Mitch Jones

Policy Insights from LETA: The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Guide for Large Emitters. Under its Climate Change Policy and Action Plan, the NSW EPA has a role in supporting the NSW Government to meet its greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. This includes public consultation on the draft Guide for Large Emitters. Why Guide for Large Emitters Matters: - It outlines the requirements project developers will need to meet in their Environmental Impact Assessments. - It requires detailed emissions information from large-emission projects. - It provides the community with information about emissions from new projects. As an organisation committed to advancing low emission technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Australia and globally, and as a member of the EPA, LETA recently submitted feedback on the draft Guide. LETA’s Submission in a Nutshell: - We called for framework simplification: Stating that the Draft Guide complicates the existing regulatory framework and duplicates a national approach. We recommend simplifying it to ensure project developers clearly understand the requirements. - We called for clarification of requirements: Stating that clear guidelines are needed for conducting a Greenhouse Gas Assessment and creating a Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Plan. We will continue to advocate for improvements and keep you updated! Read more from our submission here: https://lnkd.in/g7DgZUm6

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Reminder that public submissions to our interim inquiry report on Australia's National Water Initiative (NWI) are due next week on Wednesday 24 April. The report finds the NWI has served Australia well, but there is an urgent need for renewal, due to climate change and changing water demand. Find the interim report and how to have your say at: pc.gov.au/water-reform #WaterReform #WaterManagement #WaterPolicy #WaterSecurity #Water #NWI #NationalWaterInitiative #AustralianWater

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"Look mum, i'm on the news!" 🤣 It's been so awesome working with my team, in partnership with Water Corporation, on our increasingly popular waterwise community programs the last few years. Mega shout out to Fiona Blackham in particular (plant giveaway superstar 🌟 - nearly 22,000 WA-natives given out last year, most grown by our awesome in-house-nursery staff)! Residents who participate in our waterwise programs report to us not just beautiful results but also broad benefits, beyond big water savings. From improved wellbeing and social connection to reduced maintenance requirements/costs and more beautiful and cooler streets. Thats not to mention the improvements to biodiversity, habitat, and quality of water runoff. The positive impact is unquestionable and its feels so good to see it. More than anything, this movement is the most sensible gardening adaptation to our drying and warming climate. The growing decentralised network of native gardens across the city is a trojan horse with collective force, helping create a greener, cooler and more waterwise city. #kepkatitjin #begroundwaterwise #waterwise #WaterwiseGreeningScheme

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I have just read through the Guarantee of Origin Bill. DCCEEW has produced an overly complex disasterpiece that fixes nothing and guarantees continued systemic double counting with certificates not defined to incorporate the attributes that they will be used to represent. The Bill doesn't put a stop to location based claims for renewables being made at the same time. The Bill doesn't legally define the market based renewables as the single method for defining renewables use. It also doesn't describe what will make 100% before and after 2030 when the RET expires. I hope to provide more detailed reflection in the next week or so. https://lnkd.in/gbTXEZAk

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The 2024 State of Sustainability report highlights that the cost of living is the top concern for Victorians. However, adopting more sustainable habits can help ease this pressure while also reducing our environmental impact. As the holiday season approaches, simple actions like shopping locally, sharing items, and opting for homemade gifts can lower costs, create more mental space to enjoy the holidays, and promote a more sustainable, climate-conscious celebration.

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The Western Australian Government has published a guide designed to assist scientists, planners and decision-makers to better manage water resources in the face of the effects of climate change.   Developed by hydroclimate technical experts at the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER), the guide has been peer-reviewed by the Bureau of Meteorology, CSIRO, Water Corporation, the National Environmental Science Program’s Climate Systems Hub, and the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.   It includes a step-by-step decision-support tool that outlines a modernised framework for practical climate assessments. It says water planners, modellers, managers and investment decision-makers require a contemporary direction to take into account the effects of potential climate change across WA, and will support technical assessments for water management.   #Australia #WesternAustralia #ClimateChange   This content is jointly prepared by ripple2wave and ZWEEC Analytics Pte Ltd. Follow us for more interesting content on #water and #sustainability.   Sourced from: https://lnkd.in/gTEHfcwy

