Called SA Zero (Zero Carbon, Zero Waste), the group was announced today and includes organisations like the RAA, Flinders Port Holdings, along with the CSIRO, University of Adelaide and the State Government working toward the Net Zero Carbon by 2050 target.

The Committee for Adelaide is taking the lead with chief executive officer Sam Dighton saying it is essential to draw together big business to share their own ideas and initiatives around slashing emissions and waste with other industries.

The plan is to have the launch partners work with government and academia to develop new ideas and help SA businesses lower their emissions through energy efficiency, increased use of renewable energy, electrification, zero waste, carbon capture and storage along with new sustainable technologies.

Dighton said a business like the Commonwealth Bank can provide important information about companies needing to prove they are achieving results in this area if they want to access finance, along with looking at making changes in its own operations.

“This is pitched more at larger organisations investing significant resources into sustainability and de-carbonisation… if they can shift the dial that is a huge amount of emissions that are removed,” Dighton said.

It gives different sectors that would not usually collaborate a chance to share important emissions and waste reduction information ranging from BHP telling how it is investing in improving its fleet of trucks, or the CSIRO being keen to join this first national cluster to share its scientific learnings.

“The power of this is they are from different industries and different areas, there are utilities, BHP, I think importantly we have a national science agency in the CSIRO heavily involved in driving decarbonisation policies, and of course the Commonwealth Bank,” Dighton said.

SA Zero was developed and funded by Green Industries SA and the Trade and Investment Department.

Deputy Premier Susan Close said the “cluster concept” would connect SA businesses and “we know that to meet our targets for reducing our impact on climate change we must strive not only for net zero carbon but for zero waste as well”.

“Renewable energy still leaves us with a shortfall in reducing our carbon footprint, zero waste with a more circular economy to keep valuable resources in circulation for a long as possible is a critical part of the pathway to net zero,” she said.

BHP chief operating officer Edgar Basto said it was important to work with industry, government and academia to reach net zero.

“BHP sees this across its SA and global operations, where we are increasingly using renewable electricity to power our assets and working with global manufacturers to develop electric trucks, trains and light vehicles,” he said.

“With its world-class natural resources and talented people, South Australia is well placed to be a leader in the global energy transition and build an economy for the future through investment in technology, innovation, jobs and local businesses across multiple sectors. SA Zero will bring us together through shared ambition and practical collaboration, and we look forward to being a part of it.”