On Wednesday 25 February, Moir Group proudly partnered for the fourth time with the Nature Conservation Council of NSW (NCC) to host a Business Breakfast focused on the state of climate action in Australia.
With business playing a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future and finance and ESG now intrinsically linked, the conversation was both urgent and timely.
The event brought together the Hon. Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy, and the Hon. Matt Kean, Chair of the Climate Change Authority, for an important conversation about what the next phase of the energy transition means for business. It marked a return of the climate leaders to the Business Breakfast stage since their first shared appearance in 2021.
Fellow speakers included:
- Jacqui Mumford, CEO, Nature Conservation Council of NSW
- Jo Taranto, Moderator, Environmental Strategist and Sustainability Educator
- Carolyn Loton, Chair, the Nature Conservation Council of NSW
Top 5 key takeaways from the event
- Australia holds a clear competitive advantage in renewable energy, creating substantial economic and investment opportunities.
- It is important for business leaders to have climate courage; a science-based and morally grounded attitude towards climate action.
- Australia has been making progress in its efforts towards reducing emissions.
- Meaningful collaboration across business, government and community is critical to accelerating change.
- Addressing the rise of misinformation and AI-driven disinformation around renewable energy is an urgent priority.
Energy transition is promising but more can be done
NCC CEO Jacqui Mumford opened the event by highlighting Australia’s energy transition achievements. She said that for the first time last year, more than half of the demand in the national electricity market during the final quarter of 2025 was met by renewable energy sources. In addition, there has been investment in renewable energy zones and incentives for household clean energy uptake. However, Jacqui warned that more needs to be done to reduce the impacts of climate change.
“While we have seen some great strides in clean energy uptake, we are seriously lacking on the other side of the energy transition, ending coal and gas,” she said.
“The NSW Net Zero Commission 2025, “Spotlight on Coal” report last year noted that if we are to meet our emissions reduction targets here in NSW, we need to stop approving coal mine expansions or extensions.”
Decarbonising the economy
Matt Kean said there is an onus on all of us to consider what we are doing to reduce our carbon emissions for the sake of our children and the natural environment. He strongly emphasised the need for Australia to decarbonise its economy.
“Australia has a huge role to play here,” he said. “Our biggest source of emissions is coal-fired electricity and it is about to be overtaken by liquid fuels. But the playbook is decarbonise the grid and electrify demand.”
He added that there are opportunities with renewable and mineral resources if we get decarbonisation right.
Energy transition in Australia
Minister Bowen revealed more signs of progress in Australia’s energy transition efforts. He said in the year to September 2025, the country’s emissions have reduced by 8.5 million tonnes, while electricity emissions have reduced by 3%. There were even emissions reductions across the transport sector.
“It is the first time we have had a reduction in transport emissions,” he said. “Moving transport emissions is a tough ask and the fact we have had only 0.4%, but the first reduction in transport emissions outside of a lockdown, ever, is no small thing.”
He added that while there is more to do, this forward progress is important.
Moir Group is proud to sponsor this Business Breakfast once again in partnership with the Nature Conservation Council of NSW.
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