The Cost of Sustainability: Can We Afford It?

This article was contributed by Sustainability Tracker.

The Sustainable Transformation Podcast

Cassandra Williams calls herself a green capitalist. She grew up in central Queensland and has spent more than 30 years in data-led roles across finance and investment, research, and certifications and ratings. Today she is Head of Enterprise Programs and Strategy at Climateworks Centre, an independent foundation within Monash University.

So with cost of living front of mind, where does sustainability fit? Kiarne and Cassandra take the question to the kitchen table: the gas heating bill, the appliance rebate, the supermarket shelf and your super.

Cassandra shares why even she had to turn to AI to find a rebate she knew existed, the lunchtime chat with cricketer Ian Healy that shows how she explains climate risk, and the advice she gives anyone who isn’t sure climate change will affect them. Kiarne also coins a term for the brands she believes are getting off scot-free.

You’ll hear and learn:

•  How Cassandra uses CapEx and OpEx to think through big household decisions, such as replacing gas ducted heating
• Why support that already exists, from rebates to subsidies, can be so hard for consumers to find and use
• What power outages in Spain could mean for the cost of everything you buy
• Why Cassandra says your super is probably one of the biggest things you could do for sustainability, and how she helped her daughter set hers up
• What building five-star ratings at Canstar taught Cassandra about labels that help people trust a choice

This episode is a must-listen for anyone weighing up the upfront cost of a greener choice at home or at work, and for business leaders who need the numbers to make the case internally.

MENTIONS:

• Climateworks Centre
• Monash University
• Net Zero Academy
• Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC)
• Climate Change Authority
• Canstar
• Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA)
• Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC)
• Climateworks Gladstone report

LINKS:

Learn more about SustainabilityTracker.com

Learn more about The Sustainable Transformation Podcast

Follow The Sustainable Choice Group on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok

Follow Nova Podcasts on Instagram for videos from the podcast and behind-the-scenes content – @novapodcastsofficial

CREDITS:

Host: Kiarne Treacy

Guest: Cassandra Williams

Guest Company: ClimateWorks Centre

Find more great podcasts like this at novapodcasts.com.au

Nova Entertainment acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we produced this podcast, the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information

About the Sustainable Transformation Podcast

The Sustainable Transformation Podcast is brought to you by Sustainability Tracker and hosted by founder and CEO Kiarne Treacy.

About Sustainability Tracker

Sustainability Tracker is the world’s most comprehensive brand sustainability search engine, helping shoppers see what actions brands are taking, the commitments they’ve made and the evidence behind them. Founded in Melbourne in 2020.