Business news
New research has revealed that one-third of Australian organisations could miss their net zero targets.
Around three-quarters of major Australian organisations now have net zero emissions targets. However, capability gaps mean that 68 per cent of organisations do not currently have the capacity to deliver on their emissions ambitions.
Worse still, around 34 per cent of large Australian organisations are on track to miss their 2050 net-zero targets altogether.
The findings, published in a report titled Accelerating the journey to net zero: A blueprint for Australia, are based on research conducted by Goldsmiths and the University of London, in partnership with Microsoft Australia.
The report also shows that only around half (51 per cent) of all organisations are investing in developing new technologies that will improve the environmental sustainability of their products, services or operations.
New Zealand is set to get its own new low-carbon cement replacement facility, to be located in Auckland.
Holcim Australia will operate the new facility to import and distribute lower carbon replacement products, which will enable a reduction of embodied carbon in construction materials.
“This initiative is a positive step toward the New Zealand government’s zero carbon ambitions and the company’s net zero climate pledge,” said Holchim’s chief executive officer George Agriogiannis.
The facility will be located adjacent to the company’s existing cement import terminal at the Waitemata Ports of Auckland Precinct. Following its opening in late 2022, it is expected to enable the replacement of just under 100,000 tonnes of Ordinary Portland Cement, equivalent to taking approximately 40,000 cars off the roads (78,00 tonnes of carbon dioxide).
Like a cat, Geelong’s economy is bouncing back.
Geelong has had a rough few years of late. The Ford and Alcoa plants closed, the pandemic struck, and we won’t even mention the 2020 AFL Grand Final.
But things are starting to look up in Sleepy Hollow. Data from Spendmapp shows that spending in the Greater Geelong municipality rose to $1.06 billion in October to December 2021, up by 39.1 per cent on the previous quarter.
Of that spending, $1.06 billion came from locals and $432.4 million from visitors, up 30 per cent and 67.8 per cent on the previous quarter.
Better yet, Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows the unemployment rate in the Geelong region has dropped to 2.4 per cent, the lowest rate in more than two decades.
Congratulations
Tayanah O’Donnell recently took on a new role at Deloitte as partner with Deloitte’s risk advisory, climate and sustainability team in Canberra. A qualified lawyer with a PhD in climate change adaptation and coastal governance, she is helping governments with climate and sustainability policy and program transformation.
Based in Canberra, her new role is focused on working with the government “with respect to all things climate and sustainability” across policy advisory work, program design and implementation, as well as program evaluation.
“I’m really looking forward to using the scientific depth of knowledge and reach across the broader community that I have had in past roles to bring an approach that develops value for money and pushes boundaries in how we’re thinking about risk and opportunity in a changing climate.”
She was previously an honorary associate professor at The Australian National University.
She said that her team has recently made more hires and is looking to grow with more jobs available in the next months, so watch that space.
We spoke to Dr O’Donnell about her predictions for sustainability professionals this year.
- Read the article here – Market Pulse: more demand than ever for sustainability
PwC Australia has appointed Janette O’Neill as its chief sustainability officer, after serving as the group head of sustainability at QBE Insurance since 2017.
Wendy Mackay has started as a partner at sustainability and climate consultancy Pollination, after working at Boston Consulting Group as managing director and partner.
Clare Donovan has started at Abacus Property Group as national sustainability manager in Sydney, she was previously a strategic planning program manager of sustainability at the City of Sydney.
Brittany Vogel has joined Niki Carey as a sustainability manager for Sydney Metro. She previously worked for the NSW department of planning, industry and environment. Carey previously worked for the North Sydney Council.
Kate Dundas has been promoted to acting chief operating officer at Sustainability Victoria, after serving for two years as director of strategic foresight and research.
AECOM has welcomed Margaret Rozali to its Sydney buildings and places team as practice lead of building services, after a principal role at LCI Consultants.
“In this age of sustainability, infrastructure and digital transformation, I’m excited to join the building services team to deliver a better world. I’m particularly inspired by the opportunity to work with our team and clients to deliver sustainable legacies in line with our ESG strategy. We have a strong technical team with such incredible experience across each sector with specialist skills that support our client aspirations.”
Opportunities
DWP wants to build multiple careers
If you are an experienced architect with strong REVIT skills and top tier exposure, or are looking for a client-facing leadership role at an associate design director or design director level, here’s an opportunity to be part of the sustainable design future. If international exposure is your calling, and you are highly skilled, enthusiastic and energised by the work you do, then you might be a perfect fit for this mid-senior level, full-time, hybrid role based in Melbourne.
Harris Farm Markets looks for the pick of the crop
Here’s the perfect opportunity for a sustainability professional who wants to grow their career with a major national grocery retailer. Harris Farm Markets is looking for a head of sustainability to develop and execute its sustainability agenda across the fresh food business. The role includes owning and managing the company’s efforts to achieve B Corp certification . It is perfect for someone with five years’ experience and a bunch of fresh ideas. Two roles available full-time in Sydney or in Homebush.
Epson Australia wants your ink on its contract
If you’re interested in technology, here’s a job opportunity that might be worth printing out. Epson Australia is looking for an environment and sustainability manager who can lead efforts to reduce the company’s environmental impact and build relationships with community leaders. A key responsibility of this role will be to implement the global office supply giant’s Environmental Vision 2050 strategy. Full-time position in supply manufacturer’s Australia and New Zealand headquarters in Macquarie Park, in Sydney’s North Shore.
Campari seeks help putting emissions on ice
Liquor giant Campari Australia is looking for a sustainability and environment coordinator for its Derrimut production facility. Mixing it up with team members from a variety of departments, the successful candidate will manage a cocktail of operational systems, with a focus on risk reduction. If you’re the type of person who has a passion for continuous improvement, can recommend waste management reductions and find ways to cut utility consumption, then this job’s definitely worth a shot. Full-time and entry-level in Melbourne.
Integral wants sustainability professionals
Do you have a deep passion for innovation, sustainable design and environmental responsibility? Integral wants to expand its teams in Sydney and Melbourne and is looking for sustainability consultants from an intermediate level through to experienced industry professionals. Your day-to-day role includes plenty of sustainability benchmarking, and simulation of building physics phenomena. Full-time, client-facing team environment in Sydney.
WaterGroup Pty Ltd looks to the cloud for data flow
The water and network efficiency company is looking for an enthusiastic IoT platform integration engineer to work on cloud-based software solutions. Helping clients save water is the name of the game. The company says that cutting-edge IoT devices will help ensure water usage data flows all the way through the communications layer to the web platform. Based in Sydney’s leafy North Shore.
Hero Software seeks to be the hero of building sustainability
The software company makes Building Environment Modelling (BEM) software for the Australian residential building industry. It is seeking a sustainability / NatHERS consultant to assist in improving user-experience of its software, work with clients, deliver energy modelling and sustainable building research. This full-time position can be office-based on the Sunshine Coast or remote.