$100million Investment Into Sustainable Housing by CEFC
The CEFC has invested $100 million in an innovative new affordable build-to-rent (BTR) strategy managed by AXA IM Alts, which aims to bring the benefits of clean energy technologies and design to deliver high quality, sustainable, affordable homes across Australia’s largest cities. In its initial stages, the strategy is targeting as many as 3,000 apartments. At least 50 per cent of apartments will be offered at a discount to equivalent market rents for means tested tenants, in key worker employment hubs in Australia’s major metropolitan cities. Consistent with the International Energy Agency’s1 zero carbon buildings approach, homes built through the strategy aim to be highly energy efficient, fully electric and capable of being powered by renewables while driving reductions in embodied carbon. Bringing the benefits of sustainability to all sectors of the residential market is an important part of broader decarbonisation of Australia’s building sector and reducing our national emissions....
Deloitte Survey Reveals Insights Into Changing Behaviours
The latest Deloitte ConsumerSignals Survey reveals climate change is a global priority, driving action across people's roles as citizens, employees, and consumers. In a September 2024, Deloitte surveyed 20,000 respondents across 20 countries, 56% reported experiencing at least one climate-related extreme weather event in the past six months. This was especially prevalent in the Global South, including South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, and India. With 2024 already the hottest year on record, this trend may worsen as climate change intensifies. Despite other pressures and shifting sentiments, respondents continue to emphasise the urgency of climate change. Since Deloitte began surveying in September 2021, a strong majority have consistently described it as an emergency. Those who view climate change as an emergency are significantly more likely to report changing their behaviours to address it (Figure 3). However, the data also reveals a decrease in uncertainty and a slight increase in those who do...
Sustainable Wine Packaging Innovator Secures $100,000 Feasibility Grant
Packamama, a pioneer in sustainable wine packaging, has been awarded a $100,000 feasibility grant from the Australian Government under the Business Research and Innovation Initiative (BRII), Renewables and Low Emissions Round. This grant is part of a broader $1.43 million funding initiative supporting 15 Australian small and medium-sized enterprises focused on innovations in wine packaging, safe drinking water, and energy efficiency in commercial fishing. The funding will enable Packamama to explore the technical and commercial potential of sustainable packaging solutions for Australian wines, including premium and longer shelf-life commercial wines. Supported by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources in collaboration with Wine Australia, the initiative addresses a critical challenge for the wine industry: reducing carbon emissions while maintaining the premium quality standards consumers expect. In 2020-21, the production and transport of glass wine bottles accounted for 74% of the industry's carbon emissions, primarily due to the weight of glass...
Amcor Named Among Australia’s Sustainability Leaders
Responsible packaging solutions provider, Amcor has once again been listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) Australia Index, highlighting its dedication to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) sustainability. The company ranked in the top 12% of the packaging and containers industry, cementing its leadership in the sector. "This recognition is particularly meaningful to us – not only because it happens in the country in which we were founded 165 years ago, but also because it highlights our progress in providing responsible packaging that benefits both our customers and the Earth," said Tracey Whitehead, Amcor's global head of investor relations. "We remain steadfast in driving innovative change and revolutionising product design across a wide range of materials to deliver more sustainable packaging solutions for our customers." The DJSI were launched in 1999 as the first series of global sustainability benchmarks available in the market. The index family includes global, regional and...
Avolon & Air New Zealand Agree Clean Tech Aircraft Partnership
Avolon, a leading global aviation finance company, and Air New Zealand have agreed a memorandum of understanding to partner on research to support the commercialisation of electric aircraft, and other novel propulsion technologies including battery hybrid and hydrogen. The agreement also includes the signing a letter of intent (LOI) for the sale and leaseback of a BETA Alia CX300 electric cargo aircraft. The conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) Alia CX300 is designed by BETA Technologies and will carry up to 560kg of cargo per flight for the airline. The aircraft is due for delivery in 2026 and will be used by Air New Zealand to carry cargo between Wellington and Blenheim through its partnership with New Zealand Post. The wider collaboration between Avolon and Air New Zealand reflects both companies’ drive to take leadership positions in supporting the development of clean tech aircraft, contributing to the decarbonisation of air travel,...
Mandatory Climate Reporting in Australia for Businesses Begins
Australia has enacted groundbreaking climate reporting regulations requiring businesses to assess their greenhouse gas emissions and develop strategies to address potential climate-related risks. Approved in 2024, this legislation marks a major overhaul of corporate reporting and director responsibilities, according to the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD). The new rules mandate that businesses provide detailed sustainability reports alongside financial statements, including an analysis of how various climate scenarios could affect their operations. Initially targeting Australia’s largest corporations, the requirements will expand by 2027 to encompass thousands of entities, including corporate and not-for-profit organisations. AICD Managing Director and CEO Mark Rigotti described the changes as a transformative shift in how companies handle mandatory disclosures. According to ABC.net, Rogotti said: "It's actually quite a fundamental step change in reporting and there probably hasn't been as significant a change since 2003, when we moved from sort of domestic financial standards to international financial...
