Today in our editorial series – Towards 3% – turbocharging our national innovation effort – innovation policy analyst Dr John Howard shines light on why Australian R&D is going backwards. In this, the second part of a two-part series, Dr Howard discusses the reasons behind the fall in R&D spending, pointing the finger at a…
By Josh Lepawsky, Memorial University of Newfoundland Semiconductors are the basic building blocks of microchips. These technological marvels are in everything from lightbulbs and toothbrushes to cars, trains and planes, not to mention the vast array of electronics that have become integral to many people’s daily lives. The 21st century chip manufacturing industry has been…
The federal government has declared a new offshore wind zone for electricity generation in the Southern Ocean off western Victoria with trade unions immediately calling for stronger local content rules. This, the third officially declared offshore wind zone in the country, will generate up to 2.8 GW of offshore wind energy, a fact welcomed by…
The federal government has announced a further $41 million in Energy Efficiency Grants (EEG) for Small and Medium Enterprises to improve energy efficiency, save on energy bills and lower emissions, taking the total size of the scheme to $62 million. The grants between $10,000 and $25,000 can be used to upgrade to more efficient equipment…
By Lucy Richardson, Monash University and Ella Healy, Monash University A paradox lies at the heart of Australian public opinion about climate change. While there is clear general support for substantial government action to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, there is also strong concern about the local impacts of new renewable energy infrastructure. The…
RM Williams to open flagship store on Friday Apparel company R.M.Williams is preparing to open its flagship store to the public on December 1 in Sydney. The 91-year-old brand will open the store on George Street, in the CBD, and The Sydney Morning Herald reports that, “A customised soundtrack, signature scent and altar to R.M.…
By Peter Roberts The federal government has moved to accelerate Australia’s shift towards renewable electricity, replacing the Renewable Energy Target with a series of auctions to drive investment. Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen revealed the shift to six monthly auctions to secure 32GW of new wind, solar PV and energy storage capacity to…
The federal minister for climate change and energy Chris Bowen has definitively included the controversial technology of carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) in its net zero plans for Western Australia. In Perth for a series of announcements on the state’s energy future, Bowen was challenged by journalists at a media conference about disappointments with…
Chemicals and explosives technology manufacturer Orica today announced accelerated climate change targets. The Melbourne company has invested to deliver significant reductions in net operational Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, according to the company. A forecast 19 per cent emissions reduction from FY2019 levels by the end of FY2023, successful low-emissions technology deployments,…
The federal government has engaged an eminent academic to study the need for a carbon tariff to protect local manufacturers from unfair competition from imports which are not subject to restrictions on emissions of CO2. The move opens the way for import tariffs to be applied on carbon intensive products such as cement and steel…
