News and Updates
Friday, 11th November 2011
LAUNCH OF THE LOW CARBON GROWTH PLAN FOR MACQUARIE PARK
ClimateWorks Australia's Low Carbon Growth Plan for Macquarie Park was launched yesterday in Sydney. The Plan identifies opportunities for improvements in energy efficiency of the built environment in the Macquarie Park precinct in Sydney. It found that businesses in the precinct could save $24.4 million each year. It also found that precinct residents could save on energy bills with a reduction in residential energy consumption of 34%.
In the commercial sector the Plan identifies that three quarters of all abatement opportunities could save money, even after taking into account upfront costs. In the residential sector, investments in more efficient appliances, electronics and lighting (for example), could pay for themselves in less than two years through energy savings and reduce energy consumption by 26%.
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
CARBON PRICE LEGISLATION PASSES THROUGH THE SENATE
ClimateWorks welcomes the passage of this legislation. It will finally create an emissions trading scheme for Australia, making low carbon investments more attractive relative to fossil fuel alternatives and business as usual. The policy package also offers significant complementary measures to help boost business uptake of energy efficiency and carbon farming. Our research shows that together, these programs could reduce Australia's emissions by 133 million tonnes and take us over three-quarters of the way towards achieving the minimum 5% target by 2020 - if they are implemented well. This should provide solid evidence for strengthening Australia's 2020 pollution cap, when reviewed by the independent Climate Change Authority in two years. We will be closely monitoring progress.
Download our report on the Carbon Price
Friday, October 14th
LAUNCH OF THE LOW CARBON GROWTH PLAN FOR GIPPSLAND
ClimateWorks launched the Low Carbon Growth Plan for Gippsland today, in a presentation to the local community at the Monash Churchill campus in Gippsland. The plan is the first region-wide Low Carbon Growth Plan produced in Australia and identifies the opportunities available and next steps for emissions-reduction in the manufacturing, mining and freight; commercial and services; household; and land-based sectors.
The Plan identifies almost $100 million a year in savings for the Gippsland economy and potential reduction of up to 10% in greenhouse emissions by 2020 (below 2000 levels).
Download the report and fact sheet here
Thursday, September 22nd
UNLOCKING BARRIERS TO COGENERATION
Today ClimateWorks, in conjunction with Seed Advisory, launched the Unlocking Barriers to Cogeneration: Project Outcomes Report. The event was held at Zinc in Melbourne and attended by about 160 people. The project set out to design solutions to the barriers facing deployment of cogeneration and is now facilitating a rule change to the National Electricity Rules to streamline the process of connecting to the grid.
Novel in working towards this outcome is the involvement of a wide group of stakeholders working in a collaborative manner with the commitment to pursuing an implementable solution. Using a portfolio of six 'live' Victorian-based commercial cogeneration proposals, the project working group spanned the supply chain - with customers, market participants, regulators, operators and policymakers working together over three months coordinated by ClimateWorks with support from Seed Advisory.
Download a copy of the full report
Tuesday, August 9
CARBON PRICE PACKAGE COULD UNLOCK LARGER POLLUTION CUTS Australia could achieve a greater than expected reduction in its greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 if the Federal Government's carbon package is successfully implemented, according to new research from ClimateWorks Australia. ClimateWorks Australia Executive Director, Anna Skarbek, said a detailed analysis of the Government's carbon price package shows it could reduce 124 million tonnes of carbon emissions by 2020 within Australia, more than double Treasury's modelling of domestic abatement through the carbon price alone.
