16 May 2008 3:42pm

An international survey of the voluntary carbon market that includes data from Australian and New Zealand firms has found forestry projects have slumped from being the major source of offset credits in 2006, with the mantle now passing to renewable energy projects.

But the voluntary carbon market is booming overall, the report says. And, with more and more companies developing carbon offset strategies, 2008 is likely to see even more rapid growth.

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16 May 2008 1:32pm

* Federal Court rejects EPBC Act challenge to 'preliminary works'
* Queensland parliament passes recycled water bill
* Queensland considers complementary measures to trading
* NSW Greens MLC highlights beverage industry donations
* 'Resolve key issues before including waste sector in trading regime'
* Nelson's Budget reply leaves climate in the lurch, Climate Institute says

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16 May 2008 11:24am

Queensland's Environment Minister Andrew McNamara and a Queensland government MP yesterday praised a former state EPA officer who resigned after blowing the whistle on lax regulation of lead levels in Mount Isa.

McNamara and member for Ipswich Rachel Nolan praised the officer as parliament unanimously approved legislation that will end the environmental regulation of mining operations through 'special agreements'.

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15 May 2008 3:38pm

* Coalition and Greens slam solar rebate means-test
* Milne tables national feed-in tariff bill
* Melbourne hazardous waste landfill closes ahead of schedule
* Rudd government quizzed on coal and energy
* Bligh praises Queensland businesses for water conservation efforts
* Garrett seeks comment on marine debris threats
* NSW Parliament issues carbon capture and storage paper

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15 May 2008 12:17pm

The Queensland parliament yesterday passed legislation mandating that medium to large energy users conduct audits, submit energy savings plans to the government and publicly release information on their progress in saving energy. But the legislation backs down on an initial commitment to require businesses to implement measures with a payback of three years or less.

The Clean Energy Bill also introduces the state's solar feed-in tariff, increases the state's Gas Scheme target and introduces new provisions for underground coal gasification.

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14 May 2008 3:41pm

The NSW government has warned the Garnaut review that emissions trading will be a highly risky "step into the unknown", in a submission that criticises professor Garnaut for not taking proper account of the need to assess and manage the economic risk.

Unless carefully designed, emissions trading, coupled with the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target scheme, could cause "costly economic dislocation and disruption to power supply", the state government's submission to Garnaut says.

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14 May 2008 1:55pm

According to Greens leader Bob Brown, the Rudd government's first Budget is just 'Howard-Costello lite'.

The Greens and Greenpeace have delivered scathing assessments of the Budget's climate and environment initiatives, though other appraisals have generally been more favourable.

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14 May 2008 11:46am

It's Labor's first commitment period – with the Rudd government last night setting out where its climate change and environment cash will be spent over 2008-2012. New Budget climate measures will get $341.6 million in 2008-09 and a total of $2.3 billion over 2007-08 to 2011-12.

Meanwhile, Treasurer Wayne Swan says the review of the tax system – due to report by the end of 2009 – will 'look at the role to be played by environmental taxes'.
CE Daily looks at where the money will go and guides you through the maze of Budget papers.

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