Construction
A coalition of leading green building organisations has unveiled a new initiative to accelerate sustainable practices across the built environment. The report, Building Transition: How to Scale and Finance an Inclusive Transition for the Built Environment, targets the 75 per cent of buildings that have yet to adopt green building…
Australian engineers develop sustainable concrete using scrap carpet fibres
Engineers at RMIT University in Australia have discovered a way to create stronger, more crack-resistant concrete using recycled carpet fibres. This innovative approach not only addresses sustainability concerns but also tackles a major challenge in the construction sector. Dr Chamila Gunasekara, the lead researcher and ARC DECRA fellow from RMIT's…
RMIT University develops static electricity generator from recycled polystyrene
Researchers at RMIT University, in collaboration with Latvia's Riga Technical University, have unveiled an innovative device that generates static electricity from recycled polystyrene waste. This invention has the potential to significantly reduce energy consumption in air conditioning systems and other applications. The device, made from thin patches of layered polystyrene,…
Infrastructure Sustainability Council honours excellence at 2024 Awards Gala
The Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC) celebrated outstanding achievements in sustainable infrastructure at its tenth annual Infrastructure Sustainability Awards. The prestigious event, held during the ISC Connect 24 conference in Sydney on October 25, 2024, recognised nine winners for their exceptional contributions to the field. The awards showcased the industry's commitment…
Sydney ranks 10th in global sustainability index
Sydney has achieved a significant milestone in sustainable tourism, securing the 10th spot in the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index) for 2024. This marks a substantial improvement from its 29th position last year, making Sydney the highest-ranked Australian city in the index. The GDS-Index, which evaluates over 100 cities worldwide,…
CIOB joins #GreenSkillsAtCop to tackle green skills shortage ahead of COP29
The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has joined the #GreenSkillsAtCop campaign, highlighting the critical shortage of green-skilled workers in the construction industry ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan this November. Initiated by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, the campaign advocates for the integration…
Rising cost of living drives Australians to high-rises, but electrification benefits lag
As more Australians opt for apartment living due to rising cost-of-living pressures and city planning priorities, a new report by advocacy group Solar Citizens reveals that most high-rise residents are missing out on the benefits of electrification sweeping through the suburbs. The Electrify Wolli Creek report investigates the barriers to electrification…
Indoor vertical gardens: energy-hungry trend raises sustainability concerns
A new study has revealed that the growing trend of indoor vertical gardens, popular among homeowners and restaurants for year-round microgreen cultivation, comes with a significant environmental drawback: high energy consumption. Researchers from Marche Polytechnic University and the University of South Australia found that while these domestic vertical garden systems…