Working in the right environment

These are exciting times for people whose careers have an environmental focus.

"Who would have thought even five years ago that climate change would become one of the key issues for the next federal election," says Clare Moran of the Environment Protection Authority's life cycle unit.

During studies for a double degree in arts and science at Monash university, she was often concerned about slow responses to environmental issues and is delighted to see them now figuring prominently in the media and on government and business agendas.

Ms Moran joined the EPA as a member of its 2002 graduate intake, choosing to work in government because of its decisions and the potential to influence the broader community.

Her work since then - responding to pollution incidents, learning about the authority's regulatory system of licensing and works approvals, managing contaminated sites and developing policy on atmosphere and noise - has provided knowledge and contacts that are standing her in good stead in her current role.

As part of the 12-member life cycle unit team, she is helping businesses lessen their environmental impacts and increase sustainability at each stage of manufacturing or service.

"A lot of our time is spent talking with people about ways we can work together to improve understanding of environmental impacts," she says.

On a typical day she may be liaising with businesspeople, other government departments and industry organisations, making presentations to companies or within the EPA itself, and building links with the business world. "We try to tell business that it's not just about doing the right thing - it's about business survival and profitability."

Ms Moran believes drought and climate change are forcing businesses to think about ways they can adapt. "They are used to dealing with changing customer demands and markets, but now there is a need to pick up pace on reducing their environmental impact."

Rather than telling them what to do, she and her colleagues hope to spur them to think creatively. "As well as creating big risk, climate change creates big opportunities. Businesses will be affected in different ways and people need to work out what's appropriate for them."

A number of companies and industry groups have signed sustainability covenants with the EPA - voluntary agreements to explore ways of reducing their effects and increase the resource efficiency of products and services.

Ms Moran says one of the exciting covenants is with Pilkington Glass, which strives for no injuries or waste at plants that make an expanding range of glass for energy-efficient buildings and solar panels.

EPA Victoria also works with the finance industry, co-ordinating and promoting a United Nations initiative among banks, credit unions, superannuation funds and other financial bodies in Australia.

"It encourages them to think about incorporating environmental issues into the way they operate their businesses both to reduce their risk and to recognise opportunities."

Examples of companies gaining from environmentally positive initiatives include MECU's green car loan, which offers lower interest rates to people buying fuel-efficient cars and some home loans for buyers of energy-efficient houses.

"We work with business to make changes that are good for them and for the environment. We think these things are compatible," she says.
 
www.epa.vic.gov.au

Published: 14 July 2007