EEC Industrial Decarbonisation Summit 2025 Wrap
It was fantastic to see so many of you join us for a day of dynamic discussions, valuable connections, and shared insights focused on Industrial Decarbonisation.
The energy in the UNSW Roundhouse this year reflected the collective determination to ensure businesses are in a position to not just survive but thrive as we accelerate Australia’s decarbonisation journey. Here's the wrap of what was covered. From policy innovation to technological breakthroughs, the conversations throughout the day were a reminder that collaboration is key to achieving net zero.
A special thank you to our Presentation Partners EUAA and UNSW and Principal Partner NSW Government, whose support and collaborative planning made this event possible.
Our gratitude also extends to our Platinum Partners AGL and ANZ, Gold Partners ABB and Origin Zero, Networking Partners Green Energy & Carbon Management and MB Refrigeration, our NGO Partners, and finally the incredible speakers and panelists that kept us all engaged.
The day opened with a Welcome to Country from Aunty Lola Ryan, who shared the 65,000-year connection to the land of traditional owners and the importance of caring for Country. In his opening address, Luke Menzel emphasised the urgency of the energy transition and the opportunity for Australian industry to achieve both economic growth and emissions reduction.
Luke's fireside conversation with the Chair of the Climate Change Authority, Matt Kean, offered a compelling perspective on Australia’s decarbonisation trajectory. He highlighted that businesses are backing the shift to clean energy not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes financial sense. “We do not need to shut down industries to decarbonise,” Matt said, making it clear that innovation and investment will drive emissions reductions while supporting economic growth.
The Building the Bridge to Net Zero plenary, supported by ANZ, explored how industry, finance, research and government must collaborate to achieve net zero. Christina Tonkin outlined ANZ’s commitment to mobilising $100 billion in sustainable finance by 2030, while Kim Curtain from the NSW Government emphasised that the transition to net zero requires all of us to play a part, and government can help bridge gaps. Kim and Christina agreed that government policy is important in providing investment certainty. UNSW's Professor Julian Epps highlighted the role of universities, with UNSW’s Decarbonisation Hub working to translate research into actionable solutions. Gemma Carr highlighted the huge strides BlueScope has made in emissions reduction through process optimisation, and flagged some of the strategies the company will employ in coming years to drive emissions down even further.
The policy landscape took centre stage during Under Construction: What’s Next for Australian Energy and Emissions Policies. Speakers emphasised the need for tailored policies to support mid-sized industrial facilities that fall outside the safeguard mechanism. There was also a clear call for stronger scrutiny of carbon offsets, ensuring they complement — not replace — genuine emissions reductions.
In the Investing in the Future: Running the Ruler Over Innovative Technologies session, speakers explored how advancements in technology are accelerating industrial decarbonisation with Jarrod Leak highlighting the growing potential of heat pumps and Renata Wilkosz pointing to the significant energy savings that can be unlocked through refrigeration efficiency. Cameron Reid emphasised the importance of making decisions with imperfect information, noting that waiting for certainty can often delay progress.During the Pathways to Green Industry development session, Airtrunk's Katherine Tjandra highlighted the efficiency of hyperscale data centers, while Paul Evans shared how Orica reduced emissions by 1 million tonnes through targeted capital management. Eric Kimmel explained how the NSW Government is supporting industrial decarbonisation through funding low carbon technologies where success requires scaling low-carbon markets, precinct-based planning, and collaboration across industry, government, and communities. UNSW's David Eyre added that some heavy industries may not need to connect to the NEM to achieve their emissions reduction goals before we broke for lunch featuring a UNSW exhibition demonstrating the role of universities in industrial decarbonisation.
The afternoon saw the Data, Decisions, and Disclosure session get underway. Supported by ABB, it tackled the role of information in driving decarbonisation with ABB's Ankush Gulati and nbn's Mark Jones highlighting the benefits of operationalising data. IGCC's Richard Proudlove and Climateworks Centre's Kylie Turner stressed the need for improved data quality and transparent corporate reporting.
Flexibility was the focus of the Energy Flexibility: Getting the Balance Right workshop facilitated by Origin Zero. From Virtual Power Plants to advancements in battery technology, participants explored how businesses are optimising energy use to reduce emissions and cut costs. Real-world case studies demonstrated the value of flexible demand management, with many calling for greater knowledge sharing and adaptable contracting options.
At the Building the Market for Low Carbon Products session, Carlos Flores and Davina Rooney outlined how the construction of buildings and infrastructure consumes the largest proportion of industrial products in Australia. For this reason, they emphasised that creating high demand for low-carbon products in the built environment sector will be key to decarbonise the Australian industrial sector. MECLA's Monica Richter shared the success of the Low Carbon Concrete Guide, developed by over 190 industry partners, while Ai Group's Tennant Reed and InfraBuild’s Steve Porter discussed how many industrial facilities will struggle to decarbonise unless the demand for low-carbon products increases. They all called for more policy support to address cost premiums and accelerate demand.
The day concluded with the View from the Summit plenary, supported by AGL, with Wei Sue showcasing how solar and microgrid solutions are delivering real-world emissions reductions. Orica's Meredith Read highlighted the company’s 43% reduction in operational emissions through targeted investments. Looking ahead, Climateworks Centre's Anna Skarbek discussed a recent report highlighting the critical role of precinct level planning for decarbonisation around the country. NSW Net Zero Commissioner Katerina Kimmorley shared some of the cutting-edge decarbonisation projects that make her optimistic for Australian industry - while Andrew Richards emphasised the need for clear prioritisation, bold decisions and financial backing to accelerate the transition.
The panel left no doubt that Australia has the tools, talent, and determination to achieve a low-carbon, competitive industrial future.
It’s no easy task to capture a day packed with insights and the buzz of a room full of brilliant people in an email that will make it through your spam filter. You really did have to be there to feel the pragmatism and resolve from everyone tackling the challenge of decarbonisation.