Griffith Business Schoolisexcited to announce the establishment of the Centre for Applied Energy Economics and Policy Research (CAEEPR). Vice Chancellor and PresidentProfessor Carolyn Evansconducted the official launch of the Centre on Wednesday,10 November withProfessor Paul Simshauser AM, member of the GBS Strategic Advisory Board and Griffith Professor of Economics, who provided an overview of CAEEPR objectives, goals and the National Electricity Market model.
Craig Rogers, Adjunct Professor Rod Welford, Professor Carolyn Evans, and Professor Paul Simshauser AM
CAEEPR is an industry partner-funded collaboration between Griffith Business School and a diverse group of energy sector partners including Powerlink, CS Energy, Stanwell Energy and Queensland Treasury Corporation.
CAEEPR will provide and publish independent, sophisticated energy policy advice and thought leadership for industry and government and contribute to inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous businesses and communities. Griffith’s world-class economic and policy research will underpin CAEEPR to support a successful transition to electrification and green hydrogen with a less carbon-intrusive power generation and transmission system.
Bronze Awards were received by the Griffith MBA program in the Management Education category and by the Business School for its revamped Bachelor of Business degree, in the Oceania category of the Regional awards.
Griffith MBA Director Associate Professor Stephanie Schleimer
MBA Director Associate Professor Stephanie Schleimer described the QS Wharton awards as the Oscars of Education awards, so to receive Bronze for their submission Tri Hita Karana: An MBA that Leads through Values was humbling.
“Trinita Karana is a Belen, Asian philosophy denoting three pathways to wellbeing through a harmony of people with people, the environment and a spiritual, Associate Professor Schleimer said.
“The Griffith MBA is the one of the world’s leading value based MBA program that builds on these principles through three core values embedded in the 17, UN SDGs and reshaped the hearts and minds of 1000s of business leaders around the world.
“We attract students from all demographic profiles including gender, age, nationality, and socio- economic status who really want to drive change.
“We’ve increased the number of women studying an MBA with us to 59%.”
“With nearly 700 active students and more than 1600 graduates, we are reaching almost 100 different industry sectors. In less than seven years, we have almost tripled our student intake.”
The new Bachelor of Business degree was recognised following a five-year project to redesign the first year, 22 majors and final capstone course.
Griffith Business School Pro Vice Chancellor Professor David Grant speaking at the QBM Griffith MBA Responsible Leadership scholarship masterclass
Students are now given greater flexibility to complete a foundation year before exploring or committing to a wide variety of majors.
“This is a wonderful achievement and demonstrates that the work we have done is of value to current and new students,” Professor David Grant, Pro Vice Chancellor of GBS, said.
“The curriculum redesign for first year subjects produced an engaging, interdisciplinary suite of subjects with incredible online content such as animated videos, industry expert videos, interactive tools and more.
“This was underpinned by peer supported learning events, live workshops, online consultations and a weekly Business Social Hour where people could meet to discuss real life issues, study tips, and matters that the whole of the cohort would be interested in.”
After a 40-year teaching career, Griffith Law School student Kirk West continues to make a real difference in the lives of others.
Immigrating to Australia from the US in 1974, Kirk worked in education before taking up a contract to help develop baseball in Alice Springs. Over the years he accepted teaching roles in Charters Towers, Toowoomba, Brisbane and Townsville, before travelling around the US and returning to Australia to “settle in to retirement”.
“Throughout my life, I always held onto a desire to study law. I’ve spent my life working with students and trying to help them achieve their goals and in many ways, I think Law is similar. I’m hoping that I can gain some knowledge and qualifications that give me a chance to help people who are suffering or disadvantaged,” he said.
Facing the next chapter of his life head on, Kirk applied to study law and received three separate offers for study. He chose to enrol at Griffith Law School after researching his options and speaking with current students.
“I was impressed with the academic staff and the students I spoke with were really positive about their experience, so I felt that Griffith was a good fit for me.”
“I think study at my age can be extremely enlightening — and humbling. I’m in a totally different environment and I find it exhilarating and inspiring.”
“The most challenging aspect of studying at this stage of my life has been the amount of information I need to know, but my family and my wife Suzanne are extremely supportive. All of my life failures and successes provided a strong base and experience to draw from in order to process the challenging work I come across in my studies.”
