Lessons from Down Under: Australia’s Sustainability Journey

Australia is at the forefront of the climate change movement, facing the need to protect its biosecurity, enhance climate resilience, and overcome geographic isolation. Over the past five years Australia has made significant strides towards sustainability, particularly through its commitment to partnering with the private sector. Together, they aim to design out waste and pollution, promote material reuse, and work towards supporting the circular economy by 2023.Join us in this month’s episode of our podcast as we delve into Australia’s role in tackling climate change and its unique sustainability challenges. Our special guests Dr. Mary Stewart and Arvind Sharma are renowned sustainability experts in Australia, bringing their valuable insights to the conversation. Dr. Mary Stewart is the CEO of Energetics, Australia’s leading specialist consultancy in energy and carbon management, and Arvind Sharma is the Executive Director and ESG and Sustainability Lead for Rennie Advisory. This episode of the Sustainability Solved Podcast is sponsored by Good Citizens.Good Citizens is an eyewear brand like no other. Born to untrash the planet of single-use plastic. Good Citizens turns a discarded single-use plastic bottle into a pair of 100% recycled frames. It took them 752 days & 2500+ failed attempts to perfect the first pair of sunglasses. Even more unique, the modular system means you can repair each part in seconds. So, if your dog munches on them, it’s all fixable.Use this discount code GREEN20 to get $20AUD off and help untrash the planet.Highlights: - Mary emphasises the vast potential of the circular economy in Australia, with a focus on resource recovery, utilising recycled materials, effective waste management, and transitioning to renewable energy resources.- Australia’s distinct location and vulnerability to climate change posts unique sustainability challenges, coupled with the fragility of ecosystems that support its natural biodiversity. - Arvind sheds light on Australia’s revised sustainability targets under the Paris Agreement; it is evident that Australia is currently falling short of aligning with the 1.5°C pathway outlined by the IPCC.- Mary and Arvind delve into how Australia has responded to the significant rise in electricity prices, with many companies opting for Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to managetheir energy price risks.- We explore the sustainability skills gap as a significant barrier hindering the accelerated implementation of sustainability goals in Australia.- Through their expertise, Mary and Arvind shed light on how Australia’s experiences can serve as valuable lessons for the rest of the world. They emphasise the importance of not blindly following others but instead tailoring sustainability approaches to fit specific countries.- Australia has made impressive progress in embracing new energy sources and the rapid pace at which investments have been made; something the rest of the world can look to for inspiration.Resources: Energetics Rennie Advisory Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) The Paris Agreement Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) Australia Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) A Short Guide to the Circular Economy