Big players work together under Energy Transmission Network banner
BHP, Wesfarmers and BlueScope are among Australian companies looking to find answers to lowering carbon emissions across heavy industry.
BHP, Wesfarmers and BlueScope are among a group of Australian companies to join ClimateWorks Australia and the CSIRO in working under the banner Energy Transmission Network to find answers to lowering carbon emissions across the supply chains of heavy industry.
The group is chaired by corporate director and Monash Chancellor Simon McKeon and backed by NAB and AustralianSuper, working with the federal government’s Renewable Energy Agency to collaborate on achieving lower emissions.
ClimateWorks was established by Monash University to reduce carbon output across industry.
“The company involvement comes as shareholders and customers are increasingly demanding progress on lower emissions,” Mr McKeon said.
BHP, among others, has advanced to so-called Scope 3 emissions where the company helps customers and suppliers reduce their carbon footprint.
Other companies involved include Woodside, BP Australia, Orica, APA Group, Australia Gas Infrastructure Group, which together with BHP, BlueScope and Wesfarmers represent 14 per cent of Australian industrial emissions. Other companies are expected to join, including Rio which is part of a similar UK group focused on energy transition and chaired by Lord Adair Turner.
Schneider Electric Pacific president Gareth O’Reilly said: “The technology to achieve this is available now. We have already achieved significant increases in energy efficiency and reductions in emissions for corporations across the globe through decarbonisation, electrification and other energy efficiency solutions.
“This initiative is vital for our climate and our planet, and every company has a responsibility to take part. Increasing energy efficiency actually benefits the bottom line, there is no excuse to not contribute to combating climate change.”
Monash University’s ClimateWorks is chaired by Professor John Thwaites and run by former Macquarie banker Anna Skarbek.
The focus is on sectors where abatement has traditionally faced structural challenges across five supply chains which collectively contribute more than a quarter of Australia’s annual greenhouse gas emissions and generate exports worth about $160bn.
These include steel, aluminium, liquefied natural gas, other metals and chemicals.
“This initiative provides a platform to generate knowledge and test action through on-the-ground projects,” Mr McKeon said.
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