Thursday June 23
NAB AND CLIMATEWORKS RELEASE RETAIL SECTOR RESEARCH
At the Australian National Retailers Association conference, research was released by National Australia Bank (NAB) and ClimateWorks revealing that a focussed investment in energy efficient initiatives could be more significant for retail businesses' overall performance than hitting forecast growth numbers. ClimateWorks' Low Carbon Growth Plan for Australia - Retail Sector Summary addresses energy efficiency opportunities for the whole retail sector, which demonstrates that Australian retailers could collectively save up to $1 billion by 2020. NAB has separately developed a finance supplement which analyses the specific circumstances of 40% of the ASX 200 leading retailers, which finds that potential energy savings are equivalent to 2.1% to 5.5% growth in revenue, which is as much as five times historical growth rates and double current projections for the retail sector.
Download the Retail Sector Low Carbon Growth Plan by ClimateWorks here
Download the Financial Implications Analysis by NAB here
Thursday May 12 and Wednesday June 8
LAUNCH OF LOW CARBON GROWTH PLAN FOR GREATER GEELONG
Australia's first Regional Low Carbon Growth Plan was launched on May 12 and presented at a public forum on June 8 in Geelong, outlining the practical plan produced by ClimateWorks Australia for how Geelong can achieve a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and build a low-carbon economy. The ClimateWorks Australia report outlines over 30 actions that could be taken in Geelong to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 14 per cent below the business as usual level by 2020, using existing technology and without changing the business mix or making significant lifestyle changes. It has been developed as part of an innovative sustainability covenant for the Future Proofing Geelong alliance, with input from major Geelong employers such as Shell, Ford, Alcoa, Boral Cement, Godfrey Hirst, LyondellBasell and Terminals. Under the plan, Geelong could reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by over 1.3 million tonnes by 2020, equivalent to eliminating the emissions produced by all of Geelong's households each year, while generating net savings of over $30 million a year across the region.
Read press release - Geelong Regional Low Carbon Growth Plan
Read Future Proofing GeelongSustainability Covenant
Thursday 21 April 2011
INVOLVEMENT IN NATIONAL CARBON PRICE DEBATE
Collaboration with other organisations in coordination of policy development and communication, and preparation for the NGO Roundtable meetings .We provided a submission on carbon price design in February.
Read submission on Carbon Price Design here
LOW CARBON GROWTH PLAN FOR THE GIPPSLAND REGION
Low Carbon Growth Plan for the Gippsland region, covering six local council areas including the Latrobe Valley. The first LCGP Gippsland Newsletter.
Download First LCGP Gippsland Newsletter here
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COGENERATION PORTFOLIO PROJECT:
Designing solutions to unblock barriers
Wednesday 6 April 2011
LOW CARBON GROWTH PLAN 2011 UPDATE RELEASED
The 2011 update on the original opportunities identified in the 2010 Low Carbon Growth Plan was released today. New data shows that delaying action on climate change to 2015 would increase by $5.5 billion the cost for businesses and households of reaching Australia’s 5 per cent reduction in 2020.
Download the Low Carbon Growth Plan update here
Wednesday 4 April 2011
CLIMATEWORKS ENEWSLETTER # 4
- 2011 Update Report to the Low Carbon Growth Plan - measuring the cost of delay
- Tracking Progress research underway
- Involvement in national carbon price debate
- ClimateWorks Update
- Regional Low Carbon Growth Plans
- Cogen project: Design Solutions to Unblock Barriers to Cogeneration
- Anna Burke MP joins ClimateWorks Board
Friday, 3rd December
CLIMATEWORKS ENEWSLETTER # 3
- ClimateWorks analysis of commercial buildings abatement report released
- Howard Bamsey joins ClimateWorks Board
- ClimateWorks on the Federal Government's NGO Roundtable on Climate Change
- Continued application of the Low Carbon Growth Plan
- ClimateWorks is recruiting
View eNewletter #3 here
Thursday, 2nd December
DETAILED ANALYSIS OF COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS ABATEMENT OPPORTUNITIES RELEASED
Australian Carbon Trust and ClimateWorks Australia today released a report today which identifies the significant carbon emission reduction opportunities and energy and cost savings achievable by making Australia's commercial buildings more energy efficient.
