Archive for the ‘Policies’ Category
Policies refers to action that addresses issues at a government level. This could be policy recommendations or comments on current policy about urban sustainability issues and could refer to local, state or federal government level. If you work in government or are contributing to creating sustainable policies, you are welcome to post your thoughts on Sustainable Melbourne. To do so visit the “How to use this site” page and follow the prompts.
Revised Green Star Timber credit
Posted in Policies by Kate Archdeacon on December 8th, 2009
Source: Green Building Council Australia (GBCA)
Image: soilscience.info via flickr CC
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has announced the release of a revised Green Star Timber credit effective January 1, 2010, which allows for equal consideration of Australian forestry schemes.
The announcement, part of the ongoing Green Star Materials review, follows a detailed review of the GBCA’s Timber credit, conducted by an independent Timber Expert Reference Panel. With the revised Timber credit, all forestry schemes will need to satisfy five ‘Essential’ criteria to be eligible. This will provide one Green Star point to timber certified by any scheme which applies for and can meet these criteria. A second point, for ‘Significant’ criteria, will only be available once the GBCA has undertaken a further round of stakeholder engagement with GBCA members and stakeholders including environmental groups, the timber industry and certification schemes. Green Star projects already registered (Certification Agreement signed and fee paid before January 1, 20101) will EITHER be able to get one point for documenting that their timber is certified by a forestry scheme that has met the essential criteria such as FSC or AFS, once these schemes have been assessed against the first level of criteria, OR projects can continue to get two points in the traditional way for showing that their timber is certified by FSC if they have already specified FSC timber in their project OR if timber used in their project is re-used. New projects will only have the option of achieving one point for the time being.
The revised Timber credit has the support of the Federal Government, specifically The Hon Tony Burke MP, Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and moves away from the recognition of a single scheme to a principles-based approach where several schemes could be rewarded – as long as the essential criteria are met. The GBCA supports an Australian forest industry which produces timber in a sustainable way and one of the aims of the GBCA’s timber review was to ’shut the door’ on the use of illegal or questionable imported timber in green buildings. The GBCA is confident the revised Timber credit is fair and reasonable, with the essential criteria incorporating; the assessment of chain of custody; governance; standards development and revision; auditing and certification decisions; and verification of legality. Stakeholders will also be asked for further comment on significant criteria for the Timber credit as the GBCA continues to evolve the credit and its tools in its drive for change and improvement in environmental performance.
Tags: forestry, governance, resources
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Federal Government ceiling insulation rebates: Updated information
Posted in Policies by Kate Archdeacon on October 29th, 2009
Source: Moreland Energy Foundation
There have been some changes to the Federal insulation rebate programs. The Low Emission Assistance Plan for Renters (LEAPR), which provided $1000 rebate to landlords for rental accommodation, is now discontinued. Instead renters are now eligible for Home Insulation Program (HIP) which provides assistance of up to $1,600 to install ceiling insulation. The assistance is now available to eligible owner-occupiers, landlords and tenants. While the rebate has been increased per household there has been a dramatic reduction on the overall amount of money available to this part of the program.
To read more about and apply for the rebate visit www.environment.gov.au/energyefficiency/insulation/homeowners/
Tags: consumption, energy, governance
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Peak Oil Policy and Action Plan: Maribyrnong Council
Posted in Policies by Kate Archdeacon on October 19th, 2009
Source: Going Solar Transport Newsletter
Maribyrnong City Council has released a Peak Oil Contingency Plan that spells out the threats and shifts required by Council to achieve the same level of community service provision in times of reduced oil availability and subsequent escalated prices. The Plan, prepared by the Institute for Sensible Transport, provides recommendations for boosting resilience to oil depletion, which include:
- Introduce car pooling software, boost work from home options and encourage sustainable transport use and video conferencing facilities
- Create opportunities for urban food production
- Boost the proportion of Council budget dedicated to sustainable transport
- Advocate to State and Federal Governments for improved public transport
- Reduce demand for oil consumption across Council service areas.
Read more on the Council website.
Source: Going Solar Transport Newsletter
Tags: governance, maribyrnong, peak oil
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Victoria’s Major Transport Projects Laws: What do they mean?
Posted in Policies by Kate Archdeacon on September 24th, 2009
Source: Climate Action Calendar
Image: latcho via flickr
Environmental Defenders Offices (EDO) Seminar Series 2009
The Major Transport Projects Facilitation legislation introduces far-reaching changes to environmental and planning laws for projects that are declared by the Premier as major transport projects. The legislation, introduced with no public consultation, replaces existing environmental approvals with a new approval process intended to fast track new freeways, ports, rail lines.
