The commercial sector accounts for 25 per cent of the nation’s total electricity consumption. This means Australian businesses have an opportunity to help lead the way in reducing emissions by shifting to cleaner forms of energy.
Australian businesses can lead the way by shifting to cleaner forms of energy. iStock
Ambitious action
Most businesses recognise climate change and ESG issues, but action is needed now, at scale, EY Oceania chief sustainability officer Mathew Nelson says.
Large emitters will already be aware of the heavy lifting required, but ultimately, many organisations will have to join in to bring about a meaningful push toward net zero, Nelson says.
“Australia needs to ramp up its response efforts in the near term, taking the time to understand the implications these [ESG] policies will have on their organisations,” he explains. Transparency and openness are also key, Nelson adds: “The introduction of mandatory reporting disclosures will capture all ASX-listed entities, with those industries less mature in their climate reporting required to intensely scale up their investment in data.”
Advertisement
The energy and transport sectors are in the midst of a massive transformation which will help reduce carbon emissions. These changes will provide opportunities for businesses to look at their energy supply and demand, as well as their transport requirements, to reduce emissions in their own operations.
Put simply, leaders will need to obtain focus and clarity around their ESG and sustainability journey, where their risk appetite lies and how they will commit to their response, he says.
Leaders need to maintain focus and clarity on their ESG journeys. iStock
Business transformation
Origin Zero, which is part of Origin, was established to help large business customers on their decarbonisation journey through providing tailored energy solutions. Origin Zero can help customers reduce carbon emissions and energy costs and aims to make the transition towards net zero simpler for businesses.
“Community expectations for action on climate change are high, including among customers,” Origin Zero General Manager Business Development and Advisory, Liam McWhirter says.
“In line with the Paris Agreement, Australia has a goal to reach net zero emissions by 2050. It makes good business sense to act now”, he says.
“Australia’s commercial sector utilises a quarter of the country’s total electricity consumption. As a result, it presents a significant opportunity for large businesses to play a crucial role in leading efforts towards achieving net zero emissions and making a positive impact.” McWhirter says.
JB-Hi-Fi is one business to introduce rooftop solar as part of its commitment to reach net zero (Scope 1 and Scope 2) carbon emissions by 2030. Working with Origin Zero, the retail juggernaut has installed 22 solar systems since June 2021 with a further 6 more to be installed in the coming months. By the end of FY22, the retailer had 15 sites operational, and it estimates the solar systems had offset more than 342 tonnes of carbon.
Origin is focussed first and foremost on supporting businesses with reliable and affordable energy. However, Origin also firmly believes that taking action to reduce carbon emissions is good business, and can enable real value financially and reputationally.
For example, reducing emissions through distributed energy resources (i.e., solar & storage) behind the meter can also reduce energy and network costs. Undertaking action with energy efficiency can help lower a business’s overall demand for energy and therefore reduce costs.
Let’s get started
Conducting a carbon assessment is an important first step. “This will help our experts establish a baseline of emissions for businesses, which we use to provide meaningful recommendations and a clear path for action. We also work with businesses to review, report and optimise energy solutions,” he says.
Once a business has established a baseline, Origin Zero can help them with setting ambitions and designing energy solutions that will help them reduce emissions and progress towards achieving their targets, while at the same time focussing on the central requirements for any business reliable and affordable energy.
“Although some energy solutions can require an initial investment, they can help reduce future energy costs. By utilising a range of energy solutions, we can help businesses become more efficient and maximise use of renewables. With our expertise in the energy market, we’re able to provide tailored recommendations that can deliver a long-term return on investments,” McWhirter says.
Learn more about tailored, end-to-end energy solutions to achieve your sustainability goals here.
