--- Introducing the Business Adaptation Network ---

 

 

Australian businesses and infrastructure providers increasingly recognise the operational challenges and business opportunities presented by climate change impacts, and the imperative of foresight in evolving business models. Australia lacks an industry forum to support learning, build capacity, and promote and recognise best practice in climate change adaptation.

 

Green Cross Australia introduces the Business Adaptation Network as a place where best adaptation practice can be shared to mainstream responses and lift our nation's resilience to the impacts of climate change.

 

As NCCARF research reveals, some sectors of the Australian economy are adapting ahead of others, and within sectors there are leaders and laggards. The finance sector will increasingly reward and penalize associated risk exposure, valuing adaptive capacity as severe weather and warming trends reinforce 21st century climate realities.

 

Communities rely on business to build interdependencies into disaster response models. Advanced corporate adaptation practices contribute greatly to community resilience.

 

Green Cross Australia's proven capacity to convene business networks across sectors, and its nimble, transparent governance model positions our organisation uniquely in relation to hosting a network that mainstreams climate adaptation for commercial and community benefit.

 

To kick-start development of the Business Adaptation Network, Green Cross Australia is using an entrepreneurial shared interest model by reaching out to Governments and business adaptation leaders to offer a financial and expert contribution towards network development, supported by the adaptation research community.

 

We are delighted that the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection became the Business Adaptation Network's Foundation Partner in 2013.

 

The response across business and research sectors has been uniformly enthusiastic. Minter Ellison and Arup are  BAN Foundation Members, offering financial contributions and expert capacity towards Network development. Members joining in 2014 were Australia Post, KPMG, Lend Lease, Sydney Water, RPS Group, Stockland, Melbourne Water, BlueScope Steel, Ergon Energy, AECOM, Westpac, CSIRO, Griffith University and ANU are Business Adaptation Network research partners. We are delighted that our  2015 new BAN members are ANZ Bank, Ernst & Young and Optus.

 

We welcome the opportunity to work with other governments, companies, universities and research organisations towards a shared vision of a resilient, adaptive Australia.

 

We are delighted that Investor Group on Climate Change and ANU have produced a series of important reports assessing climate change risks and opportunities for investors in the:

• Property and Construction Sector
• Oil and Gas Sector
• Mining and Mineral processing Sector

If your company or organisation wishes to participate in the Business Adaptation Network's development please email us at info@greencrossaustralia.org.

 

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Reflections from early stage Business Adaptation Network Foundation Partners:

 

"Arup is the creative force at the heart of many of the world's most prominent projects in the built environment and across industry.  As the impacts of natural disasters grow, we look forward to building positive engagement and action around climate change adaptation and the development of new approaches to resilient infrastructure in Australia."

- Paul Wallis, Brisbane Office Leader, ARUP

"Building community resilience is increasingly becoming an important issue for business and government alike. We are pleased to be able to collaborate with others on this important issue through the Business Adaptation Network."
- Siobhan Toohill, Head of Sustainability and Community, Westpac

 

"The establishment of the Business Adaptation Network provides an integral platform for businesses to participate in cross-industry collaboration to assist them build an understanding to emerging climate resilience issues facing their stakeholders, assets and services."

- Adam Davis, Head of Climate Adaptation and Resilience, KPMG

 

"Sydney Water is committed to preparing for the risks associated with a changing climate and extreme weather events, and the Business Adaptation Network provides Sydney Water with the opportunity to share with and learn from other organisations with a similar commitment."

- Paul Freeman, GM, Liveable City Solutions, Sydney Water

 

"RPS recognises the valuable opportunity the Business Adaptation Network provides in offering its members a unique connection that enables true cross-industry collaboration and engagement regarding emerging climate resilience trends and issues."

- Rebecca Miller, Senior Manager Sustainability and Climate Change, RPS Group

 

"BlueScope Steel supports the development of the Business Adaptation Network because collaboration and sharing of experience will be key success factors if industry is to develop  pathways of economic, social and environmental resilience in a changing climate"

- Richard Rowe, Sustainability Manager - Marketing, BlueScope Steel

 

"With a portfolio of assets and operations in major regional areas around the country, we are becoming increasingly focussed on the vulnerability and resilience of buildings in a changing future climate.  Our involvement in the Business Adaptation Network allows us to stay in touch with the latest thinking around adaptation and to share our experiences with like-minded organisations".   
- Greg Johnson, National Environmental Sustainability Manager, Stockland

 

"At AECOM, our CSR goal for Australia is to undertake activities that support team members and increase their wellbeing, contribute to our communities and  make a positive difference to the built and natural environments."

- Duncan Richards, Group Leader - Buildings + Places, Queensland, AECOM

"Our current work on better support for adaptation decision making is engaging with private as well as public and community sectors - the Business Adaptation Network is a very practical approach that can only enhance this effort."

- Bob Webb, Australian National University

 

"Telecommunications services are a crucial part of disaster response and we want to ensure infrastructure remains as strong as possible in times of natural disaster. The Business Adaptation Network gives Optus access to a collaborative platform where we can share critical learnings and develop ideas to help keep communities connected."
- Nik Comito, Associate Director, Environmental Sustainability

 

Learn more about the Queensland Business Adaptation Network launch here.

 

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More information...

• Climate adaptation and the built environment
• About Witness King Tides
• Sea levels rising faster than expected
• World Bank Development Marketplace
• Global severe weather risks grow
• Climate change refugees - the human impact
• How local knowledge is facilitating climate change adaptation in the Torres Strait
• Remembering rights to land and culture in discussions of 'climate refugees'