News
All links open in a new window or tab
Solar Flagships Round 1 announced
11th May 2010
Announced today, the Australian Government will commit a further $652.5 million over four years to establish a Renewable Energy Future Fund to support Australia's response to climate change. The Fund will provide additional support: for the development and deployment of large and small scale renewable energy projects, for example further investments in geothermal, solar and wave energy; and to enhance take-up of industrial, commercial and residential energy efficiency, helping Australian businesses and households reduce their energy consumption. As part of the announcement, eight projects have been shortlisted under round one of the Solar Flagships Program.
Eco Recruitment is currently seeking solar and renewable energy professionals for these projects. Check out our job adverts and apply now if you feel you have the right skills.
Solar Scheme attracts international giants
29th March 2010
The
Australian reports today that a SOLAR energy giant backed by Google, Chevron, Morgan Stanley and BP has emerged as a major contender in the federal government's $1.5 billion solar power scheme. BrightSource Energy Australian representative Andrew Dyer confirmed the company wanted to build a large-scale solar thermal plant through the commonwealth grant program.
Eco Recruitment is currently seeking solar and renewable energy professionals for the solar flagships program.
ACTU hastens call for Green Economy; AGL gears up for Renewable Energy Target
24th August 2009
Australia needs to urgently shift towards a green economy to help the nation recover from the global financial crisis, trade unions say. ACTU president Sharan Burrow said the federal government had made headway with its renewable energy target legislation - passed by the Senate last week - which would unleash $20 billion in investment and translate into jobs. Meanwhile, AGL ENERGY says it will develop $6 billion to $7 billion in renewable energy projects over the next decade. AGL Energy's chief executive, Michael Fraser, said the recent passage of renewable energy target legislation through parliament was ''very significant'' for AGL. Mr Fraser said that under the renewable energy target, about 4500 wind turbines would have to be built to supply about 9000 megawatts of power.
Do you have a solid work history in the renewable energy sector? You can submit your CV
here to be considered for exciting upcoming opportunities.
Renewable Energy Target (RET) = jobs in solar & wind.
19th August 2009:
Australian politicians have agreed on a historic deal to boost clean energy. The deal will see energy retailers required to source a percentage of their electricity from renewable sources. The renewable energy industry is now poised to grown dramatically in Australia, meaning more jobs for those qualified and experienced.
$50BN Chinese investment in Gorgon LNG project
19th August 2009:
As the search for cleaner energy options intensifies, Australia is currently experiencing unprecedented levels of investment in its major LNG projects. Yesterday marked the a $50BN Chinese investment in Western Australia's Gorgon project. The Gorgon project -- which now has commitments of $200bn in sales out of a projected $300bn from the entire project -- has promised flow-on effects of $33bn to the construction, manufacturing and services sector, and 6000 jobs over the next four to five years.
If you have a degree in Environmental Science or Engineering and experience in the Oil and Gas sector, we would be very interested in talking to you further about this project. Experience living in remote/FIFO environments would be beneficial. You can submit your CV here.
Bring on the Green Jobs: 50,000 of them says Rudd!
30th July 2009:
PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd has put jobs and climate change at the centre of Labor's agenda towards the next election, flagging a $100 million plan to create 50,000 green jobs and training opportunities. News that has made headlines around the world.
$3.5BN Desalination Plant awarded, Eco Recruitment supplying staff
30th July 2009:
VICTORIA has pulled off what is said to be the biggest public-private partnership in the world since the global financial crisis began with the announcement of 'Aquasure' as the successful tenderer for its $3.5billion desalination plant. This will translate to 1000's of jobs for the local economy and Eco Recruitment is proud to be providing environmental and engineering staff directly to this project. If you feel you have the necessary experience, please submit your CV.
Power plant claims 90 per cent carbon capture
27th July 2009:
A NEW Australian power station using world-first technology will be able to capture and store 90 per cent of its carbon, according to a recent article in Melbourne's Herald Sun.
28,000 Renewable Energy jobs by 2020
16th June 2009:
Clean energy and energy efficiency industries will create more than 28,000* new jobs by 2020, according to groundbreaking economic modelling released today by the Clean Energy Council (CEC).
Biofuel vehicle to reach 230km/h
7th May 2009:
British scientists claim they have designed a formula three racer powered by waste from chocolate factories, that will reach 230 km/h and give manufacturers ideas about how to build more ecologically friendly vehicles.
