Green & ethical consumption Archives - Consumers' Federation of Australia

24 November , 2023

Energy Consumers Australia Welcomes Announcement of Capacity Investment Scheme, Calls for More Work for Consumers

Original media release from ECA (23/11/2023). Energy Consumers Australia (ECA) CEO Brendan French, quoted in response to the Capacity Investment Scheme: quote Energy Consumers Australia CEO Brendan French: “Energy Consumers Australia welcomes this morning’s announcement which is both an important step in providing reliable supply to consumers and also a continued firm commitment by Federal…

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…

9 November , 2023

Greenwashing a ‘misleading statement’ says ASIC

Greenwashing is simply misleading and deceptive conduct by another name, writes ASIC Deputy Chair Sarah Court FAICD.

1 November , 2023

NSW Opens Consultation for More Action on Plastic

Below is the original text from the New South Wales Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) which is currently accepting submissions relating to the recently released paper ‘NSW Plastics Next Steps’. The Consumers’ Federation of Australia encourages submissions and in some cases can and will spearhead member organisation submissions upon request. The relevant website page can be…

30 October , 2023

Guidelines for Plant-Based Product Labelling

This information is shared so consumer representatives can keep up-to-date with developments in industry food labelling.

16 October , 2023

Calls to End Gas Connections and Electrify Households

“We need all three levels of government to come together and develop a national plan for households to go all-electric that provides the information, funding and support people need, and identifies the policy changes that will ensure no one is left behind.”

5 October , 2023

AER Highlights Better Outcomes but Continue Challenges

The Australian Energy Regulator’s (AER) latest State of the energy market report highlights that the energy system in 2023 experienced fewer shocks and better outcomes than in the preceding year, however many of the vulnerabilities observed in 2022 remain.

The report reveals some improved outcomes in wholesale energy markets with average wholesale electricity prices significantly lower than the record highs seen in 2022. Wholesale gas prices also declined significantly from 2022 but remain high by historical standards.

11 September , 2023

Aviation Green Paper Open for Consultation

The Federal Government is calling for feedback on its ‘Aviation Green Paper – towards 2050’, found here.

The Green Paper is the next step in the development of the Aviation White Paper which will set the policy direction for the aviation sector out to 2050 and is likely to be released in mid-2024.

10 August , 2023

Governments Called to ‘Step Up’ to Ensure a Consumer-Focused Energy Future

Energy Consumers Australia (ECA) newly released report, Stepping Up: A Smoother Pathway to Decarbonising Homes (available here), has called on local, state/territory, and federal governments to collectively ‘step up’ and ensure everyone in Australia is supported and enabled to go all-electric. The policy report is based on research by CSIRO and Dynamic Analysis which has increased our understanding on the shared and individual costs of electrification for consumers.

14 July , 2023

ACCC Publishes Draft Guidance to Improve Integrity Business’ Environmental Claims

The ACCC today published draft guidance to improve the integrity of environmental and sustainability claims made by businesses and protect consumers from ‘greenwashing’.

The draft guidance aims to address the concerning conduct identified by the ACCC’s recent greenwashing internet sweep, which found 57 per cent of businesses reviewed were making potentially misleading environmental claims.

Image 17 March , 2023

Consumers International Whitepaper – ‘Consumer protection and empowerment for a clean energy future’

Consumers International has recently released a white paper on ‘Consumer protection and empowerment for a clean energy future’ centred on the “twin challenge” of switching to sustainable and affordable alternatives in an increasingly shorter timeframe while ensuring consumers are represented and helped through and with the process. The report focuses on how “consumer protection and…

25 January , 2023

Feed-back sought on the transformation of Australian Food Systems

CSIRO is seeking feedback on a Discussion Paper – Transforming Australian Food Systems. The closing date for feedback is 7 February 2023. Information about the project and a copy of the Discussion Paper are available here. The Discussion Paper presents a guide towards enabling the transformation that is necessary across Australia’s food systems, to reach…