Climate action now: resource management for tomorrow’s communities

I was privileged today to learn from so many inspiring speakers as part of the French Australian Chamber of Commerce’s 2019 Schneider Electric Business Forum: Social Licence to Operate in Sydney, as well as sharing our vision for reinventing the growth engine.

The effects of climate change now and into the future have fundamentally altered the way we view and use our natural resources. Extreme weather is underpinning our long-term water strategy, with drought-impacted regions fast running out of water and reliance on desalination plants growing. Linear approaches to waste management across the globe are being challenged and community expectations around waste processing and demand for sustainable, renewable energy systems are higher than ever before.

Around the world, people are crying out for change. The recent global climate strikes and the rise of social media activism have contributed to a mounting sense of urgency. The time for action is now. Whilst significant responsibility lies with government and regulators, a genuine partnership between industry and communities is crucial if we are to realise a true paradigm shift.

At SUEZ, our global expertise in waste and water management takes us into countless communities around the world, delivering essential services and solutions. However, this goes far beyond the transactional; our vision is to drive the shift to a circular economy where a more sustainable rate of growth and consumption comes from reusing the resource value in our waste. 

We’re deeply committed to finding new and innovative ways to make better use of resources – to do more with less – to preserve our quality of life for future generations. This means working side-by-side with our communities to holistically understand their needs and attitudes. We consult freely and deeply, including through our community reference groups.

Education is also key; through our extensive education programs and dedicated centres for schools and communities, as well as taking an active role in community events with initiatives that align with our circular economy message, we draw clear lines between the solutions we’re creating and the potential for real and sustained impact in the fight against climate change. This grassroots approach is vital in our mission to give the next generation the best possible tools with which to reinvent the future for themselves and for those who come after them.

Waste is a largely untapped source of sustainable energy and an important element in realising our circular economy vision. In Europe, recovering energy from waste is commonplace and widely accepted, and SUEZ operates 55 Energy from Waste (EfW) facilities around the world. Here in Australia, EfW is still in its infancy – but this is changing fast. Work is advancing on new projects in this space, including an innovative partnership with Australian Paper that will supply energy to the Maryvale Mill in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley and a new EfW facility in East Rockingham in Western Australia.

Smart cities and networks are the next frontier in creating circular, thriving cities that will sustain people and the planet into the future. SUEZ has proven expertise in this burgeoning field, including an unprecedented 12-year, €105 million project transforming the French city of Dijon. We’re also excited to be a foundation partner in the Western Parkland City development, bringing SUEZ’s best practice resource management, smart city and energy solutions to Australia.

The success of these kinds of innovations depends acutely on community understanding and acceptance. This social licence within the resource management sector is crucial in developing the new infrastructure, challenging the traditional boundaries and evolving the processes that together can shift the industry – and the world – to this more circular model.