Dutch scientist Paul J. Crutzen, who earned the Nobel Prize for chemistry for his work understanding the hole in the ozone layer, has died. Credited with coining the term “Anthropocene” to describe the geological era shaped by humankind and its impact on climate change, Crutzen died on January 28. He was 87. Crutzen was the […]
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Cooling school playgrounds to counter climate change impacts
As part of a project to cool school playgrounds, environmental organisation Greening Australia and Western Sydney University have released a study revealing some of the most heat-vulnerable schools in the Sydney Basin. As part of its Cooling the Schools program, Greening Australia commissioned Western Sydney University to capture location-specific measurements at 100 schools from Western […]
Russian Federation ratifies Kigali Amendment
As part of the global effort to reduce the use of HFCs, the Russian Federation has ratified the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, becoming the 105th country to do so. “According to the scientific community, if member states deliver on their obligations regarding substances that deplete the ozone layer, by mid-century the ozone layer […]
Property Council of Australia names its six developments of the year
The Property Council of Australia has unveiled its leading six developments from across the country as part of its 2020 Property Council of Australia/Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation and Excellence Awards program. “While 2020 has been a challenging year, celebrating Australia’s finest projects and the people who create them serves as a powerful reminder,” says the […]
Project management expertise the key to revival?
A leading engineering consultancy and training provider suggest that one of the possibly overlooked keys to Australia’s economy recovery post-COVID-19 could be project management expertise. As federal and state governments allocate billions of dollars’ worth of shovel-ready infrastructure projects in an effort to boost local economies, the “Specialist project management – the engine of successful […]
ARBS partners with NABERS on scholarships
The ARBS Education and Research Foundation has partnered with NABERS to provide scholarships to HVAC&R sole traders studying to become accredited energy and water assessors. “The ARBS Education and Research Foundation is committed to supporting further education of people employed in the HVAC industry, along with practical research into contemporary industry issues,” says ARBS Foundation […]
IWBI launches WELL Health-Safety Rating
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) has launched the WELL Health-Safety Rating for all building and facility types. The tool is an evidence-based, third-party verified rating system focusing on operational policies, maintenance protocols and design strategies to address a post-COVID-19 environment. The WELL Health-Safety Rating is one of the earliest outcomes of IWBI’s Task Force […]
AIRAH and IRHACE seal MoU
The Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH) and the Institute of Refrigeration, Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers of New Zealand Inc., (IRHACE) have inked a Memorandum of Understanding. Although the two member bodies have co-operated on initiatives and knowledge sharing for many years now, the arrangement has always been an informal one. […]
Study on spread of COVID-19 in air conditioned bus
The coronavirus could be transmitted over a longer distance than previously thought, especially within an enclosed air conditioned environment, according to a study by a team of Chinese government epidemiologists. The research by the Hunan-based team throws into question the official guidelines from China’s health authorities on COVID-19 prevention to keep “a safe distance” of […]
25 King scores WELL Certification
25 King Street Brisbane has been awarded Queensland’s first WELL Core and Shell Certification at the Platinum level. Led by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), WELL is a global rating system for advancing health and wellbeing in buildings. The sustainable structure has also earned 6 star Green Star Design and As Built ratings. Dubbed […]