Kirk has been eager to grasp the opportunities presented to Griffith Law students and recently completed the Innocence Project course — a collaborative pro bono project that brings together lawyers, academics and law students to work to free innocent persons who have been wrongly convicted in Australia — an opportunity Kirk describes as “incredible.”
“It really opened my eyes to some of the harsh realities that others are exposed to and really made me think about the direction I wanted to take in law.”
Kirk also volunteers with ADA Law (Aged and Disability Advocates) advocating for clients who have suffered elder abuse, or are otherwise disadvantaged.
“I love this type of work, making a difference in the lives of my clients. It is extremely rewarding.”
“I would highly recommend returning to study after a long-term career — especially in a totally new field.”
“Academic and support staff at Griffith have been incredibly helpful. Their knowledge and preparation is first class. At Griffith, I have been so lucky to have some of the best teachers I have ever seen.”
Kirk also credits his fellow students for their willingness to include everyone, regardless of their circumstances or stage of life.
“I have a number of my study partners on speed dial and we text quite often about things happening in a course, or about how to approach an assignment.”
As his studies draw to an end, Kirk once again has his sights set on the next chapter of his life and hopes to secure work in Senior/Elder Law, Family Law, or Community Law.
“I really like the satisfaction of knowing that I’ve made a difference in someone’s life.”
Griffith Business School’s 2021 Co-curricular Award winners have been announced, and despite another year affected by disruption and challenges, these students stood tall to achieve some remarkable feats.
Sustainability Award
Awarded for the first time in 2021, the School’s Sustainability Award recognises an undergraduate student who demonstrates an outstanding commitment to sustainability. The inaugural award went to Felicity Bradford, Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Commerce student and President of Griffith’s first student sustainability association, the Sustainable Business Collective.
Proud creator of her own podcast, ‘Collectively Sustainable’ — Felicity is a true Griffith ambassador for sustainability, her achievements extending far beyond co-curricular activities to projects like Climate Action Beacon’s difficult conversation series and the EveryWhen project.
In her own words, “this year has been a whirlwind of experiences and personal developments. Not only am I a more sustainable person and leader, but I’m trying to educate others on sustainability [while] trying to leave the world a better place than when I entered it.”
Community Service Award
Our winner of this year’s Community Service Award showed integrity and leadership through active and enthusiastic participation in her community. Bachelor of Government & International Relations and Criminology and Criminal Justice student Demila Gabriel was extremely honoured to receive the award, saying “I would like to thank the Griffith Business School for this significant recognition and acknowledge the support of my husband and family throughout my life journey.”
Making a positive difference to the wider community is a passion for Demila and has been for some time, telling us,
“Since fleeing Bosnia and Herzegovina as a refugee during the war, it has always been, and remains, my passion to show my sincere appreciation by giving back to the people and the communities that saved me. I am dedicated to helping those in need, regardless of race, religion or skin colour, and to protecting victims of domestic violence.”
Leadership Award
The School’s Leadership Award recognises an undergraduate student who has demonstrated responsible leadership and who demonstrates the highest levels of integrity and ethical behaviour in their academic or community endeavours.
The 2021 winner of the award went to Bachelor of Commerce student, Raymond Jason McCarthy.
After struggling to transition from high school to University, Raymond saw the opportunity that university life could bring, motivating him to give back to his peers in the hope of helping them realize their own exciting potential.
As the President of a now thriving Griffith University Commerce Society (GUCS) and PASS Leader, Raymond is happy to say that he has achieved his goals, adding “I am especially proud of the professionalism and supportive culture that we have created at GUCS and how that has attracted enthusiastic people who want to develop themselves and help others do the same.”
BusinessPLUS Award
This year, the Griffith Business School presented three separate winners of the BusinessPLUS Award, with Olivia Walsh, Georgia Lambert and Dokyung Kim all sharing the honours.
The recipients of this award have demonstrated strong engagement in the Griffith BusinessPLUS program.
Dokyung (Helena) was thankful, saying “it’s such an honor to receive this award as I have workedreally hardthis year and it just made my last year so much more meaningful and I feel like I have improved as a person. I would be more confident and ready for my future career when I graduate early next year.”
