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Perpetual gets ethical Perpetual Investments has launched a socially responsible investment fund, which fits well with its trustee heritage and ethical image in the charity trusts business. This new SRI fund is a wholesale fund and only available to investors with $50,000 or more to invest. Screening is carried out on a positive and negative basis with concern about the management and business quality as well as debt levels. Source: Sydney Morning Herald Weekend Edition 4th May 2002. Ethical investment gains credibility Socially Responsible Investment has come a long way since when it would have been only for hippies and greenies. The Australian market has grown to be valued at about $1.3bn in SRI managed funds alone. Now, mainstream fund managers with SRI products include Westpac, Rothschild, Perpetual and AMP Henderson. As a result, major research houses are taking notice and reviewing these products. This will facilitate the greater acceptance by the investing public of SRI in general. This research has now shown that the Australian SRI median outperformed the ASX 200 by 2.2 percent and showed the lowest volatility of the group. Source: Sydney Morning Herald Weekend Edition 4th May 2002. Slicker Oilers To indicate the potential of diesel engines, Mercedes Benz is putting its C Class in the hands of AMG - the hot-rodding tuning arm - for special treatment. The C30D will be on sale in Germany late 2002. They are in favour of the cleaner, low-sulphur fuel for their special vehicles now. Source Sunday Telegraph 23 June 2002 Also in the oiler vein, Mitsubishi is manufacturing a diesel turbo Prajero for the Australian market which will run on both the low and high-sulphur diesel fuels available here. Source Eco Futures, July 2002 McCleaning in local village McDonalds in the Blue Mountains village of Blaxland is helping to combat the problem of pollution often caused by their products. They are providing a Litter Patrol to clean up the streets 7 days a week in the surrounding shopping district. Source Blue Mountains Gazette, 19th June 2002. Cutting Pollution Sate funding with be put to assist local businesses in the west of Sydney, the fastest growing centre in Australia, to form clusters and work on ways to reduce polluting practices and waste. The Industry Sustainability Initiative will $190,000 to this project, according to Mr Bob Debus, Minister for the Environment. Source Blue Mountains Gazette 19th June 2002 Hydrogen Car A fuel cell-powered vehicle - the NECAR - 5 has completed a trip East to West across the USA for the first time. The Daimler-Chrysler uses an on-board reformer to extract hydrogen from liquid methane. Source Sunday Telegraph 7th July 2002. Safe Paint Chrysler and DuPont has co ventured on a 'green' paint for cars. It is claimed to emit at least 25% less GHG during the painting process and improves quality as well. Source Sunday Telegraph 7th July 2002. Recycling Focus A major focus on recycling is happening in Japanese car industry as they plan to implement new tough laws by 2004. Vehicles are already being developed to comply with Nissan putting out a small sedan which is said to be 95% recyclable now. Source Sunday Telegraph 13th July 2002 Local design wins international acclaim An Australian design student has won an international competition with a simple car design for indigenous people in remote outback areas. Powered by a fuel cell, it can also provide power for the community as well as its own needs for transport. The award is from Pforzheim University in Germany and is judged by leading design chiefs from mainstream automobile manufacturers. The design is aimed at meeting the needs of tribal groups with strong community bonds and when several vehicles are locked together they convert into a temporary shelter or meeting place. The headlights are mounted on wing mirrors and can pivot to light the interior or surrounding areas. The next step is to gain endorsement from the tribal leaders. The vehicles may also find a ready demand from low income-families or students. Source Sydney Morning Herald 19th July 2002 Study of barriers to Biofuels The Federal government announce a $5million study of market barriers to the increased use of biofuels in the transport industry. This is part of fulfilling the 2001 election promise of increasing consumption to 350 million litres by 2010. WA Dept of planning and infrastructure also announce a plan to trial the use of biodiesel in the busses in Perth. Source: EcoFutures magazine May-July 2002 Prius is the one The world's second largest order of the Toyotas hybrid-powered car the Prius was recently placed by the NSW government for 200 vehicles. Source: Sunday Telegraph 18th Aug 2002. Veggie car parts Toyota the Japanese car maker will soon be using sweet potatoes for parts in its new vehicles. The starch extract is mixed with natural fibre and used to make internal 'natural' plastic panels the are completed biodegradable. The first vehicle to be fitted with this new environmentally friendly body part is the concept car the ES3. Source: Sunday Telegraph 7th Oct 2002. Environment News Service Eco-friendly practices makes winners of 10 EU companies. This year's winners of the European Business Award for the Environment were rewarded for sustainable development efforts ranging from a new boiling system for brewing beer to an environmentally sound traffic light. In all, 10 European based companies were given the award as commendation by the European Union (EU) for their efforts to integrate sustainable development into their business practices. Go to ENS for a full report. Battery Life