This seminar:
• How does the legislation restrict public involvement in decision making about transport projects?
• What impact does the legislation have on existing environmental approvals?
• What sort of projects will be caught by the legislation?
Speakers: Brian Walters SC and others will discuss the impact of the legislation on the community, the environment and good governance.
Tuesday September 29
5:45 for 6pm start
Bookings: EDO Victoria office, 8341 3100 or edovic@edo.org.au
Download the flyer for full details.
Tags: discussion, Events, governance, transport
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Research Calls for Climate Safe Houses
Posted in Policies by Kate Archdeacon on September 23rd, 2009
Source: Moreland Energy Foundation
Image: treehugger
The release of a new report signals the beginning of a national campaign to provide green makeovers for our existing homes, and set zero emissions and water efficiency standards for new houses and neighbourhoods over the next decade.
In the wake of Victoria’s warmest and driest winter on record, environment groups have called for new building standards to reduce emissions and water use, and to help the state’s homes and families cope with future temperature and price shocks.
The report, ‘Towards climate safe homes’, highlights how Victorian houses and neighbourhoods could become zero emissions and water efficient by 2020. The report was prepared by Environment Victoria in partnership with Alternative Technology Association (ATA), Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), Friends of the Earth (FoE) and the Moreland Energy Foundation (MEFL).
Tags: behaviour change, climate change, governance, houses, local action
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Proposals to undermine GreenPower gains
Posted in Policies by Kate Archdeacon on August 11th, 2009
Source: GreenRazor, the GreenPages Newsletter
Image: Martin Whitmore via flickr
Today, almost one million households and businesses have voluntarily signed up to GreenPower, and Australia’s GreenPower scheme is considered one of the most successful voluntary programs in the world.
But if you thought buying GreenPower was doing your part to reduce overall emissions in the atmosphere – think again. Questions are being raised as to how much this united effort is going to affect overall emissions reductions in the country.
According to the Alternative Technology Association (ATA), Choice, Total Environment Centre and other industry groups, voluntary household emissions reductions through GreenPower is letting polluters pollute more.
“Australians who have been paying extra to purchase clean electricity are being denied the opportunity to have their individual efforts count, under the government’s proposed emission trading scheme,” says Damien Moyse, Energy Policy Manager for the ATA.
Tags: community, energy, governance
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Insulation: Homeowner and Renter Rebates
Posted in Policies by Kate Archdeacon on July 23rd, 2009
Source: GreenRazor, the GreenPages Newsletter
Image: greenbydesign
Starting from 1 July, the Australian Government will be launching the main component of its Homeowner Insulation Program. The exciting new program will mean essentially zero up-front costs for insulation installations that costs less $1600 for most households.
Also starting from July, homeowners will also be able to access an online register of qualified insulation installers.
Meanwhile, landlords and tenants will also be able to take advantage of the benefits of insulation through the Low Emission Assistance Plan for Renters, which essentially qualifies rental properties to receive assistance of up to $1000 for insulation installation. The average cost for installing insulation is estimated to be about $1200 per home.
Tags: energy efficiency, governance
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Hybrid-Electric Bus Trial
Posted in Policies by Kate Archdeacon on July 21st, 2009
Source: Going Solar Transport Newsletter
Image: A.Allen via photobucket
“Australia’s first hybrid-electric bus trial has been launched in Melbourne. The $500,000 trial will be on two outer suburban routes and it is expected the buses will emit 20 per cent less greenhouse gases than diesel buses.
Tags: energy, governance, public transport
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PM Kevin Rudd’s Blog on Climate Change
Posted in Policies by Kate Archdeacon on July 20th, 2009
Source: Climate Action Calendar
PM Kevin Rudd has established a BLOG and the first focus is Climate Change!
The current focus is only open until Wednesday 22 July 2009.
Tags: climate change, community, governance
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Free Home Sustainability Assessments
Posted in Policies by Kate Archdeacon on July 9th, 2009
Source: Climate Action Calendar. Email Monique Decortis on decortis@ bigpond. net.au to join the list.>
Image: Affordable Energy Systems
From July 1, householders can access a free Home Sustainability Assessment to reduce their energy and water bills, increase the comfort of their home and help reduce damaging carbon pollution. Assessments are part of the Australian Government’s Green Loans Program, which also provides access to interest-free Green Loans of up to $10,000 each to make the changes recommended in the assessment.
The service is conducted by a certified Household Sustainability Assessor.
For further info & bookings: www.environment.gov.au/greenloans/ or call 1800 895 076
Source: Climate Action Calendar
Tags: assessment, energy, sustainability
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