QUT Alumni, 29 July, 2022
James Tilbury has seen sustainability shift from a buzzword used in niche corner of the corporate world, to an essential business focus. For over ten years he’s been helping climate tech companies of all shapes and sizes transition to low-carbon solutions for all their operating needs.
He shares some of EnergyLab’s background and his career highlights, as well as some valuable insight into the commercial future of the sustainability movement and how interested students can best position themselves for great impact.
You’ve been working as a climate change and sustainability specialist for some time now, how are companies responding differently to the challenges ahead compared to 10 years ago?
Ten years ago, sustainability was not a priority for most businesses; now it’s a top 3 issue for most large companies and investors in Australia. Instead of just being the domain of the sustainability department, boards and executives are hiring management consultants like me to help develop their climate and sustainability strategy. Part of the reason for this shift is that many executives now see climate and sustainability as core business, with significant potential costs for those that get it wrong, and lucrative opportunities for those that act early.
Name a startup that has graduated from an EnergyLab program. What have they achieved?
Well over 100 climate tech startups have graduated from EnergyLab’s programs so it’s hard to pick just one! But a startup that QUT alumni might be particularly interested in is Brisbane-based Bloom Impact (bloom-impact.com), who are making sustainable investing available to everyone. They’ve achieved a lot in a short period of time, particularly given the additional difficulty setting up a fintech startup in Australia.
In your opinion will Australia achieve net zero emissions by 2050? What action should Australia be taking to achieve this?
I have no doubt that Australia will achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Every state and territory government, and federal government, as well as an increasing number of companies, have set net zero targets for 2050 or sooner. The real challenge will be reducing emissions fast enough to stay on a science-based emissions trajectory.
That will require a wide range of actions, from decarbonising electricity through solar, wind and grid firming technologies, to decarbonising transport via electrification and sustainable fuels, through to the harder stuff like decarbonising steel and cement production.
What has been one of your career highlights?
Helping a large emitter in a hard-to-abate sector significantly raise the ambition of their decarbonisation target and then to see them publicly commit to that target and take real steps towards achieving it.
What is one skill you couldn’t live without and why?
At my level the main skill required is people and stakeholder management. It’s also useful to have a high-level understanding of the physicals and chemistry of transition technologies to inform the development of robust climate strategies.
Any other advice for students or graduates?
My advice to students interested in a similar career to mine is to obtain a STEM degree (perhaps converting to a dual degree if you’re not studying a STEM degree already); everything else can be learned on the job. For those that prefer to be out in the field, you may want to consider obtaining one of the skills necessary to build large-scale solar and wind farms as we’re likely to have an ongoing talent shortage in that area.
Do you have a question for James? Connect on LinkedIn.