The main hurdle to electric cars is the requirement to carry large batteries. This may now be overcome by the use of large versions of lithium-ion cell batteries that power mobile phones. The research indicates this as a viable, cleaner, lighter, safer way to go and take the cars further. Source: Sydney Morning Herald 12th Oct 2002. Ford takes on fuel cell challenge Ford Motor Company is well down the road with its experimentation and development of a hybrid road car for the family. At present, the unit would cost about $4mil so not a viable alternative yet the plans and commitment have been made for this to be brought to the level of its normal market pricing within a decade. It claims to be the world's first hybrid which runs on a fuel cell power source with a battery backup system. Source: Sunday Telegraph 13th Oct 2002. Plastic bags not wanted Around the world countries are choosing to reduce the use of or ban plastic bags completely from everyday use. Ireland has a a levy on them, certain states in India have banned them already and South Africa has a partial ban in place. Nepal is set to introduce a total ban with government support and Australia is considering a levy of some sort. Source: OzPositive Oct 2002. Green Building Partnership start up A new building project is underway as the example of what can be done in sustainable office and commercial building. The building will be the headquarters of the Aust Conservation Foundation and is to be a showcase of water and energy efficiency and recycling, on-site waste and sewage treatment, with a roof garden as well. It is the result of a partnership between a group of architects, designers and builders engaged by two ethical investment funds. David Suzuki has taken notice and points to this project as the way forward for healthier and more satisfying way to work and live. Source: OzPositive Oct 2002. Faster than Hemp A new paper fibre has been developed from the Arundo Donax plant, a reed that grows wild in southern California. It looks a bit like bamboo and can be harvested annually, grows faster than hemp and is highly adaptable. The manufacturers estimate that it can produce 25 times more useable fibre than an acres of timber and uses less water to grow and far less chemicals to process. Source: GreenBiz.com Councils buy recycled Between 45 and 50 councils around Aust have now adopted a policy to buy recycled materials, choose products with recycled contents and sustainable purchasing of other kinds. An alliance in Victoria now has 41 member councils in that state alone. The expenditure of 24 councils to date for 200/1 on recycled products is near to $7mil so overall a rather small percentage of their total budgets yet a sharp increase in this figure is expected in the current and future years. Office paper remains the most commonly thought of recycled item yet the local products are not meeting the standards of a number of councils who are seeking more sustainable alternatives from Europe and other countries. Source: OzPositive Oct 2002. Firms to pay for EU electronic waste clean-up New Waste to Energy facility at Eastern Creek The New South Wales Minister for the Environment, The Honourable Bob Debus MP, recently announced the approval of a public/private partnership between Waste Service NSW and GRD subsidiary Global Renewables Limited to construct the worlds first “Urban Resource – Reduction, Recovery and Recycling”, or UR-3R, facility at Eastern Creek, in Sydney. Using a combination of technologies, the facility has a predicted reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of up to 300,000 tonnes a year. The UR-3R process works together with existing kerbside recycling and green waste collecting services by treating the currently non-recycled part of the waste stream. The system biologically treats organic material that would otherwise go into landfill to produce both compost and biogas for the production of electricity. The plant will also recover around 17,000 tonnes of plastic, glass, paper and metals each year for recycling. Source: WATTS News October 2002. Natural protection for boats A local Sydney-based firm has discovered a natural way to proof the hulls of boats against bacteria build up. It is seen as a solution to the dilemna boat owners have faced till now and this compound, based on a ready source from seaweed, will help regenerate marine life in damaged environments. Source: Sunday Telegraph 11th November 2002. Poor farmers see success in Fairtrade The Fairtrade movement has grown steadily since the early 1990s, mainly in Europe but also in Japan and North America. While economists and trade and development experts debate the rules of international trade and agonise over how to combine open markets with a fair deal for poor farmers, a band of specialist organisations has built a niche commodity market. A promotional Fairtrade Fortnight was run recently in the UK and Ireland. Buyers pay not only a guaranteed minimum that is well above the current, depressed, market price but also a special premium for social development. And they offer a long-term, direct relationship rather than the haphazard sales through a middleman that are typical of commodity trading. During the past decade, 16 other Fairtrade organisations have been set up, including in Australia. Worldwide sales now amount to about E250m ($218m), the vast majority of which is in Europe. Mr Ohemeng, managing director of Kuapa Kokoo, a Ghanaian cocoa co-operative, says consumers hold the key: "A bite of Fairtrade chocolate means a lot to peasant farmers in the south. It opens the doors to development and gives children access to [healthcare], education