Being an International student, Helena is leading by example as one of the first BusinessPLUS Ambassadors. The Bachelor of International Tourism and Hotel Management student says, “I hope more international studentswouldjoin this program, get out of their comfort zones and enjoy the challenges they face.”
For more information on the Co-Curricular and Academic Awards,click here.
Griffith University’sMATE programhasdeveloped aworld-leadingsmartphone app designed to help prevent domestic and family violence.
TheMotivating Action Through Empowerment (MATE)Bystanderprogrampartneredwiththe QueenslandGovernment and Telstraon the‘Bethere’ app, which was officially launched this week.
The appprovidestipstospotthe signs of an unhealthy relationship andadvice on interveningsafely to protect friends and family impacted by violence.
Directors of the MATE Bystander program Shaan Ross-Smith and Anoushka Dowling saiditwas a critical tool thatempoweredpeople to be there forfriends and family.
“We all know of somebody who has been affected in some way by domestic violence and we all want to know what we can do to help,” Ms Ross-Smith said.
“The app will empower bystanders with the information they need to make informed decisions and intervene in safe and respectful ways.”
“MATE already delivers person-to-person training,online webinars and other modules and the Bethereapp is another way to empower us to challenge a conversation,behaviouror a sense that something isn’t ok, before it is too late.”
Ms Ross-Smith said the partnership between Griffith University, state government and Telstra demonstrated the need for a united front in tackling domestic and family violence.
“It’s been a fantastic collaboration between the MATE Bystander program,government and privateenterprise,” she said.
“By itself,the app won’t stop domestic and family violence,butwewant to help peoplelook for the signs of violence, providesupport and report it.”
Queensland Attorney-General and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Shannon Fentiman said the app was a vital part of the Government’s domestic and family violence prevention strategy.
Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman with Shaan Ross-Smith and MATE Ambassadors Danielle and Rhys Carroll
“Across the State our communities have been deeply impacted by recent tragic events and we know people want to do more to put a stop to violence against women,”shesaid.
“That’s why we have partnered with the Griffith University MATE Bystander program and Telstra to develop the Be there app to make it even easier for Queenslanders to access vital information they need to support a friend or family member experiencing domestic and family violence (DFV).
“The community has been coming out in force, at rallies and vigils, declaring ‘enough is enough’. This app will be aimed at these very people who are determined that they won’t let this happen to their friends, family and loved ones.
“We’re trying to make it easier for Queenslanders to identify what DFV is and be able to respond earlier and appropriately to what can usually be a complex and difficult situation.”
MsFentiman said it was wonderful to see Griffith University lending its expertise to address this vital issue.
“Griffith University have really led the way in working with bystanders and the community to play their part in tackling domestic and family violence. I’m so proud of this partnership.”
Telstra’s General Manager of Queensland Government Business Gaven Nicholls said Telstra was committed to making a positive difference in the community for those affected by domestic and family violence.
“We are really proud to have partnered with Telstra Purple, our technology services arm, to work with Griffith University and the State Government to develop the software and design work needed for this incredibly important resource,”hesaid.
Griffith University’sMATE Program isan education and interventionprojectthat helpschallenge problematicbehaviouraround domestic violence, including coercive control.
‘Be there’is an initiative delivered by Griffith University’s MATE Bystander Program, with funding support from the Queensland Government, powered by Telstra.
It is now available to download from the App Store and Google Play.
Five-time ARIA Award winner Katie Noonan has been awarded an honorary doctorate from Griffith University, alongside fellow Griffith alumnus Peter Martin APM, a former Commissioner of Queensland Corrective Services.
First Peoples health advocate Dr Pat Anderson AO and renowned film sound artist James Currie also received honorary degrees this week, joining more than 5,500 graduating students at ceremonies in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Katie Noonan performing with students from the Queensland Conservatorium
The title of Doctor of the University (DUniv) was bestowed on Katie Noonan for her distinguished service to the arts as a singer, songwriter and artistic director.
She received her honorary doctorate at a ceremony at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre where she also treated the audience to a powerhouse performance of her hits Bluebird and Breathe In Now, accompanied by student musicians from the Queensland Conservatorium.
