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Australia failing to act on alternative proteins

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20 Jul, 2024

This post was originally published on Sustainability Matters

When it comes to government support for alternative proteins, Australia is lagging behind other countries, according to recent research from Food Frontier, a Victorian not-for-profit organisation that advocates for the alternative protein industry.

The group’s ‘Government support for alternative proteins scorecard’ found that Australia came last out of the 10 countries examined. In contrast, countries such as Singapore, Israel, US and Canada are picking up the pace in supporting the transition towards more alternative proteins, driven by health, environmental and economic benefits.

Australia fell short across 10 key parameters considered crucial for the growth of the industry, scoring just 1.5 compared to Canada and Singapore’s score of 7.5.

“This comparison clearly indicates where Australia is lagging and should serve as a wake-up call to the opportunities available,” said Dr Simon Eassom, CEO of Food Frontier.

“Certain countries have already established themselves as global leaders in the plant-based and cultivated meat industries and are capitalising on the benefits of this. With the right government support, Australia can thrive in this sector too and cement its own place as a leader in food and agricultural production.”

While the nation scored positively on some points, including a regulatory framework suitable for novel proteins, and strong research and development, it has not progressed in several key areas.

These include dietary guidelines that prioritise plant proteins (although the guidelines are currently being updated, with the potential for sustainability messaging to be included), plant protein farmer incentives, sufficient support for infrastructure and adequate funding.

Food Frontier said this placed Australia at a significant disadvantage.

According to the Good Food Institute’s 2023 State of Global Policy, while the US, Canada, Denmark and Singapore have each surpassed the US$100m mark for total public funding (up to 2023), Australia has invested only US$53.7m in alternative proteins.

Australia is also the only country included in the scorecard not to have a national strategy that includes alternative proteins, though it should be noted that government bodies like the Climate Change Authority are investigating alternative proteins in their recommendations to government. Other countries are setting clear targets and roadmaps for success by implementing these strategies, such as Singapore’s ‘30 by 30’ food security initiative and Denmark’s plant-based action plan.

“It’s great to note that six out of 11 countries have implemented a climate strategy that mentions alternative proteins,” Eassom said. “This is a significant step forward, as we know food systems contribute between one-quarter and one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions and must evolve to be more sustainable if we hope to mitigate the effects of the climate crisis.”

A national food plan that supports existing agrifood industries to become more sustainable and prioritises the growth of innovative food industries including alternative proteins is one of Food Frontier’s recommendations to government, outlined in its recent Alternative proteins and food systems transformation report.

The group also recommended that Australia take advantage of its proximity to Asia, tapping into the region’s growing appetite for plant-based and cultivated proteins.

Image credit: iStock.com/ribeirorocha

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Embedding environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks

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“Poor sustainability practices in IT can lead to high operational costs, supply chain risks and reputational damage. Conversely, a proactive approach improves efficiency, attracts environmentally conscious customers and helps future-proof businesses against evolving policy and regulatory changes.

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1. Device lifecycle management

A structured approach to managing the lifecycle of IT assets ensures devices are deployed efficiently, maintained properly and retired responsibly at the end of their useful life. Embracing a circular economy model, where equipment is refurbished, reused or ethically recycled, can significantly reduce e-waste and resource use. Companies that adopt this approach lower their environmental impact and unlock financial value by extending the lifecycle of IT assets.

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2. Sustainable procurement

IT governance frameworks should prioritise the selection of technology vendors and partners committed to sustainable manufacturing, responsible sourcing and energy-efficient product design. This includes favouring IT hardware with a high percentage of post-consumer recycled materials and using minimal packaging. Additionally, employing Device-as-a-Service (DaaS) models optimises IT asset utilisation while reducing upfront investment and unnecessary hardware purchases.

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Government regulations and evolving industry standards are increasingly shaping the sustainability expectations for organisations. Aligning IT governance frameworks with best practices for environmental stewardship keeps companies ahead of regulatory requirements. Proactive adoption of sustainable IT practices positions businesses as industry leaders in environmental responsibility.

Smith said, “Integrating environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks is not just about meeting compliance obligations; it’s about futureproofing company operations and prioritising the broader environment. Taking a proactive approach to sustainability lets organisations drive efficiency, reduce long-term costs and contribute to a healthier planet. Businesses that lead in sustainable IT governance will be well-positioned for long-term success as environmental concerns continue to shape consumer and corporate priorities.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Petmal

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