and a decent standard of living." Source: Financial Times 2002 Indian innovator awarded top environment prize Office supply giant sets new standard In what could mark the beginning of a shift in how the paper industry does business, office supply giant Staples, Inc. today committed to bold steps aimed at reducing its consumption of paper products made from endangered forests. The company's new environmental paper procurement policy has won the endorsement of conservation groups that have spent years drawing attention to Staples' impact on the world's surviving virgin forests. Under the new policy, Staples, an $11 billion retailer of office supplies and business services, pledged to phase out purchases of paper products from endangered forests, and achieve an average of 30 percent post consumer recycled content across all paper products sold by the company. Staples will set an industry standard through its voluntary move toward recycled and environmentally friendly paper purchases. Source: ENS November 2002. US states acting on their own to fight global warming While the Bush administration has pulled the United States out of an international treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, individual US states have taken steps on their own to fight global warming, a Pew Centre on Global Climate Change report said. Full Reuters story at. http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/18623/story.htm Source: ENS - Sustainable Business News, December 2002. "RAIN SONGS" BREAK DROUGHT ! Recycling Water plan in pipeline NSW government has developed a plan to construct a 35 km pipeline to bring recycled water to thousands of businesses and homes from Glenfield to Malabar. It will tap into more than 1300 million litres of treated waste water normally discharged into the sea each day. Part of the pipeline exists already and it is planned that the upgrade and the extension of the system will begin in 2005. Recycled water will be available to industrial estates, golf clubs, parks and residential developments, so reducing the growing demand on current drinking water supplies. Source: Sunday Telegraph 8th December 2002. Reed Bed to Treat Effluent in an Australian First Work has begun in Eurobodalla Shire (SE NSW) on an environmentally-friendly reed bed sewage disposal system. Believed to be a first in Australia, the technology will be used to treat effluent from the township of Turlinjah which currently relies on septic tanks for its sewage disposal. The sewage is piped to the reed beds for treatment, then to a holding tank before it is reused on adjoining farms. The council hopes the new scheme will protect the area's oyster industry from the groundwater contamination that septic systems may cause. For more information contact Ted Johnstone on 02 9958 2266. Source: Environs Australia Best Five Minutes, 13th December 2002 Increase in Socially Responsible Investment It is apparent that there will be an increase in SRI if the new rules are introduced that require fund managers to disclose their SRI-related investment policies and procedures. Also, the Australian ASIC has already surpassed the standards set in other countries like Netherlands, UK and France by requiring financial advisers to establish the views of their clients on labour standards, and environmental, social and ethical considerations. Source: Sunday Telegraph 26th January 2003. Congo Basin forest partners hold initial meeting The first international meeting of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership took place in January. Launched in September 2002 at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, the partnership seeks to promote economic development and alleviate poverty through conservation programs in six African countries. The tropical forests of Africa's Congo Basin are some of the last remaining large areas of primeval forested lands in the world. Source: ENS http://ens-news.com/ens/jan2003/2003-01-17-01.asp Research into backyard polluters The NSW EPA has given the Parramatta Council $30,000 to carry out research into ways to bring efficiency and maintenance to small garden machinery. It is now realised that these machines, such as mowers and other 2 stroke tools, produce and disproportionate amount of greenhouse gases for their size. The plan is to develop a council operated guide for homeowners how to maintain and repair their machinery and save money as well as reducing pollution. A start rating system will be established and lead by the council auditing its own equipment first, as the test case. Source: Saturday Herald 1st February 2003. Clean air from War effort The US army is stepping up its interest in fuel cell and hybrid technology for its vehicle and auxiliary power sources. The GM-Built truck using a hybrid powertrain could well be on their shopping list soon. Source: Thecarconnection.com/Saturday Herald 1st February 2003. ATA in the media Due to the high levels of interest from listeners and the talents of Alternative Technology Association people involved, ABC Victoria Regional Radio will continue its fortnightly segments on sustainable living issues this year. The program should remain around the Tuesday 10.30am slot. ATA invites members to suggest ideas and topics for discussion on this segment. It's a great way to get our message across to the whole state. If members from other states feel there is an opportunity for something similar on their local radio, we'd love to hear from you. Contact ATA's Media Officer, Sally Nowlan, via email at sally.nowlan@ata.org.au or phone on (03) 9380 3409. Source: ATA Sun Newsletter February 2003. Energy task force Following submission of an expression of interest, the ATA and two welfare organisations, Home Ground and Infoxchange Australia are now in discussions with Sustainable Energy Authority of Victoria to form a partnership to improve the energy efficiency of low income households in the Broadmeadows region in Melbourne’s Western suburbs. Over 300 houses would be retrofitted depending on their needs with a range of energy efficiency solutions including insulation, draft stoppers, and low flow shower heads. Source: ATA Sun Newsletter February 2003. UNEP looks at making green "cool" Hoping to make sustainable living more "cool," the United Nations Environment
