2024 Western Sydney Symposium: Recordings from Climate Action in the Public Realm
Our recent symposium in collaboration with Cumberland City Council and the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects attracted almost 200 built environment professionals. We heard six talks from government leaders, academics and other experts on diverse topics, followed by two lively panel discussions.
Subjects ranged from UN Global Goal #17; urban cooling and how integrated smart technology can assist at scale; green, blue and also pink infrastructure (pink being for social and community); product stewardship and circularity; and innovative materials such as low carbon aluminium.
Here’s a rapid fire summary of our key takeaways and start times for each of the talks and panels:
🎤 Talk 1 – Tackling Western Sydney’s Urban Heat (0:09:45) Sebastian Pfautsch GAICD, Western Sydney University “Effective urban cooling needs to be actioned at scale. Set and pursue long term goals.”
🎤 Talk 2 – Green and Blue Infrastructure for Australian Settlements (0:22:18) David Martin, Urban Green Infrastructure and Sustainability Strategist “Action requires a coordinated approach with sector based engagement”, and “collaboration is key”.
🎤 Talk 3 – Cooling Down Western Sydney, A Smart Cumberland Approach (0:37:57) Eshita Dutia, Cumberland City Council “Technology is our friend – don’t be afraid of it!”
🎤 Talk 4 – Materials, What is Low Carbon Aluminium? (0:47:05) Jeff Morgan, Hassell Demanding low carbon and recycled aluminium can dramatically reduce Australia’s emissions. And when it comes to using our natural resources: “Consider what is it worth?”
🎤 Talk 5 – Circularity and Product Stewardship (0:59:00) Rose Read, Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence Circularity and climate action are one and the same – so let’s transform the way we make and use products. “Producer responsibility operationalises the circular economy.”
🎤 Panel 1 – Q&A with Speakers (1:22:15) Joshua started this panel with a questions on change management with the ensuing discussion covering a wide range of themes form raising young leaders, understanding and managing data, to material choices and designing for longevity.
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Street Furniture Australia’s entire product range and manufacturing operation has received carbon neutral certification through Climate Active™. Achieving carbon neutral certification marks a significant milestone in our operation and the culmination of a four year long process of detailed measurement and analysis. Climate Active™ is the only Australian government-backed carbon neutral certification programme for businesses to measure, reduce, and offsets their carbon emissions. It is one of the most rigorous carbon-neutral programs in the world. An approved Emissions Reduction Strategy (ERS) is central to achieving certification through Climate Active. Street Furniture Australia has elected to use SBTi validated science-based targets to ensure their ERS is meaningful and aligns with the 2015 Paris Agreement – to limit global temperature rises to 1.5℃ above pre-industrial levels. For those emissions that can’t be …
Our Presentation Specialists bring a fun, interactive and informative workshop about our carbon neutral journey and latest products to your office. In 30 minutes (plus Q&A) you will explore materials and finishes, touch and feel samples, and bond with your colleagues over delicious treats in the comfort of your office. There will also be a mystery prize for a lucky winner (optional). ‘The presentation content was informative, engaging, interactive and relevant. Genuinely one of the better supplier workshops! It was efficient yet insightful. The interactive nature of it enhanced engagement with the team,’ Sam Westlake, Senior Associate, Hassell, Sydney. ‘Possibly our favourite product presentation to date! Engaging, great content and appreciated the physical samples and prototypes,’ Alexa Ongoco, Senior Landscape Architect, TCL, Brisbane. ‘Thorough presentation with actual product to see and …
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Street Furniture Australia’s entire product range and manufacturing operation has received carbon neutral certification through Climate Active™. Achieving carbon neutral certification marks a significant milestone in our operation and the culmination of a four year long process of detailed measurement and analysis. Climate Active™ is the only Australian government-backed carbon neutral certification programme for businesses to measure, reduce, and offsets their carbon emissions. It is one of the most rigorous carbon-neutral programs in the world. An approved Emissions Reduction Strategy (ERS) is central to achieving certification through Climate Active. Street Furniture Australia has elected to use SBTi validated science-based targets to ensure their ERS is meaningful and aligns with the 2015 Paris Agreement – to limit global temperature rises to 1.5℃ above pre-industrial levels. For those emissions that can’t be …
Our Presentation Specialists bring a fun, interactive and informative workshop about our carbon neutral journey and latest products to your office. In 30 minutes (plus Q&A) you will explore materials and finishes, touch and feel samples, and bond with your colleagues over delicious treats in the comfort of your office. There will also be a mystery prize for a lucky winner (optional). ‘The presentation content was informative, engaging, interactive and relevant. Genuinely one of the better supplier workshops! It was efficient yet insightful. The interactive nature of it enhanced engagement with the team,’ Sam Westlake, Senior Associate, Hassell, Sydney. ‘Possibly our favourite product presentation to date! Engaging, great content and appreciated the physical samples and prototypes,’ Alexa Ongoco, Senior Landscape Architect, TCL, Brisbane. ‘Thorough presentation with actual product to see and …
