Principle 6
6.4 Seminars , Forums and Conferences
A Green Future for Australia
In July 2021 , the UNSW Environment Collective and the UNSW Climate Change Network hosted ‘ A Green Future for Australia ’. The demand for ‘ green jobs ’ has been central in the Australian climate movement for many years , with the people of Australia recognising the importance moving from the fossil fuel sector towards a greener economy . But this event asked – and discussed : “ What are green jobs , what does a green economy looks like for us , and how can our society make a just transition for all ?”
Attendees heard about a range of possible green jobs from a panel of guests who have experience in the renewable energy industry , innovation and business , finance and investment , environmental management , academic research , science , activism , NGOs , and government and politics .
> Associate Professor
Kingsley Fong , School of Banking & Finance , is a specialist in investment strategies and fund management and was a guest speaker at the event . He spoke about the major shift in capital markets and investment decisions in past two years towards recognition of the urgency to address the climate crisis and sustainability , and the impact this is having on both green jobs and the greening of many jobs in society .
> James McGregor , CEO Blue Tribe Company , a sustainable business consultancy that works with business , government and university researchers to develop solutions to the world ’ s biggest environmental and social challenges .
> Professor Daniel Robinson , Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences , UNSW . Daniel has a background in human geography , environmental science and environmental law and his research focuses on the regulation of nature and knowledge , with a current focus on researching biodiversity , bush foods and medicine value chains .
> Professor Renate Egan , UNSW Lead ,
Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics . Renate is passionate about using her skills to increase the uptake of solar and accelerate the energy transition and was recently described as one of Eight Great Women in the Business of Science and Solar by Renewable Energy World .
> Jess Miller , City of Sydney Councillor . Jess is an advocate for liveable , resilient and climate adaptive cities . She has worked for over ten years in environmental management and conservation , in the non-for-profit sector and at all levels of government .
Developments in Sustainable Finance
Hosted by the UNSW Business School , this seminar in May 2021 saw Associate Professor Kingsley Fong , School of Banking & Finance , joined by
Linda Romanovska , UNSW PhD scholar and climate resilience and sustainable finance expert advisor appointed to the European Union ’ s Platform on Sustainable Finance ; and
Dr Maria Balatbat , Senior Lecturer in the School of Accounting , Auditing & Taxation .
The majority of Australians believe climate change is a pressing problem that needs to be addressed now , even if significant costs are involved , and this sentiment is echoed in the private sphere .
This seminar discussed the dangers of the Australian government ’ s inaction around climate change and sustainability . Speakers cautioned those that invest in unsustainable assets that , while they might take comfort in the Australian government ’ s relative silence on the issue of sustainable investment , this by no means guarantees positive gains for the investor .
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