JOBS NEWS: One of the issues that’s been flagged by the COP27 – amid so many – is that we need more women working in renewable energy.
According to the latest research from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), produced in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), roles in renewable energy increased to a massive 12.7 million last year globally. But women only occupy around a third of roles.
Energy and climate leaders met on Monday to discuss why Women and Girls Are Key to Effective Climate Action at COP27 in the Egyptian resort town Sharm El-Sheikh.
The United Nations estimates that women and girls make up 80 per cent of people displaced by climate change. Yet at COP27 fewer than 30 per cent of the lead negotiators are women. Just 7 of key 111 COP27 speakers are female.
In response to this challenge, a number of organisations are strengthening their gender equity through hiring and promoting more women in senior positions.
Engineering, architecture, environmental and construction consultancy HDR has appointed 80 per cent female representation across project leadership roles in its education and science offering, during a time when women make up just 16 per cent of STEM qualifications.
The senior leadership team recently appointed new project leader and senior architect, Simone Benvenuti, director and tertiary education project leader Alex Wessling, director and K-12 education project leader Jacqui Straesser, and senior laboratory planner Amy Papas – joining Elisa Nakano, Rena Wang, Ady Chen, Mira Ebaf, Sisi Wang and Nazanin Ibrahim.
Benvenuti says: “As a woman in STEM, learning and knowledge-sharing is becoming increasingly important. Not only does it increase our knowledge base, but it challenges our own assumptions and ensures we are delivering the most effective and innovative solutions to some of our most complex education, science and health challenges.”
The company says that in addition to strengthening its gender equity, the new hires were appointed to strengthen its capacity in designing laboratory research facilities.
HDR is currently working on a number of health, science and research facilities including: CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, the University of Sydney’s Sydney Biomedical Accelerator, Western Sydney University’s Bankstown Campus, and the Westmead Viral Vector Manufacturing Facility and RNA Manufacturing Facility.
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HDR’s Bruce Crook will also speak at Tomorrowland on 1 December. See an article mentioning his work here.
- See the Tomorrowland lineup here
Urban design and planning consultancy Urbis wants to embed ESG into their business and influence positive change.
Princess Ventura, NSW regional director at Urbis tells The Fifth Estate that “cities are major contributors to the climate crisis – actions undertaken at a city level have significant potential to make a tangible difference.”
“Ultimately, though, we can only make an impact by working in partnership and the will to do so in Australia is here.”
The company recently appointed its first ESG director in Annie Beaulieu, an award-winning executive recognised by the UN and the World Tourism Forum, Lucerne, who worked on the G7/G20 Research Group. The sustainability and innovation leader will work with the broader multidisciplinary team to strengthen Urbis’ ESG offering.
Princess Ventura, NSW regional director at Urbis says the role was a no-brainer.
The company recently released a report surveying Australia’s city leaders. It found that leaders are calling for greater investment in climate adaptation strategies and resilience planning.
“Appetite for sustainability is high in the market right now – it is a complex space and hopefully COP27 will add further momentum to everyone’s efforts,” Ventura says.
“Our clients want solutions that comply with, and forge ahead, when it comes to their sustainability ambitions. And internally, teams want to know what their employers are doing in this space.”
The team is currently working on ESG reporting for the Mounties Group and Blacktown Workers Club, the NSW Department of Planning and Environment’s Housing Acceleration Fund, Stockland’s People’s Place Aura Sunshine Coast Residential Development, heat island abatement for new residential and commercial developments for Stockland in QLD, and Western Sydney University’s Bankstown City Campus.
Annie Beaulieu says in a written statement that “shaping cities and communities for a better future” requires “resilient, sustainable, fit-for-future places and people.
“The ESG space is complex and constantly evolving but problem-solving to support our clients, business growth, as well as progress against the UN Sustainable Development Goals is extremely rewarding. This is my passion and what drives me.”
Lauren Cromarty has joined Brisbane management consultancy Coreo as a circular economy consultant in Hobart as she completes a masters in planning at the University of Tasmania.
With experience in local government acquisitions, divestment and leasing, project management, and renewable energy advice, Cromarty will work with clients including Rio Tinto, L’Oréal, and Lendlease.
Better Business Partnership North Sydney has a new program manager in Daniella Mac Dowell de Bastos Martins, who comes with sustainable business experience in Australia and overseas in Brazil. She comes from Strathfield Council where she managed a portfolio of waste and resource recovery projects.
BBP is a council-funded business sustainability program on Sydney’s North Shore supporting businesses in Ku-ring-gai, North Sydney and Willoughby. In Ku-ring-gai, program manager Min Coles’ role is open for applications as she moves across to a role in renewable energy policy for the State Government.
Further appointments…
COX Architecture has appointed Dr Matthias Irger as its new head of sustainability to focus on sustainable design and planning.
He will create a national strategy, objectives and actions to reduce embodied and operational carbon emissions across all service offerings.
Jeremy Blackwell has started as transport client director to improve transport infrastructure and thus liveability across NSW and the ACT for WSP.
With 37,000 staff, WSP is a large multinational engineering professional services firm with more than 500 offices across 40 countries.
EQUANS Australia and New Zealand has appointed energy solutions, technical services and facilities management leader Patrick Guédel as its new chief executive. With more than 30 years in the sector, he previously led ENGIE Energy Solutions South Africa.