OTHER NEWS

STATISTICS AND CLIMATE CHANGE

The November meeting of the Australian Statistical Advisory Council (ASAC) discussed the statistical implications of climate change and climate change strategies.

ASAC members noted the importance of ensuring the robustness of existing statistics, particularly as initiatives such as the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme are implemented. ASAC also noted the priority statistical information needs that are emerging such as information to support the efficient operation of new markets and that contribute to the understanding of economic and social impacts of climate change.

The importance of collaborative cross-agency work to further the climate change-related information base, and ABS leadership in the development of statistical methodologies, were also emphasised.

For further information, contact Graeme Brown on (02) 6252 5920 or graeme.brown@abs.gov.au


SURVEY REVIEW - HOUSEHOLD WATER USE AND CONSERVATION

The Environmental Issues series is an annual publication that provides data on environmental behaviour and practices of Australian households. Topics rotate each year and are as follows:

• Energy use and conservation (1994, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2008).

• Waste management and transport use (1992, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2006).

• Water source, use and conservation (1994, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2007).

A user consultation is conducted in the year prior to the survey. If you would like to participate in the consultation for the water use and conservation survey to be run in March 2010, please contact Fiona Clarke on (02) 6252 5180 or email: fiona.j.clarke@abs.gov.au


NSW IN FOCUS 2008

NSW in Focus, 2008 (cat. no. 1338.1) provides a snapshot of activity within the state. Drawing on both ABS and non-ABS sources, NSW in Focus has 12 chapters presenting a rich range of social, economic and environmental data.

New in this year's publication is the inclusion of "Statistical Highlights" which provides some analysis and graphs on selected indicators. Each chapter also features a summary table of selected indicators allowing users to track changes over time, and a list of data sources which are a helpful reference for further research.

For further information about these and related statistics contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070 or Sarah Proudford on Sydney (02) 9268 4855.