Posts Tagged ‘sustainability’
Air Travel & Climate Change: Talk Climate Forum
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on March 12th, 2010
Source: Climate Action Centre
Visit the website for more details.
Tags: air, consumption, sustainability, transport
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Knowledge Collaboration & Learning for Sustainable Innovation: Call for Papers
Posted in Seeking by Kate Archdeacon on March 9th, 2010
The ERSCP-EMSU 2010 conference, ‘Knowledge Collaboration & Learning for Sustainable Innovation’, will take place in Delft, the Netherlands, on 25-29 October 2010. Representatives of academia, business, government, NGOs and civil society organizations are very much invited to submit abstracts for (1) paper presentations or (2) poster presentations, as well as proposals for (3) discussion workshops/roundtables or (4) paper sessions that are within the Conference’s scope or themes.
The conference themes are:
1. Sustainable Universities and Higher Education
2. Knowledge Collaboration for Sustainable Innovation, Design, Business & CSR
3. Sustainable Consumption and Production
4. Climate, Energy, Water
5. Sustainable Cities and Regions
6. Sustainable Consumption, Production and Innovation in Developing Countries
All paper and poster abstracts can be submitted online at http://www.erscp-emsu2010.org/submissions until March 20, 2010. Full papers are due on September 1, 2010. More information can be found in the call and on the website. The organising committee can be contacted at conference@erscp-emsu2010.org.
Confirmed opening key notes include prof Tim Jackson, University of Surrey and prof Wubbo Ockels, Delft University of Technology. The conference is a joint effort by TU Delft, TNO and The Hague University of Applied Sciences.
Tags: conference, innovation, sustainability, TU Delft
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New framework to guide sustainable cities: GBCA
Posted in Movements by Kate Archdeacon on February 23rd, 2010
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has released a new national framework for sustainable communities at the opening of the Green Cities 2010 conference.
Launching the new Green Star Communities framework, GBCA Chair Tony Arnel said that the framework would establish an independent, national language to guide the development of sustainability communities and precincts. “The framework – and its guiding principles – provides a dual purpose. It is a national resource for those creating sustainable communities and it establishes the context for the GBCA’s Green Star Communities tool, which will commence development in June.”
The national framework has been developed by the GBCA and its partner VicUrban, in collaboration with industry and government, and outlines five national principles for sustainable communities:
1. Create liveable communities
2. Provide opportunities for economic prosperity
3. Enhance environmental quality
4. Design great places
5. Promote good urban governance.
According to the GBCA’s Chief Executive, Romilly Madew, launching the framework at Green Cities 2010 reflects the evolution in the GBCA’s focus – from individual buildings to communities, precincts and cities themselves. “The GBCA is confident that the construction and property industry now has sufficient momentum and interest to keep driving forward on both an individual building and community basis. While the GBCA expands its influence beyond the building envelope, Green Star continues to advance to ensure we have the right tools – and the right skills – to push the boundaries of best practice sustainability benchmarks,” Ms Madew said.
The new framework complements the Australian Government’s new reforms which will require states and territories to develop capital city strategic plans by 2012 that meet national criteria for transport, housing, urban development and sustainability. “This framework will provide valuable support for, and complement, the federal government’s sustainable cities agenda, and we expect everyone from planners and designers, through to builders and community neighbourhood groups will find the framework useful,” Mr Arnel concluded.
Visit the website to download the draft framework and read more information.
Tags: community, gbca, sustainability, urban design and built form
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Sustainable Transport at SLF
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on February 18th, 2010
A reminder: the Sustainable Living Festival is on this weekend. See below for a selection (courtesy Going Solar Transport Newsletter) of talks and film screenings on sustainable transport at the Festival.
Transport for Sustainable Cities
Come and hear Professor Ross Garnaut, eminent economist and author of the Garnaut Climate Change Review and the Hon Greg Hunt, Shadow Minister for Climate Action speak on sustainable transport. Commentary by Kelvin Thomson MP, Federal member for Wills.
How Car Dependence Is Turning The Suburban Dream To Nightmare
Using never before published data, the Institute for Sensible Transport has mapped the level of oil vulnerability across Melbourne’s local government areas. Dramatic differences in income and travel distances were found, with the inner city earning more and driving less, while the outer suburbs drove over four times the distance, with considerably less income. Should the CSIRO prediction of $8 per litre be seen (or even half that), Melburnians will have great difficulty meeting their mobility needs.
AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE The worldwide economy is utterly dependant on oil, but resources will only last for some more decades at best. How to escape the impending crisis? On his travels through the US, Melbourne-born filmmaker Josh Ticknell explores the potential of biodiesel to replace oil and reduce the world’s addictive dependence on fossil fuels. This captivating demonstration of how everyone of us can help stopping climate change won the coveted Best Documentary Audience Award 2009 at the Sundance Film Festival, one of the world’s biggest festivals for independent films.
Cycling offers the most energy efficient and pollution-free form of transport known to humans. In Australia the smallest group of cyclists is the relaxed commuters, mainly women, cycling around their neighbourhood on various errands, shopping and going to work. This group dominate cycling in the Netherlands and other cycling countries, and have the greatest growth potential for Australian cycling. Diane Kraal and Alex Merory present their experience of relaxed commuting by bicycle: one beginner-cyclist commuter and the other experienced. This will be followed by an audience and panel discussion with Frank Fisher and Elliot Fishman.
Transition Towns – From Oil Dependency To Local Resilience
Light on talk and heavy on action, Transition Towns is an international movement that has swept the globe since its inception in 2005. Today there are 245 ‘official’ involved communities and over 1000 mulling it over! Central to the idea of Transition is that re-localising our basic needs and wants is inevitable given the realities of resource depletion (especially oil), water shortages and Climate Change. This presentation provides a context illustrating why we desperately need to Transition as well as drawing on global and local examples of Transition Towns. Described as “more like a party than a protest march” Transition Towns have been incredibly effective in attracting ‘non-greens’ and engaging wider audiences than traditional sustainability approaches.
CycleWise – Tips for Surviving and Thriving on the Roads
Designed for novice riders who’d like to ride more, ride to work, ride for transport but don’t feel confident on the roads. The talk covers: choosing the right bike and accessories, bike set-up and safety checks, cyclist rights and responsibilities, route planning, tips for avoiding car doors, being seen and safe at intersections, what to do if you have a crash and more. Also includes info about courses available, if people want to brush up their skills. There will be an opportunity for people to ask questions.
Zero Emissions Transport by 2020: How Do We Get There?
Fast trains, bicycle freeways, 100% electric vehicles. Find out from Beyond Zero Emissions how we can make our transport future a safe climate future.
Tags: sharing, slf, sustainability, transport
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Toolbox for Environmental Change 2010: Forum
Posted in Movements by Kate Archdeacon on February 15th, 2010
After a decade of action assisting teachers and educators, Victoria’s premier sustainability education forum ‘Toolbox for Environmental Change’ continues to motivate sustainable development in school communities. The 2010 Toolbox will officially launch ResourceSmart Schools and develop attitudes and skills inspiring teachers, students, educators, community partners and school administration to act locally addressing global climate change issues. Forum outcomes will assist Victorians develop more sustainable communities with schools acting as community hubs.
The 2010 forum will explore:
* Action-based learning and teaching tools
* Case studies implemented in schools
* Whole school strategic planning (for teachers, principals and bursars)
* Youth Leadership
* Multidisciplinary curriculum outcomes supporting VELS
Workshops include:
* green technologies in schools (energy,water,waste)
* resource savings create financial savings
* agriculture and biodiversity
* youth leadership
* ecological footprints
* connections to nature
* indigenous perspectives
* arts and sustainability
* sustainable food gardens
* curriculum
* whole school planning for teachers and administrators
* school case studies
* RSS AuSSI Vic
Date: Thursday 18 March 2010
Time: 9am – 5pm, Registrations from 8:15am
Where: Melbourne Museum
Cost: $120 (GST incl) includes resources, lunch & refreshments
For more information, & to register, visit the website.
Greening Australia, Sustainability Victoria and Melbourne Museum are partnering to deliver the forum sponsored by Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and supported by Victorian Association for Environmental Education.
Tags: education, forum, schools, sustainability
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EcoBuy Training & Workshops: 2010
Posted in Events by ecobuy on February 1st, 2010
Green purchasing is based on the simple premise that every purchase impacts on the environment in some way, and is about choosing to buy products and services that are less damaging to our environment and human health than competing products and services that serve the same purpose.
ECO-Buy is a not for profit Centre of Excellence in Environmental Purchasing, established to encourage the purchasing of environmentally preferable (green) products and services. To achieve this, ECO-Buy offers support to organisations to ‘green’ their purchasing, providing a wide range of services and resources, from policy and strategy development and implementation to practical tools, templates and advice.
