New Porsche Macan EV interior revealed with high-tech design
The next-generation electric Porsche Macan SUV interior features a design similar to the new Cayenne and Panamera
Digitalisation is the catalyst for Australia's sustainable future
Australian businesses find themselves at the crossroads of sustainability and climate action. The imperative to reduce carbon emissions has never been more pressing, and with decarbonisation targets in place, Australian businesses must navigate this new era of environmental consciousness.
Addressing climate change is not just a matter of environmental responsibility; it is now a fundamental business imperative. Society is in the midst of an energy transition fuelled by net zero imperatives yet stalled by overwhelm from lack of clarity as to the most effective way forward.
The digital key to a sustainable future
The path to achieving net zero emissions is not solely reliant on new energy sources. In fact, it’s far easier and better to save a unit of energy than it is to make one greener. Real transformation hinges on optimising energy consumption and demand-side management. It requires a multifaceted approach: consumption reduction, replacing legacy infrastructure, and electrification.
The power of digital in catalysing that change is starting to be realised. Advanced automation, metering, and monitoring allow companies to understand and manage energy consumption effectively, thereby enhancing operational efficiency, reducing waste, and extending the lifespan of equipment.
By deploying smart devices, apps, analytics, and software, energy can be used more efficiently, driving immediate carbon reduction. Also crucial is a flexible, digital grid that can accommodate energy generation from industry and households and enable demand response.
Electrification, combined with digital technologies, can substantially reduce emissions. In commercial buildings, for instance, the adoption of electric and digital technologies can reduce energy demand by up to 40%.
Sustainability as a competitive advantage
Schneider Electric’s Sustainability Index reveals that a significant majority of businesses are realising the value of the competitive edge that sustainability offers.
Companies embracing sustainability are taking tangible steps to improve energy efficiency and adopt renewable energy sources. These actions not only insulate them from energy supply and pricing volatility but also support bottom line results through operational efficiency gains.
However, despite growing awareness and commitment to sustainability, many businesses still fall short in implementing decarbonisation strategies. Only half of the respondents in the same survey reported having a decarbonisation strategy in place. Yet, to achieve the necessary emissions reductions in time, businesses must set ambitious targets and embark on the journey toward sustainability…now.
More than target-setting
While Australia has set a net zero 2050 target, much greater advancement is needed to meet the intervening 2030 milestone marking our progress and likelihood of success. Government funding for low-emissions technology is a positive step, but collaboration across government, businesses, and individuals also plays a key role in accelerating the energy transition and ensuring initiatives to reach net zero are encouraged and facilitated.
Both the technology and the mindset already exist to make deep inroads to reducing our collective carbon footprint. It’s up to businesses to harness the existing technology and drive innovation in emerging technologies to meet the accelerated pace required to address climate change.
The time for incremental change has passed. Companies must act urgently to prioritise digitalisation, implement robust decarbonisation strategies, and embrace sustainable transformation to secure a sustainable future.
As an ‘Impact Company’, Schneider Electric celebrates and encourages those who join us. To be ‘Impact Makers’ is our call to action for people and companies to collectively contribute to a more energy resilient, electric, and net zero world. The moment for impact is now.
Pacific Zone President, Schneider Electric, Gareth O’Reilly is a global citizen with multinational leadership experience whose international perspective shapes his vision for the technology market. Gareth’s passion is to change how businesses operate, enabling companies to create value to meet the technical, financial and sustainability challenges of the future.
Top image credit: iStock.com/Supatman
2023 Premier's Sustainability Awards winners announced
The organisations and individuals leading positive environmental and social change across Victoria were recognised at the 2023 Premier’s Sustainability Awards.
In an address celebrating the awards, Steve Dimopoulos, Minister for Environment, acknowledged the journey Victorians are taking towards sustainability, and acknowledged the work of the awards’ leaders and change makers to reduce waste, boost recycling and practise responsible use of resources.
The 2023 winners include: Bunyip Renewables Action Group, whose vision is to transition their community to 100% renewable energy by 2030; UPPAREL, a textile recovery and recycling initiative aiming to combat the global textile waste crisis; and Porous Lane, a company turning waste tyres into permeable pavement.
Premier Jacinta Allan personally selected the winners of the two overall awards. The Premier’s Recognition Award was presented to Assembled Threads and Geelong Sustainability received the Premier’s Regional Recognition Award.
Matt Genever, Interim CEO, Sustainability Victoria, said, “All of these winners have challenged the status quo and shown true leadership in their fields. I feel inspired and elated to hear their stories and learn about the difference they’re making.”
The Premier’s Sustainability Awards is a prestigious annual sustainability awards program celebrating Victorian businesses, local governments and communities leading the way in sustainable innovation and practices. Each of the six categories has two winners, which were refreshed in 2021 to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The Community Champion Award recognises individuals and small organisations, and the Industry Leader Award celebrates medium and large organisations driving a sustainable future.
The 2023 winners are:
Premier’s Recognition Award
Assembled Threads
Premier’s Regional Recognition Award
Geelong Sustainability
Circular Economy Innovation
Industry Leader: ecologiQ
Community Champion: Wholefoods Unwrapped
Future Energy
Industry Leader: Kinetic Melbourne
Community Champion: Bunyip Renewables Action Group
Healthy and Fair Society
Industry Leader: Geelong Sustainability
Community Champion: Assembled Threads
Thriving Environment
Industry Leader: Cassinia Environmental
Community Champion: My Smart Garden
Sustainable Places
Industry Leader: Nightingale Housing
Community Champion: Brimbank City Council
Waste and Recycling Solutions
Industry Leader: UPPAREL
Community Champion: Porous Lane
In 2023, we placed too much emphasis on EVs
The transport industry must focus more on decarbonizing manufacturing and supply chain emissions.
Take an Immersive Journey Through an Ancient Rainforest’s Mycelial Network in ‘Fungi: Web of Life’
“Everywhere you look, there are stories unfolding around fungi, connecting all life in the forest. But of all the fungal species on Earth, we’ve only described about five percent,” says biologist Merlin Sheldrake (previously) in the trailer for the visually stunning, immersive new film Fungi: Web of Life.
Narrated by Björk, and produced by K2 Studios, the movie follows Sheldrake—who has devoted his career to the remarkable and mysterious world of mycelium and mushrooms—as he embarks on a journey through the ancient Tarkine rainforest of Tasmania. More
Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Take an Immersive Journey Through an Ancient Rainforest’s Mycelial Network in ‘Fungi: Web of Life’ appeared first on Colossal.