Ian Macfarlane says Gen Z can help lower emissions, achieve net zero

The next generation will be the one to overhaul Queensland’s resources sector with an industry heavyweight launching a new campaign to bring them into the fold.

Gen Z is rising up and Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane says the state’s mining companies offer them a chance to change the world.

“You will never change anything by standing on the sidelines and throwing rocks,” he said.

“If you want to change the world and change the future, you need to be involved.”

Mr Macfarlane said miners were at the forefront of a technological shift to lower emissions and needed Gen Z, classified as those aged between 10 and 24, on the inside to bring the ambition of net zero to reality.

“We can’t wait to welcome Zoomers onto our sites, so our industry can benefit from their trade and tertiary skills and expertise, their fresh ideas and their passion to make a difference in the world,” he said.

“Right now, companies are working on decarbonisation plans, adopting low-emission technologies, improving their energy efficiency and implementing renewable energy solutions and a host of other positive environment-related initiatives, so there are plenty of opportunities to make a real difference to how our industry impacts the world around us.

Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane attends the 2022 QME exhibition in Mackay. Mr Macfarlane says the mining sector offers Gen Z a chance to change the world for the better. Picture: Contributed.

“The world is moving towards a new era of sustainable mining to meet the challenges of climate change, and Queensland’s resources industry is absolutely on-board with being part of the global solution.”

The ‘I Want You’ Gen Z message comes packaged in a new advertising blitz now running across social media, which also highlights the 10 most in-demand jobs in the resources sector.

The “hot” jobs for 2022 are for metallurgists, automation engineers, heavy diesel fitters, auto electricians, geologists, environmental engineers, operations technicians, facility engineers, mechanical engineers and mining engineers, with each role paying a starting salary in excess of $100,000.

Isabella Taylor, a 22-year-old automation engineer with Anglo American at Moranbah, says her work has a direct link to environmental sustainability.

“My job involves automating the longwall, which means improving safety for miners and increasing the efficiency of underground mining operations,” she said in a promotional pamphlet for the campaign.

“Any increase in safety will always produce a positive impact and increased efficiency will help to improve environmental sustainability in the future.”