Workshops and training session times are available in the first half of 2010. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: green, green purchasing, sustainability
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Rotterdam Eco-Innovation Lab: REIL
Posted in Movements by Kate Archdeacon on January 18th, 2010
Source: Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab (VEIL)
At the completion of his keynote address at the Global Urban Summit in Rotterdam on the 4th December 2009, Prof. Chris Ryan was joined by Prof. Han Brezet, from the Technical University of Delft in the Netherlands, to announce the creation of the Rotterdam Eco-Innovation Lab: REIL. REIL will follow the methodology, and build on and adapt the outcomes, of VEIL within the development around the immense harbour of Rotterdam city. This development responds to the opening up of land for housing and commercial activity as the functions of the old harbour move ‘outwards’ towards the ocean. The Harbour development aims to set new environmental standards as part of an innovative new zone, known now as the “Clean Tech Delta”. In announcing the creation of REIL, with its collaboration with VEIL, Prof Brezet also announced that the Clean Tech Delta will send a staff member to Melbourne for several months (starting in Feb 2010) to work with the VEIL team to better understand the potential for similar projects in REIL.
Tags: innovation, Rotterdam, sharing, sustainability, VEIL
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Vocational Graduate Certificate in ICT Sustainability
Posted in Movements by Kate Archdeacon on December 21st, 2009
Box Hill Institute are running a new course for Information Technology (IT) professionals who are interested in the sustainability side of IT. Every business runs on a backbone of IT infrastructure and there is so much that can be done – not only to reduce their IT carbon footprint, but also use IT as a tool to reduce carbon output in other areas. The course, the first of its kind in Australia, is the Vocational Graduate Certificate in ICT Sustainability. This Graduate Certificate is unique in that it concentrates on Information & Communications Technology (ICT) aspects of sustainability. The ICT Industry is well placed to be the driving force for change in the new low carbon economy.
As a student in this course, you will develop skills not ordinarily found in a straight IT qualification, that will meet industry’s need for employees with knowledge and awareness of ICT sustainability issues. This is a four-unit postgraduate qualification. Subjects will cover: • General sustainability – looking at current issues and solutions • Green ICT – ICT industry developments to reduce carbon footprint • ICT as an industry enabler to carbon reduction – focusing on how ICT will help other industries to lower their carbon footprints • ICT sustainability business case study – skills to develop business proposals to reduce carbon emissions for business. Students will work in small classes with professionally qualified lecturing staff.
An IT background is a prerequisite to study this course, which runs for 1 year, part time. For further information visit the website.
Tags: behaviour change, education, information technology, sustainability
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2nd Annual Sustainable Supply Chain Forum
Posted in Events by Kate Archdeacon on December 18th, 2009
In its 2nd year, this practical one-day forum and workshop brings together CSR and Supply Chain practitioners to help develop strategies for implementing sustainability within their organisation’s value chain. Hear from leading Australian and International companies: Marks & Spencer (UK), Toyota, Cadbury, NAB, Woolworths, VISY, Corporate Express, Fuji Xerox and many more…
Presentations will focus on ‘how to’:
• Drive down costs and carbon in your supply chain
• Implement best practice in your sustainable sourcing strategy
• Manage your downstream supply chain
• Make sustainable frameworks and standards work to your advantage
PLUS
• Tools for measuring and reducing your scope 3 emissions
• An introduction to the National Register of Responsible Business Practice – a supply chain tool for SMEs
Dates: 4-5 March 2009, Melbourne
Early Bird Ends: 19 February 2010
For more information, and to download the program, visit the website.
Tags: freight, Supply Chain Forum, sustainability
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Cultivating Sustainability – Behaviour Change Training for Sustainability Advocates
Posted in Events by timc on November 16th, 2009
Cultivating Sustainability is a 1-day workshop which provides sustainability advocates with insights, models and tools to trigger the psychological drivers of sustainable behaviour, presented by Tim Cotter, a psychologist specialising in behaviour change in an organisational and environmental context. This workshop will assist you to
* Identify what people need in order to embrace sustainability
* Target your efforts and resources to the points of most leverage
* Incorporate psychological principles to your sustainability programs
* Communicate about sustainability more effectively
* Meet others who are dealing with similar challenges and share ideas and success stories
Nov 24th 9.30am-4.30pm
Melbourne – Abbotsford Convent (Community Room)
$120 Individuals/Community Groups – $200 Not for profits/Govt – $250 Corporates/For profit
Visit www.awake.com.au/cultivating.html or email info@awake.com.au for more information
Tags: behaviour change, sustainability, training
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