The third and final piece of the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was recently released. Contained within it was the resounding message that ‘business as usual’ is not an option. However, reducing our emissions does not need to be at the expense of our living standards.
Saving the world is getting cheaper. The new report finds that the costs of solar and wind energy have decreased up to 85 per cent. South Australia has a proud history of solar uptake here and the improvements in battery storage are only putting us ahead of the game.
Saving the world is saving time. Mitigation strategies in the transport sector will make travel fairer and reduce congestion, including improvements to mass transit, walking and cycling. There will be an increased availability of electric cars powered by cleaner, lower carbon fuels or renewable energy.
Saving the world is saving ourselves. We are seeing co-benefits to emissions reduction that include improvements in air quality and health. Sustainable urban development such as green roofs and joined-up parks will have the added benefit of reducing flood risks and, particularly useful here in Adelaide, reducing the urban heat island.
Saving the world is business-as-usual. No longer is this the ideological discussion it once was. The biggest hurdle for the business owner to start their net-zero journey lies in the question what impact does my business actually make? The decisions that we all make individually can secure a collective liveable and profitable future. By taking your business on the profitable journey of net-zero, we can keep the possibility of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees alive. Achieving net-zero is a one of those global ‘wicked’ problems where there is not just one path to take, rather it is everyone succeeding in their own individual net-zero journey.
So, what does it mean to become net-zero in your business?
With the support of Green Industries SA, the South Australian Business Chamber is partnering with our corporate member 2XE to deliver the Accelerating Net-Zero Emissions for Business – pilot program. This eight-week intensive education and coaching program has kicked off with the South Australian Business Chamber members. It includes creatives, publicans, manufacturers, winemakers, hot dip galvanisers, designers, commercial property owners, sustainable technologies, and food processors.
Here is what some of our participants are saying they hope to get out of the program:
Chloe Smith, Adelaide Fringe: “We want to get the knowledge, tools and resources to undertake our net-zero journey, and then use our knowledge to assist the broader Fringe community in undertaking their own journey to net-zero. “
Paul Kearney, Thermo Fisher Scientific: “We produce a range of microbiological media products supplying into numerous industries including clinical labs and food manufacturing and need a sustainable strategy to continue to meet customer demand. I’m keen to improve my knowledge on how to implement initiatives which will drive emissions reductions for my business as well as learn from other local industries looking to do the same.”
Mike Brown, Gemtree Wines: “Sustainability is huge for our business. We have to make sure it is done the right way, no greenwashing. This is a push from the customer so want to take them on a journey. Packaging is also a huge challenge for us, so we are looking forward to learning more about emissions.”
The South Australian Business Chamber corporate member and 2XE Managing Director Nick Palousis says that participants are working together on common problems as well as watching weekly online modules covering how to:
We will be running this pilot for a second time commencing August 2022 so please register your interest early with Tanya Wilkins, South Australian Business Chamber.
