JOBS NEWS: New research has found that almost half of Australians across every industry believe that neither business or government is not doing enough on climate.
Sustainability jobs are on the rise, and with the mounting cost of climate that’s a good thing – according to risk modelling firm RMS the cost of the 10 most expensive events of the last 10 years is more than $US1 trillion ($1.5 trillion).
Lisa McLean, who started as Circular NSW and is now chief executive of the independent not for profit Circular Australia, has announced that one of Australia’s leading chemical engineers Professor Ali Abbas will be chief circular engineer in the organisation.
The national movement says it will work with industry, government, research partners and circular economy practitioners to accelerate the circular transition.
Professor Abbas is acting head of the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and director of the Waste Transformation Research Hub at the University of Sydney.
Ms McLean said: “The transition to a net zero circular economy is one of the biggest challenges of our generation.”
The chief circular engineer was “bringing fresh ideas and new approaches to traditional engineering practices and driving innovative design thinking for the new circular economy”.
Professor Abbas commented: “The circular economy is a systems framework based on three principles – the elimination or ‘design out’ of waste and pollution, the circulation of products and materials at their highest value, and the regeneration of nature”.
The organisation is funded by the NSW Office of Chief Scientist and Engineer, hosted by the University of New South Wales.
Ms McLean is also founder and director of the Carbonwise Company, and previously headed up the Open Cities Alliance. She echoed the media buzz that the circular economy was an opportunity worth trillions, citing research from PwC that going circular could generate $1.9 trillion in economic benefits over the next 20 years.
That’s if companies do it right.
A new survey from Ogilvy Australia has found that 42 per cent of respondents believe no industry sector – including government – is currently doing the right thing in terms of environmental responsibilities.
This comes as Ogilvy Australia just launched its global sustainability practice in Australia and New Zealand, bringing together Ogilvy, Ogilvy PR Australia and Cannings Strategic Communications.
The company launched a greenwashing and ESG believability report, surveying 1011 Australians polled by Lightspeed Research in September 2022 on consumer and corporate perceptions of ESG initiatives across major industries.
The insights reveal that most Australians don’t believe business is doing enough to address sustainability issues, with 65 per cent supporting tougher legislation on ESG obligations.
Interestingly, 80 per cent also think executive bonuses should be linked to environmental and social targets.
Nino Tesoriero will head up the new Ogilvy practice. He said: “rnvironmental and social issues are becoming a major consideration for Australian consumers, and yet they don’t believe that business or government are doing enough to address them.
The new research also found “that more than half of consumers (53 per cent) would boycott a brand they consider to be unethical, highlighting the need for brands to be better corporate citizens.
“As a result, clear communication of meaningful action will be increasingly important as companies navigate their way through these complex issues in search of sustainable progress and business success.”
Melissa Nouel has started as a senior sustainability consultant at Norman Disney and Young, after leaving Integral Group Australia. Her goal is “to further push our industry towards sustainable solutions,” she says.
Vicinity Centres chief operating officer Peter Huddle has become acting chief executive after Grant Kelley stepped down seven months ahead of schedule. He comes from a strong background in retail having worked previously for Westfield in Australia, Brazil and the US. Kelley was in the role for five years.
And in global jobs news, just weeks after purchasing Twitter, court testimony has revealed Elon Musk has a successor for his position as chief executive at Tesla.
He’s planned his exit from the electric car company, as a shareholder was currently suing the company for awarding Musk a $US55 billion (A$82b) bonus as part of his pay package in 2018.