I'm honoured to be your guest editor for this edition of our alumni newsletter, which focuses on a topic close to my heart: sustainability. As a recent QUT graduate and the Head of Sustainability at Compass Group Australia, one of the largest food service organisations in the country, I've seen for myself the growing importance of sustainability in the corporate world. From repurposing waste to embracing renewable energy, the 'circular economy' conversation is evolving rapidly, and it's imperative we remain proactive and informed.
 
This edition curates some valuable insights from our QUT community as we focus on corporate sustainability and circularity, and the implications for businesses, communities, and our environment. But before we dive in, I want to draw your attention to a critical development on the horizon: the impending implementation of new climate-related disclosure laws in Australia. The Treasury Laws Amendment Bill 2024 (Financial Market Infrastructure and Other Measures) is currently before Parliament and will soon usher in a new era of corporate accountability. This legislation will mark a significant step towards greater transparency and accountability in corporate sustainability practices. To help shed some light on this important topic, I've shared my thoughts on the implications of the new reporting laws including practical steps that businesses can take to navigate this evolving landscape. 
 
I encourage you to join this conversation and help drive change now to protect our finite resources for future generations.

Your guest editor,

Simon Jackson
Head of Sustainability, Compass Group Australia
Master of Business Administration, QUT (Class of 2024)

Dr Omniya el Baghdadi is a seasoned sustainability consultant with more than 13 years' experience in research and consultancy in Australia and Egypt, passionately advocating for resilient and liveable cities. With a Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Economics from QUT, Omniya brings a wealth of expertise to the fore. In this Q&A, we explore the changes urban dwellers can take to make a positive impact on our environment. 

Matt Davis is the CEO of Salvos Stores and former Chair of Charitable Recycling Australia. In this article, Matt illuminates the value of innovative partnerships in driving change for good. Salvos Stores had humble beginnings dating back to 1880 and have since grown to become Australia's largest charity store network, operating 400 stores across the country. As leaders in sustainable business practise, the organisation diverts over 1 million tonnes of household goods from landfill every year and stands as a testament to the power of circular thinking.

> Learn from Matt's circular business model insights

Sally Higgins juggles dual careers and multiple projects on a daily basis and her versatility epitomises the modern professional. Beyond her exceptional personal and professional achievements, Sally's heart lies on the land, co-managing a farm in her hometown of Allora. Her commitment to sustainability and innovation in agriculture earned her the esteemed Nuffield Scholarship this year and has propelled her on a global quest to explore the intersection of farming and net zero emissions. 

In an era of resource scarcity, pollution and environmental degradation, the concept of a circular economy has growing appeal and is gaining global traction. It is a model of production and consumption that involves minimising external costs, sharing, reusing, repairing and/or recycling products for as long as possible. It uses less material, generates less waste and extends product lifecycles. Presently, circularity is largely driven by government incentives, voluntary payments, and industry regulation, rather than factoring in the true cost of market failures in both production and consumption.

Recent action is a step in the right direction, but lacks financial sustainability, and further issues need to be addressed if the model of circularity is to be fully functional. The Seamless Clothing Stewardship Scheme is an example that has been implemented for the Australian clothing industry. It is voluntary and involves participating brands paying a 4-cent levy per clothing item; however, this does not fully finance the recycling. Surveys show consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable products but we should also consider alternative approaches to make the circular economy self-financing and self sustaining within a business framework.

While the consumption-related aspects (including recycling) are being addressed, the real social and environmental costs of textile production are largely neglected in the conversation; partly because most clothing purchased in Australia is manufactured overseas, where pollution-control measures are typically ignored. Thus, while the wholesaling and retailing components are beginning to be addressed, the manufacturing methods are still unsustainable in a resource-constrained and polluted world and full circularity remains aspirational. The circular path ahead is a challenging one with numerous political and non-political roadblocks but we must continue to work toward this goal.

Is your business circularity ready? Attend this FREE webinar

Join Professor Clevo Wilson for this insightful discussion via Zoom on the principles of circularity and how they can be integrated into your business strategy. Explore the key concepts of the circular economy, examine the latest policies impacting Australian businesses, and receive free, practical advice on how to adapt these practices to enhance sustainability and efficiency. 

Article provided by Professor Clevo Wilson, Faculty of Business and Law, QUT

Established in 2020, TextileR was created to tackle critical sustainability challenges within the textile and fashion industries.

These global industries are integral to human expression and livelihoods but currently operate within unsustainable frameworks. The fashion and textile industry contributes up to 10% of greenhouse emissions globally, with Australia being one of the highest consumers of fast fashion in the world. Between 2018-19, an average of 56 clothing items were purchased per person in Australia, which generated 220,000 tonnes of waste (increasing more each year). 

In response, the TextileR team have developed a comprehensive vision for the textile industry characterised by responsibility, resourcefulness, respect, and renewability. Through research endeavours, community projects and corporate partnerships, TextileR is catalysing cultural, technical, and social change toward sustainable textile production and consumption. So far they have participated in research around material science, design, and business, to help companies implement innovative sustainable practices and products. TextileR's base in Queensland has national reach - providing research and advice to initiatives such as the National Clothing Product Stewardship Scheme. Most recently, researchers at TextileR have been working with local industry to support the transition to a circular economy, which includes a project on ethical labour.

Through its research, collaboration and advocacy efforts, QUT's TextileR program is poised to make a significant contribution to the war on waste and the advancement of a circular economy within the textiles sector.