SA Industry Climate Change Conference 2025

Towards net-zero in SA business

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Neoen Australia

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Welcome to South Australia’s Industry Climate Change Conference 2025

The Industry Climate Change Conference 2025 is an event focused on addressing the challenges and opportunities of climate change across all industry sectors in South Australia. This conference brings together keynote speakers, experts, industry leaders and policymakers to discuss strategies for transitioning to net zero emissions, adapting to climate change impacts, and driving sustainable practices.

The goal of the conference is to share knowledge, foster collaboration, and promote innovation in transitioning to net zero emissions as well as plan for the economic, environmental, and social implications of climate change for South Australia’s industries. It includes topics such as renewable energy, carbon reduction in transport, agriculture, buildings, retail, as well as practical information on circular economy, and sustainability practices.

The conference serves as a platform for the business community and industries to develop opportunities for a more resilient, sustainable, and climate ready future across South Australia.

Hear the latest from experts on how businesses can reduce emissions and become more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

As South Australia approaches its bold ambition to achieve 100% net renewable electricity generation by 2027, the state government and Premier’s Climate Change Council are working together with industry and business leaders across all sectors to realise opportunities in the green economy. Be part of the change in transitioning to a low emission’s economy and help your sector to grow and prosper.

As the Chair of the Premier’s Climate Change Council – the South Australian Government’s independent advisory council on mitigating and adapting to climate change, I invite you to join us at South Australia’s Industry Climate Change Conference.

Martin Haese – Chair, Premier’s Climate Change Council

Industry Climate Change Conference 2023 Highlights

The Hon Peter MP

South Australia’s The Hon Peter Malinauskas MP, has outlined a bold, transformative agenda for the state where renewable energy and a strong, low emissions economy is central to future growth and health for the next generations.

You are invited to hear first-hand the Premier of South Australia outline his vision and how the State government is delivering the response to climate change and transition to low emissions. Industry and business, including small and medium enterprises, will have fundamental roles in reaching a net zero emissions future across all sectors of the economy, including energy, transport, agriculture, and manufacturing.

The Hon Susan MP

The inaugural South Australian Industry Climate Change Conference in 2023 is an initiative of The Hon Susan Close, Deputy Premier and the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water.

The Deputy Premier is leading the state’s active response to climate change. Hear how she is listening, consulting and driving the state towards an economically strong net zero emissions future.

South Australian industry and small and medium enterprises can be part of, and benefit from, low emissions economic growth. Planning and working to decarbonise across sectors will be key to a clean, green and prosperous future.

Registration Now Open!

Earlybird Registration has now closed.

SME Registration is only applicable to businesses with less than 50 employees.

Corporate Registration is applicable for businesses with 50 or more employees.

Not for Profit Registration is applicable to an organisation that does not operate for the profit, personal gain or other benefit of particular people.

Students must be currently enrolled in an educational institution (undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral level). Students must provide valid proof of student status (e.g., student ID card, enrolment verification, or a letter from the institution).

Have you already registered for the conference?

Download the below graphic, designed to showcase your participation at the conference.
Share it on your social media channels and let your network know you will be a part of this year’s conference!

Speakers

Meet our speakers!

Stay tuned for further speaker announcements in the coming weeks.

Program

*Program subject to change, at the discretion of the Conference Program Committee.

