APO Research

One year after the Garnaut Climate Change Review
21 September, 2009 The emissions trading scheme should be passed into law quickly and with no further distortion, argues Ross Garnaut in East Asia Forum

Emissions trading - has it worked?
Leslie Nielson Parliamentary Library21 September, 2009 This background note looks at whether programs such as the proposed Australian Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) have been successful in reducing greenhouse gases emissions in areas where they have been implemented.

Powerful choices: transition to a biofuel economy in Australia
Barney Foran Triple Helix Consulting21 September, 2009 This paper summarises the findings of eight years' research into the implications of a transition to a biofuel economy using woody biomass feedstocks for second-generation biofuels.

Environmental sustainability in residential housing
Kelly S. Fielding Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute21 September, 2009 This positioning paper addresses the attitudes and behaviour towards waste, water, and energy consumption and conservation among Australian households.

Great Barrier Reef outlook report 2009
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority22 September, 2009 The first in a series, this report provides an overview of the past and present condition of the environmental, economic and social values of the Great Barrier Reef and presents its possible future.

Towards climate safe homes: The case for zero emissions and water saving homes and neighbourhoods
Australian Conservation Foundation, Environment Victoria, the Alternative Technology Association, Friends of the Earth and the Moreland Energy Foundation23 September, 2009 With the right government support and with efforts to fast-track stronger environmental building standards, Australian homes and neighbourhoods could be emissions free and water efficient by 2020, according to this report.

Australian Government Media Releases

Government cuts emissions and energy reporting red tape for business - media release 2 July 2009
http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/wong/2009/mr20090702.html
Companies required to report data on their greenhouse gas emissions and energy use will have their reporting red tape reduced, Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong announced today. Streamlining the greenhouse energy reporting process into a single, national system will reduce the administrative burden for Australian business.

Energy Efficient Home Agreement to create job opportunities - media release 2 July 2009
http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/garrett/2009/mr20090702.html
Minister for the Environment, Peter Garrett, and Minister for Employment Participation, Senator Mark Arbib, today announced the signing of Memoranda of Understanding, under which the Rudd Government, industry and job service providers will work closely together to ensure job seekers are connected to job opportunities under the Energy Efficient Homes Package. Further information on Energy Efficient Homes: or contact Energy Efficient Homes on: 1800 808 571.

Carbon pollution household assistance package

The final CPRS Household Assistance package delivers:
1. Pensioners, carers, people with disability, veterans, the unemployed, students and other income support recipients payment increases of 2.8 per cent over two years, including upfront indexation.
2. Families with children increases of 2.8 per cent over two years, including upfront indexation, to:o Family Tax Benefit Part A per child maximum rates and supplemento Family Tax Benefit Part B standard rates and supplement
3. an increase in the base rate of Family Tax Benefit Part A of between $128 and $153 per child over two years
4. an increase in the Low Income Tax Offset of $430 over two years
5. an increase in the Dependency Tax Offsets of $165 over two years

CSIRO develops zero-emission home for Aust families

23/09/2008 - Thirty kilometres north of Melbourne CBD, in the community of Laurimar, a new type of house – the first of its kind in Australia – is about to be constructed.

The four-bedroom, detached house, will blend with the streetscape of the new development but will embody a completely new vision – a zero-emissions house that Australian families can afford.