The 'Australian Carbon Trust Report: commercial buildings emissions reduction opportunities' highlights the need for innovative funding solutions and partnerships to achieve real emissions reductions and cost savings for large and small businesses. The report will launched at the annual Energy Efficiency Council (EEC) conference in Sydney today.
Read press release here
Download analysis here
Wednesday, 1st December
ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL & GOVERNANCE RESEARCH AWARD WIN
As part of the annual Sustainability Awards presented by the Ethical Investor magazine, ClimateWorks has won the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Research Award. The award recognises those companies, institutions and individuals that integrate ESG behaviour into Australia's corporate and investment culture with ClimateWorks receiving the award for the work undertaken in producing the Low Carbon Growth Plan for Australia.
Read more about the award here
Read our award submission
Thursday 21st October 2010
GIPPSLAND LOW CARBON GROWTH PLAN ANNOUNCED
A Regional Low Carbon Growth Plan for Gippsland (commencing early 2011) in Victoria will be underway shortly. In October, Victoria's Regional and Rural Development Minister announced that the Government would be investing $300,000 in the development of a Low Carbon Growth Plan for the Gippsland area, as part of Government's broader response to the Gippsland Regional Strategic Plan. ClimateWorks will work with the Latrobe City Council and Regional Development Victoria to involve data and participation from across the Gippsland region. The project will calculate the emissions reduction potential in Gippsland from buildings, industry, transport, agriculture, forestry and power, and present a roadmap for how to implement these opportunities.
Read media release here
Monday, 18th October 2010
CLIMATEWORKS AMONG 20 APPOINTED TO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S NGO ROUNDTABLE ON CLIMATE CHANGE
Federal Ministers Greg Combet and Tony Burke today announced the creation of a Non-Government Organisation Roundtable on Climate Change.
Chairman of ClimateWorks Australia and Monash Sustainability Institute Professor John Thwaites and Executive Director of ClimateWorks Australia Anna Skarbek were both appointed to the roundtable that includes leaders from organisations such as the Australian Conservation Foundation, Greenpeace Australia Pacific and the World Wide Fund for Nature.
"This roundtable has been created to play a vital role in providing feedback to the Federal Government in relation to the introduction of a carbon price for Australia," Professor Thwaites said. "The members of this group have a responsibility to ensure that the community's interests are always top of mind in the development of any governmental climate change policies."
Ms Skarbek is excited that ClimateWorks Australia's contribution to developing a Low Carbon Growth Plan for the nation, which also recently won the organisation a Eureka Prize, may have the opportunity to assist in informing and transforming national environmental policy.
"As a representative of ClimateWorks Australia and the community, it is an honour to be given the opportunity to be able to help shape policy in this way," Ms Skarbek said.
"I commend the Federal Government for forming this roundtable to ensure that the voices of Australians, from a range of community sectors are heard and considered, when trying to create some of the most important environmental policies in Australian history." The Non-Government Organisation Roundtable on Climate Change will meet monthly throughout 2011.
Read announcement and terms of reference here
Friday, 15th October 2010
GEELONG LOW CARBON GROWTH PLAN ANNOUNCED
The project is being supported by the State government and intends to deliver a comprehensive, economy wide plan specifically tailored to the Geelong region, outlining how the area can achieve emission reductions at low cost.
Read related articles
Geelong carbon emissions to be cut by 25pc
Geelong's Low Carbon Future Blueprint to Lead Nation
Wednesday, 13th October 2010
NATIONAL CARBON MARKET INSTITUTE ANNOUNCED WITH CLIMATEWORKS EXECUTIVE ANNA SKARBEK APPOINTED TO THE BOARD
A National Carbon Market Institute has been announced with the aim of helping Australian businesses with the implementation of climate-related markets and to assist in capturing opportunities and managing liabilities.
The Institute will be an independent, not for profit organisation established in partnership with the Asia-Pacific Emissions Trading Forum.
