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Draft guidance on reducing GHG emissions
The Victorian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has released a new draft guideline for managing greenhouse gas emissions. Under Victoria’s Environment Protection Act 2017, which came into effect on July 1, 2021, people conducting activities that pose risks of harm to human health or the environment from pollution and waste must understand those risks and take […]
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Global survey on women in HVAC&R
The international Institute of Refrigeration (IIR) and UNEP OzonAction have launched the first global survey on women in HVAC&R. “In recent years, the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pumps sector has been paying increasing attention to the importance of gender mainstreaming and providing equal opportunities for both women and men,” says IIR Director General Didier […]
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Jelly ice cubes take the cake
Researchers at the University of California, Davis, USA, have developed a new type of cooling ice cube that doesn’t melt. The researchers believe the “jelly ice cubes” could revolutionise how food is kept cold and shipped without relying on ice or traditional cooling packs. The cubes are compostable and anti-microbial, and prevent cross-contamination. Professor in […]
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Steps to improve fire safety in NSW
The NSW government has released a report that provides recommendations on how to improve fire safety in new and existing buildings. The project was commissioned by the Office of the Building Commissioner to draw upon specialist industry expertise to identify practical measures the NSW government could take to help improve fire safety in class 2 […]
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Fixing Australia’s billion-dollar defect problem
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has released a series of best-practice model guidance publications in response to the Building Confidence Report. At the request of building ministers, the ABCB prepared model guidance in response to the recommendations of the Building Confidence Report (BCR), which examined the effectiveness of compliance and enforcement systems for the […]
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NSW proposes increase to BASIX standards
The NSW government is proposing increases to BASIX thermal performance and energy standards, beginning in late 2022. The government says the work is being done “to build more comfortable homes, cut energy costs and contribute to the state’s target of net zero homes by 2050”. This aligns with the Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings, the […]
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WELL booming in Asia-Pacific region
As the pandemic heads into its third year, the Asia-Pacific region has increasingly adopted WELL programs. The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) recently highlighted the exponential growth as it crossed the 300 million square metre mark of spaces enrolled in WELL programs. IWBI reports that nearly 80 million square metres of real estate are applying […]
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A.G. Coombs Group aims for net zero by 2030
The A.G. Coombs Group has committed to a clear net zero goal: Scope 1 and Scope 2 operational emissions by 2030. The building services specialist will work with its value chain, industry partners and customers to achieve net zero Scope 3 emissions by 2040. “Climate change is the most critical challenge facing the world today,” […]
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Penrith Council shares strategies for urban heat
Penrith Council in Sydney has developed an issues paper to advocate for changes to be made to the state planning system. The aim is to ensure that all new developments across Western Sydney are designed to be adaptive to urban heat in both current and future climates. The council began developing the issues paper after […]
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National review of engineering education
The Australian Council of Engineering Deans (ACED) has released the results of a recent study as part of the Engineering 2035 Project, a national review of engineering education. The Engineering 2035 Project explores the practices and methods used for educating professional engineering students, and makes recommendations on how educators and universities can move forward. Approximately […]
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Overcoming regulatory barriers for prefab homes
The Housing Industry Association (HIA) has released a consultation paper that explores the regulatory barriers limiting the uptake of modular and prefabricated home construction. “Builders, trades and homeowners are looking at innovative ways to build – for speed, accuracy and finish,” says HIA Chief Executive Industry Policy Kristin Brookfield. “However, our current building codes, standards, […]
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Migrating engineers could solve skills shortage
A study by Engineers Australia, titled Barriers to Employment for Skilled Migrant Engineers, has found migrants may be the key to filling the skills shortage in the industry. The study reveals that while migrants account for almost two thirds of qualified engineers in Australia, 47 per cent of are unemployed and struggling to find a […]
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Technology Investment Roadmap under review
The federal government is calling for submissions to inform development of the Low Emissions Technology Statement 2022. The Low Emissions Technology Statement (LETS) is an annual update to the Technology Investment Roadmap – the Australian government’s technology-led approach to reducing emissions. It is the cornerstone of Australia’s Long-Term Emissions Reduction Plan, which the government says […]
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Victoria sets new mark with COVID-19 ventilation guide
The Victorian Department of Health has published guidelines on ventilation principles and strategies to reduce aerosol transmission of COVID-19. With the release of the document, the Victorian government has gone further than other jurisdictions in providing detailed information and advice on the subject of COVID-19 and ventilation. The state is still recording a high number […]
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ARBS calls for speakers and award nominations
ARBS 2022 is calling for speakers to participate in the ARBS Seminar Series, and nominations for the ARBS Industry Awards. Slated for August 16–18, 2022 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), ARBS 2022 will showcase new products and technologies, with a focus on new and developing trends and technologies. These will include smart […]
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Government must lead the way on energy efficiency
A new guide, Best practice for energy management in government operations, provides advice to help governments put in place policies and programs that will drive systematic energy performance improvements in their own operations. The guide has been developed by the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC), the Energy Efficiency Council (EEC), the Green Building Council […]
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AIRAH releases inaugural Resilience Checklist
AIRAH has released the inaugural version of its AIRAH Resilience Checklist. A resource aimed at improving the resilience of the built environment, the checklist provides considerable information on how buildings can be made more resilient in order to survive a world impacted by climate change. “The 2021 IPCC climate change report highlighted that Australia will […]
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IEA seeks case studies in resilient cooling
The International Energy Agency (IEA) is collating case studies as part of its Energy in Buildings and Communities (EBC) program. The specific project, Annex 80, focuses on the resilient cooling of buildings. “The world is facing a rapid increase of air conditioning of buildings,” says the IEA “This is driven by multiple factors, such as […]
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Green walls reduce heat loss by more than 30%
A study conducted at the University of Plymouth, UK, has revealed retrofitting existing building walls with a living wall could reduce heat loss by more than 30 per cent. The researchers retrofitted a green wall at the university on a pre-1970s building, and monitored the differences in heat lost between the retrofitted wall and a normal […]
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Energy and electrotechnology skills webinar
Australian Industry Standards (AIS) is hosting a webinar on Thursday, December 9 about energy and electrotechnology industry skills. New skills and technologies are having an impact on sectors such as electricity generation, transmission, distribution and rail, and electrotechnology – including HVAC&R. They are also affecting the growth of renewable systems. The relevant industry reference committees […]