Western Sydney forum to help manufacturers and businesses stay competitive

Australia’s manufacturing sector faces growing pressure to cut carbon emissions as the country moves toward net zero by 2050, with new rules requiring large businesses to report their emissions. Those small to medium businesses that service them will also need to comply with the mandatory rules.

The free Western Sydney Manufacturers forum, hosted by two innovation networks — the NSW Smart Sensing Network and the NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub — in Penrith on 2 April, aims to help businesses navigate these requirements. The event will be opened by the Chair of the Climate Change Authority, Matt Kean.

“Australia can’t afford to be a laggard in the global race to cut carbon emissions,” Kean said. “Fortunately, the tens of thousands of manufacturers based in NSW, many in Western Sydney, can draw confidence of their race-fitness from their impressive track record of innovation. Reducing our carbon footprint is not only good for the environment, it also makes sense for the bottom line. Producing more from less is what the march of markets has always been about.”

Australia’s manufacturing sector contributes 10% of the nation’s greenhouse gases. NSW Smart Sensing Network Net Zero Theme Lead Laura Earl said decarbonisation, net zero, carbon accounting and sustainability all help to preserve the environment, but they don’t need to add a cost burden to local manufacturers. 

“By prioritising these goals through collaborative efforts, we can unlock the benefits of lower energy costs, reduced waste, enhanced production efficiency and optimised use of resources, ultimately driving down costs across people, time and infrastructure,” Earl said.

“Australia is one of the most advanced nations in research and development. Businesses that embrace emerging technologies like sensors, robotics and AI will be strategically positioned to gain a competitive edge when it comes to securing tenders and contracts.” 

The CEO of IoT Alliance Australia, Frank Zeichner, said businesses can use technologies to conduct carbon counting in their business. “Mandatory reporting of net zero obligations, sustainability finance and now markets are driving the need for better sustainability data, which are a key element of future digital passports and the future connected supply chain,” Zeichner said. “Smarter manufacturers can take advantage to get an edge.”

“The key focus of this event is emerging technologies that businesses can adopt and bring to market,” said the CEO of the NSW Decarbonisation Innovation Hub, Scientia Professor Deo Prasad. “There are tremendous opportunities for collaboration with research, industry and government in the commercialisation journey.”

The ‘Western Sydney Manufacturers Forum: Building profits on the path to sustainability’ will be held at Penrith Panthers on 2 April. For more information, click here.

Image credit: iStock.com/Ton Photograph