This report listed below was found on the Australian Policy Online newsletter and thought it might interest the Sustainable Melbourne audience. Retrofitting rather than simply building new environmentally-friendly buildings is a key concern regarding climate change.

The greening of existing buildings
Your Building
Posted: 27-04-2008
Current research has identified that most of Australia’s CBD stock, constructed in the 1970’s, is entering a phase of retrofitting. Most of this existing stock performs poorly against sustainability benchmarks and there is huge scope for improving the sustainability of the existing commercial building stock in Australia. This link is a collection of recent articles addressing the topic of greening of the existing building stock, found in EcoLibrium, the official journal of the Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH).

Read full text: http://www.yourbuilding.org/display/yb/The+Greening+of+Existing+Buildings.

Whether building, buying or renovating a sustainably designed home that is sensitive to your surrounds will always be more economical to run and healthier to live in. The “Renovate Sustainably” seminar will outline simple ideas and design principles that will help you create a healthy home lifestyle.

Presenters:
Bill Pemberton from SCARAB Solutions will speak on saving energy in the home when building covering: orientation, insulation, glazing, appliances, touching on embodied energy of building materials.
Jo Biddwell building biologist will speak about healthy building products, and finishes to reduce the toxicity of your home.

Time & Date: 6.45—9.00pm, Thursday 8 May, 2008.
Bookings: 9840 9129 / eepadmin @manningham.vic.gov.au
Where: Manningham City Council Chambers, 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster.

Home Harvest Food Exchange - Join our Sustainable Living Challenge Home Harvest Food Exchange! Bring along your extra home grown food and exchange it with someone else. The Home Harvest Exchange runs before each seminar (6.30—6.45pm).

Renovate sustainably pdf

First Floor, 24-26 Hope Street, Brunswick
‘Transition to a Zero Carbon Future’, is our monthly discussion group focusing on the important task of developing real solutions to climate change in the Australian context.

The first discussion group, which focussed on the Victoria’s stationary energy sector, was a great success. This group is about moving beyond generalised calls for action on climate change, to examining real solutions, that are available now and the policy settings required to implement them. Our next discussion group will be focusing on the transport sector. We are very excited to announce that Dr Patrick Moriarty has agreed to address the group at our next meeting on Monday, 5th May.

Dr Patrick Moriarty is a leading academic and researcher in the field of Civil and Mechanical Engineering. He is currently Honorary Research Associate in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Monash Universty. Over a thirty six year career he has researched and published widely in leading journals in Australia and overseas. His main research interests have included urban land use, transport and energy issues. An important part of his research has been the climate change implications of different fuels/energy sources for transport and electricity generation. He is also particularly interested in the limits of technological changes and efficiencies in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector, as opposed to behavioral changes or social efficiency measures. He has been actively involved in urban environment movements particularly in relation to proposed rail closures and urban freeway building. He has made, and continues to make a major contribution to debate around our transport future.

To assist us to provide adequate seating etc, please RSVP by 30th April to Mark Ogge
Email: mark @beyondzeroemissions.org
Ph: 0421 272 884

http://www.beyondzeroemissions.org/discussiongroup/

Recently promoted on the Greenleap list, the “Energy Transformed: Sustainable Energy Solutions for Climate Change Mitigation” developed by The Natural Edge Project, Griffith University and ANU and was funded by the CSIRO Energy Transformed Flagship and the National Framework for Energy Efficiency may also appeal to Sustainable Melbourne readers.

“Energy Transformed: Sustainable Energy Solutions for Climate Change Mitigation”

This 600+ page Online Textbook provides FREE access to a comprehensive education and training package that brings together the knowledge of how countries, specifically Australia can achieve deep cuts. See http://www.naturaledgeproject.net/Sustainable_Energy_Solutions_Portfolio.aspx.

This training package provides industry, governments, business and households with knowledge to enable them to realise at least 30 percent energy efficiency savings in the short term while providing a strong basis for further improvement. The package is presented as 3 modules each with 10 lectures. Each lecture is structured to enable you to find quickly what you need. Each lecture has a clear topic heading, aim, executive summary (key learning points), detailed 15 page essay and then further online resources.

Module 1 overviews the business case for rapid action on climate change and then covers the main areas of energy efficiency opportunity – by technology. Module 2 firstly highlights how through good demand management peak and base load electricity demand can be reduced.