Since graduating from the Queensland Conservatorium in 1997, Ms Noonan’s versatility as a singer, musician, songwriter, producer and champion of the arts has seen her earn international recognition.
She became the youngest Artistic Director of the Queensland Music Festival and was also Musical Director for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018, performing to a television audience of more than a billion people.
Katie Noonan with the Vice Chancellor and Chancellor of Griffith University
This year, Ms Noonan launched AVÉ (Australian Vocal Ensemble), Australia’s first professional classical vocal quartet and an ensemble-in-residence at the Queensland Conservatorium. She was recently appointed Artistic Director of the 2022 National Folk Festival in Canberra.
Ms Noonan said receiving an honorary doctorate from Griffith University was an honour and recognised her ongoing connection to her alma mater.
“In the 26 years since I first set foot inside the Con, I have felt this sense of propulsion towards the remarkable, and an innate sense of purpose,” she said.
“Music is the cornerstone of life – a lifelong journey. With every day, every song and every gig, you learn something new.”
Dr Peter Martin APM
Former Queensland Corrective Services Commissioner Dr Peter Martin APM was humbled to be recognised by the University.
“I’ve worked in the public sector in government for the last four decades, including 38 years in policing and more recently in corrective services, and you don’t do that sort of work for accolades or acknowledgement,” he said.
Dr Martin was among the first group of Griffith University students to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Justice Administration in the early 1990s. He returned to earn an Executive Masters in Public Administration through the Australian and New Zealand School of Government and Griffith University.
“This honorary doctorate is very special and means a lot to me,” he said.
“I am so fortunate to have had the support of Griffith throughout my career, the relationships that I’ve forged with Griffith have been long and productive.”
Pat Anderson AO
Indigenous health advocate Pat Anderson AO received an honorary doctorate for her distinguished service to First Nations communities as a social justice advocate. An Alyawarre woman from the Northern Territory, Ms Anderson has spent her career promoting improved health, and educational and protection outcomes for children.
“I’m very touched that Griffith would recognise me in this way,” she said.
“I grew up in a camp on the outskirts of Darwin and was the first in my family to attend university, so to be recognised by a place of learning is very special.
“Access to an education is a gift. And when you have that gift, you have an obligation to give back and make a positive contribution wherever you can.”
James Currie
Sound recordist James Currie, who worked on iconic Australian films like Breaker Morant and Red Dog, was recognised for his work in the Australian screen industry, spanning almost 100 films and TV projects over the past four decades.
This year’s honorary doctorate recipients joined 5,586 graduating students at a dozen ceremonies in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast.
This year’s graduating class included 178 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, the University’s largest ever group of First Nations graduates.
Griffith University Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans said the Class of 2021 had shown great resilience, persevering with their studies despite the upheavals of the COVID pandemic.
“We are so proud of all of our Griffith graduates,” Professor Evans said.
“We recognise the last two years have been some of the most challenging and to reach this milestone shows absolute commitment and hard work.
“We congratulate our Griffith graduates and extend our support as they face the future with confidence and skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world.”
Testing the efficacy of an innovative paediatric burns treatment is the aim of a new National Health and Medical Research Council partnership project awarded to Griffith University.
Led by Dr Bronwyn Griffin from the Wiser Wound Care Centre for Research Excellence, the researchers will partner with Australia’s four major paediatric burns centres in NSW, QLD, VIC and WA to assess the implementation and clinical efficacy of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT).
“More than 4000 children a year are treated for acute burns in Australia’s paediatric burn centres,’’ Dr Griffin said.
“Improving time to wound healing is a direct predictor of risk of hypertrophic scarring (severe), a devastating and hard to treat outcome that affects 16% to 35% of paediatric burns patients.”
NPWT is a wound dressing system that provides sub-atmospheric pressure within a closed dressing, providing a positive pressure to the surface of a burn wound — drawing out fluid and infection.
“Early studies of NPWT for burns has shown improved time to healing by an average of 22% with a 60% reduced risk of long-term scar management referral and decreased cost per patient compared to standard silver dressings,’’ Dr Griffin said.
“Providing this therapy to children within the first 72 hours post-burn injury would mean more will have access to this superior treatment, improving healing time and decreasing the child’s risk of acquiring avoidable long-term burden.
