Internet Resources

Contents

Eco-Footprints

An Eco-Footprint is "a measure of the ecologically productive land needed to provide resources for consumption, storage for wastes, and other ecological services" (Earth Institute). There are a range of eco-footprint calculators available.

The Victorian EPA Eco-Footprint Calculator uses Australian figures and assumptions.

The highly readable Redefining Progress Calculator uses US figures and assumptions.

The Earth Institute Eco-Footprint (US figures) is an eco-footprint calculator in longhand form for those who want to see the multiplication factors used.

Glossary of Environmental Terms

For a comprehensive glossary of terms and further links from this excellent site - European Environment Agency Environmental Glossary

Australian Eco-Label Resources

Good Environmental Choice Australia

Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) is an Australian not for profit organisation established to certify environmentally preferable products and services. Standards may be downloaded from the site, and currently certified products range from photocopiers to rubber floor matting and concrete. A significant local initiative seeking to identify with independent verification best-practice products. For further information see 'Introduction to Eco labels'

Electronic Blueprint

The Electronic Blueprint is the principal point of reference and knowledgebase for Architects, Engineers and Builders, and the only package that fully integrates Regulatory and Standards requirements with comprehensive specifications, CAD details and Approved industry training.

International Eco-Label Resources

BRE (Building Research Establishment)

The BRE Group is a research, consultancy, training, testing and certification organisation covering all aspects of sustainability in the built environment. BRE is UK based, but has global scope under its sister company BRE Global. BRE Global is an independent third party approvals body that offers certification of fire, security and sustainability products and services. BRE provides a Life Cycle Assessment based service to calculate and award ‘Ecopoints’. See Ecopoints Glossary entry.

Greenseal

Greenseal is a respected US-based third-party labelling organisation that produces standards and labels for a wide range of products from anti-corrosive paints to air-sourced head-pumps.

Indoor Climate Labelling (ICL)

ICL (originally the Danish Indoor Climate Labelling) is now established both in Denmark and Norway with normative bodies (Danish Society of Indoor Climate and Norwegian Forum of Indoor Climate Labelling) and label issuing bodies (Danish Indoor Climate Labelling and Norwegian Indoor Climate Labelling). The normative bodies are responsible for the preparation and international co-ordination of the testing and labelling criteria of the ICL. The standard does not, however, give data on emission level requirements in English.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Build LCA, a online resource and website compiled for Environment Australia listing LCA and other related resources relevant to the construction sector. In-depth and highly recommended.

UNEP-SETAC Life Cycle Initiative is a useful online introduction to the broader online world of LCA and an overview of why LCA is being integrated into UNEP processes internationally.

Pesticides Information Resources

Pesticides Action Network (US) is a non-government organisations dedicated to providing public domain data on pesticide toxicity. An excellently laid-out site with an enormous body of information. According to PAN all listings are subject to extensive peer-review before being listed. As well as data about pesticide toxicity the site has extensive links to data about low-toxicity alternatives, searchable by both pest and crop, as well further resources. US-based but useful resource.

The Pesticides Safety Directorate is a UK Government site with extensive links and data on pesticides from a UK perspective. Excellent for a perspective on the EU regulatory environment, the site features amongst other things an excellent 'A-Z' search listing banned and permitted pesticides, and an enormous amout of information on the approvals processes.

Pathogens and Bugs

Ever wondered if you should be worried about a particular bug - or bugs in general? An excellent and accessible resource on pathogens and 'bugs' is the US Food and Drug Administration's 'Bad Bug Book' which is available online. The reference has links to morbidity and mortality reports, current research on listed bugs, and links to other search facilities.

EnviroDevelopment

EnviroDevelopment is a scientifically-based branding system designed to make it easier for purchasers to recognise and, thereby, select more environmentally sustainable homes and lifestyles. EnviroDevelopment certified developments will have been carefully designed to protect the environment and use resources responsibly, whilst offering a range of benefits to homeowners, industry and government. The standards utilised by EnviroDevelopment have been determined by a panel of government, industry and environmental experts.

Certification for environmentally sustainable developments include achievements in:

water
energy
ecosystems
community
materials
waste

Please see the EnviroDevelopment website for more information.

AGO - Your Home

Your Home is a technical manual and consumer guide published by the Australian Greenhouse Office regarding how to design and live for a sustainable future. The guide provides information on issues such as passive design, water use, material embodied energy, indoor air quality, energy use and site issues.

Please see the AGO – Your Home website for more information.

Earth Building Association of Australia (EBAA)

Creating structures using technologies with sustainable earth materials and ancient traditions that are still relevant and appropriate in building practices today. Visit the EBAA website for further information.