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I was asked today by a LinkedIn connection how Nationwide Waste Solutions Australia was going. Caused me to reflect. How often do you reflect? Looking back and looking forward. You've got to do a little of both Looking at your wins. Celebrating them with your tribe. Considering where you didn't get the outcome you wanted. To understand why and get better at what you do. And knowing, as a result, not only where you are going, but better how to get there. So what are those results? What are the wins? And the learnings. Or sometimes, reminders. For me, this week, here they are. We started training two new employees. Both well known and respected within the industry. Super proud they chose Nationwide! Who are they? Watch this space! Another one came back from a well earned holiday. Looking relaxed, and happy. Two more of my team are on the journey of parenthood. Well actually quite a few of us are but they are at the start. Seems like only yesterday I was told about new babies on the horizon. And I said, when you need to, take time off. When you are ready, come back. Just come back!!! But don't rush. Being a parent of a newborn is a special kind of magic. Now they are back, and have toddlers that are nearly one!! Where did the year go?? Our team gets better and better every day. And bigger! Off the back of our win at Telstra Best of Business, and an industry leading reputation June 2024 was our busiest month ever. We've quoted an unprecedented level of work for some of Australia's best known brands, doing site visits from Perth to the Gold Coast, and many locations in between. And I am back in the swimming pool. Training. At 54. The learnings?? The reminders? Look after your people. Work family and family family. Thank them. Let them know they’re valued. Spend time on yourself. Investing in your capability makes you a better leader or team member. Or both. And reflect. What was. What wasn’t. What is. And the awesome year ahead for Nationwide Waste Solutions Australia ! 😊😊😊 #leadership #teamwork #nationwide #nationwidewaste #management #saleslife #lifehack #lifetip #coaching

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Interesting perspective on whether the contaminated land auditor model could be leveraged for environmental approvals.

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Upcoming mandatory climate-related financial disclosures signal a major shift in corporate responsibility - and an even bigger opportunity to address risks and reduce scopes 1, 2 and (soon) emissions. What’s the timeline, what do you need to do, how to comply with standards - check out our quick guide.

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Some positive news here!

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The New Zealand government has announced a new water service delivery model to address the country’s long standing challenges with water infrastructure. They have big plans to make improvements for local communities and the environment. Here’s what Emma Brand, our Country Director for NZ, had to say about the announcement: “Veolia welcomes today’s announcement by the New Zealand Government that has opened up partnership opportunities to upgrade the country’s ageing water infrastructure. This progressive approach has the capacity to deliver water improvements for the community and environment, while reducing the financial impact on consumers.  “The reform invites private industry to better support local councils with economic and technical solutions that can transform New Zealand’s existing water infrastructure, and maintain it for generations. “For too long, budget constraints have prevented councils from making meaningful improvements to their water systems. Through the Local Water Done Well model, the government has now established the mechanisms to unlock affordable access to water and wastewater services, for all Kiwis. “This announcement sets up a future where the issues of the past are rectified, setting a new standard for water management across the country. Companies like Veolia, with both global experience and 30 years of presence in the NZ market, can now deliver the resilient, high quality water services that New Zealand communities deserve. This move has the potential to propel New Zealand into a future where world-class outcomes are finally achievable.” https://lnkd.in/g9apHhn8

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Plans for waste-to-energy facilities in regional Australia are facing significant headwinds due to community concerns. While a project in Western Australia nears completion, representing a potential first for the nation, similar initiatives elsewhere have stalled due to resident opposition. This highlights the complex challenges associated with waste management solutions in Australia, particularly when considering the geographic distribution of waste generation and potential processing facilities. Finding a sustainable and socially responsible path forward will require open communication, collaboration, and a focus on the long-term benefits for both urban and rural communities. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gN9fUW9P

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Another fun week almost finished under the Scribbly banner. Three (warm and humid) days on a beautiful property along Delaneys Creek (Moreton Bay Region). In the 10 years of occupation, the landholder has fenced off all creeks from cattle and funded 2 revegetation projects by Barung Landcare and Quoll Seekers. More recently, creek bank plantings have been extended using free trees supplied by Queensland Trust for Nature in 2023 and Moreton Bay Regional Council under their 2024 Envirogrants scheme. An iNaturalist project has also been set up to correctly identify native plant species on the property and is being used to inform revegetation species selection. Future projects include continued staged plantings to increase habitat connectivity across disturbed areas of the property, facilitating natural regeneration along the creek, and fencing/rehabilitation of the farm dam. Another great example of a landholder taking holistic action into their own hands and a privilege to be involved in ongoing planning, grant acquisitions and on ground implementation.