It will provide Australian industry with business networking, research and market analysis, education and training, professional standards and accreditation and international engagement.
Anna Skarbek Executive Director of ClimateWorks has been appointed to the Board of the Institute along with AGL Director Les Hosking, AETF Chairman Tony Beck, Alstom Cice-president and former Australian Greenhouse Office CEO Gwen Andrews and Clayton Utz Partner Brendan Bateman.
Read the announcement here
Friday, 8th October 2010
REPORT OF THE PRIME MINISTER'S TASK GROUP ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY RELEASED
The Task Group on Energy Efficiency established by former Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd to advise the Australian Government on options to improve Australia's energy efficiency by 2020 released its report today. ClimateWorks Australia made a submission to the Task Group in May and is pleased that the Task Group's report has utilised information provided by ClimateWorks and cited the ClimateWorks Low Carbon Growth Plan a number of times throughout the report.
Tuesday 14th Sepetember 2010
CLIMATEWORKS BOARD UPDATE
ClimateWorks Director Mark Dreyfus has now moved on to a new role as Cabinet Secretary and the Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency and is no longer on the ClimateWorks Board. ClimateWorks thanks Mark for the valuable contribution he has made to ClimateWorks during his time on the Board.
Tuesday, 17th August 2010
LOW CARBON GROWTH PLAN - EUREKA PRIZE WINNER
ClimateWorks Australia's Low Carbon Growth Plan for Australia has been awarded the Eureka Prize for Innovative Solutions to Climate Change, at an event dubbed the 'Oscars of Australian science', held in Sydney.
Presented annually by the Australian Museum, the Eureka Prizes reward excellence in the fields of research & innovation, science leadership, school science and science journalism & communication.
The ClimateWorks' report was described by the Australian Museum as a 'national can-do carbon plan'.
Read up the Eureka Prize & Judging criteria
Monday, 26th July 2010
CLIMATE SCIENTISTS AUSTRALIA – BUSINESS LEADERS BRIEFING
CSA co-hosted two lunchtime briefings for business leaders with KPMG and WWF in Melbourne and Sydney on 26th and 28th July. CSA members gave presentations on the basics of climate change, responses to climate sceptics, and the impacts of climate change. Handouts from the sessions can be downloaded here
Thursday, 22nd July 2010
LOW CARBON GROWTH PLAN – EUREKA PRIZE FINALIST
Our Low Carbon Growth Plan for Australia has been selected as a finalist for the 2010 Eureka Prize for Innovative Solutions to Climate Change. Presented annually by the Australian Museum, the Eureka Prizes reward excellence in the fields of scientific research and innovation, science leadership, school science and science journalism and communication.
Sponsored by the New South Wales Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water, the $10,000 Eureka Prize for Innovative Solutions to Climate Change is awarded to an Australian individual, group or organisation for work that demonstrates a commitment to pursuing innovative solutions to the challenges posed by climate change.
The nomination highlights the widespread interest and support that ClimateWorks Australia's Low Carbon Growth Plan has received since its release in March 2010. The Plan identifies 54 opportunities that together can reduce Australia's greenhouse gas emissions by 25% below 2000 levels. Based on detailed economic and policy analysis, the Plan identifies the actions required to reduce emissions, the barriers to their implementation, and their relative cost in six key sectors – power, forestry, industry, buildings, agriculture and transport. The other finalists in the category are Earth Hour 2010 and The Integrated Sustainability Analysis (ISA) Team from the University of Sydney. The winner will be announced at the Eureka Prize Awards Dinner on Tuesday 17th August in Sydney.
Click here to read more about the Eureka Prizes
Monday, 10th June 2010
CLIMATE SCIENTISTS AUSTRALIA – VISIT PARLIAMENT
On the 10th June, members of Climate Scientists Australia (CSA) briefed Victorian Members of Parliament on climate change and how it might affect Victoria at a breakfast hosted by the Environment and Natural Resources Committee.
