Government urged to share vision for a sustainable future

Consult Australia has launched its new report, Seizing the Sustainability Advantage, that provides a blueprint for ambitious governance reform, including the integration of existing sustainability policies and programs currently fragmented across different areas of government, portfolios and agencies.

The independent report has been developed in consultation with leading specialists from Australia’s top consulting firms in engineering, design, planning and project development for the built and natural environment.

Consult Australia Chief Executive Officer Megan Motto said the report will be used to drive practical action by governments to mitigate the risks of climate change and help ensure Australia’s ongoing economic competitiveness.

The report’s key recommendations include the introduction of a National Sustainability Framework to create a cohesive agenda for sustainability operating across governments.

It also proposes a 12-month deadline for the introduction of a carbon price and recommends the establishment of a Commission for a Sustainable Australia (CSA) to provide a vehicle for collaboration and alignment between government, industry and the community.

Other recommendations include a nationally consistent adaptation plan to protect Australia against the threat of climate change and help manage other forecast demographic and environmental shifts.

The report pushes for the development and continued implementation of policies to support the efficient use of water, waste and energy resources. This would include a National White Certificate Scheme and long-term support for green depreciation of investments to improve the efficiency of existing building stock.

Motto said the report takes a holistic approach to achieving sustainability, combining new and existing recommendations.

“Consult Australia looks forward to ongoing discussions with government, industry and the broader community to discuss how the recommendations submitted in Seizing the Sustainability Advantage might be implemented and what further changes are required in the months and years ahead,” Motto said.