“Results from this study will transform policy and practice to improve outcomes for all Australian paediatric burns patients.”
The NHMRC grant provides funding of $1.4 million over four years with matched contributions from hospitals across Australia bringing it to a total of $3 million.
Researchers at Griffith University have updated Australia’s first study of indigenous water rights and found that First Nations have lost valuable water rights over the past 12 months.
The 2020 study of First Nations water rights in the Murray Darling Basin (MDB) found that across the MDB, at least 30 Aboriginal organisations held 12.808 GL/y under 68 surface water entitlements (in November 2020).
When the researchers from the Australian Rivers Institute revisited State and Territory water registers in November this year, they found that one moderate-size licence had been sold, bringing the volume of water under First Nations control down by 24 ML/y to 12.784 (GL/y).
Professor Sue Jackson.
These entitlements held by Aboriginal organisations across the Basin make up a very small percentage of the total water (0.17%).
The volume of available groundwaterlicensedto First Nations (556 ML/y or 0.027%) remained unchanged. The researchers found that no new licences — surface water or groundwater – had been acquired by First Nations in the period 2020-2021.
“This new research raises serious questions about the inequitable effects of water markets. The decline is important to acknowledge because it shows how vulnerable First Nations’ water holdings are to permanentloss in the country’s most valuable water market,” Professor Sue Jackson said.
“There is significant pressure on Aboriginal organisations to sell their water rights to cover the costs of operating their organisations. Once sold it can be very costly to regain control of water and put it to direct use on Country.”
The researchers said it is also a significant finding because the trend should be going the other way.
“There has never been more attention given by policy makers or governments to the important issue of indigenous water rights in the MDB, or nationally,” co-researcher Dr Lana Hartwig said.
“There is a commitment by all Australian Governments under the Closing the Gap Policy to set a target to increase First Nations water holdings, and yet the waterunder Aboriginal control in the MDB, which was already very small, has dropped further in the past year.”
The researchers added that this recent decline is consistent with a decadal trend. In a separate study of First Nations water holdings in NSW the same team identified a 17% loss in First Nations’ water rights between 2009-2018.
“Australian governments, including those with responsibility for water management in the MDB, need to urgentlyaddress thecauses and act on commitments to improve access to water for First Nations under national water policy, state water policy and law, as well as Closing the Gap,” Professor Jackson said.
“Our previous research indicates there is strong public support for action on First Nations water rights. Previously we surveyed households from the jurisdictions of the MDB and found that 70% of respondents support the principle of reallocating a small amount of water from irrigators to First Nations via the water market.
“In that study published in the international Journal of Water Resources Research, we estimated households were willing to pay A$21.78 in a oneâ€off levy. The aggregate value calculated for households in the basin’s jurisdictions was A$74.5 million, which is almost double a government commitment of $40 million to fund the acquisition of entitlements for Aboriginal nations of this basin. Those funds have not been spent to increase First Nations water holdings.”
The researchers intend to provide an annual update of their database to track changes in Aboriginal water rights over years to come. The results can be benchmarked against commitments under water policy and Closing the Gap targets.
A Griffith University-ledthree-yearproject todevelopan early warning system in homes during extreme heateventshas receivedmore than$2 millionin funding.
TheEtHOsproject, was awarded $2.35 million byglobal charitable foundationWellcometo helplimitthe thousands of lives lost each yearto heat stress.
Dr Shannon Rutherford, EtHOs project leader from the School of Medicine and Dentistry.
Dr Rutherford said the team recognised that climate change would lead to more extreme and frequentheatepisodes andsaidaction must be taken to reduce the risk to olderpopulations who were more vulnerable to heat stress.
“We want to develop an individualised early warning system for older people living at homespecificto their homeenvironmentand consideringdifferent people may be vulnerable to heat for different reasons,andwe all have different needsforand levels of access to cooling options,” Dr Rutherford said.
“We would like older people living at home and in the community to have access to a system that helps them, their families and care systems feel safe and confident in their homes as the world experiencesmore frequent and more intense heat events.”
EtHOsco-researcher Sarah Smithsaid the heat stress early warning system’s appearance and how users interacted with it woulddepend onthe perspectives of the project’susers and projectpartners.
