BCSD Australia News
Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia
Galvanizing forward-thinking companies and organizations to accelerate the transition to a sustainable Australia.
Stay updated with the latest from the Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia (BCSDA) and our network, spotlighting groundbreaking sustainable practices and innovative solutions. This week, we explore the essential shift from linear to circular fashion with WBCSD's Circular Transition Indicators and the global clean energy investment landscape where China leads the way. Join us as IKEA collaborates on refugee inclusion, celebrate World Environment Day by emphasizing land restoration and nature-based solutions, and discover the crucial role of ESG in M&A. Plus, understand the importance of social capital for informed decision-making in today's dynamic business environment.
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Celebrate a Decade of Insightful Orations with Professor John Daley AM at Our 10th Anniversary Event
Initiate the new financial year with profound insights from one of Australia’s foremost public policy experts, Professor John Daley AM, at the 10th Anniversary of our distinguished Oration. As a former Professorial Fellow at EY Port Jackson Partners and former inaugural Chief Executive of the Grattan Institute, Professor Daley brings a wealth of knowledge from his pivotal works on institutional reform, public trust, and policy innovation.
This enlightening session is designed not just to reflect on past achievements but to steer forward-thinking in strategic planning and policy making.
To achieve this transformation effectively and profitably, a standardised approach is crucial. That's why the WBCSD – World Business Council for Sustainable Development developed the #CircularTransitionIndicators (CTI), a robust metrics framework positioned to be the universal language of circular performance and accountability.
????????Looking for practical guidance on how to decarbonize the agriculture & food sectors??Check out the following impactful actions by The Carbon Trust, now published on #TheClimateDrive.
The global clean energy landscape is undergoing a monumental shift. In 2024, Europe is set to outspend the US on clean energy, investing $370 billion compared to the US’s $315 billion. However, China is far ahead with an investment of $675 billion, according to the recent IEA report.
Key Insights
- Global Leadership: China’s $675 billion investment dwarfs both Europe and the US, highlighting its commitment to leading the clean energy transition.
- European Commitment: Europe’s $370 billion investment underscores its proactive approach to addressing climate change.
- US Investment: Despite being behind Europe, the US’s $315 billion commitment is a significant step forward in its clean energy efforts.
- Disparity in Emerging Economies: Developing countries attract only 15% of global clean energy investments due to high capital costs.
BCSD Australia is pleased to support our member IKEA as they join forces with Community Corporate and the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) on World Refugee Day. Together, they will discuss how refugee inclusion can enhance workforce potential.
Australian businesses are invited to explore IKEA’s Refugee Workforce Inclusion program and gain insights from experts during World Refugee Week.
Navigating Economic Shifts: Sustainable Strategies for Australian Businesses
Australia's GDP growth for Q1 2024 rose a modest 0.1%, falling short of expectations and marking the slowest annual growth since the pandemic at 1.1%. Read the published data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics here: https://lnkd.in/gKv86cAx.
As business leaders will need to navigate this complex economic landscape, is now the time to consider how sustainability can be strategically integrated could drive resilience and long-term success?
World Environment Day 2024: Restoring Our Land, Securing Our Future: A Business Imperative On World Environment Day 2024, we confront the escalating challenges of land degradation, desertification, and drought—a triad threatening the stability and sustainability of our ecosystems. This year’s theme, "Our Land. Our Future.," compels us to rethink our interaction with the land, which sustains us, our enterprises, communities, and economies.
?As leaders in the business community, we have both an opportunity and an obligation to lead the charge in land restoration. Let us draw on the timeless wisdom of First Nations Peoples and the innovative spirit of the corporate sector to forge a path that secures a resilient, thriving future for our land and our people. Remember, the land is not merely the ground upon which we build our businesses— it is the foundation of our future. Let us act now, for our land, for our future.
In our continuous effort to highlight the impactful work of our members, we spotlight AgriProve's pioneering role in advancing soil carbon offsets. Their approach not only combats desertification and drought but also underscores the essential synergy between environmental sustainability and economic mechanisms.
At BCSD Australia, we want to share insights from the newly released Nature-based Solutions (NbS) Blueprint by WBCSD – World Business Council for Sustainable Development. This comprehensive guide provides businesses across all sectors with a structured approach to harnessing NbS for environmental, social, and economic benefits.
?? NCS Procurement Hub just got a new resource: the?Toolkit for Understanding and Enabling Health Outcomes from Nature-based Solutions?is now available via the Natural Climate Solutions Alliance .
?? The Toolkit was developed to support both Nature-based Solutions (#NbS)?supply side, i.e. project developers, and?demand side, i.e. investors and buyers, in systematically incorporating Indigenous Peoples’ and Local Communities’ (IPs and LCs) health and #wellbeing considerations as part of NbS.
First published in September 2023, the Toolkit was developed by 荷商葛蘭素史克藥廠 and Pollination Group up with the support of NbS, nature, and health experts, including the?NCSA.
?? Raising health and wellbeing levels raises the integrity of not only individual carbon projects, but also of the #VoluntaryCarbonMarket (VCM). NbS and the #VCM are essential tools and mechanisms for the #justtransition.
?? To support companies in identifying & building business cases for #NatureBasedSolutions, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development marked #WorldEnvironmentDay by releasing two new tools: the NbS Blueprint and the Nature-based Solutions Map.
Designed for all companies at various stages of the #NatureAction journey, the tools can be used to identify and apply #NbS that address business challenges and opportunities while also delivering positive impact on major societal challenges.
Companies can address common problems – risk management, cost reduction, supply chain resilience and others – in a way that progresses their action on #climate, #nature and #equity.
In a recent article for Climate Journal, Szilvia Szabó spoke to Business for Nature CEO Eva Zabey on why companies should value and embed nature in their decision-making. ??
The UN Environment Programme estimates that declines in nature and biodiversity at current trajectories will threaten to reach at least 35 out of 44 of the targets of SDGs.
However, nature-based solutions can provide a third of the climate mitigation needed.
That’s why the ‘It’s #NowForNature’ campaign provides practical step-by-step guidance of how businesses can set nature strategies.
In today's dynamic business landscape, integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors into Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) has become not just a trend but a necessity. According to a recent Deloitte article, ESG considerations are reshaping M&A strategies, offering significant value and mitigating risks.
?Policy Implications for Australia - Regulatory Framework Enhancement: Strengthening ESG reporting regulations to ensure comprehensive integration in M&A activities. - Support and Incentives: Offering resources and incentives for businesses to develop robust ESG strategies. - Global Standards Alignment: Aligning with international ESG standards to maintain competitiveness.
?? Organisations and the global economy rely on the health and stability of communities and society as a whole.
?? The concept of social capital can help us understand the value, responsibilities, dependencies, and relationships with the varied types communities that interplay with a business. Understanding these factors can inform the choices we make and lead to better decision-making.
The #CapitalsApproach offers a lens for organizations to understand the complex and dynamic relationships they have with people, communities, nature and the ecosystem services it provides.