PROGRAM
Day 1 – Thursday 8 May 2025
From 7.30am	Registrations open
8.45am	Conference Opening – Welcome Address by Master of Ceremonies Martin Haese - Chair, Premier’s Climate Change Council				Hall FG
9.00am	Welcome to Country Kiera Fitzgerald				Hall FG
9.15am	Session 1: Opening Address - Government of South Australia Hon. Peter Malinauskas MP – Premier of South Australia
9.45am	Session 2: The Global Perspective A broader take on climate change impacts. Sarah Barker – Managing Director, Pollination Law
10.15am	Session 3: Keynote Address Abigail Forsyth – CEO, KeepCup
10.45am	Morning Tea / Networking				Exhibition Hall
11.15am	Session 4: Practical Solutions for SMEs Hear from an expert on the simple steps you can take to respond to climate change and prepare for a low emissions future. Presenter: Jon Dee – Social Entrepreneur Moderator: Stacey Lee – Radio Presenter, 5AA				Hall FG
12.00pm	Session 5: Sustainable Low Emissions Industry What do future low emission industries look like in South Australia? Moderator: Estha van der Linden - State Head, South Australia, Ai Group Panellists: Susie Smith – CEO, Australian Industry Greenhouse Network Brendan Beck – General Manager, Policy, Australian Energy Producers Brenz Saunders – Chair, Alinytjara Wilurara Landscape Board Tennant Reed – Director, Energy & Climate, AI Group
12.45pm	Lunch / Networking				Exhibition Hall
1.45pm	Session 6 (Concurrent Sessions): Why Decarbonising is Good for Business Leading businesses will share case studies and answer questions from the audience.
	⬤ Session 6a: Decarbonise your Business – SMEs Hear from SME's that are taking advantage of market opportunities and new technology. Moderator: Sanj de Silva – Director, Strategic Communications, Flinders University Panellists: Jacob Potter – Associate, dsquared Consulting Mark Pickard – Managing Director, Hallett Cement Kate McCabe – Finance Director, McCabe AgCo HALL FG		⬤ Session 6b: Decarbonise your business - Large Enterprises Hear from companies that have found solutions to decarbonise their business and are undertaking financial disclosures. Moderator: Susie Smith – CEO, Australian Industry Greenhouse Network Panellists: Dr Tim Richards – Principal, Climate Risk & Intelligence, BHP Mel Squire – Head of Sustainability & ESG, BAE Systems Susan Jeanes – Chair, HILT CRC Ben Wallace – Partner in Charge, Policy, Economics & Public Impact, KPMG HALL M
2.30pm	Session 7 (Concurrent Sessions): How to Manage your Emissions Hear from experts on how to start measuring emissions; managing scope 3 emissions; and reducing emissions in the built environment.
	⬤ Session 7a: Measuring your Emissions – The basics and where to start Moderator: Estha van der Linden - State Head, South Australia, Ai Group Presenters: Rachel Brdanovic – Tandem Energy Pavlo Smoliy – CEO, Trellis Technologies Prof Kannan Govindan - Director of Centre for Sustainable Operations and Resilient Supply Chains, University of Adelaide HALL M	⬤ Session 7b: Managing Scope 3 Emissions – How to decarbonise supply chains and the opportunities from tracking carbon emissions Moderator: Nicole Halsey – Director, URPS Presenters: Mayor Angela Evans – Mayor, City of Charles Sturt Low Carbon Roads Project Karien Erasmus – Director ESG and Climate Services, RSM Australia Brad Lemmon – CEO Recycling & Waste, ResourceCo Nick Palousis – Founder & CEO, 2XE HALL FG		⬤ Session 7c: Decarbonising Housing and Buildings – How do we balance the high demand for housing with the need to build more sustainably? Moderator: Jodie Bricout – Design Director, Aurecon Presenters: Davina Rooney – CEO, Green Building Council of Australia Ken Long – Regional Sustainability Manager Vic & SA, Lendlease Frankie Muskovic – Director, National Policy, Property Council of Australia HALL N
3.15pm	Afternoon Tea / Networking				Exhibition Hall
3.45pm	Session 8: Learning from Climate Savvy Agribusiness Hear from leading Agribusiness experts on the gaps and opportunities in tackling climate change and building resilience for your business. Moderator: Prof Simon Maddocks – Chair, Primary Producers SA Presenters: Dr Natalie Doran Browne – Principal Consultant, Integrity Ag Louisa Rose – Winemaker & Head of Sustainability, Hill-Smith Family Wines Dr Penny Schulz - Livestock Technical Specialist, SA Drought Hub, University of Adelaide				Hall FG
4.30pm	End of Day 1 - Closing Remarks Martin Haese - Chair, Premier’s Climate Change Council
4.35-5.30pm	After Day 1 Networking Drinks				Exhibition Hall
6.00pm (6.30pm start)	Dinner Event (limited tickets) MCs: Craig Wilkins – National Director, Murray Darling Conservation Alliance Tiahni Adamson – National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Manager, Bush Heritage Australia Keynote address: Tim Jarvis AM – Environmental Scientist and Explorer				National Wine Centre

