Session 2 . Licence to operate
Tracks
Plenary Program
Monday, June 27, 2022 |
10:45 AM - 12:15 PM |
Halls C & D, ground level, Adelaide Convention Centre |
Speaker
Helen Strachan
Legal & Corporate Affairs Director
Pernod Ricard Winemakers
Chair introduction
10:45 AM - 10:55 AMBiography
Helen is the Legal & Corporate Affairs Director of Pernod Ricard Winemakers, where she is a member of the global executive team. Helen is also a member of the Australian Grape & Wine Board and Chair of the Large Winemakers college; she is Chair of the National Wine Foundation and is the wine industry’s representative on the DrinkWise board. Helen has also contributed to the industry as a member of the Wine Australia board selection committee, joint strategy committee and DEW committee. Helen is the daughter of a Riverland grape grower, loves the wine industry and her proudest moment in the industry was receiving the Champion of Diversity & Equality award at the 2020 Australian Women in Wine Awards. Helen is driven by a desire to help the Australian wine industry achieve sustainable success and be equipped to deal with environmental, geopolitical and anti-alcohol challenges along the way. Her favourite wines are Pernod Ricard Winemakers’ chardonnays.
Katie McRobert
General Manager
Australian Farm Institute
Stronger sector, stronger regions
10:55 AM - 11:10 AMAbstract
A strong agricultural sector, availability of regional jobs and financial capital, and improved regional liveability are not only linked but interdependent. The strength of the ag sector rests on consumer and market support, enabled by the nebulous ‘social licence to operate’ (SLO).
Social licence is notoriously difficult to quantify or measure, and is often shunted into the ‘too hard’ basket; yet it’s not something that can be ignored. In an information-heavy society, the ag sector is subject to mixed messages based on a melange of facts and feelings which could have serious consequences for SLO.
Many of today’s agricultural policy issues are inherently emotive. For example, the environmental impacts of land clearing or chemical use are issues that elicit impassioned social responses based on core beliefs, subsequently attracting regulation which could be adverse for some sectors.
‘Sustainability’ is a prime case study for SLO. Consumers want sustainable produce, growers want sustainable enterprises and natural resources, governments want sustainable economies; yet each stakeholder may hold different views on what sustainability means. Misunderstandings of this kind can seriously undermine community trust.
These themes are not new, yet action which could create a stronger, sustainable ag sector and stronger, sustainable regions has been lacking – largely due to short-term thinking. To assure the industry’s social licence, decision-makers must envision goals for agriculture and regional communities many decades ahead, consider alternative scenarios resulting from action or inaction, and commit to identifying the common goals and frames of reference which provide the foundations of social licence.
Social licence is notoriously difficult to quantify or measure, and is often shunted into the ‘too hard’ basket; yet it’s not something that can be ignored. In an information-heavy society, the ag sector is subject to mixed messages based on a melange of facts and feelings which could have serious consequences for SLO.
Many of today’s agricultural policy issues are inherently emotive. For example, the environmental impacts of land clearing or chemical use are issues that elicit impassioned social responses based on core beliefs, subsequently attracting regulation which could be adverse for some sectors.
‘Sustainability’ is a prime case study for SLO. Consumers want sustainable produce, growers want sustainable enterprises and natural resources, governments want sustainable economies; yet each stakeholder may hold different views on what sustainability means. Misunderstandings of this kind can seriously undermine community trust.
These themes are not new, yet action which could create a stronger, sustainable ag sector and stronger, sustainable regions has been lacking – largely due to short-term thinking. To assure the industry’s social licence, decision-makers must envision goals for agriculture and regional communities many decades ahead, consider alternative scenarios resulting from action or inaction, and commit to identifying the common goals and frames of reference which provide the foundations of social licence.
Biography
Katie McRobert is experienced in the fields of policy research, editing, communications and project management and has been part of the Australian Farm Institute (AFI) team since late 2017.
Prior to joining the AFI, Katie worked as the Global Content and Community Manager for Rabobank’s Global Farmers Network and as the National Editor for the FarmOnline agricultural news service, overseeing seven rural news mastheads including The Land and Queensland Country Life.
