Catch up
Capital
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The Puutu Kunti Kurrama and Pinikura Aboriginal Corporation and Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) signed a Co-Management Agreement to support a “lasting and trusted” partnership. The destruction of ancient rock shelters in Juukan Gorge five years ago caused significant distress to the PKKP community and sparked global condemnation of Rio Tinto’s actions and a parliamentary inquiry into heritage legislation.
“Our actions were wrong. We failed to uphold our company values, and our systems and processes were inadequate. Simply put, it should never have happened, and for that we will forever be sorry. Through the open and gracious sharing of knowledge and experiences, the PKKP have helped to shape a renewed approach to managing cultural heritage protection and mining activities.” — Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Simon Trott
Puutu Kunti Kurrama Traditional Owner and Chairperson of the Puutu Kunti Kurrama Land Committee, Burchell Hayes said the Corporation has worked closely with Rio Tinto since the blasting, and has made significant progress in rebuilding the relationship. “It is now where it should have been 14 years ago when we signed the Claim Wide Participation Agreement with Rio Tinto,” Hayes said. “We have always said that relationships, not regulation, is what will protect our heritage, our culture and our Country, and this is the key behind Co-Management.”
 Projects
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Offshore wind has been a punching bag for renewables misinformation, outright lies and propaganda. It’s time to acknowledge offshore wind is a key plank of Australia’s future energy mix, Pat Simons and Anna Mackiewicz of Yes 2 Renewables write, and take the actions necessary to support the industry in this critical early stage. (Renew Economy)
Policy
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The Business Council of Australia released a report outlining how to make the country a global leader in artificial intelligence, if fear can be dispelled. Accelerating Australia’s AI Agenda outlines a three-year blueprint that requires a united effort across government, industry and the education sector.
\“The choices we make now will determine whether we gain a competitive edge or fall behind. We need to be training more AI specialists, data scientists and engineers, while also educating the entire workforce on how we can improve the day-to-day work experience.
“At the same time, we must acknowledge that change is disruptive and can often be challenging for many people, and that’s why recommendations such as an Australian AI Safety Institute are so important.” — BCA Chief Executive Bran Black
Key recommendations include:
- Clear, practical and risk-based AI regulations that encourage innovation
- Simplify data centre approvals to speed up the infrastructure build
- Establish a national research consortium of businesses and universities
- Include standardised AI courses in every level of education from primary onwards
- Establish a safety institute to focus on technical AI safety, international cooperation and standardised best practice.
- More secure data sharing frameworks to allow more AI innovation across the private and public sectors.
Regulation
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South Australian transmission company ElectraNet used its transmission annual planning report to call out NSW, Queensland and Victoria for unduly influencing AEMO’s national planning outlook arguing the ISP’s progressive change scenario was not ambitious enough for the state. ElectraNet chief executive Simon Emms told The Australian: “We can see one scenario where South Australia achieves 100 per cent net renewable but then starts slipping back because we haven’t been able to build or connect new renewables to deliver the power needed.”
Bloomberg’s Editorial Board called out South Australia as a positive example of grid operators developing tools to manage all the new sources feeding into and drawing from their increasingly complex systems. It warned governments against neglecting grids as economies plan for rising demand, new threats and cleaner power.
Climate
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The European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change recommended a 90-95% emissions reduction for European Union countries by 2040 to support Europe’s long-term interests and commitment to net zero by 2050.
An Institute of Public Affairs report found a rise in climate anxiety among children in Australia and recommended removing climate change from the national curriculum until at least secondary school.
Technology
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Floating solar appears to conserve water while generating carbon-free electricity. Colorado River managers are cautious, but some say the West can’t afford to wait. (Inside Climate News)
People
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Transgrid’s Executive General Manager of Network Marie Jordan announced her retirement. One of Australia’s most experienced energy executives, and Transgrid's point person dealing with communities traversed by the hotly opposed Humelink project, Jordan started her career 41 years ago as an electrical engineer with California’s Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). As President and CEO of Peak Reliability, she managed the electricity grid for the western United States and parts of Canada and Mexico.
“Looking at all the different women that I’ve been able to help move forward in organisations around the world, making sure that they get the right opportunities to really showcase what they had, that’s the thing I’m proud of most. I leave a legacy of more women coming behind me than were in front of me.” -- Transgrid’s Marie Jordan
After an unsuccessful bid to be deputy leader, WA Greens Senator Dorinda Cox announced she had left the Greens to join the Labor Party. Cox, who was once a member of the ALP, said she had reached the conclusion her values were more aligned with the ALP than the Greens, telling the media “I want to work with a united, cohesive team, building a better future for all Australians.” Greens leader Larissa Waters expressed her disappointment in a statement:
"Senator Cox has said that her values align with the Labor party. This is the same Labor party who this week approved the climate wrecking North West Shelf gas project, which UNESCO advises will destroy significant First Nations heritage and ancient rock art."
Boss Energy (ASX: BOE) appointed Chartered Accountant and former Assurance Partner Joanne Palmer and Corporate and Commercial Law export Caroline Keats as non-executive directors.
Paladin Energy (ASX: PDN) appointed Melanie Williams as Company Secretary.
Research
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Fast-rising seas have forced some coastal communities to endure flooding far more frequently than previously thought, and much more often than federal tide gauges would suggest, according to a new findings from researchers in North Carolina, The Washington Post reported. The study offers insights into a reality a growing number of coastal communities will face, or already are facing: that infrastructure built for another time and another climate is not equipped to handle the higher tides and persistent flooding fueled by rising seas.