Day 2 – Friday 9 May 2025
From 8.00am	Registrations open
8.45am	Welcome Address by Master of Ceremonies Martin Haese - Chair, Premier’s Climate Change Council				Hall FG
8.55am	Welcome to Country Jack Buckskin				Hall FG
9.10am	Session 9: Building South Australia’s Climate Resilience Hon Susan Close MP – Deputy Premier for South Australia and Minister for Climate, Environment and Water
9.40am	Session 10: Keynote Address Dr Pep Canadell – Chief Research Scientist, CSIRO				Hall FG
10.00am	Session 11: Green Finance for Today and Tomorrow How the finance sector is supporting transitional growth of the green economy. Presenter: Guy Debelle – Chair, FundsSA Moderator: Stacey Lee – Radio Presenter, 5AA
10.45am	Morning Tea / Networking				Exhibition Hall
11.15am	Session 12: The Real Cost of Climate Change Starting with an introduction to the impacts of climate change, this conversation will delve into what this will mean for insurance, finance and business sectors. Moderator: Stacey Lee – Radio Presenter, 5AA Panellists: Karlene Maywald – South Australian Water Ambassador Hon Andrea Michaels MP – Minister for Small and Family Business Dr Mark Lawrence – Managing Director, Mark Lawrence Group Kylie Macfarlane – Chief Operating Officer, Insurance Council of Australia				Hall FG
12.00pm	Transition to concurrent sessions
12.10pm	Session 13 (Concurrent Breakout): Insight Conversations on Decarbonising and Building Resilience Across Industry Sectors Content experts demonstrating practical solutions for business and industry to take away to reduce emissions and prepare for climate change.
	⬤ Session 13a: Transport – The Future of Freight Moderator: Nicole Halsey – Director, URPS Presenters: Dr Mihai Neagoe – Foresion Wendy Fennell – Managing Director, Fennell Forestry Alexandra Kelly – Zero Emissions Delivery Lead, IKEA HALL N	⬤ Session 13b: Knowing your Consumer – Customer behaviour and preference as drivers for market diversification and change Moderator: Tori Dixon-Whittle – CEO, Food South Australia Presenters: Naomi Downer – State Director, SA & NT, Verian Ben Owen – Chief Strategy Officer & General Manager of Home & Energy, RAA Chris Illman – Head of Sales, Marketing & Hospitality, Bickfords RIVERBANK 6, 7 & 8	⬤ Session 13c: Rethink, reuse, and reap rewards: How the Circular Economy is driving success in business – Moving our energy consumption from fossil fuels to renewables is only half the journey towards decarbonisation. Equally critical is how we manage and value our resources. Hear first-hand from businesses successfully shifting from the linear 'take, make, waste' approach that prioritises avoiding waste, reducing consumption, reusing materials, and recovering resources. Gain insights on the benefits like cost savings, reduced emissions, market advantage, and enhanced business resilience. Moderator: Kat Heinrich – Director & Principal Consultant, RAWTEC Presenters: Nick Hutchinson – General Manager, Fleurieu Milk Brad Scott – Director, Transmutation Anoop Thakur – General Manager, Procurement & Sustainability, Asia Pacific, Orora Limited HALL FG	⬤ Session 13d: Harvesting Resilience: Carbon Farming for Sustainable Business Growth – How carbon farming can help to future proof your business Moderator: Dr Penny Schulz – Livestock Technical Specialist, SA Drought Hub, University of Adelaide Presenters: Frances Carter – TFI Group Sustainability Advisor Julian Marchant – ESG Program Manager, Wine Australia John Fargher – Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, AgriWebb HALL M
