Environment - Consumers' Federation of Australia

21 August , 2019

Circular economy the key to tackling resource depletion and pollution

It’s a well-known fact that the rise in consumerism and disposable products is choking and exhausting our planet. Before we reach the day where there is more plastic in the sea than fish, something has to be done to ebb the flow. According to the World Economic Forum, moving towards a circular economy is the key, and a ‘trillion-dollar…

20 February , 2019

Wastewater and caring for the environment

Consumers are increasingly aware of plastic and other litter damaging our water systems and environment. There are also many products that have the potential to cause significant problems to the environment once in the wastewater system. CFA has a representative on the Standards Australia Technical Committee WS-041 which is drafting a new standard on flushable products to make it…

19 February , 2019

Sustainable development goals to tackle global challenges

In 2015 the UN set an ambitious plan to address some of the pressing issues faced by the world. The Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, and peace and justice.…

19 December , 2018

Only 1 in 4 say their homes are energy efficient

Energy Consumers Australia has released new data that underlines the important opportunity for improving housing quality as a way to tackle high energy bills. Many Australian homes are expensive to heat or to cool because they are poorly insulated, a problem which is often worse for renters. Not only does this make energy unaffordable for…

30 October , 2018

Consumers want more help to reduce the cost of keeping cool

The Queensland Consumers Association wants governments and industry to do much more to help consumers reduce the cost of using air conditioners when temperatures and humidity levels are high. The Association is particularly concerned about the lack of information available for consumers about using air conditioners in eco/econ mode. Association spokesperson, Ian Jarratt, says many…

30 October , 2018

Hydrogen – A fuel for the 21st century

Like natural gas, hydrogen can be used to heat buildings and power vehicles. Unlike natural gas or petrol, when hydrogen is burned there are no CO2 emissions. The only by-products are water vapour and heat. Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe, not freely available as a gas on Earth but bound into…

30 May , 2018

What can truthfully be labelled recyclable?

With China no longer willing to accept material from Australia for potential recycling, there is a national discussion about what can and cannot truthfully be labelled as “recyclable” going forward in Australia. Standards Australia has played a lead role in the development of standards on environmental labelling as the Secretariat of the ISO TC 207 SC 3 Environmental…

2 March , 2017

ACCC names key enforcement and compliance priorities for 2017

The Chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Rod Sims says 2017 will see its enforcement teams hone in on misleading and deceptive practices, anti-competitive conduct and unfair contract terms affecting small businesses. Speaking at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) event in Sydney today, Mr Sims launched the ACCC’s 2017 Compliance…

16 February , 2017

Australian Energy Regulator seeking membership for Consumer Consultative Group

Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is seeking expressions of interest for membership to their Consumer Consultative Group (CCG). The CCG works to advise and assist the AER on problems that can impact small energy consumers, such as residential and business customers who consume under the relevant usage threshold set by the National Energy Retail Law jurisdiction. The CCG’s…

14 July , 2016

Australian Energy Regulator seeking expressions of interest for Consumer Challenge Panel members

The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is seeking Expressions of Interest from individuals to apply to be a member of the Consumer Challenge Panel (CCP). The CCP forms an invaluable part of the AER’s regulatory decision-making process by providing consumer insight and perspective into the AER’s decisions. Individuals with consumer experience and engagement, regulatory decision-making or knowledge of…

8 September , 2015

Environmental labels – what am I buying?

Consumers are understandably eager to “do their bit” for the environment, particularly at the supermarket, and are more and more inclined to favour products that seem likely to do the least damage to it.

24 June , 2015

Bob Brown Foundation invites nominations for award recognising contributions to sustainability

Nominations for Deni Greene Award close 20 July