Future of Policy: Climate Change and Sustainability

Since joining the South Australian Government in 2001, Richard Day has worked across the energy, climate change, industry development and low carbon economy portfolios. Richard heads up a team within the Department of Energy and Mining charged with capturing the investment and industry development opportunities associated with the State’s transition to clean energy. His current area of focus is on attracting and growing industries that capitalise on South Australia’s low-cost renewable energy resources, including use of batteries and other forms of energy storage, hydrogen and green chemical production, mining and green minerals processing, the electrification of mobility, and associated value chains.
Richard has spearheaded the development and implementation of a Hydrogen Roadmap for South Australia, which was released in September 2017. He is also a significant contributor to the development of Australia’s National Hydrogen Strategy, including through co-chairing the kick start project relating to the greater use of hydrogen in gas networks, and participating in international engagement activities

Alicia Genet is the Head of Social Performance and Sustainability at Santos Limited and over the past 7 years has been charged with leading a robust and contemporary approach to the company’s governance, climate and sustainability and social performance frameworks.
With a background in corporate law and over 15 years of experience working in private sector legal, strategic and external engagement roles, Alicia’s experience provides a strong foundation for her insights into corporate action on climate change, effective ESG frameworks, practical governance and attainable sustainability. Alicia’s current focus is on external engagement on key strategic areas of risk and sustainability, including the development TCFD-aligned Climate Change Reporting and climate transition action planning. In her spare time Alicia is the Deputy Chair of the Committee for Adelaide and a member of the Audit and Risk Committee of the Leaders Institute of SA Inc.

John has 30 years’ experience in the Australian and global clean energy and clean technology sectors and now leads Deloitte’s decarbonisation work in Australia. He works extensively with global clients on translating decarbonisation ambitions into practical financial and strategic actions.

John is also Deloitte’s Global Lead for decarbonisation in the Mining and Metals sector, is a member of the global SteerCo for Deloitte’s climate services and is the co-founder of the Australian Climate Leaders Coalition, a roundtable for leading CEOs.

John started his career in the oil & gas industry in Scotland and Syria, engineering roles in London and Adelaide and corporate development in the energy sector. In 2007, John established Australian CleanTech, a boutique advisory firm that led the development of the cleantech sector in Australia for a decade.

John is widely published with his last book, Visions 2100, launched at the Paris COP21 Climate Conference in 2015. His most recent book, Stories from 2030, was launched at COP26 in Glasgow and sets out practical steps of what is likely to happen locally and globally over the next decade.

Ian is the Chief Executive of Green Industries SA, the South Australian Government agency advancing the circular economy, with previous experience in business, research and academia. He has a science background with an Honours Degree and a PhD and a business background in entrepreneurship and innovation with a Graduate Certificate in Management, a Diploma in Company Directorship and an MBA. Ian is also an adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Adelaide’s Centre for Global Food and Resources. He has a passion for sustainability and enhancing environmental, social and economic outcomes through strategy and implementation of the circular economy and climate action.