This week in Australia the opposition party (Liberal Party + National Party AKA "The Coalition") announced their signature policy - to go all-in on nuclear for sustainable energy generation. They plan on drip feeding policy details which means there isn't a lot to work with.
What we know though is that the costs right now don't stack up for current technologies. Future innovations in small modular reactors (SMRs) could change those equations, but they are not viable yet. I explored this technology in this edition of this newsletter.
The point that the Coalition is making, that Australia is not on track to meet its 2030 target for renewable generation due to delays is likely accurate. The issue comes down to primarily complex approvals and permits required by landholders for transmission infrastructure. Their idea is to replace the coal generators in situ with nuclear generators. Sounds easy? But I'm not sure how this approach will find an easier way through an approval process given the legal restrictions on nuclear and the incredible amount of public consultation and agreement required.
On the periphery of this battle, and it will become an ideological battle, is the fact that carbon emissions are continuing to increase. The damage and disruption caused by them is continuing to increase. If the largest sector contributing to carbon emissions is not going to achieve its reduction goals either through planning problems, or through changing track to an unproven and expensive technology, the share of emissions reduction is going to fall elsewhere. Governments will regulate to achieve the reductions, and this means that businesses need to be prepared.
But first, let's go through this week's signals:
Signals from the future:
Emerging trends that are likely to drive changes to the way we live, work and do business.
Energy/Climate:
- More than 800 coal plants could potentially make a profitable switch to solar - IEEFA - Transitioning over 800 coal plants to solar could be profitable through renewables investment, creating new jobs and slashing emissions.
- Algae-fuelled power cells offer a carbon negative energy source - Interesting Engineering - Harnessing energy from algae's photosynthesis, micro-photosynthetic power cells offer eco-friendly and efficient electricity generation for low-power gadgets, potentially revolutionising sustainable energy sources.
- Oil Companies in Trouble as Renewables Suddenly Mean They're Producing Way Too Much Oil - Futurism - Renewables are causing a surplus in oil production, leading to potential price drops and challenges for oil companies. The future of energy is shifting.
- E&E News: Clean energy spending on pace to surpass $2 trillion - No origin title - Enhancing digital literacy is crucial for fostering informed decision-making and participation in a rapidly evolving society.
Technology:
- Rice Farming Gets an AI Upgrade - Hakai Magazine - Rice farmers in the Mekong River delta are benefiting from agricultural drones equipped with AI, improving efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
- International Passenger Flights on Electric Planes are Coming to Europe This Summer - Skift - Electric planes set to revolutionise European air travel this summer with first cross-border passenger flights, offering a glimpse into sustainable future aviation.
- Nearly all major car companies are sabotaging EV transition, and Japan is worst, study finds - The Driven - Major car companies, especially in Japan, are actively hindering the global transition to electric vehicles, jeopardising climate goals and sustainability efforts.
- Design for Space Elevator Wins Prize - Futurism - Revolutionary space elevator design promises to transform space travel, making it more accessible and efficient for future exploration and transportation.
Society:
- Brands Are Beginning to Turn Against AI - Rolling Stone - Brands and platforms are pushing back against the AI hype, opting for human creativity and authenticity over AI-generated content to maintain trust and integrity.
- Women's Bodies Better Suited for the Horrors of Space, Study Finds - Futurism - Women's bodies may have an advantage in coping with the challenges of space travel, showing quicker recovery and potential insights for future missions.
- Machine gun-wielding robot dogs are better sharpshooters, claims study - Interesting Engineering - Revolutionary study shows robot dogs armed with machine guns can match human marksmanship, potentially transforming urban warfare with enhanced precision and adaptability.
- Will America’s Economy Soon Look Like … Italy’s? - Kellogg Insight - Economic parallels between Italy and the U.S. highlight concerns over rising taxes, debt, and regulations impacting future growth prospects.
Focus Issue - Why sustainable technology adoption should be your next strategic move
Climate change is emerging as one of the major forces driving changes in the world order, with significant costs estimated at up to 5% of world GDP for mitigation, adaptation, and damages according to Ray Dalio. Despite this, current efforts to fund climate initiatives are insufficient, with only about one-sixth of the necessary funding being allocated. The lack of profitable investment opportunities and political challenges in redirecting funds from dirty to clean energy are major obstacles. With institutional investors holding around $120 trillion, finding financially viable climate investments is crucial to attract the necessary capital.