Katie has an MBA with Distinction from Griffith University specialising in Sustainable Business and competed in the 2020 Global Business Challenge finals with her team ReHose Solutions. ReHose won the 'Most Innovative Business Project' at the 2020 MBA Australasia Graduate Management Awards. She has also participated in the inaugural National Farmers’ Federation 2030 Leadership Program, which develops participants’ leadership capabilities in critical thinking, persuasion and influence, negotiation, facilitation, and communication.
Katie is the incoming Chair of the inaugural CSIRO Drought Resilience Mission Advisory Group, and a member of the NSW Environmental Trust Biodiversity Subcommittee.
Simon Strahan
CEO
Drinkwise
Is wine a legitimate part of a civilised society?
11:10 AM - 11:25 AMAbstract
In short, yes…with caveats.
Wine has formed part of the social construct for many thousands of years. Its symbolic use across religion; its connection to the Greek symposium and philosophical debates; its reference in literature; to its consideration as an art form, all point to its application within society. Hippocrates (aka the father of western medicine and of ‘Hippocratic Oath’ fame) highlighted wine as a custom within daily regimen around 400 BC. Even Hippocrates, though, noted the importance of moderation.
Hence, the caveats. While Hippocrates advice around diluting wine with water to aid moderation may cause vignerons to shudder, the intent was wise. It would be naïve to think alcohol comes without risk. It is, however, for the large part, controllable risk – premised on ensuring that educated consumers have the option of choice. Of course, for some, alcohol is simply not advised: those who are underage, pregnant or having problems managing their consumption should be supported to abstain. The majority of the population do have the ability to make informed choice. We’ve seen from DrinkWise and government statistics that the overwhelming majority of Australians who choose to drink do consciously moderate and consume within guidelines – even during the pandemic buying spike! Consumers choosing quality over quantity and the emergence of the zero-alcohol category further reinforce healthier choices.
It is for these reasons that wine can be part of a civilised society – as long as consumers are educated and supported to make safe and healthy decisions around alcohol (as opposed to diluting wine with water).
Wine has formed part of the social construct for many thousands of years. Its symbolic use across religion; its connection to the Greek symposium and philosophical debates; its reference in literature; to its consideration as an art form, all point to its application within society. Hippocrates (aka the father of western medicine and of ‘Hippocratic Oath’ fame) highlighted wine as a custom within daily regimen around 400 BC. Even Hippocrates, though, noted the importance of moderation.
Hence, the caveats. While Hippocrates advice around diluting wine with water to aid moderation may cause vignerons to shudder, the intent was wise. It would be naïve to think alcohol comes without risk. It is, however, for the large part, controllable risk – premised on ensuring that educated consumers have the option of choice. Of course, for some, alcohol is simply not advised: those who are underage, pregnant or having problems managing their consumption should be supported to abstain. The majority of the population do have the ability to make informed choice. We’ve seen from DrinkWise and government statistics that the overwhelming majority of Australians who choose to drink do consciously moderate and consume within guidelines – even during the pandemic buying spike! Consumers choosing quality over quantity and the emergence of the zero-alcohol category further reinforce healthier choices.
It is for these reasons that wine can be part of a civilised society – as long as consumers are educated and supported to make safe and healthy decisions around alcohol (as opposed to diluting wine with water).
Biography
Simon Strahan was appointed CEO of DrinkWise in 2017 following several years with the organisation as Marketing Director. Simon has spent more than 20 years working with leading Australian and international brands, including Cotton On, Australia Post, TAC and AWB. His experience in social marketing, acquisitions, strategy and global retail eCommerce has delivered insights into changing market and consumer dynamics, facilitated early digital technology adoption and enabled the creation of unique partnership opportunities.
Simon has developed and managed world-first behaviour change marketing programs that have been recognised internationally and nationally, with awards including: Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity; World Advertising Research Centre (WARC): #19 in World’s best 100 marketing campaigns; Jay Chiat (global) Awards for Strategic Excellence; APAC Effie (Effectiveness) Awards; and Business Review Weekly (BRW) Most Innovative Companies: Best Marketing Innovation.
