable energy projects. The case study is a community renewable wind and solar energy park with capacity to power all homes in Macedon Ranges Shire. Dr Nathan Steggel (Windlab Technical Director) will then speak on the "Why? When? and Where?" of Hybrid projects, why they make sense and the benefits they can provide to project partners and customers. A Panel discussion will follow. Committee meeting 5.30pm 13th November Meeting will consider the draft CPD events 2019 The list will be finalised after the PDAC meeting (Professional Development and Advocacy Committee) 12th Nov. Decisions on available speakers, order of events with calendar dates and co hosting required. 1. Transitioning built infrastructure materials to zero net emissions by 2050. Why, rate of change and how? Context: latest climate trajectory predictions and sectoral emissions. Proposed National Building Code amendments. Life cycle energy and emissions from existing materials and possible new materials that can achieve net zero lifecycle emissions for different project scales. 2. Life Cycle Analysis in Engineering and applicability for a sustainable future. The process is important in achieving sustainable outcomes for Engineering projects as we face challenges of a net zero carbon future, the need for greater recycling, and reuse across all sectors. 3. Big Australia – What are the limits and what are the future implications for Engineers? Sustainable resource use & consumption – Limits of ecological and non-renewable resources - species & habitat, forests, water & waste, land & food, minerals, oceans. What it may mean for population, quality of life and engineering in a hotter, drier volatile climate. 4. Sustainable Hydrogen Economy. Renewable electricity producing Hydrogen and Ammonia as a transport fuel, remote site power, fertilizer and an export market of 1Bn tonnes worth $4.8Bn by 2030 with net zero CO2e, no pollution and low environmental impacts. Closing the loop -Waste to Products Level 31, 600 Bourke Street Melbourne 5.30 pm for 6.00pm Monday 26th November Presentation 1. Australian industry and Government response to China ceasing to take our trash What is the China Sword Policy and how has it impacted the Australian recycling export markets Who was asleep at the wheel? Response from the Australian Recycling Industry Federal & Victorian State Government Responses Short and long term impacts Where to from here? David Rako is well respected with over 25 years’ professional experience working in the environmental sustainability field. In this time David has worked closely with State government agencies, local government, businesses and the waste management and resource recovery industry, to support the delivery of environmentally sustainable outcomes in the implementation of material recovery programs. David establish his consultancy, DJR Environmental to work in partnership with clients and the industry to deliver project outcomes that are focused on long term environmental improvement. Presentation 2. Innovative technology to transform waste into useable products ResourceCo is one of Australia’s largest recycling businesses, accepting and processing over two million tonnes of waste per annum. This presentation covers ResourceCo Group's capability and operations in the Recycling, Recovery and Reuse of waste in Australia, focusing on the Alternative Fuel and Tyre Recycling sectors, with case studies, including the building of the Process Engineered Fuel Plant in NSW and a large Regional Tyre Stockpile Clean up operation. Clinton Habner is National Sales Manager whose role has been to develop new strategic relationships targeted at the alternative fuel segment and develop commercially sustainable businesses within the ResourceCo Group. Panel discussion SENG Vic Committee & Members Dinner 12th December 2018. At Tahini Lebanese , 518 Little Bourke Street. Menu: Choice of 2 items from the grill per person, accompanied with the chefs choice of sides including salad, small hot & cold mezza plates & Lebanese bread. $23 pp with vegan option - gluten free option +$1.50 Drinks Extra. Please confirm your attendance to Drushti Chandarana by 26th November latest. Past SENG Events Want to look back at past SENG events? Presentations from most of our events are available on our website LinkedIn SENG is on LinkedIn. Visit the group here Other useful links Alternative Technology Association Environment Victoria The Conversation Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute. Melbourne Energy Institute Climate Council Beyond Zero Emissions Future Melbourne Network If you can't view this email click here to view online Click here to unsubscribe from this newsletter S

Of all this week's stats, the fall in the coal price really stood out. So what's behind it, and what does it mean for Australia?

The post Know your NEM: Coal comfort for electricity prices? appeared first on RenewEconomy.

As ScoMo sets off on the campaign trail, report says surge in wind and solar has seen NEM wholesale power prices peak, and go into a decline. Fair dinkum.

The post Surge in renewables delivering cheaper power, says TAI report appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Tuesday's US midterm elections are unlikely to have a significant near-term impact on the RGGI carbon market or California’s suite of climate initiatives, but the winners could play a key role in developing those and other programmes further down the line, legislative experts said.

Germany share of renewables jumps to 38 per cent for first nine months of 2018, just a whisker short of declining black and brown coal generation.

The post German renewables share jumps to 38% for 2018, nearly catches coal appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Crookwell wind farm opens in the heart of Angus Taylor's electorate - but the energy minister, a long time anti-wind campaigner, did not attend the opening.

The post Crookwell 2 wind farm opens, in win for local farmers and ACT power prices appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Largest regional electric grid operator in US sees “no imminent threat” to reliability of its system, despite closure of coal and nuclear plants.

The post Grid operator study shows Trump bailout of coal and nuclear plants is unnecessary appeared first on RenewEconomy.

A team at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh create a "crystal maze" to control how light spreads.

Christa Larwood visits the UCL Pathology Museum usually reserved for the eyes of medical students.

A sewing group helps bridge the generation gap one stitch at a time; Warwick's rubbish rambler helps keep Australia clean; and Cobdogla embraces Halloween.