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Two Lakes Dialogue Accelerates Decarbonization in Key Value Chains, Calls for Carbon Market Interoperability

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14 Apr, 2025

This post was originally published on WBCSD

Montreux, Switzerland: The latest session of the Two Lakes Dialogue convened industry leaders, policy experts, and sustainability pioneers to advance collective solutions for decarbonization across key global value chains. Building on WBCSD’s 2024 Two Lakes Dialogue, this high-level exchange in Montreux, Switzerland – which took place as an integral part of WBCSD’s anual Liaison Delegate Meeting – focused on aligning efforts in the agrifood and automotive sectors, as well as exploring pathways toward interoperable carbon accounting systems.

Accelerating Climate Action Across Industries

The first session brought together leaders from Unilever, BYD, Toyota, JA Solar and others to examine corporate strategies driving decarbonization at scale. Speakers showcased how emissions reductions, circular economy practices, and sustainable supply chain management are reshaping industrial operations.

  • Unilever spoke about tackling greenhouse gas emissions across complex supply chains, particularly in China’s chemicals sector, and called for deeper global engagement, including with countries like India, to bring a broader perspective to climate policy.
  • BYD outlined the company’s integrated carbon management platform, which enables real-time monitoring of energy use and life cycle emissions, supporting transparent reporting aligned with international disclosure frameworks.
  • Toyota highlighted its longstanding leadership in hybrid technologies and stressed the importance of ensuring equitable sustainability transitions—especially for the Global South, where raw material sourcing and end-of-life recycling are key.
  • JA Solar reinforced the importance of scaling renewable energy solutions to support clean energy adoption across global supply chains.

The session emphasized China’s pivotal role in renewable energy, circular innovation, and global supply chain resilience. Hubei Province was spotlighted as a role model for ecological leadership and high-quality, green growth.

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms & the Case for Convergence

A second session tackled the rising complexity businesses face due to fragmented carbon accounting frameworks and diverging Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms (CBAMs) across jurisdictions. As international trade faces mounting compliance burdens—from the EU to the UK, Australia and the US—harmonization is becoming urgent.

  • BCG  stressed the need for a unified global approach to CBAMs, noting that discrepancies in methodologies have already led to compliance issues—such as a 50% non-compliance rate in New Jersey. They urged greater alignment to ease trade friction and support smoother transitions for businesses navigating global carbon markets.
  • Panasonic emphasized the importance of recognizing and incentivizing avoided emissions, particularly in the biogenic sector and in waste management innovations across China.
  • Innovations from Unilever, Panasonic, and BYD demonstrated how digital tools and data-driven solutions can help companies better track, disclose, and reduce their carbon footprint in line with emerging international expectations.

Strategic MoUs Cement Commitments

To strengthen cooperation and scale progress, the Dialogue concluded with the signature of three memoranda of understanding:

  1. CCIPI Hubei & WBCSD – reinforcing trade cooperation for sustainable development;
  1. Hubei Hongtai Group & WBCSD Hubei Office – aligning China’s carbon accounting practices with global standards;
  1. Wuchang District Government & WBCSD Hubei Office – expanding international exchange to accelerate the green transition.

The Two Lakes Dialogue (TLD) is a pioneering platform fostering global collaboration to advance green industrial transformation and climate action. It was launched in 2024 along the shores of Wuhan’s East Lake by WBCSD, in partnership with Hubei Hongtai Group and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Hubei Sub-Council (CCPIT Hubei).

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The post Two Lakes Dialogue Accelerates Decarbonization in Key Value Chains, Calls for Carbon Market Interoperability first appeared on WBCSD.

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Urban 'placemaking' focus for $85m recreation centre

Urban 'placemaking' focus for $85m recreation centre

Sydney developer Billbergia Group has announced the Rhodes Recreation Centre — an $85 million, 9200 m2 multi-purpose community hub in Sydney’s Inner West.

Located at 6 Gauthorpe St and designed by architectural firm SJB, the recreation centre is in a three-level podium building beneath two high-rise residential towers — the 48-level Peake and 43-level Oasis. Together, they form stage two of the developer’s Rhodes Central Masterplan — a $3 billion, three-stage town centre project.

The Rhodes Recreation Centre was delivered under a $97 million Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) between the developer and City of Canada Bay Council. It will be handed over to council next month and is set to open later this year. Once complete, the masterplan will have delivered 25,000 m2 of dedicated public amenity, including retail, community facilities and open space.

With the NSW Government’s housing reforms set to address the housing shortage, the recreation centre will reflect the importance of ‘placemaking’ — a collaborative approach to designing and managing public spaces that enhances community wellbeing and fosters connections between people and their environment — in planning new urban communities.

It also presents a pathway for public and private sectors to collaborate and create social infrastructure while increasing housing supply in fast-growing suburbs.

The recreation centre is set to add vibrancy and pedestrian activity to the local streetscape, providing a diverse range of facilities that enhance the livability of the evolving suburb. These community amenities include two full-sized indoor sports courts, a gymnastics centre, a 70-place childcare centre, a community lounge, allied health services, and bookable spaces for local groups and events. It also provides a gym with cardio equipment, weights, group fitness rooms, a creche and an outdoor terrace, alongside a range of sustainability features.

Facilities at the Rhodes Recreation Centre. Images supplied.

“Rhodes Recreation Centre is the community heart of our high-density TOD development, bringing to life Billbergia’s vision for a future-focused, livable urban environment that prioritises amenity, not just density,” said Saul Moran, Development Director – Planning and Design at Billbergia.

The amenities within the two residential towers include a swimming pool, spa, sauna, children’s play area, library and theatre rooms. Pedestrian connections and through-site links provide access to Rhodes railway station and the Homebush Bay waterfront.

“The Rhodes Recreation Centre stands as a benchmark in successful public–private collaboration. Through a VPA with Canada Bay Council, we’ve created a pathway to unlock additional housing supply while delivering significant, lasting community infrastructure. It’s a clear demonstration of how thoughtful public and private partnerships can shape vibrant, livable neighbourhoods,” Moran said.

Located adjacent to Rhodes railway station, stage one of Billbergia’s Rhodes Central Masterplan was completed in 2021 and included the 13,000 m2 Rhodes Central Shopping Centre, with convenience retail, a Woolworths supermarket, medical facilities and the Bamboo Lane dining precinct.

Other previous projects include the 1.2 ha Phoenix Park in Rhodes, the $63 million Bennelong Bridge, the popular Baylink Shuttle service, the 3500 m2 Wentworth Point Community Centre and Library, and the Wentworth Point Pop-Up Town Square.

Billbergia’s ongoing focus on placemaking and social infrastructure also includes the $8.4 million delivery of a library at its mixed-tenure development, Arncliffe Central, in Sydney’s south. There is the potential for 75% of Arncliffe Central’s dwellings to be dedicated to social, affordable and essential worker rental housing, along with 3400 m2 allocated to childcare, convenience retail and cafes, and a 4000 m2 park with play space for both residents and the broader community.

Top image caption: The Rhodes Recreation Centre location with two planned residential towers, Peake and Oasis. Image supplied.

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