Eco Recruitment in the news
4th May 2009:
Our local newspaper, the Moreland Leader has highlighted the potential for an explosion in green jobs in Australia as we begin to embraces a low-carbon economy. Jason Downes has been quoted as saying “In the next five years a whole lot of people on my books will be employed in jobs that people haven’t heard of yet".
Architects have important role to play [Empire State Greening]
9th April 2009:
World Architecture News today published an interesting story on the eco-refit of America's most famous building, The Empire State Building. As well as pointing out the significant energy use buildings account for (think 'low-hanging fruit'), it gives an interesting and hopeful outlook for the future green jobs in architecture. Are you an architect with experience in both ESD and eco-refit? Then please drop us an email with your CV attached (see our jobs page and contacts page for more info).
Growing the green collar workforce
3rd April 2009:
There is an important link between the capacity of the Australian economy to transition to a resource efficient, low carbon economy and the human effort, skills, knowledge and technology needed to underpin and enable such a transition. Heinz Schandl, CSIRO senior science leader, presents an interesting look at how green jobs will emerge in traditional sectors such as construction, manufacturing and transport.
G20 Summit points to Green Economy Stimulus; Stern gets Serious
31st March 2009:
On the eve of the G20 summit in London, Stephanie Kennedy of the ABC interviewed Sir Nicholas Stern on his current push to urge G20 leaders to use a significant portion of their economic stimulus plans to invest heavily in energy efficiency and green technology.
In another article published earlier this month, Lord Stern outlines just how serious the problem of climate change is and how the scientific community is now compelled to lobby politicians for change.
Eco Recruitment in the news
23rd March 2009 - Sydney Morning Herald:
The Sydney Morning Herald today ran a feature piece on Clean and Green offices in the lead up to Earth Hour. Eco Recruitment has been highlighted as an Australian Business currently practicing what it preaches:
Melbourne recruiter Eco Recruitment also takes transport seriously.
"We don't drive to work - it's bicycle or public transport only," says owner Jason Downes. "All client meetings to date have been accessed via public transport and sometimes public transport plus bike."
While most business are finding the paperless office an urban myth, Downes says his firm is close: "There's still paper coming in but in our first year of operations we only sent three letters; everything else from our end has been electronic."
See the article, "Office clean-up to cut waste and energy".
Green Jobs for Long-term unemployed
4th Feb 2009:
JOBS for the long-term unemployed making the homes of low-income families more energy-efficient. A federal Government dream-come-true that's already happening.
Federal Rebates for Rainwater Tanks and Greywater systems
30th Jan 2009:
Penny Wong and Maxine McKew today launched a joint media release: Australian households will be eligible for a rebate of up to $500 each for the purchase of a rainwater tank or a greywater system under a new Rudd Government program. Rebates are available for the purchase and installation of a new rainwater tank which is connected for internal re-use of the water for toilet and/or laundry use or the purchase and installation of a permanent greywater treatment system. A $400 rebate is available for a 2,000-3,999 litre tank and a $500 rebate is available for a tank greater than 4,000 litres.
EU pushes for global ETS
29th Jan 2009:
As a part of a plan to tackle climate change, the European Commission has called for a global emissions trading market. The initiative was released today (Wed, European time) in a bid to successfully obtain a global pact on climate change at the UN climate conference in Copenhagen in December. The EU would like to see other trading schemes linked into the EU ETS by 2015 including emerging economies by 2020.
Renewable Energy Target details released today by Goverment
17th Dec 2008:
Treasurer Wayne Swan, Minister for Climate Change Senator Penny Wong and Minister for the Environment Peter Garrett today released details on the Government’s 20 per cent Renewable Energy Target and new ‘Solar Credits’ as part of Australia’s move to a low pollution future. “The Renewable Energy Target (RET) will ensure 20 per cent of Australia’s electricity is sourced from renewables by 2020, helping us build the low-pollution economy and jobs of the future,” the Treasurer said. Draft legislation to deliver the RET was released today, following on from the release of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme White Paper on Monday. While the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme will help bring renewable energy technologies into the market over time, the policy announced today aims to accelerate their use.
Obama pledges energy overhaul and announces new environmental team
16th Dec 2008:
President-elect, Barack Obama, has today pledged to create a new green economy in the United States aimed at reducing their reliance on oil. He has appointed Nobel-wining Steven Chu as his energy secretary, a long-time expert on renewable energy. The move sees other key environmental staff appointments and motions towards a complete change in American environmental policy.
Australia announces targets | White Paper Launched
16th Dec 2008:
Penny Wong and Kevin Rudd launched the long-awaited White Paper yesterday. The white paper outlines the final design of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme and the medium-term, target range for reducing carbon pollution. Environmental groups today have described targets of 5-15% as everything from catastrophic to disappointing.
