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Koala Joey Luna_Taronga Zoo Sydney

Taronga launches new accelerator program, hunting for brilliant eco-friendly ideas

Taronga Conservation Society Australia has launched HATCH: Taronga Accelerator Program to drive innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing conservation and environmental challenges.

Do we really need a new phone? Isn’t there a smarter way? [VIDEO]

Apple has announced its shiny new iPhone 5S. It comes in gold. I'm not so sure about that but other than that, yes, I...

Crafty Chef: same old delicious food, now tastes even better for the environment

This renovation project cost a grand total of $1.1 million, of which $600,000 was raised by Crafty Chef itself and the remaining $500,000 was provided as a grant under the Australian Government’s Clean Technology Investment Programs. Greg Combet, Minister for Industry and Innovation announced Crafty Chef as one of 13 initial grant recipients back in June.

Easy Keg rolls to glory at the RMIT Business Plan Competition

A cheaper, reusable and recyclable alternative to traditional stainless steel kegs and bottling, the Easy Keg incorporates an outer PET shell with an inner liner that holds the beer. I’ll drink to that!

Federal Government just “reshuffling the deck cards” on grant funding?

Amidst the heated rhetoric over taxes and the best way to achieve a surplus, one area of the budget may be getting overlooked: grants. According to one agency, "the budget seems to be a reshuffling exercise aimed at incurring no additional expense. Even programs cut last budget are counted as savings again, without much to replace them."

One hundred days in, Ted Baillieu assesses the challenges ahead for Victoria [Interview]

In this extended podcast, Garry and Leon talk with Victoria Premier Ted Baillieu about the challenges facing his government – not least of which are the clean-up of the Victorian floods, the cut in GST funding from the Federal Government, and the delay to the regional rail project, issues he describes as “black holes” left by his predecessors. He also cites his pledge to the environment and creative measures to boost the state's sagging productivity.

Global Hub network pops up in Melbourne. “Would you like a connection with that?”

There may be a conspicuous 'Me' in the word Melbourne, but a new global movement has taken root in the city's business district to encourage teamwork in dynamic spaces. Collaborative consumption is the name of the movement. You may have heard of it: The Financial Times has deemed it a “social revolution gaining momentum.” Hub Melbourne is its latest achievement.

World leading environmental innovation developed by Australian company

If keeping tabs on the comings and goings of the weed-control world is your thing, then have we got news for you. Queensland-based vegetation and natural areas management company, Technigro, has developed a weed-control sprayer that corrals potentially dangerous chemicals in the area they were applied – not the atmosphere -- rendering the spray-and-pray approach *so* last season.

Jarrod Ritchie of TPI Enterprises brings the healing power of Tasmania’s poppies to the...

This week’s guest is Jarrod Ritchie, founder and chief executive of Tasmania-based TPI Enterprises, one of the worlds largest independent producers of legal opiate drugs. Having previously worked for GlaxoSmithKline, he has developed his own extraction process using an environmentally friendly water-based system whereas competitors use an older method employing chemical solvents. Mr. Ritchie has also been involved with Israeli botanists in developing a new strain of a more productive opium poppy.

Inshore, offshore… which shore? Have you heard of in-sourcing and near-shoring?

Over the past fifteen years, outsourcing has been an increasingly common practice allowing businesses to reduce costs and therefore pour resources into growth. However, with the upheaval of the last eighteen months, business as usual has seen its foundations shaken and reshaped. Is outsourcing still the best option, or should businesses be trying to claim more of the value chain for themselves? Should they still be offshoring, or will nearshoring bring greater profits in the future?

Shareholders want environmental sustainability, but are the Boards listening?

Over one hundred climate and energy-focused shareholder proposals have been put before shareholders of 88 U.S. and Canadian companies in 2010. Interestingly, this phenomenon has yet to rise to the top of shareholder concerns in Australia. 2011 would be a good year to change this.

Seven ways to reduce overheads (because money doesn’t grow on trees, you know)

Remember when your parents said, “Money doesn't grow on trees” or “A penny saved is a penny earned”? Employees and business owners need to re-visit these old truisms. Carelessness, complacency and failing to ask the right questions of staff and customers has resulted in Australian companies paying dearly in both time and money, according to Catherine DeVrye.

How to get the clothes off your employees

What happens when a clothing swap takes up shop in your company's break room? The Clothing Exchange, a five-year-old Melbourne-based company, is selling the idea by promoting swaps in corporate environments. And while the concept itself may not be revolutionary, it could give employees a creative outlet for expanding their fashion and social consciences.

Risk analysis applied to climate change [VIDEO]

At Anthill, we often write about future-proofing as one of those 'essentials' of business. In this video, Greg Craven talks about risk. But his agenda is far greater than merely improving a company's bottom line. Rather, he tackles a debate with potentially far greater consequences.

Don't build houses when you can grow them… out of meat!

In this typically thought provoking TED talk, architect and ecologist Mitchell Joachim shares some of his recent experiments 'growing' houses out of trees and... meat! Imagine using animal fat for insulation and "sphincter muscles for doors and windows".

Don’t build houses when you can grow them… out of meat!

In this typically thought provoking TED talk, architect and ecologist Mitchell Joachim shares some of his recent experiments 'growing' houses out of trees and... meat! Imagine using animal fat for insulation and "sphincter muscles for doors and windows".

Seeing the wood AND the trees: Why Andrew Grant sees 'carbon sinks' when he...

Andrew Grant is chief executive of CO2 Australia Limited, the market leader in the establishment and management of major reforestation projects, forests that operate as carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide to lessen the impact of greenhouse gas emissions on the global climate. He talks about the challenges and opportunities of carbon trading schemes.

Seeing the wood AND the trees: Why Andrew Grant sees ‘carbon sinks’ when he...

Andrew Grant is chief executive of CO2 Australia Limited, the market leader in the establishment and management of major reforestation projects, forests that operate as carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide to lessen the impact of greenhouse gas emissions on the global climate. He talks about the challenges and opportunities of carbon trading schemes.

Hotel, prison encourage guests to generate own energy via pedal power

You’ve heard of singing for your supper, but in this environmentally conscious age, institutions are now inviting patrons to pedal for privileges.

Abu Dhabi plans the world’s first zero-carbon eco-city

The United Arab Emirates built the obscenely ostentatious Dubai with oil money that its leaders realised was running out. Now that the hard times have hit, Abu Dhabi is placing its chips on sustainability.
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New Zealand’s Xero eyes US IPO, further disruption as subscribers increase...

Xero recently held its annual meeting in Wellington, during which the company revealed some interesting details about its future. As has been widely suspected, the...

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