Module 2 then considers energy efficiency opportunities – by Sector. Modules 1 and 2 are designed this way to align with the UK Carbon Trusts extensive free online resources on these topics. (See Energy Efficiency Savings by Technology - http://www.thecarbontrust.co.uk/energy/startsaving/technology.htm ) (See Energy Efficiency Savings by Sector - http://www.thecarbontrust.co.uk/energy/startsaving/sectorselector/ )

Module 3 provides an updated overview of advances in low carbon technologies, renewable energy and sustainable transport, climate neutral buildings and carbon offsets to help achieve a low carbon sustainable energy future. Whist this education and training package has an Australian focus, it outlines sustainable energy strategies and provide links to numerous online reports which will assist climate change mitigation efforts globally.

This free online training program seeks to compliment other initiatives seeking to encourage the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions rapidly through behaviour change, sustainable consumption, and constructive changes in economic incentives and policy.

This package was developed by The Natural Edge Project, Griffith University and ANU and was funded by the CSIRO Energy Transformed Flagship and the National Framework for Energy Efficiency. The package was developed with extensive peer review. The lead peer reviewers for this package were Adjunct Professor Alan Pears and Geoff Andrews.

Please find a message below from Ben Nicholson, Green Roofs Australia.

Dear green roofers and green roof enthusiasts,

The second annual Green Roofs Australia conference is taking place from 18 - 20 June 2008 in Brisbane and we are currently calling for anyone interested in presenting at the conference to submit a 500 word abstract of their topic to the committee for consideration.

The annual GRA conference provides an excellent opportunity for presenters to share information and publicise their efforts in forwarding green roof and wall technologies in Australia. This year the conference will aim to cover a wide range of topics, from the trial and error efforts of ‘mum and dad’ green roofers to the experiences of large extensive commercial practitioners.

If you are interested in presenting a topic at the 2008 Green Roofs Australia conference, please follow the link below to submit your 500 word abstract - you will be contacted in due course by a member of the committee:
http://www.icebergevents.com/greenroofsconference2008/Call-for-Abstracts/

If you are interested in registering to attend the conference, you may do so via the link below:
http://www.icebergevents.com/greenroofsconference2008/Registration/

And if you are interested in sponsoring the conference via one of our sponsorship packages, you are more than encouraged to follow the link below:
http://www.icebergevents.com/greenroofsconference2008/Sponsorship-Opportunities/

Finally, if you would like to catch up on what’s been happening in the world of green roofs and walls, check out the Green Roofs Australia website:
http://greenroofs.wordpress.com/

I wish you all the best and look forward to seeing you at the GRA conference in June!

Kind Regards,
Ben Nicholson
VIC-TAS Coordinator

I found this report listed on the Australian Policy Online newsletter and thought it might interest the Sustainable Melbourne audience.

Wedges: understanding the potential to reduce Victoria’s greenhouse gas emissions
The Nous Group / Victorian Government
Posted: 04-04-2008
This report looks at the potential for emissions reductions across the energy, transport, agriculture, land use and forestry and waste and industrial sectors. It provides important guidance on areas for future focus and trade-offs associated with different options.
To read the full text visit http://www.climatechange.vic.gov.au/summit/Resources/Wedges%20Report.pdf.

The Victorian Sustainable Development Conference 2008 will bring together key Victorian Government ministers, industry leaders, local government, scientists, conservationists and others to discuss the current and future directions and frameworks for sustainability in Victoria, and will review how it will affect Victorian local government, business and the community.

It will provide an opportunity to examine progress towards sustainable objectives in a range of key areas such as:
Water
Energy efficiency
Climate change response
Waste and resource recovery
Planning and urban design, including a review of the Melbourne 2030 strategy.

The Conference will also feature best practice case studies in sustainable development, including creating a sustainable workplace, addressing challenges of sustainability, and provide advice for how state and local government and business can achieve their sustainable development goals in a cost-effective manner.

Keynote Speakers include:
Hon. Gavin Jennings MLC, Minister for Environment and Climate Change
Hon. Peter Batchelor MP, Minister for Energy and Resources
Dr Ian McPhail, Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability
Timothy Piper, Director, AiGroup
Kelly O’Shanassy, Chief Executive Officer, Environment Victoria
Rob Hogarth, Partner, KPMG
Dr Wendy Craik, Director, Murray-Darling Basin Commission

