DEWHA News
$1.8 million to help prepare for climate change
Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, yesterday announced $1.2 million funding to investigate the effects of climate change on key coastal areas, including the Central and Hunter Coasts region of New South Wales. Senator Wong made the announcement in Newcastle, at the CSIRO’s Energy Centre, where she saw firsthand the practical work of Australian scientists developing clean energy technologies. Senator Wong also visited a solar farm and a clean coal facility in the region. “ Newcastle is at the cutting edge of new energy technologies, which are crucial in our efforts to tackle climate change by reducing greenhouse gases,” Senator Wong said. “As well as working to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing climate change, the Rudd Government recognises the need for us to adapt to the climate change we can’t avoid.”
http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/wong/2008/pubs/mr20080508.pdf
$3.45 million to boost local capacity to adapt to climate change
Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, this week announced $3.45 million to help local government and professionals such as engineers and architects better manage the effects of climate change. Senator Wong made the announcement during a speech to the Queensland Media Club. “As well as reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing climate change, the Rudd Government recognises the need for us to adapt to the climate change we can’t avoid,” Senator Wong said. “The Government is providing $1.55 million to assist councils to learn more about the local impact of climate and plan ahead. “Another $1.9 million has gone to tertiary institutions and professional associations to integrate climate change into their education and training courses through the Climate Change Adaptation Skills for Professionals small grants program.”
http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/wong/2008/pubs/mr20080506.pdf
Minister welcomes consultation on waste tyres
Earlier this week Minister for the Environment, Peter Garrett, announced the release of a consultation package on end-of-life tyres for public comment. Mr Garrett said the consultation followed the April meeting of the Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC), which agreed to move forward with a nationally consistent approach to managing end-of-life tyres. “This joint industry/government approach is a great achievement and I particularly welcome the commitment of the tyre industry to finding a solution to the problems associated with end-of-life tyres. “In Australia, approximately 240 000 tonnes of end-of-life tyres enter the waste stream each year. These are landfilled, stockpiled or illegally dumped,” Mr Garrett said. “The proposed recycling scheme will drive innovation, decrease environmental impacts and build end-of-life management costs into product prices. “I encourage all interested stakeholders to comment on the proposed scheme during the consultation period, which runs from May to July.”
http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/garrett/2008/pubs/mr20080506.pdf