In October 2021, a report from the Climate Council revealed that Australia is the worst climate performer out of all developed countries when it comes to cutting greenhouse gas emissions and moving on from Fossil Fuels.
With the Federal election clear in sight, fears and frustrations have been heightened concerning the goals set by both major parties to cut emissions and end public funding for coal, oil, and gas.
Billionaires Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest and Mike Cannon-Brookes recently sat down for extended interviews with 60 Minutes host Tara Brown, during which both revealed their indignation about the lack of effective climate action on both a governmental and business level.
The two are currently investing billions of their own money in the development of new technologies that aim to replace fossil fuels such as coal and oil.
“It’s frustrating to see people who have the experience and the ability to understand these issues and refuse to take action,” the CEO of the software development company Atlassian Mike Cannon-Brookes commented.
“You can’t judge people on their choices of what to do with their own resources. [But] I choose to spend mine doing the right thing and demonstrating things rather than sitting on a beach and drinking cocktails.”
When questioned on his ambitions for the future of climate action, Forrest (founder and former CEO of the mining company Fortescue Metals Group) expressed that his dream is “to see the mining industry lead the industrial sector out of global warming, and to provide the goods and the energy that the rest of the world needs.”
Forrest flagged the importance of leaving traditionalism behind in both business and government, emphasizing that there is great economic benefit to be created from doing so.
“We need to move on from Fossil Fuels. When businesses demonstrate that you can do this and lower your operating costs, and increase your production, and become more profitable, there will no longer be a chief executive officer who says, “I’m going to do it the old way.”
When asked about his views on businesses leading the way as opposed to Government, Forrest responded, “I view it as overdue. Sure, businesses really need to be led by government policy. But when governments are really not moving, they must be prepared to demonstrate that it is both commercial and responsible to make major change. Someone has to go first.”
Cannon-Brookes focused more on the importance of capitalising on Australia’s natural resources to lead the way, citing the “amount of sun and proximity to the ocean” as the Lucky Country’s best resources and generating energy from solar, wind and hydro power.
“We have the sunniest, windiest country on earth with what should be the cheapest price of power certainly in the western world and probably anywhere on the planet. We can absolutely get there with technology we have today,” he told Brown.
“What’s standing between ourselves and that future is not sun, it’s not wind, it’s not technology, it’s government policy and business courage,” Forrest said.
“And I’m saying to both Liberal and Labor, do your bit.”
*2021 report consulted: “From Paris to Glasgow: A World On the Move. ” Those interested can read more about the report here: https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/From-Paris-to-Glasgow_V6-FA_Low_Res_Single_Pages_edit.pdf
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