Australian Sustainability Exchange
Australian Agricultural Sustainability Exchange
On December 4th 2024, the Australian Agricultural Sustainability Exchange was convened at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, bringing together leaders from across the agricultural sector to discuss sustainability initiatives.
The sold-out event welcomed more than 130 attendees to hear from a passionate group of speakers supporting nature positive initiatives, improved collaboration and engagement along supply chains, and the role of the Australian Agricultural Sustainability Framework (AASF) in promoting Australian agriculture’s sustainability on the international stage.
The Framework
An update on the strategic and operational dimensions of the AASF was presented by Anwen Lovett, AASF Project Manager. Click on the image to watch Anwen’s presentation, or download a copy.
Sustainability Showcase
A prominent feature of the Exchange was a session of TED Talks sharing sustainability projects and initiatives.
Our presenters covered a broad cross section of the Australian agricultural industry, including catchment scale natural resource management, data management for calculation, reporting and framework implementation, and a focus on local, national and international markets.
Each of our speakers and their TED Talk is outlined below, you can click on the image to watch the presentation.
The full TED Talk session can be viewed via the video link (see right), or directly on YouTube.
If you would like more information about any of these TED Talks, please contact us and we will forward your inquiry.
TED Talks
Angela Hammond
Program Manager
Landcare Australia
Landcare Ag: Walking with the agricultural industry on the biodiversity journey
Landcare Australia, a national not-for-profit organisation established 35 years ago, supports the landcare community through funding, capacity-building, on-ground projects, and promoting landcare achievements. Working collaboratively, Landcare Australia enhances biodiversity, strengthens food and farming systems, and fosters resilient communities. With expertise in ecological restoration, the organisation leads major projects in large-scale revegetation and carbon abatement, positioning itself as a leader in the environmental sector.
Angela’s TED Talk is titled Landcare Ag: Walking with the agricultural industry on the biodiversity journey. Angela grew up on Kamilaroi Country out near Hebel, QLD, on a grazing property. Now, as Landcare Agriculture Project Manager, Ang works to connect Landcare with agriculture, fostering sustainable practices and cross-cultural collaboration. Ang enjoys advocating for producers, helping drive positive change for our land and industry.
Download a copy of Angela’s presentation.
Katyana Armen
General Manager
Australian Wool Exchange
Responding to the global market’s demand for sustainable, traceable and high-quality wool
The Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX) is a not-for-profit organisation committed to enhancing the quality, integrity, and sustainability of Australian wool. AWEX drives key initiatives such as the Australian Wool Sustainability Scheme (AWSS), the National Wool Declaration (NWD), and innovative digital traceability platforms like WoolClip and eBale/ePack.
Katyana’s TED Talk is titled Responding to the global market’s demand for sustainable, traceable and high-quality wool. As General Manager of Brand and Integrity at AWEX, Katyana leads efforts to promote sustainability and innovation in the wool industry. With a strong background in marketing and innovation, including roles with global brands like PepsiCo and Diageo, Katyana will share insights into advancing sustainability and integrity within the wool industry through AWEX’s initiatives, including its cutting-edge digital tools and sustainability certification.
Download a copy of Katyana’s presentation.
Paul Kotz
Head of Product and Design
Agricultural Innovation Australia
Enabling common, consistent and standardised carbon calculations
The Agricultural Innovation Australia (AIA) is a not-for-profit company established by 15 RDCs to address major cross-sectoral agricultural challenges through joint investment and collaboration. AIA’s flagship initiative, the Environmental Accounting Platform, is Australia’s first cross-sectoral carbon calculation engine, offering producers and supply chains a standardised and accessible approach to carbon accounting across multiple commodities.
Paul’s TED Talk is titled Enabling common, consistent and standardised carbon calculations. Paul is the Head of Product and Design who, as a Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), excels at transforming agricultural and environmental research into impactful software products. He leads AIA’s development team in enhancing the Environmental Accounting Platform while strategically aligning it with future research, market trends, and legislative changes.
Download a copy of Paul’s presentation.
Fiona McCredie
Program Leader
The Cool Soil Initiative
The Cool Soil Initiative (CSI) – why, how and what’s next for reporting farm sustainability & emissions through the food supply chain
The Cool Soil Initiative provides a science-backed framework for the food industry to support farmers in adopting sustainable, climate-smart farming practices. By aligning with Australian and global standards, CSI enables integrated sustainability reporting for multinational food companies while providing farmers with benchmarked reports on emissions, practices, and soil health to guide decision-making. CSI promotes sustainable production, helping farmers demonstrate their environmental stewardship and assisting food companies in meeting sustainable sourcing goals.
Fiona’s TED Talk is titled The Cool Soil Initiative (CSI) – why, how and what’s next for reporting farm sustainability & emissions through the food supply chain. With over 20 years in the agricultural sector, Fiona has driven policy, advocacy, strategy, and sustainability initiatives, particularly in the grains industry. She led the development of the Grains Sustainability Framework and now works with CSI to collaborate directly with farmers, technical experts, and global supply chains to enhance Australia’s position as a leader in low-emission, climate-smart agriculture.
Download a copy of Fiona’s presentation.