12.55pm	Lunch / Networking				Exhibition Hall
1.55pm	Session 14 (Concurrent Breakout): Foresight Conversations Hear from experts on emerging trends.
	⬤ Session 14a: Transitionary Fuels – Short and medium term fuel solutions to reducing transport carbon emissions. Moderator: Nicole Halsey – Director, URPS Presenters: Patty Therrios – Head of Strategy & Sustainability, Adelaide Airport Simon Roycroft – Manager Future Fuels, Refuelling Solutions Craig Wood – CEO, Vast Energy HALL M	⬤ Session 14b: Protecting your business and the environment – Identifying and managing the physical risks of climate change to protect your business and the environment Moderator: Kathryn Bellette – Executive Director, Science, Climate and Programs, EPA Presenters: Dr Jon Gorvett – CE, Environment Protection Authority Victoria Chantra - Partner, Climate Adaptation, Risk and Resilience, Deloitte HALL N	⬤ Session 14c: Driving Climate Action in Healthcare: Transforming the Sector for a Sustainable Future – Exploring emissions reduction and adaptation strategies in healthcare to drive sustainable, resilient solutions. Moderator: Craig Wilkins – National Director, Murray Darling Conservation Alliance Presenters: Professor Nicola Spurrier – Chief Public Health Officer, SA Health Damien Breen – Operations & Sustainability Director, Celsus Daniel Panic – Director, Corporate Services, Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network Amba-Rose Atkinson – PhD candidate, UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health RIVERBANK 6, 7 & 8	⬤ Session 14d: Future Cities – What are the current and future challenges and opportunities to create better cities in South Australia? Moderator: Prof Ariella Helfgott – Director of Foresight and Strategic Learning, World Energy Council Presenters: Professor Chris Daniels – Chair, Green Adelaide Board Lord Mayor Jane Lomax Smith – City of Adelaide Council Craig Holden – Chair, Planning Commission Mr Larry Lye Hock Ng – Board Member, Board of Architects (Singapore) HALL FG
2.40pm	Session 15: Building the Skills of the Future Taking action to meet workforce requirements from changes associated with decarbonisation. Moderator: Callan Markwick – Exec Director, Industry & Workforce Capability, DSD Presenters: Commissioner Cameron Baker – Chair of the South Australian Skills Commission Professor David Lewis – Executive Dean, Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology, University of Adelaide John Adley – Deputy Secretary, SA Unions Tiahni Adamson – National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Manager, Bush Heritage Australia Allys Todd – Co-Founder and CE, ValAi				Hall FG
3.25pm	Session 16: Keynote Address Craig Reucassel – Radio and television presenter, War on Waste
3.55pm	Closing Summary Martin Haese - Chair, Premier’s Climate Change Council
4.15pm	Conference Close
4.15-5.15pm	After Event Networking Drinks and Catering
*Program subject to change, at the discretion of the Conference Program Committee