Programme is launching a new initiative aimed at improving the image of
environmentally friendly lifestyle choices. Many audiences are turned off by the
judgmental tone of traditional messages about the environment, UNEP
Executive-Director Klaus Toepfer told environmental ministers. Source: ENS
February 2003 Red squirrels evolving with global warming Jojoba Power Egyptian scientists believe that they have established that Jojoba oil could be used as a replacement fuel for diesel used by cars and trucks. Not only does it work as well as diesel, it releases much fewer polluting chemicals then diesel. It is chemically stable, generates a lot of energy and is much cleaner, so it is a most suitable alternative fuel if developed cost-effectively. Source: Sunday Telegraph 9th March 2003. Rain making is back in vogue New Rain Making Toolkit for Kids & Country at www.excelink.com.au/rainsongs.html Call Richard T O'Neill, Managing Director, Excelink Pacific / Australian Visions. Tel 9251 7866. Mob 0417 244 600. Brazilian Car industry running on sugar A Brazilian car has been produced that can run on normal petrol and alcohol extracted from sugar cane. In fact this is only one of a number of vehicles now in production by other companies that can use one or a mixture of both fuels. The engines are being called 'flexi fuel' and come from Chevrolet, Volkswagen and General Motors plants in Brazil and come ins a variety of sizes from 1.3 to 1.6. Fiat is soon to join the move at the end of 2003. Source: Sunday Telegraph 19th July 2003. Energy to generate bank dollars Babcock & Brown investment bankers have taken a step in line with the trend of other bankers by investing in wind energy farms. Other such banks like the Macquarie invest in tollways and other ventures that generate sound profits. B&B have chosen wind energy as their cash cow and are investing to the tune of $1.5 billions worth of wind projects in NSW, SA and WA. This form of investment is seen to have high capital expenditure and low operating costs and both are most likely to show strong growth. Also included in the B&B future energy focus are gas-fired power stations along with biomass projects. Renewable energy is the way forward for B&B in a noticeable way. Source: Sunday Telegraph 19th July 2003. Community Investment Assets Nearly Double Over the Past Two Years Community
investment is the fastest growing component of SRI in the US, with assets in
community development financial institutions (CDFIs) nearly doubling over the
past two years. According to the
Community Investing
Program, a project of the Social Investment Forum (SIF)
and Co-op America,
total assets held by CDFIs in the US grew 84 percent during that period, from
$7.6 billion in 2001 to $14 billion in 2003. Community investing offers
financial services to economically disadvantaged people in U.S. and overseas
communities who are underserved by traditional financial institutions. AA1000 Assurance Standard Practitioners Note launched AccountAbility is delighted to announce the release of the first AA1000 Assurance Standard Practitioners Note. AA1000 Assurance Standard Practitioners Notes share common experiences and understanding about the role of sustainability assurance and the AA1000 Assurance Standard in particular. This AA1000 Assurance Standard Practitioners Note was produced from a consultation with early adopters that was held in association with Novo Nordisk. Adopting companies that participated in the event were BP, British American Tobacco, BT, Camelot, mmO2, Novo Nordisk, and Novozymes. To download the Practitioners Note go to: http://www.accountability.org.uk/uploadstore/cms/docs/December%202003%20Practitioners%20Note%20-%20Companies%20-%20London.pdf Source: www.accounyability.org.uk January 2003 Timing is relevant The Victorian Government has just ordered 100 Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles. This is part of a dramatic increase in orders for this petrol/electric car. It all adds up to almost the same number being ordered since October 2003 than the 490 ordered for the entire 2000 and 2001 combined. Source: Sunday Telegraph 25th January 2004 Tenant buildings turning green Two of the largest building tenants in Australia have recently decided to turn their new offices green. Ernst & Young have signed an agreement with Sustainable Energy Development Authority in NSW to make their next 3 offices under construction will all have a rating of 4.5 stars on the 5 star Aust Building Greenhouse Rating scheme. KPMG has also undertaken to achieve the same 4.5 rating in their new 26,000sqm office. This and other buildings will be a part of a new broad sustainability policy they are implementing. Not only energy efficiency is its focus as other practices are being introduced over and above reducing emissions. Both companies confirm that their approach to more environmentally sound practices are greatly appreciated and supported by staff. Source Sydney Morning Herald 7th Feb 2004.
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