Sustainable Transformation

Did you know that in an average Australian household, 32% of energy is used for heating and cooling, 27% for water heating, and 22% for appliances and lighting? ( Source: State of the Energy Market 2023 ).    In an industry that is constantly evolving and at a time when the cost of living is on top of everyone’s mind,  consumers are looking for ways to keep their energy costs down and reduce their...

Are you seeing the Certified B Corporation stamp popping up on your social channels, or on the products you’re buying? Well, that’s no surprise! As of February 2024 there are over 8,000 Certified B Corporations across 162 industries and 96 countries, with 750 of those belonging to Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand businesses. ( Source ).   So who is undertaking the monumental task to review, ass...

In Australia, the transport sector makes up 19% of emissions, with the projection to become the largest producer of emissions by 2030. ( Source ). Fortunately, Team Global Express - formally known as Toll Global Express - has committed to tackling decarbonisation and improving sustainable development  for the entire business. With an ambitious goal of becoming the most sustainable transport and lo...

$2.5 billion worth of brand-new excess goods end up wasted or landfilled in Australia every year, according to Deloitte Access Economics. To put this statistic into perspective, if this waste were a company, it would be the 6th largest retailer by market capital in Australia. ( Source ).   Luckily, Good360 Australia is one of the front liners leading the charge in connecting surplus goods of busin...

By 2050, 70% of the world’s population will live in cities. So, what happens when these cities are affected by extreme weather events? Who’s responsible for ensuring we can adapt to changing conditions and  become resilient in the midst of climate change? This week,  Kiarne sits down with Co-Chief Heat Officers, and Co-Directors of the City of Melbourne’s (COM) Climate Change and City Resilience B...

Did you know that using AI to generate a single image can use up as much energy as charging a smartphone? Or that some tech companies employ low-paid workers, including prisoners, to filter AI content? Behold, the hidden perils of AI. With innovation, always comes risk. AI is no exception. So this week, I’m unpacking the ecological, security, and ethical risks of AI use. Plus, what many organisati...

Circularity is not just a buzzword but one of the most important aspects of sustainable development in businesses and communities. This week, we’re joined by Sustainability Victoria’s Chief Executive Officer, Matt Genever who gives us a deeper dive into the topic of circular economies and shares his insights into what Sustainability Victoria is doing to lead the charge.    As a career professional...

Experts say that we’ve entered the fifth industrial revolution. An age defined by the rapid rise of human-machine collaboration. At the very core of this, is AI. It’s new. It’s here. It’s everywhere. It’s our society’s newest, latest shiny toy. And the potential is enormous. So what exactly can AI do for the environment, and who’s been successful at putting it to good use? This week, the first of...

Ever found yourself opening the fridge, finding uneaten food that’s gone bad, and throwing it away? Do you feel that you might be doing this more than you should? You’re not alone. Statistics say the average Australian discards about 312 kilograms of food items every year. Collectively, food waste costs our national economy more than $36 billion per year, it contributes to 3% of our country’s gree...

Volvo Cars is setting the pace for electrification globally and even more so here locally with the ambition goal to be fully electric by 2026.   Join Kiarne as she sits down with Stephen Connor, the Managing Director of Volvo Car Australia, the local arm of a global automotive business that has had safety, sustainability, and environmental care at its core since day one.     Key Discussion Points:...

Circular economy, or circularity – you’d have to be living under a rock if you haven’t heard this term before. Statistics say that only less than 4% of Australia’s economy is circular. It means that every year, as we create products and services to help us live our lives, we use up heaps of natural resources, leave behind tonnes of waste, and deplete the environment around us. Transitioning to a c...

Packaging often gets a bad wrap when it comes to sustainability, it’s the first thing we see when we make a purchase and the first thing we throw away. The reality is that packaging is critical to life as we know it, it keeps food fresh, medicines safe and preserves products to ensure longevity and durability, so how can we reduce the waste?   In this spotlight episode, we talk about the state of...

In this episode, join Kiarne as she sits down with Chris Foley, CEO of APCO (the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation), as they dive into the evolving landscape of packaging regulations in Australia. As 2025 approaches, regulations are set to reshape how businesses approach design, manufacturing, and end-of-life of packaging and materials and this episode is essential listening for everyone...