Prof. Mark Howden
ANU Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions
Adapting to climate change
11:25 AM - 11:40 AMAbstract
Global GHG emissions continue to increase in spite of commitments to reduce them. They are currently at record levels, fuelling record atmospheric concentrations (now more than 50% higher than pre-industrial levels). Unsurprisingly, this continues to push global temperatures higher, with at least 7 out of the last 8 years being the hottest years on record. This is generating unprecedented heatwave and related conditions as well as associated changes in rainfall and rainfall intensity, vapour pressure deficit and to various extreme climate-related events. The recent IPCC Working Group 2 report showed that these changes are already impacting on viticulture and wine production, profitability, risk and sustainability. Importantly, these changes interact with improvements in management and technologies, demand-side factors, institutional arrangements, other biotic and physical stressors etc. When these factors are accounted for, climate changes are largely negative for existing wine-producing areas, both in Australia and globally, although there are instances where some positive impacts have arisen. More, and bigger, changes are projected, leading to concerns about future sustainability. It is clear that adaptation to climate change is happening but it is patchy and may be increasingly insufficient. There are many adaptation options available to address some of these issues ranging from the tactical and technical to the strategic and transformational. But we are arguably not investing adequately in the underlying R&D to generate new and better options nor in the implementation and M&E of those we already have. The recent IPCC report and previous work shows that as climate change gets worse, generally the adaptation option space shrinks and the effectiveness of adaptation options tends to decline. Does this apply to viticulture and wine-making ? Additionally, there is growing pressure to reduce the GHG and broader environmental footprint. There are interesting times ahead for viticulture and wine-growing in a changing climate.
Biography
Professor Mark Howden is Director of the Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions at The Australian National University. He is also an Honorary Professor at the University of Melbourne, a Vice Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and is the Chair of the ACT Climate Change Council. He was on the US Federal Advisory Committee for the 3rd National Climate Assessment and a member of the Australian National Climate Science Advisory Committee.
Mark has worked on climate variability, climate change, innovation and adoption issues for over 30 years and has over 420 publications of different types. He helped develop both the national and international greenhouse gas inventories that are a fundamental part of the Paris Agreement. He has been a major contributor to the IPCC since 1991, with roles in the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and now Sixth Assessment Reports, sharing the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with other IPCC participants and Al Gore.
Drew Bradford
Executive General Manager, Markets
National Australia Bank Limited
Navigating the sustainability landscape – a banker perspective
11:40 AM - 11:55 AMAbstract
Climate and sustainability issues are influencing decision-making across many facets of the wine industry. The same is true in financial services where capital has become ‘carbon-conscious’ - changing community expectations mean more scrutiny over banks approach to climate change; regulators are evaluating bank’s management of climate change financial risks while investors are setting more stringent emissions thresholds for their investments. National Australia Bank is Australia’s leading business bank. We support our agribusiness customers through a network of 650 regional and specialist bankers in over 120 locations. Sustainability is a core part of NAB’s strategy because the success of our economy depends on our climate. Sustainable business is good business and underpins our licence to operate. NAB has committed to aligning our lending portfolio to net zero emissions by 2050. Serving our customers well is why we are here. NAB is responding to customer demand by creating products that help to navigate the challenges of a decarbonising world. NAB is a reliable partner to support the Australian wine industry and maintains its position as a premium supplier to both domestic and international markets.
Biography
Drew leads National Australia Bank's Markets team, a global group of professionals who provide local and offshore customers access to both traded and illiquid markets, including fixed income, money markets, credit, derivatives, currencies and commodities. The Markets business covers every segment of the investor market, from global supranationals and corporate and institutional customers through to retail accounts and high net worth customers looking to build their investment portfolio.
Since commencing with NAB in July 2011 as Executive - Markets, Drew has joined the Advisory Council of the FICC Markets Standards Board (FMSB). He is also on the Board of Directors for the Australian Financial Markets Association (AFMA) and a member of the AFMA Professional Standards Committee. Drew is also the co-Sponsor or Pride @NAB.
Prior to joining NAB, Drew worked for Deutsche Bank and Bankers Trust in Australia, New Zealand, London and Tokyo.
Drew holds a Bachelor of Business in Finance from the University of Canberra and an MBA from the University of Sydney.