Climate change role

By Melissa Donchi
YARRA Valley business leaders attended a Shire of Yarra Ranges forum last week to learn more about the economic impacts of climate change.
The business breakfast was held at the Sebel Heritage Golf and Country Club and was attended by mayor Tim Heenan, Evelyn MP Christine Fyffe and Yarra Valley and Dandenongs Tourism Marketing CEO Jennifer Hutchison.
Guest speakers included the director of the Centre for International Economics in Canberra, David Pearce and the Environment Health and Safety manager at Pilkington Australia, Malcolm Deery.
The shire organised the forum as an opportunity for local businesses to see how they could play a leading role in climate change mitigation and take advantage of the emerging business opportunities.
Mr Pearce said while climate change was still being disputed by sceptics and alarmists alike, there were some facts that couldn’t be disputed.
Listing everything from methane and CO2 emissions to rising temperatures and an increase in natural disasters, Mr Pearce said it was important to address what was happening through a range of policy responses.
“The most important thing to ask is what are your customers thinking about this issue,” Mr Pearce said.
Mr Deery said business sustainability also had to make money to return to shareholders. He recommended practising good environmental management, having the goal of zero waste and keeping it simple.
“If you minimise your waste you won’t need to pay lots of money to find ways to dump it somewhere else and you won’t be wasting your company’s resources,” Mr Deery said.
Shire spokesperson James Martin said the council was delighted with the large turn out. “We have received lot of positive feedback from many of those taking part,” Mr Martin said.
“We see the business breakfasts as a great way for local business operators to learn about emerging topics such as the potential impact of climate change to improve their practices and to share ideas and experiences.”