For businesses, adopting sustainable technologies can help reduce environmental impact, generate cost savings, enhance reputation, and drive innovation according to CloseLoop. Implementing energy-efficient technologies, promoting resource conservation, and staying ahead of regulatory requirements positions companies to thrive in a more environmentally-conscious market. Corporate events focused on recycling electronic waste and extending the lifespan of electronic devices are also important sustainability strategies to consider according to eSmart Recycling.
However, integrating sustainability into business strategy comes with challenges and barriers. Companies face uncertainty, complex stakeholder environments, and ambiguity over their role as corporate citizens when trying to make the necessary deeper changes to achieve net-zero emissions and the UN Sustainable Development Goals according to Deloitte. A compliance mindset to sustainability reporting risks missing business opportunities, while difficulties gathering product environmental impact data and feeling overwhelmed about where to start are common hurdles. Enhanced disclosure is becoming increasingly important as global capital markets and regulators seek more transparency on companies' responses to climate and sustainability matters.
Greenwashing, or making misleading claims about environmental performance, also poses serious risks to businesses pursuing sustainability. It can undermine brand image, lead to loss of consumer trust, prompt regulatory investigations and lawsuits, result in financial losses, deter B2B partners, negatively impact healthy competition and innovation, and even silence companies with legitimate green initiatives for fear of backlash (known as "greenhushing") according to Askel Sustainability Solutions.
The impact of these factors points to a future where companies that fail to authentically integrate sustainability and adopt clean technologies will face growing financial, reputational, and regulatory risks. Differences in funding between developed and emerging markets will exacerbate global challenges in reducing emissions. However, businesses that successfully navigate the complex stakeholder landscape and make the necessary investments and operational changes stand to build enduring value and competitive advantages in a rapidly changing world. Transparent sustainability strategies, robust data gathering, and an innovation mindset will be key differentiators as pressures from investors, consumers, and regulators converge. Ultimately, only sincere and substantive corporate sustainability efforts will deliver long-term benefits for companies, society, and the planet.
Consider these strategic insights:
Here is my analysis of the key actionable insights for small and medium Australian businesses from the sustainability technology report:
- Leverage Energy-as-a-Service Models: Explore partnering with providers that offer energy efficiency upgrades, renewable energy, and other sustainability improvements as a service to avoid upfront capital costs and speed adoption.
- Focus on High-Impact Initiatives First: Prioritise sustainability investments in areas that drive the biggest environmental and financial returns, such as energy efficiency retrofits, waste reduction, and electrifying fleets and equipment.
- Collaborate on Circular Economy Opportunities: Partner with suppliers, customers and even competitors to create closed-loop systems that eliminate waste, extend product life, and maximise resource productivity across the value chain.
- Integrate Sustainability Data into Core Systems: Invest in technology and processes to accurately track, analyse and report on sustainability metrics as a core part of business operations rather than a siloed activity.
- Authentically Engage Stakeholders on Shared Goals: Proactively communicate sustainability strategies, commit to science-based targets, and collaborate with investors, NGOs and policymakers to build trust and resiliency.
Deep strategy:
Longer form articles rich with insights:
- Netherlands advanced: Building a future labour market that works - McKinsey - Key Insight: Addressing labour market challenges in the Netherlands requires boosting productivity through technology and facilitating job transitions to meet future demands effectively.
- The Most Strategic Leaders Excel in 4 Disciplines - Harvard Business Review - Key Insight: Strategic leaders excel by mastering four disciplines - strategic fitness, leadership fitness, organisational fitness, and communication fitness.
Business at the point of impact:
Emerging issues and technology trends can change the way we work and do business.
- The High Cost of Misaligned Business and Analytics Goals - Harvard Business Review - Alignment between business goals and analytics capabilities is crucial for creating value and driving growth, financial success, and customer satisfaction in data-driven organisations.
- 8 AI Security Issues Leaders Should Watch - MIT Sloan Management Review - Navigating AI security challenges is crucial for leaders as evolving threats and large language models complicate cybersecurity strategies. Leaders must prioritise AI security.
- Three Types Of AI Training That Every Organization Should Offer - Forbes - Innovation - Key Insight: Effective AI training programs encompass safety, literacy, and readiness to combat misinformation, enhance decision-making, and maximise tool utilisation for organisational success.
- Survey finds payoff from AI projects is 'dismal' • The Register - The Register: Enterprise Technology News and Analysis - AI projects face challenges with cost, data security, and benefits realisation. Businesses are scaling back investments, emphasising governance and cost reduction in successful initiatives.
