‘Climate the key’ as tech talent wars heat up, Canva co-founder Cameron Adams says

Climate change is fast becoming a crucial issue for companies wanting to attract and retain tech talent, this tech billionaire says.

Canva co-founder Cameron Adams. Source: Supplied.

Tech companies need to take a more proactive stance on climate change in order to attract and retain talent, according to the co-founder of $55bn tech start-up Canva, who says Australian workers are increasingly voting with their feet when it comes to key social and environmental causes.

Canva recently became the fastest growing company in Australian history, and co-founder Cameron Adams said that key to the start-up‘s growth has been its commitment to action on issues like climate change.

“What we‘re hearing from everyone in Canva is that climate change is near and dear to their hearts, and they want to figure out how they can take real action,” Mr Adams said in an interview ahead of a keynote speech at the Smart Energy Council’s Global Race to Zero Summit.

“It all ties in to our two step plan. Step one is to become one of the most valuable companies in the world and step two is to do the most good that we can, and it‘s a real virtuous cycle between those two steps.

Canva co-founders Cameron Adams, Cliff Obrecht and Melanie Perkins. Source: Supplied

“In terms of climate change it has been an incredible rallying cry for people who want to work at a company that truly values having a positive impact on the world, and is taking real steps towards making that happen as well. It‘s helped us attract the best and brightest minds to Canva to come along with us.”

Mr Adams‘ stake in Canva is now valued $4.4bn, putting his paper fortune above the likes of Mr Packer and other famous billionaires. He said in practical terms Canva has signed the Amazon climate pledge, which commits the company to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040, 10 years ahead of the Paris agreement. Canva has also committed to becoming carbon positive by 2023, meaning the company would bring in more carbon than it’s emitting.

“We also have lots of internal programs, we have a beekeeping program in Sydney on the on the roof of our office that produces 50 kilos of honey. We‘re just thinking about all the different ways in which we can reduce our emissions in small ways, and that flows through to employee engagement.”

Atlassian has long been ranked alongside Canva as one of Australia‘s most valuable tech companies, and one of the nation’s largest tech employers. Co-CEO Mike Cannon-Brookes described climate change as a ’huge issue’ for both current Atlassian workers and prospective employees potentially looking to join the company.

Co-CEO of Atlassian Mike Cannon-Brookes speaks during a press conference in Sydney, Thursday, June 25, 2020. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

“Recruiting talent is incredibly important, and anything that gives you an uplift in doing that is good,” he said. “We’ve always been an incredibly philanthropic and caring firm about a lot of different issues right from climate through to diversity through and other things, and it always shows up in our top three reasons why people choose to join us.

“While Australia is incredibly retrograde on an international standard [on climate], the awareness level is building. Firms that aren’t taking climate action are now inherently riskier and hence have a higher risk premium, and a higher cost of capital and will be less likely to succeed.”

Originally published as ‘Climate the key’ as tech talent wars heat up, Canva co-founder Cameron Adams says