Environment Archives - Consumers' Federation of Australia

14 March , 2025

A Just Transition to Sustainable Lives: World Consumer Rights Day 2025

The past decade has been the warmest on record, and extreme weather has become routine in many nations, disrupting lives and livelihoods. At the same time, biodiversity loss and pollution are posing a growing threat to planetary and human health. It is increasingly clear that the impact of these crises is not just environmental, but economic and social too and is undermining progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To remain within planetary boundaries, we will need…

19 December , 2024

New Microplastics Standard Open for Comment

Microplastics are filling up our oceans, turning up everywhere from Antarctic ice sheets to the depths of ocean trenches. Unfortunately it is very hard to quantify the amount of microplastics entering our oceans, as these tiny particles are hard to track, what we do know is that any amount of these plastics can be dangerous…

25 November , 2024

Greenhouses Gases Continue to Rise – 2023 the Warmest Year on Record

Global average concentrations of all major long-lived greenhouse gases continue to rise in the atmosphere, driving further climate change says a new report by CSIRO: State of the Climate. This eighth biennial State of the Climate report is a synthesis of the science that underpins our understanding of Australia’s climate. It is intended to inform…

2 July , 2024

Consumers International Speaks With Intergovernmental Group of Experts for Consumer Protection Law and Policy

False information, widespread political change, budgetary cuts. These are just some of mounting issues facing civil society in 2024 at a time when the role they play is needed more than ever. Next week, Consumers International joins discussions at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD) to discuss the role of consumer organisations, the value…

26 June , 2024

Building Ministers Agree to ‘climate resilience objective’

Building Ministers have agreed to add climate resilience as an objective of the Australian Building Codes Board. This responds to a recommendation from the 2020 National Natural Disaster Arrangements Royal Commission and paves the way for the Australian Building Codes Board to consider future standards which ensure buildings can better withstand more extreme weather. This…

20 May , 2024

New Vehicle Efficiency Standard to Commence January 2025

Australian motorists will soon be able to choose from a wider range of cleaner, cheaper to run cars with the Parliament passing the legislation for the Albanese Government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard. This is good news for the hip pocket and for the environment. Car makers now have an incentive to send us their most…

11 December , 2023

Building a Resilient Future – Day 3 of Consumers International Global Congress

A report from our Consumers International Global Congress representative, Deputy Chair Chandni Gupta Final day of the 2023 Global Congress and the pace remained fast and fascinating with enlightening presentations with a key focus on sustainability to close off the conference. Below are some highlights from Day 3. Sustainable appliances for a green transition An…

8 December , 2023

C is for Collaboration – Day 2 of Consumers International Global Congress

Today the Congress was abuzz with passionate consumer advocates, experts and regulators taking a deep dive into everything from scams and AI to greenwashing and digital wallets. But at the heart of so many discussions today was the value of and the critical need to collaborate. It was recognised that collaboration both within and across borders is needed to help raise the voices on key issues impacting consumers and to learn from one another. Below are some of the highlights from Day 2!

30 November , 2023

NSW Plastic Policies Take the Next Step with Consultation

The NSW Government has recently launched the paper NSW Plastics: Next Steps and is seeking feedback on plastic items that:
are frequently littered

release microplastics into the environment

contain harmful chemical additives

are currently or are proposed to be regulated in other states and territories.

Translations of the paper are available online in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Greek, Hindi, Korean and Vietnamese.

Have your say by 4 February 2024.

30 November , 2023

ACCC Continues Focus on Greenwashing Claims

“Making false statements about a product’s environmental or sustainability qualities can mislead consumers, as well as putting the businesses making genuine claims at a competitive disadvantage.”

“It is important that environmental and sustainability claims by businesses are correct as they are a key influence on consumer choices and what people spend their money on,” Ms Carver said.

13 November , 2023

Recycling – how can I get involved?

National Recycling Week 13-19 November, established by Planet Ark in 1996, encourages Australians to better recycle. This year’s theme is What goes around comes around. Join your community and get involved in events about giving resources a second life, consuming less, reducing the need for new resources, and of course, recycling! Reducing our waste not only…

29 August , 2023

Great Spring Clean September 2023

Clean up Australia inspires and empowers communities to clean up, and to fix up and conserve our environment; the annual Great Spring Clean is another chance for Aussies everywhere to get out and clean up our local environments and improve public places throughout September. Get out there and take practical action before the heat of summer hits, find out how to get involved and if your Council is supporting the clean up here.