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Nearing Net Zero

By Elena Lambros and Dan Brown

16 April 2025

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    The pressure on businesses to decarbonise is growing and will continue to intensify as security, affordability and sustainability of energy systems becomes key issues.

    The energy market of the future, including energy infrastructure and generation, will look vastly different from what it looks like today, presenting compelling opportunities and complex challenges for industry to navigate.

    However, despite the opportunities arising from decarbonisation, making the transition is a complex and requires significant strategic consideration.

    To help navigate this rapidly evolving space, Ashurst is pleased to launch the Nearing Net Zero vodcast series. In this series, Partners Elena Lambros and Dan Brown dissect the latest regulatory and legislative developments driving forward the decarbonisation agenda.

    Whether your organisation is meeting regulatory obligations, engaging with customers, developing technologies or investing in innovation, we can help you navigate today’s fast-changing sustainability and energy landscape. For further information on Ashurst's sustainability and energy transition credentials please click here.

    Latest episodes

    Aurecon x Ashurst

    At Ashurst, we have a strategic and long-term partnership with Aurecon that brings together legal, risk consulting and technical advisory to provide clients with a new degree of excellence in meeting the challenges and capitalising on the opportunities in pivoting to a net zero future.

    In conjunction with Aurecon, we are pleased to launch a limited three-part mini-series focused on how to survive and thrive through the energy transition.

    Tune into the below episodes as Elena Lambros, Dan Brown and the Managing Director of Energy at Aurecon, Paul Gleeson share uncommon insights into the trends shaping Australia's transition.

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    Episode 1: Macro geopolitical and economic trends impacting the energy transition

    In this episode of Nearing Net Zero, Dan Brown, Elena Lambros and Paul Gleeson consider how the transition is progressing and what asset classes are capturing the intention of prudent market participants.

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    Episode 2: Decarbonising the last mile: Power to X technologies (including hydrogen) and data centres

    In this episode of Nearing Net Zero, Dan Brown, Elena Lambros and Paul Gleeson consider the role of Power to X technologies as a potential solution whilst acknowledging the existing investment gap.

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    Episode 3: The changing shape of the national energy portfolio

    In this episode of Nearing Net Zero, Dan Brown, Elena Lambros and Paul Gleeson consider the future role of natural gas in Australia’s energy portfolio.
     

    Video series

    Federal Election – Predictions and the implications of climate on the various policy platforms

    Tune into this episode of Nearing Net Zero as Dan Brown and Elena Lambros delve into the various policy platforms of the major Australian political parties and examine what impact these strategies might have in combating climate change.

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    Is Australia progressing towards its climate goals?

    The Climate Change Authority’s third Annual Progress Report which was released in November 2024 concluded that Australia’s GHG emissions are falling, but not yet at the rate needed to meet the 2030 target of 43% below 2005 levels.

    Tune into this episode of Nearing Net Zero as Dan Brown and Elena Lambros consider how Australia is progressing towards its emission reduction targets and the actions needed to achieve our net-zero goal by 2050.

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    Offshore wind projects in Australia: what lies ahead in 2025 and beyond

    Australia has significant potential for offshore wind energy development, driven by its extensive coastline, favourable wind conditions, and growing demand for renewable energy.

    In this episode of Nearing Net Zero, Bree Miechel and Robert Gough discuss the state of the Australian offshore wind market and consider what lies ahead in 2025 and beyond.

    Also take a deeper dive into Australia's offshore wind market in our Year in Review article. Read it here.

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    Energy transition milestones in 2024 and key priorities for 2025

    How will the key energy transition trends from the year that was – inform and shape the year ahead?

    In our final episode of Nearing Net Zero for 2024, Elena Lambros and Dan Brown reflect on the top energy developments and the broader sustainability considerations likely to propel Australia's decarbonisation ambitions forward.

    The episode also acknowledges and celebrates the innovation occurring globally which is shifting the dial on the decarbonisation imperative.

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    Past videos

    As ESG becomes increasingly synonymous with sound business practices; what are the international trends influencing the Australian market?

    In this episode of Nearing Net Zero, Kate Wilson and Dan Brown discuss the significance of the European Commission's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and its obligations as it relates to environmental and human rights concerns within operations and across supply chains.

    View now

    As governments increasingly regulate ESG, businesses and their leaders need to measure, track and accurately report on commitments as they are being held accountable for their delivery.

    In this episode of Nearing Net Zero, Kate Wilson and Dan Brown consider the evolving landscape of ESG reporting for listed entities, the increasing emphasis on human capital and nature related disclosures.

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    Traditionally, ESG has been an additional layer on top of existing business models, aimed at managing risks and enhancing reputations. This approach has been eclipsed in recent years with Governments and civil society increasingly expecting corporates to balance commercial objectives with a social purpose.

    In this episode of Nearing Net Zero, Kate Wilson and Dan Brown consider this shifting paradigm and how to navigate the disconnect between aspiration and implementation.

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    Over the past decade, a suite of laws have been introduced imposing a range of obligations on businesses to do more in the ESG space. Early disclosure requirements were transparency-based, however, recent policy developments indicate that as disclosure laws strengthen, so too is the level of scrutiny on the effectiveness and meaningfulness of steps taken by businesses to address ESG matters.

    In this episode of Nearing Net Zero, Elena Lambros and Jo En Low consider how we got here.

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    Pacific island nations are among the most vulnerable to the changing climate, with many already experiencing higher temperatures, shifts in rainfall patterns, rising sea levels and changes in the frequency and intensity of extreme climate events.

    In this episode of Nearing Net Zero, Dan Brown and Elena Lambros consider the importance of rallying the support of the international community to drive decarbonisation in order to combat this challenge.

    View now

    To view all past episodes of Nearing Net Zero, check out the Ashurst YouTube channel.

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    This publication is a joint publication from Ashurst Australia and Ashurst Risk Advisory Pty Ltd, which are part of the Ashurst Group.

    The Ashurst Group comprises Ashurst LLP, Ashurst Australia and their respective affiliates (including independent local partnerships, companies or other entities) which are authorised to use the name "Ashurst" or describe themselves as being affiliated with Ashurst. Some members of the Ashurst Group are limited liability entities.

    The services provided by Ashurst Risk Advisory Pty Ltd do not constitute legal services or legal advice, and are not provided by Australian legal practitioners in that capacity. The laws and regulations which govern the provision of legal services in the relevant jurisdiction do not apply to the provision of non-legal services.

    For more information about the Ashurst Group, which Ashurst Group entity operates in a particular country and the services offered, please visit www.ashurst.com

    This material is current as at 16 April 2025 but does not take into account any developments to the law after that date. It is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and in practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to, and does not constitute legal advice. The information provided is general in nature, and does not take into account and is not intended to apply to any specific issues or circumstances. Readers should take independent legal advice. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any process without prior written permission from Ashurst. While we use reasonable skill and care in the preparation of this material, we accept no liability for use of and reliance upon it by any person.

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