Sudhir Yadav
Senior Principal Research Fellow
The University of Queensland
Sustainability Tracker Tool – for downscaling and implementing Sustainability Frameworks
The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) at the University of Queensland is a world-leading research institute dedicated to delivering innovative solutions for agriculture and food industries. QAAFI focuses on sustainable farming practices, enhancing productivity, and addressing global challenges in agriculture and food systems.
Sudhir’s TED Talk is titled Sustainability Tracker Tool – for downscaling and implementing Sustainability Frameworks. Associate Professor Sudhir Yadav is a Senior Principal Research Fellow at QAAFI’s Centre for Crop Science. His research spans sustainability indicators, traceability standards, life cycle assessment, and benchmarking methodologies, all aimed at advancing sustainable farming practices, improving environmental stewardship, and enhancing resource-use efficiency.
Download a copy of Sudhir’s presentation.
Jane Siebum
Liam Southam-Rogers
Freshcare Ltd & Applied Horticultural Research
Connecting data for a sustainable and productive horticulture industry
Freshcare is an Australian-owned organisation providing internationally recognised assurance standards for the fresh produce, supply chain, and wine grape industries. Established in 2000, Freshcare’s purpose-driven approach ensures continuous improvement in consumer safety and environmental stewardship, enabling producers to demonstrate their capacity to grow, pack, and distribute safe, sustainable, and high-quality produce globally.
AHR is a leader in independent research and development for the horticultural industry, delivering practical solutions to support growers, industry bodies, and government agencies in addressing key challenges.
Jane and Liam’s TED Talk is titled Connecting data for a sustainable and productive horticulture industry. Jane is Chief Executive Officer of Freshcare and leads with a focus on emerging technologies and best practices to support Australian producers in achieving global recognition for sustainable production. With an MBA and a background in rural business, Jane brings deep industry knowledge and a commitment to mentoring and governance excellence.
Liam is an Environmental Scientist with AHR and specialises in sustainability and the intersection of horticulture and climate change. With expertise in sustainable soil health, emissions reduction, and productivity improvements, Liam applies innovative practices to support a more resilient horticultural sector.
This dynamic team will share insights into advancing sustainability and innovation in fresh produce and horticulture.
Download a copy of Jane and Liam’s presentation.
Sarah Stevens
Team Leader
Gulf Savannah NRM
Using the Framework to demonstrate and communicate sustainability in the Gulf Savannah
Gulf Savannah NRM is a non-profit natural resource management organisation dedicated to strengthening communities, supporting local industries, and cultivating living landscapes in Northern Queensland. The organisation NRM combines science, technology, and landcare to enhance productivity for farmers and graziers while maintaining healthy ecosystems and addressing the unique challenges of Northern Queensland.
Sarah’s TED Talk is titled Using the Framework to demonstrate and communicate sustainability in the Gulf Savannah. Sarah is the Sustainable Land Management Team Leader for Gulf Savannah Natural Resource Management. Since shifting from outback aviation to Natural Resource Management seven years ago, Sarah Stevens has worked with extensive beef and intensive agriculture enterprises in the SA Arid Lands and Gulf Savannah NRM regions. An advocate for environmental stewardship as key to productive and profitable agriculture, she is dedicated to helping small and family businesses to find alignment between their environmental and production realities and industry sustainability goals.
Download a copy of Sarah’s presentation.
Sarah Parker
Amanda McClaren
Victorian Farmers Markets Association with World Farmers Markets Coalition
The True Value of Farmers Markets: Pillars of Sustainability, Community and Accountability
The Victorian Farmers Markets Association (VFMA) supports, accredits, and promotes authentic farmers’ markets, connecting consumers with local farmers and producers to ensure access to fresh, seasonal, and healthy food. At this event, Sarah Parker, VFMA Executive Officer, and Amanda McClaren, an Accredited VFMA Producer, will explore the themes of sustainability, community, and accountability in farmers’ markets.
Sarah and Amanda’s TED Talk is titled The True Value of Farmers Markets: Pillars of Sustainability, Community and Accountability. As the Executive Officer of the VFMA, Sarah brings extensive experience in agriculture, research, and community development. She holds a Masters in Agriculture and Rural Development, is a graduate of the NFF DiALP program, and serves in leadership roles such as Chair of the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority. Sarah and her husband operate an irrigated dairy farm in Victoria.
Amanda is a passionate advocate for agriculture and community leadership. With a Masters in Teaching, she champions agricultural education, regional development, and regenerative farming. Amanda is a Director of the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, a GAICD graduate, and former Mayor of Strathbogie Shire. She and her husband run a successful poultry and beef business in Central Victoria.
Download a copy of Sarah and Amanda’s presentation.
Megan Hill
Sustainability Manager
Australian Pork
“The Magical Animal” Pig Farming and the Circular Economy
Australian Pork Limited (APL) is the national representative body for Australian pig producers, dedicated to advancing the industry through innovation, sustainability, and policy development.
Megan’s TED Talk is titled “The Magical Animal” Pig Farming and the Circular Economy. Megan leads sustainability and environmental policy at APL, bringing 20 years of experience in environmental management, climate policy, and resource recovery. Before joining APL, Megan served as Sustainability Lead at Dairy Australia and held senior roles in the Victorian Government. With a passion for science and agriculture, Megan is excited to share insights into the sustainability initiatives driving the Australian pork industry.
Download a copy of Megan’s presentation.
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