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Under its Climate Change Action Plan 2023–26, the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is supporting proponents and licensees to take action to decarbonise and build resilience to climate change. The EPA is producing guidance for key industries to help them to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The air quality and climate team at EMM Consulting (Paul Boulter, Scott Fishwick, Francine Manansala and Amie Gilbert) is leading the development of guidance for the NSW coal mining sector. The guidance will help proponents of new coal mining projects and existing licensees to identify options for avoiding and minimising emissions, and to understand the outcomes sought by EPA. The work will involve a review of international best practice, and significant consultation with government agencies, the coal industry, advisory groups and others. #CreatingOpportunties #AirQuality #ClimateChange #Decarbonisation #Sustainability #GreenhouseGas

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Read the latest news from Stormwater Australia:

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Rising water challenges across the Indo-Pacific call for increased collaboration across the water sector. In partnership with Pacific Water and Wastewater Association, the Australian Water Partnership supported the development of young water professionals (YWPs) to strengthen regional resilience.      This year’s cohort of YWPs recently joined the 15th Pacific Water and Wastewater Association annual conference and expo in the Cook Islands, where they had the opportunity to join other stakeholders across the sector, share ideas and co-develop actionable climate solutions.     https://lnkd.in/gYnsgCRT

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I must say that Ventia’s approach to sustainability in the SA Government Across Government Facilities Management Arrangement goes so much further!!! From 1 July 2024, the Australian Govt approach is for sustainability procurement criteria to apply for construction projects over $7.5M relative to waste diversion only. Then from July 2025, this policy will be extended to tenders worth more than $1 million for textiles, information and communications technology, furniture, fittings and equipment, and may include requirements to recover and recycle worn out uniforms so they can be processed into new materials. Ventia is already leading the way in sustainability, working in close partnership with 49 State Government Agencies and our 1200 Delivery Partners to drive sustainable procurement across Preventative Maintenance, Breakdown Maintenance, Small Planned Construction (+$30k), Repair & Replacement and Major Projects (+$150k). This applies way below the $7.5M Aus Govt threshold and for all services in FM and is already in place! Amanda Cech Matias Cavanna Gavin Campbell ( GAICD ) Rhys Barker Julie Lee - GAICD Emma Wright Steve Watts Dane Laing Leonard Leyland Matthew Rogister #sustainableprocurement

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It's been an incredible 7 months since I joined the Telstra enviro team. The commitment to taking action on climate change is deeply embedded across the organisation and I've met fantastic people working on this as we've been reviewing how we can take more direct action towards #NetZero. Starting from July, we're evolving our climate change targets to increase activity to further reduce our energy use and scope 1+2 business emissions. This will see us: 1. Increase our absolute scope 1+2 emissions reduction target from 50% to 70% by 2030 (from a FY19 baseline), while maintaining our 50% reduction goal for scope 3 emissions over the same period. 2. Move away from using carbon credits to offset residual emissions and instead reinvest these funds to directly reduce our own carbon impact. Further information is available including reasons why we are making the change here: https://lnkd.in/gEti8veR Justine Rowe,John Wilkinson, Tom Penny, Alison Knoblauch, Aidan Ashton, Audrey Chinn, John McKenzie, Nicola Curnow,Jenny Huynh, Nisha Singh Lauren Barber

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Kia Ora Meet the small, Dynamic and Agile Public Sector AM team at Toitū Envirocare. As we head into another busy period of annual emissions reporting we want to acknowledge the hard work that will go into the next couple of months by our public sector whanau. We stay committed to meet their compliance requirement and commitment to our NDC in line with Paris Agreement through the Carbon Neutral Government Programme (CNGP) by Ministry for the Environment | Manatū mō te Taiao Tristana Leist, Hannah Yen and I are very grateful for the work you do in helping us achieve positive climate action and creating a more sustainable and efficient public sector. Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou
ka ora ai te iwi Ngā mihi nui #emissions #climateaction #nzpublicsector

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