Complex, holistic aspects of decarbonising
Ultimately, the transition towards carbon neutrality is about a positive legacy and a better future, both for nature and for communities. While this equation seems neat, its implementation is far from simple.
“It's about recognising that as we experience significant changes both technologically and socially, the groups that are already most vulnerable in our community will usually be most vulnerable to those shifts.”
Bernadette Fitzgerald, Director - Precincts and Infrastructure
We live in a web of intersecting relationships, needs, dependencies and contingencies, and the transition to Net Zero needs to filter through this whole complex system in the quest for social, environmental and economic sustainability. We think of it like this:
For a holistic Net Zero transition, we must look at our choices and actions through a set of three overlapping lenses: social, economic and nature. To bring these aspects together, the bedrock must be collaboration between all levels of government, private industry and civil society.
“With the massive shifts we have coming – including how the National Electricity Market is shaped, the transition to renewable generation, electrification of entire systems like transportation, and the development of cleaner fuels – we should be asking, is it still an equal playing field for everyone?”
Paul Williams, Director of Mining and Energy
Holistic sustainability frameworks
Existing models offer a framework for organisations to consider and embed social, economic and nature considerations into their strategies and projects. The United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) provide an urgent call and shared blueprint for sustainability, now and into the future. Many businesses have adopted the SDGs to focus and benchmark their sustainable objectives across social value, economic prosperity, and natural resources. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) frameworks also continue to be implemented and reported against by organisations.
Tackling the energy transition in Australia through the holistic lens offered by these models can support businesses and organisations to create social value for the communities that they operate within while decreasing carbon emissions. In the process, this manages their social licence to operate and supports profitability.
“One of the biggest risks is also a huge opportunity to achieve greater social and economic equity. As the world transitions away from greenhouse gas emissions we’re going to see changes in how we think about metrics that go beyond capital as a measure of efficiency.”
Bernadette Fitzgerald
Top considerations for a holistic Net Zero transition
As engineers and strategic advisors, WSP Changemakers are at the forefront of emerging technology and continue to innovate to decarbonise. However, with a Future Ready™ focus, we also understand the bigger picture of our designs and advice. We work with our clients to engage the community and plan for the economic and natural environment in their strategy and projects.
As part of this approach, we consider that a holistic Net Zero transition demands:
1. Jobs and skills support
To deliver a Net Zero transformation, many workers will be needed to fill roles in the clean energy and emerging sector. The demand for metal and minerals to support clean energy solutions will spur industries to transform.
The private, public and education sectors will need to plan and collaborate to avoid a skilled labour crisis by investing in future-focused trades and skills. What’s essential is that new meaningful green jobs and training opportunities are available at the right time and in the right locations so that individuals and communities can continue to thrive.
2. Affordability and access for households
To ensure inequalities are not exacerbated through the transition, incentives and support will be necessary to enable more equitable access to new low-emissions technologies, affordable electricity, climate-friendly housing and greater mobility choices. This will provide support against challenges, such as:
- As cost-of-living and the housing crisis escalate, many cannot afford to invest to decarbonise – or have access to do so.
- Sustainable buildings are often seen as a luxury with double-glazed windows, heating and cooling, solar, batteries and energy-efficient technology.
- Those living in older or cheaper housing options may wear the brunt of the transition as the costs of current energy sources increase.
- The access and affordability of decarbonised transport: for example, when it comes to electric vehicles, not everyone has the space to charge them at home.
3. Genuine, inclusive conversations
To help communities thrive as we decarbonise, we need to engage in real, inclusive dialogue that invites all sectors to join the conversation.
Transparent, honest dialogue with communities facilitated by communications and engagement specialists will help create positive social outcomes and maintain an authentic and enduring social licence. This includes engaging our First Nations communities with a genuine commitment through Indigenous representation and involvement as all projects occur on the land of Traditional Owners.
4. Resilient communities, businesses and economy
Through natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, resilience has become an ever-present imperative for communities, businesses, supply chains, the broader economy, and our natural environment. Resilience needs to be planned, actioned and embedded now across all these spheres to enable a just transition to Net Zero.
Further diversifying supply chains, decentralising the energy market, and broadening the base of the economy will support greater resilience to future shocks – as will planning carefully and thoroughly now for ‘building back better’ when (not if) the next natural disaster descends.
5. Innovation
The low-carbon transition is being driven by technological advances, and it is crucial that this level of innovation doesn’t slow or stall. To achieve Net Zero we’ll need to keep enhancing our electricity generation and storage, our appliances and vehicles, our building materials and standards, our ability to minimise and manage waste and extract maximum value from materials in a more circular economy. But an ongoing challenge will be how to plan ahead for large, long-term investments while technology changes so rapidly around us.
6. Future-focused technology adoption
At WSP, we consider decarbonisation technology from a societal level. What we implement today within our buildings, cities and infrastructure needs to have longevity to avoid asking people and taxpayers to reinvest.
7. Nature remediation
Beyond the economic issues and social justice concerns, the transition to Net Zero must extend to nature.
Remediation of former emissions-intensive industrial sites and cleaning up pollution will be vital to protect our watercourses, biodiversity and human health – creating environments where communities can thrive.
8. Working together
Creating a holistic transition to Net Zero will demand a major reshaping of the way we live and work – and that calls for broad, deep collaboration and cooperation across the public and private sectors, industries, unions, workers and communities. It demands partnerships and integration among planners, policy makers, funding agencies, investors, researchers, change makers and stakeholders at all levels.
At its core, the transition will depend on thoroughly interrogating who benefits and who pays the price, and then navigating a path towards a more even and equal distribution of risks, rewards and resources.
With these pillars underpinning the path to Net Zero, we can make a better future for our planet and for the generations yet to live on it.
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