Confirmed Speakers include:
Andrew Allan, President, Stormwater Industry Association - Victorian Branch
Michael Ambrose, Construction Systems Scientist, CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems
Linda Bradburn, Education Officer, Melton Shire Council
Larissa Brown, Executive Director, Centre for Sustainability Leadership
David Buntine, Chief Executive, Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority (PPWCMA)
Colin Dimitroff, Principal, Corporate Sustainable Solutions, URS Asia Pacific
Robert Easson, Manager Alliance Partners, Prima Consulting
Andrew Fennessey, Principal Adviser Industry and Economics, Department of Sustainability and Environment
Paul Holper, Manager, Australian Climate Change Science Program, CSIRO Marine & Atmospheric Research
Chloe Munro, Commissioner, National Water Commission
Robert Kerr, Commissioner, Victorian Competition and Efficiency
Robert Powell, Industrial Resource Efficiency Officer, City of Frankston
Cathy Ronalds, Policy Officer - Climate Change Adaption, Department of Sustainability and Environment
Maria Simonelli, Executive Manager, ICLEI Australia/New Zealand
Brian Peadon, CEO, Waterexchange
Thinh Tran, Project Manager, Sustainability Victoria
Jon Ward, General Manager, Business, Innovation & Technology, Sustainability Victoria
Tony Wood Executive General Manager, Corporate Communications & Government Relations Origin Energy.

A conference agenda is available at www.halledit.com.au/conferences/sustainability/2008 or by contacting Denise McQueen on (03) 8534 5021 or denise.mcqueen @halledit.com.au.

Would you like to be trained to provide talks to community groups on promoting climate justice and preventing runaway climate change?

Friends of the Earth (FoE) receives requests from a range of community groups to provide talks on climate change. These are important opportunities to increase awareness about climate justice and climate change issues, and to promote FoE’s valuable work in this area.

We are inviting applications from people who would like to provide talks to community groups about these issues on FoE’s behalf, on a voluntary basis (though travel expenses incurred through making presentations would be reimbursed). Successful applicants will be trained to prepare for their role, focusing on skill development in public speaking, presentation
techniques, understanding climate justice and climate change issues, and responding to questions from the audience. Approximately 5 hours of training will be provided.

Successful applicants would do approximately one talk per month, and we are hoping for a commitment of at least six months. Handout material and a PowerPoint presentation (for those situations in which it is needed) will be provided by FoE for presenters to use.

To be eligible, you must be either a current or former FoE member, and/or have donated time (e.g. through volunteering on a specific task or campaign) or money to FoE. You would need to understand FoE’s general principles and philosophies concerning our social justice and environmental work, and have at least a moderate understanding of climate change and climate justice issues. You don’t need to be a great public speaker, but be someone who likes to communicate with people and be willing to improve your presentation skills.

If you are interested please contact Arius, arius.tolstoshev @foe.org.au asap.

What is the HIA GreenSmart initiative?
GreenSmart is a voluntary practical approach to building that focuses on educating builders, designers, product manufacturers and consumers about the benefits of environmentally responsible housing.

GreenSmart is an industry-driven initiative that aims to encourage a mainstream application of its principles to today’s housing. As a voluntary initiative, it provides appropriate market recognition for environmental endeavours in the residential construction industry. Find out more about GreenSmart.

The section below is republished with permission from the Going Solar Transport Newsletter #55, 15 April 2008, compiled by Stephen Ingrouille. Going Solar, www.goingsolar.com.au/transport. This newsletter provides an excellent commentary on local sustainable transport issues in Melbourne.

Hovercraft on Port Phillip Bay
“A fleet of 10 custom-built hovercraft could be transporting thousands of commuters between Geelong and Melbourne daily. The air-cushioned boats could be built and tested locally, with a Victorian manufacturer said to be considering moving to Geelong. The move would bring millions of dollars to the region and create hundreds of jobs, city leaders say. Sustainable transport consultant Stephen Ingrouille has almost finished a feasibility study to run the ferries between Geelong, Port Melbourne, Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula. ‘Hovercraft are perfect for the bay because it’s shallow,’ Mr Ingrouille said. ‘I’d be keen to see hovercraft built in the city because it’s an excellent way of replacing some of the manufacturing industry jobs.’ He said the newgeneration hovercraft would be efficient, relatively cheap to build and have minimal impact on the environment. They would hold 80-100 passengers and cross Port Phillip Bay at peak times. ‘I’ve been looking at this for some years now,’ he said. ‘I have looked at ferry services up and down the west coast of the US and other states of Australia.’ An efficient ferry system would ease congestion on the West Gate Bridge, and reduce reliance on trains and trams. Mr Ingrouille said the manufacturer was building a hovercraft to be used as a rescue vessel at Changi International Airport, Singapore. Councillor Tom O’Connor is pushing the hovercraft bid. ‘It can’t happen soon enough,’ he said.”
Ref: Kerri-Ann Hobbs, Geelong Advertiser, 9/4/08