Wednesday 26th May 2010
LOW CARBON GROWTH PLAN – PARLIAMENTARY LUNCH CANBERRA
Executive Director, Anna Skarbek presented to a bipartisan group of MP’s and parliamentary staff over lunch with an interactive time for questions.
Wednesday 26th May 2010
LOW CARBON GROWTH PLAN – CANBERRA PUBLIC LECTURE
Anna Skarbek and John Thwaites presented the Low Carbon Growth Plan to an audience of around 70 people at Australian National University.
View press release here
Click here to watch this event
Friday 7th May 2010
SUBMISSION TO PRIME MINISTER'S TASK GROUP ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Friday 7th May 2010
LOW CARBON GROWTH PLAN – 2nd MELBOURNE EVENT
Due to the overwhelming success of the first Melbourne event on March 19th, in response to requests, ClimateWorks hosted a second event in Melbourne on 30th April. Hosted at the Spring St Conference Centre, about 120 people gathered to hear about the report.
Thursday 22nd April 2010
LOW CARBON GROWTH PLAN – SYDNEY LAUNCH
The Sydney launch of the Low Carbon Growth Plan took place on April 22nd, 7:30am to 11:00am at The Australian Museum. Anna Skarbek (Executive Director) and David Shelmerdine (Board of Directors and Deputy Chairman of The Myer Family Company Pty Ltd) presented the findings of the report to about 120 people.
To see a copy of the media release click here.
Click here to watch this event
Friday March 19th 2010
LOW CARBON GROWTH PLAN – LAUNCH EVENT
Today, ClimateWorks launched the Low Carbon Growth Plan for Australia. This is the first time the report has been presented to the public and marks an important day for ClimateWorks Australia.
The event was held at BMW Edge, Melbourne, with a strong turn out of approximately 400 people attending in the naturally light filled venue. Attendees came from a wide array of sectors of the community such as government, superannuation, environment, not for profit, banking and finance, transport, planning & many more.
Executive Director Anna Skarbek, CEO Dave Griggs and Chairman John Thwaites presented the overall findings of the report in an hour session. An informal, 1.5 hour in-depth presentation followed, where Anna and John presented the findings in key focus areas - power, industry, forestry, agriculture, buildings and transport.
There was opportunity for the audience to ask questions both at the end of the main session and after each in depth section. Insightful comments and questions were put forward by the audience.
The day was a huge success.
Thursday 18th March 2010
LOW CARBON GROWTH PLAN - REPORT RELEASE
The launch of the Low Carbon Growth Plan for Australia has generated excellent media coverage from many of Australia's prime media outlets over the last two days.
See the media coverage of the Low Carbon Growth Plan
Read the press release
Friday 5th February 2010
SUSTAINABLE FUTURES FORUM
ClimateWorks Australia held its first Sustainable Futures Forum, addressing responses to climate change by rural Australia, co-hosted with the Cranlana Programme. The Australian Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Tony Burke, was the keynote guest, and was joined by an eminent group of participants.
Read more about the Sustainable Futures Forum
Friday 23rd October 2009
CLIMATE SCIENTISTS AUSTRALIA - ACTION URGED IN CANBERRA
Eight of Australia’s top climate scientists, all members of Climate Scientists Australia - with over 200 years of climate science experience between them - met with Australia’s policy makers in Canberra on Wednesday 21st October with an urgent call for action. They want decision-makers to rely on the best science when determining Australia’s response to climate change.
See the story on the ABC's Lateline Programme
Climate Scientists Australia website
Monday 21st September 2009
THE MYER FOUNDATION AND MONASH UNIVERSITY JOIN FORCES TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE
ClimateWorks Australia, launched today by Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard, heralds a new cohesive approach to tackling climate change, led by the philanthropic sector.
ClimateWorks Australia is a unique partnership between The Myer Foundation and Monash University. It will bring together philanthropic, government, business, community, research and education stakeholders to support projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