“The benefit of co-design is that we’ve engaged early with peoplewho are the focus of oursystemand their experienceswill assist us in developing the system,”MsSmithsaid.
Dr Aaron Bach, from Cities Research Institute will lead the development of thein-home monitoring systemandtheheat-health algorithm used to identify riskprofiles.
Wellcomeis a politically and financially independent global charitable foundationthat supports science to solve the urgent health challenges facing the world.Itsupports discovery research into life, health and wellbeing, focusing on three worldwide health challenges: mental health, infectious disease and climate.
“We will work withour olderpersons,theirin-homecarersand our partner organisations to identify what issues are important tothem in responding to heat in the home,” Dr Rutherford said.
“By involving older people and existing systems of care early, we can identify the issues and co-design solutions together.”
The COP26 climate change summit was both a success and failure. The purpose of the summit was to develop new ambitious goals that would address the current climate emergency. The renewed urgency at COP26 was the result of the recent Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change (IPCCC) Code Red Report that revealed climate change is occurring faster than previously thought. IPCC has estimated that limiting global average temperature increases to 1.5C requires a reduction of CO2 emissions of 45 per cent in 2030 from the 2010 level.
renew emissions reduction targets for 2030 that limited warming to 1.5C, and,
phase out the use of coal.
The pledges made at COP26 Pledges at COP26 will still result in about 2.4 degrees warming. Also, the statement – “increasing the phase-out of coal” was watered down to “phase down” which has been interpreted by some Australian politicians as a green light for burning more coal.
However, the recent Australian Government long term plan for net zero emissions has assumptions for a 50 per cent reduction in the use of coal which will see a major shift away from coal. It also has a heavy reliance on unproven technology of carbon capture and storage. The use of carbon capture and storage is accepted as not being a viable solution to achieving the 1.5-degree Paris Agreement target.
Ultimately, Australia did not go to COP26 with a new 2030 target. Moreover, Australia’s 2030 target was not in line with meeting the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C limit. Using the “Australian Way” and applying it to all countries, global heating would reach over 3°C and up to 4°C. Additionally, Australia was actively involved in decreasing ambition at COP26.
Given the failure of governments to raise the level of ambition needed to avert the climate crisis, what have businesses done in response and what can businesses do to compensate for the failure of governments?
Business action from COP26
Business has responded to the urgency of the code red alert by the IPCCC. There have been more net- zero emissions emission pledges at COP26 by companies that recognise this urgency. Forty companies signed up to the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment. The Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero was announced which focussed on carbon risk investment. The alliance sees companies agreeing to transition their portfolios in line with the Paris Agreement and they are being pushed to work towards 1.5C-degree rather than 2C-degree temperature pathways. Then there was the COP26 zero emissions cars declaration signed by countries and, large corporations.
COP26 did have some action directed to phasing out coal. More than 40 countries pledging to commit to exiting from coal. However, COP26 did not have a major impact on investment away from fossil fuels but it is part of a long-term investment shift away from coal. Legislation such as the upcoming US Climate Bill will have a larger impact, if passed, on investments than COP26.
Net Zero business goals can compensate for failed government
Business can compensate for lack of ambition at the country level by setting net zero emissions targets and updating these to match the urgency of the crisis. Aiming for net zero by 2040 or 2030 would be more in line with the ‘code red alert’ warnings from the IPCC. Having a recognised and robust approach to achieve this will be vital.
An updated standard for businesses aiming for net zero emission was launched just before COP26 by Science-Based Targets; it’s considered the gold standard for business. Under this voluntary scheme, companies set targets and align strategies based on sector-specific methodologies, frameworks, and requirements. This standard dictates a limit of only 10 per cent offsets to ensure the main focus is on the emissions reductions of fossil fuels by a business. To date, 20 per cent of G20 companies have set net zero emissions targets using the Science- Based Targets approach. This might not sound that significant but one of the requirements of the standard is to mandate emissions reductions in the supply chain of a company. This will have a huge ripple effect throughout the global economy as it will force other companies to adopt net zero emissions targets and actions.
How do companies develop Science Based Targets?