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L’Oréal Hong Kong Wins Prestigious Environmental Award
L’Oréal Hong Kong received the Gold Award in the “Shops and Retailers” sector at the annual Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence (HKAEE). This esteemed award, organised by the Hong Kong Environmental Campaign Committee in collaboration with the Environment and Ecology Bureau and major chambers of commerce, highlights the company’s exceptional achievements...
Air NZ Invests In Largest SAF Purchase
New Zealand’s largest airline, Air New Zealand, has advanced its commitment to sustainability with a landmark agreement to procure more than 30 million liters of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from Neste. This deal marks the airline’s largest SAF purchase to date, with the fuel set...
Global Climate Innovator Appoints Sustainability Chief
Trane Technologies, a global climate innovator, announced the appointment of Mauro Atalla as Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer, effective January 5, 2025. Atalla will report to Chair and CEO Dave Regnery as part of the executive leadership team and will lead the product development, innovation...
Sustainability at The Core of Microsoft’s New Zealand Hyperscale Cloud Region
In a groundbreaking step for New Zealand’s digital evolution, Microsoft has introduced the country’s first hyperscale cloud region. This move marks a significant milestone in Microsoft’s nearly 40-year history in New Zealand, opening new doors for businesses, communities, and individuals to harness the power of...
Dow Jones Announces Sustainability Indices 2024 Review Results
S&P Dow Jones Indices (“S&P DJI”) has announced the results of the annual Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) rebalancing and reconstitution. The DJSI are float-adjusted market capitalisation weighted indices that measure the performance of companies selected using environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. The DJSI, including...
Cargill Eyes Sustainable Canola in Australia
Cargill has introduced a new program in Australia, designed to meet the growing demand for sustainable canola while providing farmers with new income opportunities. The initiative, Cargill SustainConnect, builds on a successful pilot run in 2023 and aims to connect Australian canola growers with emerging...
23 MW Acquired From Kendall Sustainable Infrastructure
CleanCapital has acquired 40 assets totaling 22.7 megawatts (MW) from Kendall Sustainable Infrastructure (KSI). KSI, an early institutional investor in community solar projects, sees this sale as a major milestone, completing its first of three community solar-focused funds. The acquisition expands CleanCapital’s portfolio to over...
Population Growth Threat to Australia’s Water Security
Water demand driven by population growth is surpassing the gains made in Australians’ household water use efficiency, according to a new report from Sustainable Population Australia (SPA) titled Big Thirsty Australia: How Population Growth Threatens Our Water Security and Sustainability. The report highlights that, since...
Australian Government Unveils New Sustainable Aviation Goals
The Australian government has unveiled its Aviation White Paper, Towards 2050, outlining a long-term strategy to support sustainable aviation and reduce carbon emissions. The plan includes measures to boost the production and use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and low-carbon liquid fuels (LCLFs). Key initiatives...
University of Waikato Sustainability Ranking Among The World’s Best
The University of Waikato has achieved a prominent position in the 2025 QS Sustainability Rankings, reflecting its commitment to addressing global challenges. Ranked 112 equal among 1,744 institutions, Waikato now stands among New Zealand’s top four universities. With a score of 85.4 out of 100,...
Oman and Belgium Build On Green Hydrogen Partnership
As part of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik’s visit to Belgium, Oman and Belgium signed an agreement to boost their partnership in green hydrogen. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed by Hydrogen Oman (Hydrom) and the Belgian Hydrogen Council (BHC), focuses on working together...
University of Melbourne Australia’s Most Sustainable
The QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2025 were unveiled today by global higher education specialists QS Quacquarelli Symonds. This year’s rankings feature 1,744 universities from 107 countries and territories, a significant increase from the 1,397 institutions across 95 countries included in last year’s edition. By...
HSBC Chief Sustainability Officer Resigns
HSBC has revealed that Celine Herweijer, its Group Chief Sustainability Officer, will be departing the bank by year-end. Julian Wentzel, who currently leads Global Banking for MENAT, will step in as the Interim Group Chief Sustainability Officer. This change follows HSBC’s recent leadership overhaul in...
Female-Led Firm Completes 156 kW-DC Solar Installation for pewag’s Green Initiative in Colorado
In a testament to efficiency and environmental commitment, Influent Energy, a leading woman-owned commercial solar company, has successfully commissioned a 156 kW-DC roof-mounted solar array for pewag Traction Chain Inc. Pueblo, Colorado plant, marking a significant milestone in the international chain manufacturer’s U.S. environmental initiatives. This project, located...