SYDNEY, 15 July 2024 – The Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia (BCSDA) hosted the Fiona Wain Oration on July 1, 2024, featuring Professor John Daley, one of Australia’s foremost public policy experts.
With 179 registrants, the event marked a significant kick-off to the new financial year, highlighting the commitment of Australian businesses and thought leaders to sustainability and innovation.
Professor Daley, a leading voice in public policy and the former inaugural former Chief Executive of the Grattan Institute, delivered a compelling oration focused on the critical need for innovation in production processes to achieve long-term sustainability goals, particularly in reducing carbon emissions.
The Oration can now be viewed on BCSDA's YouTube channel here.
Key highlights from the Oration:
· Production vs. Consumption: Professor Daley underscored the importance of changing production methods to achieve substantial reductions in carbon emissions. He emphasised that while reducing consumption has short-term benefits, long-term sustainability hinges on innovative production processes.
· Sector-Specific Strategies: Professor Daley identified six critical sectors where production changes can lead to significant emission reductions: electricity production, industrial heating, transportation, fossil fuel extraction, industrial processes, and agriculture.
· Market Dynamics: Highlighting successful examples of pollution reduction through market mechanisms, he noted that substantial innovations often follow the introduction of economic incentives.
· Innovation and Policy: The Oration stressed the role of government in creating incentives for innovation, advocating for a balanced approach combining market pricing and targeted subsidies.
The Fiona Wain Oration continues to be a pivotal gathering for Australian leading sustainable business professionals. The new financial year promises further initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability and innovation, leveraging the momentum generated by this event.
"By engaging with thought leaders like Professor John Daley, we are better equipped to tackle the sustainability challenges ahead. The Oration set a clear agenda for driving sustainable business practices in Australia," said BCSDA CEO Andrew Petersen.
About BCSD Australia
The Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia is a non-profit organisation dedicated to operationalising sustainable development practices among Australian businesses. BCSD Australia was established in Australia in 1991 and works with over 70 leading global businesses and other organisations to drive systemic transformation in key sectors, advocating for sustainable leadership and rewarding action through education, partnerships, and policy influence.
In 2014 the organisation was appointed Australia’s Network Partner for World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
BCSD Australia’s members believe that by integrating social and environmental impacts with financial results, business lowers its risk profile, makes better decisions and creates the solutions needed to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.
BCSD Australia’s members include leading Australian businesses, from all sectors, who share a commitment to economic, environmental and social development. It represents member companies, public sector enterprises and institutions, BINGOs and community organisations, which in turn represent 120,000 + Australian employees. www.bcsda.org.au.
t: +61 (0)2 8005 0780
m: +61 (0)412 545 994
For further information contact: Andrew Petersen, CEO, Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia, +61 412 545 994
Comments