At Ventia, we’re passionate about making infrastructure work for our communities and we strive to do that in a sustainable way. It was a busy week for our passionate sustainability experts as Ventia participated in the Infrastructure Sustainability Council’s ISC Connect conference, at which we were also platinum partner.  

From an introduction by Group Executive Em Hogan, to a panel discussion including Ventia Chair David Moffat, a presentation on modern slavery from Sustainability Manager Anderson Camargo and on social value from Group Manager Aaron Reid, the themes delegates engaged with align to Ventia’s commitment to making infrastructure work sustainably for our communities.

“So many great initiatives and ideas come out of the ISC Connect event each year,” says Group Manager Sustainability Alex Monson. “It’s an amazing opportunity for sustainability professionals to come together and see what’s happening in the industry and to share their successes and challenges.”

Group Executive Em Hogan, introduces Big Ideas panel at the ISC conference

“We recognise the opportunity we have to make a positive impact on the people and world around us across all the types of infrastructure Ventia supports, and it’s why we’ve embedded sustainability into everything we do at Ventia, and it’s why we’re very proud to support events such as this year’s ISC conference.”

Sharing ideas, hearing about great innovations from organisations across the infrastructure spectrum and learning more about the ways we can contribute to better infrastructure sustainability were all key outcomes of the conference.

Here’s a little bit about what we shared with the delegates during the three-day event.

Big Ideas

Ventia Chair David Moffat joined a panel of experts to discuss the seven global megatrends that hold the key to challenges and opportunities ahead.

Resilience

Sustainability Manager Anderson Camargo focused on building sustainable and resilient supply chains.

Strengthening links

Group Manager Social Sustainability, Aaron Reid, discusses strengthening the links between social value and infrastructure planning & delivery


Big Ideas Panel

Ventia Chair David Moffat joined The Honourable Steven Marshall, former Premier of South Australia, Dr Stefan Hajkowicz from the CSIRO, Kerry Griffiths from ISC, Kelly O’Shanassy from the Australian Conservation Foundation and moderated by David Speers from the ABC on a panel to discuss the seven global megatrends that hold the key to challenges and opportunities ahead.

David explored with the other panelists how the CSIRO Mega Trends impact the infrastructure industry, including the need to adapt and transition to climate change, create sustainable solutions and the wellness journey ahead.

Ventia's Chairman, David Moffat (centre), with Kerry Griffiths, Technical Director Infrastructure Sustainability Council (left) and Dr Stefan Hajkowicz, Chief Research Consultant in Digital Technology Strategy and Foresight CSIRO (right).


Sustainable & Resilient Supply Chains

Modern Slavery constitutes a significant risk to organisations in the infrastructure sector, particularly through our extensive, and often global, supply chains.

Sustainability Manager Anderson Camargo is Ventia’s Modern Slavery champion, and as a guest speaker, he talked about the need to build sustainable and resilient supply chains to address the environmental and social impact of products and services.

“There is huge opportunity for organisations like Ventia to reduce modern slavery risk right throughout the infrastructure lifecycle,” Anderson says.

Supply chain transparency right from the design phase through to operations and maintenance and even decommissioning will help immensely.

Ventia's Group Sustainability Manager, Anderson Camargo, presenting at ISC

“Those organisations that prioritise understanding and addressing risk in their supply chain will help set the tone and ultimately lead to a more resilient sector.”


Strengthening the Links Between Social Value and Infrastructure Planning & Delivery

Delivering social value from infrastructure investment has never been more important and better measurement of that value is a concept that is gaining momentum.

Group Manager Social Sustainability Aaron Reid was one of the four key speakers that covered the concepts of social impact and social value and how the infrastructure sector is lifting its game to focus on measuring what matters to drive greater outcomes.

“A balanced approach to social and environmental sustainability benefits both society and government,” Aaron says. “By creating local jobs and supporting suppliers, all of us in this sector can help reduce the burden on the public purse and deliver long-term positive impacts.”

Measurement of social value created on projects, enables the value of infrastructure to be appreciated more broadly.

From left to right: Ventia's Group Manager Social Sustainability, Aaron Reid with Lucy Grieg, Executive, Social Strategy, Strategic Advisory WSP Australia Pty Ltd, David Gee, Head of InfraCo Asset Planning & Revenue / Cost Assurance, Telstra InfraCo, and Amy Hogan Head Of Esg And Sustainability, Transurban.


 

ISC Connect panelists