SA ZERO: Accelerating South Australia’s Net Zero Journey
Decarbonisation is underway but we need to design innovative collaborations to emerging to accelerate progress. The goal of SA ZERO is just that. SA ZERO is a partnership between the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors of South Australia. Spearheaded by the Committee for Adelaide and supported by a consortium of influential partners, including the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, BHP, CSIRO, and the University of Adelaide, the SA ZERO initiative is poised to reshape the state’s journey to Net Zero Carbon by 2050.
The Towards Net Zero Mission is a founding member of SA ZERO and we are excited to collaborate in new ways with some of South Australia’s most influential organisations to drive progress, sustainable innovation, and collaborative action.
Fostering collaboration
The aim of SA ZERO is to foster collaboration between the government, academia, and industry players, all dedicated to shaping strategies that will help South Australian organisations dramatically reduce their emissions. These strategies encompass a diverse array of initiatives, ranging from energy efficiency measures and expanded utilisation of renewable energy to electrification, waste reduction, circular economy practices, carbon capture and storage, carbon farming, and the assimilation of pioneering sustainable technologies.
Sam Dighton, CEO of the Committee for Adelaide, underlines the significance of collaboration: “South Australia is already a leader in sustainability and decarbonisation but we know that our State’s pathway to net zero will require close partnerships between government, academia and industry,” said Committee for Adelaide CEO Sam Dighton.
“The SA ZERO initiative brings together the leadership and expertise of some of the State’s most influential companies and creates a really powerful collective that can help other businesses learn and implement meaningful changes while reducing duplication of effort.
“This is an important initiative for the long-term sustainability of South Australia demonstrates the Committee’s commitment to driving the conversation about doing what’s best for the future of our city and State.”
“To transform South Australia to a more circular economy we have to continue to press our first mover advantage,” said Deputy Premier Susan Close.
“We know that to meet our targets for reducing our impact on climate change we must strive not only for net zero carbon but for zero waste as well”.
“Renewable energy still leaves us with a shortfall in reducing our carbon footprint, zero waste with a more circular economy to keep valuable resources in circulation for as long as possible is a critical part the pathway to net zero.
“The cluster concept will connect South Australian businesses to share successful skills and strategies for a more sustainable future.”
Uniting for a sustainable tomorrow
As Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO brings a wealth of expertise, knowledge, and experience to the SA ZERO initiative. With a dedicated focus on driving solutions and impact to combat climate change, CSIRO is perfectly poised to contribute to SA ZERO’s mission of achieving zero carbon emissions and zero waste.
Dr Michael Battaglia, the Towards Net Zero Mission Lead at CSIRO, emphasizes the significance of this collaborative effort: “The transition to net zero is urgent and requires new patterns of collaboration to enable Australia to prosper in a low-carbon world. Together, SA ZERO can lead a coordinated effort with member organizations, creating opportunities for South Australia that not only reduce emissions but deliver new economic, social, and environmental benefits.”
The SA ZERO sets the stage for transformative change in South Australia. By harnessing the power of research, innovation, and partnerships, the SA ZERO collaboration not only underscores the shared commitment to achieving sustainability but also exemplifies the power of cross-sectoral cooperation in steering South Australia’s future trajectory towards a net-zero and waste-free environment
Find out more about SA ZERO and the Committee for Adelaide here.