4 minute read
Creating a sustainable future
BY ROBYN DEVINE
Building a brighter future for Queensland’s sugarcane industry was top of the agenda at the inaugural CANEGROWERS Sugar Cubed Conference, held in Mackay on 8-9 May.
More than 100 growers and industry leaders gathered for the two-day event to hear from a host of expert speakers, many on the cutting-edge of innovations in the sugarcane industry and the Australian bioeconomy.
They included Jet Zero CEO Ed Mason, Qantas Head of Sustainable Aviation Fuel Graeme Potger, KPMG Origins CEO Laszlo Peter, Coca-Cola’s Head of Sugar Procurement Pete Greenwell, and head of Evidn behavioural science Dr John Pickering.
The program covered a vast array of topics, from the development of a sugarcane-based Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) industry in Queensland and how we can create a profitable future for growers, to how we improve market access for our sustainably produced Australian Sugar.
CANEGROWERS Chairman Owen Menkens said the aim of Sugar Cubed was to give growers an annual industry event, where they could come together to learn and speak about the challenges and opportunities that matter to them.
“There are so many vital and evolving aspects of our industry,” Mr Menkens said.
“From technological advancements to variety development, harvesting constraints, milling sector sustainability, opportunities in sugar supply chain traceability, marketing and trade access, the emerging bioeconomy, the list is endless and the opportunity to work together as an industry is now.
Day one featured three field trips, showcasing key industry locations such as farms, mills, refineries, sugar terminals, and even a recycled water treatment plant. On day two, attendees came together for a series of presentations and panel discussions.
One of the impressive presenters was Qantas Head of SAF Graeme Potger and he said global demand for sustainable aviation fuel is growing exponentially, with many countries introducing SAF mandates for airlines.
But until now, we’ve never had a major forum where growers could come together to learn about and discuss these issues and explore the opportunities together.
This creates a huge opportunity for Queensland's sugar industry, but he also acknowledged the important need for the state and federal governments to get serious about creating a SAF industry.
Jet Zero CEO Ed Mason explained how a SAF industry located in Queensland could see the sugarcane industry grow by 30%. Potentially this could provide growers with access to an expanding industry and a second market for their crop, providing better productivity through the production of ethanol and the opportunity to be a major player in the bioeconomy.
“Sustainability is here to stay,” said Pete Greenwell, Head of Procurement for the world's largest user of sugar, Coca-Cola EuroPacific Partners.
Mr Greenwell acknowledged that if Australian sugarcane growers want to continue selling their sugar to Coca-Cola, they will soon have to be accredited in Smartcane BMP.
Luckily, through the work of the large number of Queensland growers to become Smartcane BMP accredited and also CANEGROWERS ' work with KPMG to develop the Origins blockchain platform, Australia's sugarcane industry is a world leader in the production of sustainable, traceable sugar.
The opportunity for growers from the Queensland's 13 sugarcane growing districts to connect with one another was a valuable platform, providing robust and topical discussions. Growers got the chance to check facts, explore potential solutions while gaining a stronger understanding of the future challenges facing the industry.
“The Sugar Cubed Conference has been developed by CANEGROWERS , to address the big issues growers want to discuss and see how we can work collaboratively across the industry to bring about success for everyone,” Mr Menkens said.