A recent report by Griffith University, partnering with Global Compact, WWF and Science- Based Targets, outlined the business case for adopting targets aligned with the 1.5-degree Paris Agreement: – Business Case for Science Based Targets. Our research examined 15 companies that had adopted net zero emissions targets using the Science- Based Target approach in Australia. The research provided many useful insights into how businesses developed a case for net zero emissions using this approach.
We found there were a number of key features in building a solid case for a Science-Based Targets approach to net -zero emissions.
Relationships needed to make the business case
Companies need to build the preconditions within an organisation before adopting net zero emissions target. A carbon accounting framework targeting emissions reduction is needed. Australia, like many other countries, have reporting frameworks for companies’ emissions.
Competence in Science-Based Target methodology is needed. Organisations should consider developing competence (such as training and knowledge sharing) for staff around the sector guidance materials for Science-Based Targets and keep updated on developments of methodology for the sector.
Key staff need to progress the case for adopting a net zero emissions target. Three key groups are needed to progress the case. These include:
The sustainability manager. We found that in companies that set a target, the long-term commitment of the sustainability manager was an important factor in the success of the target being adopted.
Staff support of the business case. The support provided a lever for the sustainability manager to use to progress the business case through to upper management for their approval.
Developing relationships with the board of directors and upper management. This was a key factor in progressing the case. Given the transformational nature of the commitment to net zero targets, sustainability managers liaised with upper management and their board to gauge sentiment and informally allay concerns about the implications of the commitment on company operations.
Framing the argument
The justification for the net zero emission target is specific to each company. There are, however, some common methods needed to push the case forward.
Each company had to harness external influences to build a case for setting a net -zero emissions target. To progress a business case internally, sustainability managers have had to weave several external influences into their narrative that included: direct climate change impacts on the business, the business risks that are directly linked to climate change, customer demands for carbon-friendly products and services, stakeholder demands for action on climate change, the ability to access cheaper finance when science-based targets are adopted, directors duties, and growing reporting demands including the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)).
The business case for net zero emissions requires strategic transformational shifts within the company. The likelihood of the success of a business case for net zero emissions was linked to alignment with existing business processes which also embedded sustainability strategies
Managing climate risk was the factor that motivated company directors and C-Suite to consider the adoption of the targets. Climate risk surrounding carbon disclosure (TCFD) and fiduciary duties of company directors represented a key driver as well as investor pressure and supply chain requests.
Overcoming roadblocks
With any transformation in a company, there was change resistance to consider. Two roadblocks needed to be overcome before the adoption of net zero emissions targets was possible. Interestingly general staff resistance was not a feature in the companies we researched.
Key decision-makers of the organisation need to agree that the positive benefits of adopting a net zero emission target are greater (or equal to) than other competing interests within the organisation.
Board resistance may occur, and this is commonly associated with concerns about long- term corporate governance implications of committing to public targets.
Early adopters we have highlighted in our research have proven that net zero emissions target setting can be done and makes business sense. The next era for net zero emissions will see companies aiming for a target of 2030 or 2040 to compensate for the failure of governments and to match business action with the urgency needed to avert climate catastrophe.
“(COP26) is an important step but is not enough. Our fragile planet is hanging by a thread. We are still knocking on the door of climate catastrophe. It is time to go into emergency mode or our chance of reaching net -zero will itself be zero.”
António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations
His research interests include sustainable development goals (SDGs) in business and government, climate change policy and management, sustainable tourism and indigenous consent processes. He is also the program director of the Master of Global Development which is a rapidly growing development studies program at Griffith University. He teaches in the Department of Business Strategy and Innovation in such courses as Leadership for Sustainable Business and Research Methods.
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Awarded for the first time in 2021, the School’s Sustainability Award recognises an undergraduate student who demonstrates an outstanding commitment to sustainability. The inaugural award went to Felicity Bradford, Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Commerce student and President of Griffith’s first student sustainability association, the 
Our winner of this year’s Community Service Award showed integrity and leadership through active and enthusiastic participation in her community. Bachelor of Government & International Relations and Criminology and Criminal Justice student Demila Gabriel was extremely honoured to receive the award, saying “I would like to thank the Griffith Business School for this significant recognition and acknowledge the support of my husband and family throughout my life journey.”
Dr Rob Hales