Interested in Sponsoring?

There will be a number of opportunities for organisational branding and recognition both in the lead up to and during the conference.

For further information, please contact Sara King, Sales Manager, All Occasions Group via sara.king@aomevents.com.

Major Conference Partner

Conference Support Partners

Accommodation

Accommodation Search

Please feel free to search for your own accommation using the below hotel directory.

Accommodation has been reserved with special conference rates when booked through All Occasions Management. The accommodation availability and prices shown are current at this time; however, they are subject to change without notice in accordance with the terms and conditions of each supplier. Please book your accommodation as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. For further assistance in booking accommodation, please contact the All Occasions Group via conference@aomevents.com or +61 8 8125 2200.

The Playford Adelaide

In the heart of Adelaide’s cultural precinct, The Playford brings together a rich tapestry of South Australia’s food, wine and artistry with a passion for service excellence and genuine hospitality.

Spoil yourself with a stay at Australia’s most awarded boutique hotel. Indulge in the luxury of our elegant rooms and suites while you explore all that Adelaide’s arts, cultural and entertainment precinct has to offer.

Deluxe King Guestroom/ Twin Guestroom – $324.00 per night

Our Standard Guest Rooms include 24-hour access to our health club and a complimentary morning newspaper. This lead-in room type has a walk-in shower, heated towel rail and luxury amenitie

Terms and Conditions

Bond: Upon check in all guests will be required to present a credit card for pre-authorisation to cover incidental charges.

Rooms may be cancelled up to 30 days prior to arrival without penalty.

30-7 days prior to arrival a cancellation charge equal to 50% of the total accommodation will apply.

From 7 days prior to arrival any room nights cancelled will incur a charge equivalent to the full duration of the booking.

Non arrivals will incur a fee equal to 100% of the accommodation not utilized.

Oaks Adelaide Embassy Suites

Oaks Embassy offers contemporary serviced apartments in Adelaide’s vibrant west end. Combining stylish apartments with the comfort of first-class amenities and facilities just a short walk from the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Oaks Embassy is an easy choice for travellers looking to stay in central Adelaide with easy access to local attractions and hot spots. With an onsite Coffee Club for your convenience, Oaks Embassy offers everything you could want from accommodation in the Adelaide CBD.

One Bedroom Apartment – $399.00 per night

Two Bedroom Apartment – $529.00 per night

Our spacious 1-bedroom serviced apartment offer full hotel services and are a popular choice for singles, groups and families seeking great-value Adelaide CBD accommodation for leisure or business. All apartments are fully self-contained with kitchen and laundry facilities and boast contemporary furnishings, cable TV, internet access (including 30 minutes continuous use of free internet per day), direct dial telephones, writing desks and individually controlled reverse cycle air conditioning.

Terms and Conditions

All cancellations must be written in writing via email or full booking charges will apply. Cancellation of rooms will attract the following charges:

Bookings cancelled between 30 to 14 days prior to arrival: cancellation fee equal to 1 night for every confirmed booking cancelled will apply.

Bookings cancelled within 14 days of arrival: All rooms cancelled, or no shows will be charged at the agreed rate for number of nights cancelled.

Venue Details

The Conference will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre (ACC). The ACC is conveniently located in the heart of the city centre and nestled within the beauty of the Riverbank Precinct, just 15 minutes’ drive from Adelaide Airport.

The Adelaide Riverbank Precinct is a hive of activity and where the city’s cultural, sporting, education, medical, conference and entertainment zones merge, making it Australia’s best connected business events precinct. It is also a short walk to international and boutique hotels and accommodation. Public transport, the Adelaide Railway Station and taxi ramps are also at the Centre’s doorstep.

For more information, please visit the Adelaide Convention Centre website here.

Conference Dinner

The Conference Dinner will be held at the National Wine Centre
on 8 May 2025, commencing from 6.00pm.

Tickets are $180 and include a three-course meal and beverages.

Please note: Dinner tickets must be purchased separately from your conference registration.

Guests who are not attending the conference are also welcome to purchase tickets.

We’re delighted to announce Tim Jarvis AM as the keynote speaker for this special evening.

The National Wine Centre of Australia (NWC) is one of Adelaide’s leading venues situated in the vibrant East End of the CBD. The Centre is located amongst a connected community. Their architectural building is surrounded by the green space of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens. As a focal point for Australia’s wine industry, the NWC is a beloved landmark for food and wine experiences.

Media accreditation

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover South Australia’s Industry Climate Change Conference 2025.

To gain access to the event, please complete the media accreditation form. Accredited media will receive event access and assistance from the Department for Environment and Water’s media team as required.

Complete the media accreditation form

Your details will only be shared with the DEW media team and the conference organisers for the purposes of this event.

For further information or specific media enquiries, please contact the Department for Environment and Water’s media team at dew.media@sa.gov.au.