Carbon Alert - September 2010
A monthly resource round-up of recently released reports and upcoming events and training opportunities.
- Climate Change Policy and Legislation
- Carbon Management and Accounting
- International Climate Change News
- Energy, Technology and Renewables
- Climate Change Science
- Carbon Events
- Workshops and Training Courses
Climate Change Policy and Legislation
National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Audit Determination Handbook. The Handbook stipulates the requirements that registered greenhouse and energy auditors must follow when undertaking a greenhouse and energy audit under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting audit framework, released by the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (August 2010)
Energy Technology Innovation – New Funding Announcements. A $30 million fund has been divided into two separate grant programs; the Sustainable Energy Research and Development (SERD 2) program and the Sustainable Energy Pilot Demonstration (SEPD) program. The Victorian Department of Primary Industries are currently seeking Expression of Interests by September 30 (August 2010)
Solar Photovoltaics Community Hubs. The Solar Hubs Program is a Victorian Government funding program to deliver 8.6 MW of community based solar power across Victoria by 2013. Round 1 of the program is open for applications until September 29 (August 2010)
Climate Communities Portal. A website designed to help you get the very latest information on climate change and sustainability issues from all over Victoria. Released by Sustainability Victoria (August 2010)
Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Bill 2010. Bill introduced into ACT Legislative Assembly sets targets to cut greenhouse gas emission to 40% below 1990 levels by 2020, zero net emissions by mid-2060 and peak per capita emissions by 2013 (August 2010)
Bill
Related reports
Once More With Feeling: Principles For Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Improving the Wellbeing of Most Australians. This paper, by Dr Richard Denniss and David Richardson for The Australia Institute, spells out the economic principles that should underpin an effective, efficient and equitable approach to reducing Australia's greenhouse gas emissions at the lowest possible cost (August 2010)
Climate of the Nation 2010: Australians' Attitudes Towards Climate Change and Its Solutions. This report released by the Climate Institute summarises research by Auspoll and includes broader market research on public opinion on climate change (August 2010)
Carbon Management and Accounting
Land-use and Carbon Analysis System. This interpretation guide aims to help users understand the LUCAS land-use classifications and how each land-use class is determined/inferred from vegetation cover seen in remotely sensed imagery. Released by New Zealand Ministry for the Environment (September 2010)
Quarterly Update of Australia’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory March Quarter 2010. The Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency has released the quarterly update which provides estimates and shows trends in Australia’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory up to the March quarter of 2010 (August 2010)
2010 Update to the Greenhouse Gas Conversion Factors for Company Reporting. UK’s Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with the Department of Energy and Climate Change has published the 2010 update to the Greenhouse Gas Conversion Factors for Company Reporting (August 2010)
Companies Complete Road Testing of New Global GHG Accounting Standards. The WRI/WBCSD GHG Protocol has released a summary of feedback from 62 companies who have road tested two new draft standards; the Product Life Cycle Accounting and Reporting Standard and the Scope 3 Accounting and Reporting Standard (August 2010)
Bottom Line on Offsets. The World Resources Institute has released a new fact sheet to help companies, policymakers, and other stakeholders stay informed on climate and energy policy (August 2010)
Carbon Disclosure Project: Transport Report. CDP’s first transportation sector report, based on data submitted by the world’s largest transportation companies to CDP in 2009, sets out to show the sector’s level of preparation for increased carbon constraints and the transition to the low carbon economy (August 2010)
Climate Change Action Planning for Local Government Workshop Package. The Workshop Package is a resource designed by NSW Local Government and Shires Association for use to facilitate workshops and meetings to plan actions for climate change mitigation and/or adaptation (August 2010)
International Climate Change News
Review of the IPPC. The Inter-Academy Council conducted an independent review of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change processes and the procedures by which it prepares its assessments of climate change (August 2010)
UN Secretary General’s High-level Panel on Global Sustainability. The UN Secretary General launched the new Panel that brings together leading global policymakers, private sector and civil society experts in order to formulate a new blueprint for sustainable growth and low-carbon prosperity for all on a planet under increasing strain, not least from climate change. Group members include former Prime Minister of Australia Kevin Rudd (August 2010)
Energy, Technology and Renewables
Running On Empty? The Peak Oil Debate. This paper, by Dr David Ingles and Dr Richard Denniss for The Australia Institute, suggests the peak-oil issue is sufficiently important for regular official re-assessments of the situation to be designed and implemented (September 2010)
2010 Key World Energy Statistics. The International Energy Association has released the 2010 edition of its Key World Energy Statistics, a handy, pocket-sized booklet that shows graphs and tables of global data up to 2008, and when available up to 2009, for energy production, trade, transformation and consumption, CO2 emissions from fuel combustion and energy prices (September 2010)
Electricity Prices: The Facts. While cost of living pressures are real issues for many Australians, there have been some false or misleading claims about the impact on prices, especially household electricity prices, of action to address climate change. This fact sheet by the Climate Institute provides some background information which aims to set the record straight (August 2010)
Victorian Government Response to ENRC Final Report into the Approvals Processes for Renewable Energy Projects. Released by the Minister of Energy and Resources, State of Victoria (August 2010)
Climate Change Science
Why I Don't Believe in the Climate Science. An article from Paul Gilding, independent writer, advisor and advocate for action on climate change and sustainability (September 2010)
The Science of Climate Change: Questions and Answers. This publication from the Australian Academy of Science aims to address confusion created by contradictory information in the public domain. It sets out to explain the current situation in climate science, including where there is consensus in the scientific community and where uncertainties exist (August 2010)
New Computer Model Advances Climate Change Research. The Community Earth System Model will be one of the primary climate models used for the next assessment by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Released by the US National Center for Atmospheric Research (August 2010)
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