Post thumbnail
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre, the Australia Institute, and Total Environment Centre today welcomed a ‘demand response’ reform of Australia’s electricity market that will improve reliability and reduce prices for consumers. The groups also welcome the AEMC’s decision to maintain the early, 2021 implementation date for the rule which they had advocated for. The three…
Read More Major consumer-led energy reform finalised
A pile of plastic cups in landfill
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…
Read More Circular economy the key to tackling resource depletion and pollution
Post thumbnail
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…
Read More Wastewater and caring for the environment
Post thumbnail
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.…
Read More Sustainable development goals to tackle global challenges
Post thumbnail
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…
Read More Only 1 in 4 say their homes are energy efficient
Post thumbnail
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…
Read More Consumers want more help to reduce the cost of keeping cool
Post thumbnail
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…
Read More Hydrogen – A fuel for the 21st century
Post thumbnail
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…
Read More What can truthfully be labelled recyclable?
Post thumbnail
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…
Read More ACCC names key enforcement and compliance priorities for 2017
Post thumbnail
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…
Read More Australian Energy Regulator seeking expressions of interest for Consumer Challenge Panel members
Post thumbnail
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.
Read More Environmental labels – what am I buying?Nominations for Deni Greene Award close 20 July
Read More Bob Brown Foundation invites nominations for award recognising contributions to sustainability