Let’s face it – we’re currently living through a massive extinction event. Nature loss is rapidly happening all around us, at a rate of knots. It has even been flagged as one of the biggest long-term risks for businesses, by global forums and experts alike. But the good news is, there’s still plenty we can do, as business leaders, sustainability managers, policymakers, and clued-in consumers like...

In this episode, Kiarne chats with Elissa Foster. Having forged her career in sustainability for over 17 years at Patagonia, she is now the Global Head of Sustainability at Who Gives a Crap.   Elissa shares the challenges and triumphs of leading the company’s sustainability strategy, reducing overall impact and impacting global change for the better, all while the company is growing from strength...

This series is a must-listen for every  business leader or individual trying to  keep up with the ever-changing state of sustainability in Australian businesses.    The ACCC is cracking down on greenwashing, but do you really know what that means? The sustainability landscape is changing rapidly for businesses and everyone is trying to stay on top of it.    In this weeks episode, Kiarne will updat...

Everybody is talking about scope 3 emissions tracking and traceability in the supply chain, but what exactly does that mean for you? In this episode Kiarne is putting a spotlight on supplier engagement for a sustainable future and the need for strong relationships with supply chain partners.   The reality is that legislative changes happening both in Australia, and globally over the coming decade...

When it comes to sustainability, staying ahead of the curve is not just an option; it's a necessity.   In this episode of the Sustainable Transformation Podcast, Max Van Biene of Edge Impact unlocks the ever-evolving landscape for us! Whether you're a business leader, a sustainability champion, or simply someone who cares deeply about the future of our planet, tune in for expert insights in naviga...

This series is a must-listen for every  business leader or individual trying to  keep up with the ever-changing state of sustainability in Australian businesses.   In this episode, we’re breaking down the reforms that are reshaping workplace dynamics and shedding light on gender pay gaps In Aussie businesses. What  does this mean for your business, what are your obligations and how can you prepare...

In this episode, Kiarne dives into some of the most commonly asked climate questions with Tara Oakley, the Head of Commercial - Oceania at South Pole. From breaking down the basics of scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions through to target setting and decarbonisation strategies, Tara provides the ultimate carbon crash course for anyone interested in sustainability in business.   Tara unpacks the nuances of c...

Coles is one of the most important retailers in the country, with 17 million transactions per week and a loyalty program that reaches 80% of Australians. So what role do they play in our transition to a sustainable future, and how are they tracking?   In a refreshingly candid conversation, Kiarne sits down with Bill Wall (Lead Sustainable Sourcing Manager - Seafood) and Caitlyn Richards (Group Sus...

Join us for a fascinating and heartfelt chat with Graz Van Egmond, who has been CEO at the Banksia Foundation for over 25 years. The Banksia Foundation is the world’s longest running sustainability awards program and one of Australia’s most respected and sought after commendations.   Graz shares the history of the sustainability and ESG landscape from her unique vantage point, and how she has seen...

Join us for an open conversation with Matthew Chester and Ruri Morris from Unicharm Australasia. In this episode, Kiarne delves into their flagship nappy brand BabyLove and uncovers the realities of tackling sustainability in a business that specialises in single-use products.   With landfill an obvious agenda item, the trio goes on to discuss how BabyLove is addressing their entire product lifecy...

In this episode, Kiarne chats with Doctor Tamara Somers, the director of Sustainability and ESG at Xero. Tamara shares the fascinating career journey that led her to a leadership role at Xero, and how that role has evolved since joining the NZ-born software giant in 2021. Tamara unveils the unique responsibility that Xero bears when it comes to sustainability. Xero doesn't just focus on managing t...

We continue our chat with Elle Roseby, MD at Country Road, and hear some surprising ways that sustainability is being considered in every aspect of business at Country Road as part of their vision to be a world-leading lifestyle brand.    From cleverly re-purposing broken stock to building five-star green-star retail stores, Country Road is thinking beyond the garments and innovating at every cust...