Despite the initial reaction, there has been some praise for the Rudd Government as a target has now been put on the table and Australia is recognised as a nation entering the Carbon Market. This means we can now compare the commitments that different countries are willing to make and see if they measure up to each other.
Federal Government News
28th Nov 2008:
$40 Million for two new water centres of excellence: The Rudd Government is calling for proposals to establish two Centres of Excellence to lead the way in building the knowledge and technology required to secure Australia's water supplies. Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, said the Government would provide $40 million to establish the Centre of Excellence in Desalination in Perth and the Centre of Excellence in Water Recycling in Brisbane. Download the Media Release.
Solar power station for Alice Springs: The Federal Government will fund half of a $6.6 million solar power station to be built in Alice Springs as part of the Australian Government's Alice Solar City project. "The Alice Springs Ilparpa Solar Power Station will generate more than 1800 megawatt hours of clean energy for the region each year, and reduce Australia's annual greenhouse gas emissions by 1300 tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent," Mr Garrett said. Download the Media Release.
More Federal Government news on the environment can be found at www.environment.gov.au.
A Career in Carbon - think ahead now!
30th Oct 2008: Jason is currently representing Eco Recruitment at the 1st Carbon Market Expo, Australasia in sunny Queensland, and he says:
This is such an exciting time to be considering a career in the new carbon economy. 1000 professionals from Ministers and CEO's through to Graduate Environmental Consultants are all here learning about the career and business opportunities a constrained carbon economy will present. In addition to the conference today, it is a significant date as Ministers Wayne Swan and Penny Wong launched a major report focussing on detailed modelling of the costs and opportunities associated with Governments Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme: Australia's Low Pollution Future: The Economics of Climate Change Mitigation.This report will factor in, amongst other things, the factors associated with the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and basically says:
* The Australian economy will continue to grow strongly as we reduce carbon emissions; * The earlier Australia acts, the cheaper the cost of action; The longer we delay, the more damage we risk to the Australian economy. * Many of Australia's key industries will become more, not less, competitive.
Good news for the green economy and green collar job seekers.
On the back of this news, the Rudd Government confirms that it will continue as planned with the delivery of the ETS and that, as outlined above, it will be good for the economy. Whilst the big emitters (backed by the Minerals Council of Australia and The Business Council of Australia) are busy criticising every aspect of the assumptions behind the modelling, an independent study commissioned by the ACTU and the Australian Conservation Foundation and released yesterday, found that Australia could generate an extra 500,000 jobs by 2030 in six green industries.
Aussie job market still strong - i.e. don't stress just yet!
21st Oct 2008: According to Craig James, Commsec's Chief Economist, all the doom and gloom in the business news shouldn't necessarily apply to the job market. He's looked at the dire jobless rate predictions (up to 10% by end of 2009 by some commentators), and says according to his modelling, they just don't add up. James points out that for one thing it was only a few months ago when businesses around Australia were complaining that it was difficult to find and keep staff - are these people really going to be 'dumped' after the exhausting (and costly) effort to find them? There is still a lot of growth in our market, particularly at the skilled professional end. Click here to read more.
Green Collar Jobs on the rise
21st Oct 2008: Green collar jobs are on the rise around the world: from renewable roles in Germany to Presidential campaigns promising millions of new green jobs in the US. The Australian Conservation Foundation website gives a nice summary to the topic.
Irrigation district 'For Sale'
20th Oct 2008: Articles in both the AFR today and on the ABC a couple of days ago report that an irrigation district in southern New South Wales is looking to sell its entire water entitlement to the Federal Government.
Britain leads the way | Carbon emissions to be reduced
18th Oct 2008: Some good news from the UK this week, particularly for those pinning their career hopes on an international front on carbon reductions. The UK Government led by Gordon Brown and Ed Miliban (newly appointed secretary for Energy and Climate Change) announcing "Britain would increase its 2050 target for reducing emissions from 60 per cent of 1990 levels to at least 80 per cent". Read More here
Financial meltdown preview of Global Warming
17th Oct 2008: As attention shifts from issues such as climate change and global warming, we are warned to learn from the current crisis when dealing with global warming. Read More here
Eco Recruitment in the News
8th Oct 2008: In the wake of the International crisis, The Reserve Bank of Australia has taken the unusual step of reducing the interest rate by 1%. Eco Recruitment was approached by The Age Newspaper and asked for a reflection on what this might mean to small business. Read More here