Why climate action is everyone’s job – including NAB’s

  • Climate

Climate change is a defining issue of our time. New research highlights that to reach net-zero Australia’s economy will look different, and that all of us have a role to play if Australia is to succeed.

  • 28.07.2022
  • Time to read 1 min read
Share

Share

Climate change is a defining issue of our time. New research commissioned by NAB reveals the economic opportunity in Australia’s transition to a net-zero economy.

The research report ‘All Systems Go’ by Deloitte Access Economics, finds about $20 trillion will be invested in Australia’s economy by 2050, regardless of whether Australia transitions to net zero.

However, to achieve net zero, this $20 trillion will need to be spent differently and the Australian economy must be structurally different to ensure the nation is best-placed to emerge as a standout economy in a low emissions world.

 

A New wave of investment - Deloitte Access Economics
Source: ‘All Systems Go: Transforming Australia’s Economy To Grow’, Deloitte Access Economics, July 2022

 

This includes $420 billion in additional new investment by 2050, alongside $70 billion that must move from emissions intensive activity by 2030 into low emissions activity to make the structural changes necessary and avoid driving up the cost of the transition.

In the report, NAB Chairman Philip Chronican acknowledges the size of the challenge. “The scale of action needed is far broader than the Industrial Revolution, and yet the timeline is roughly half,” he writes.

Yet if Australia is too slow to move, or fails to act, Australia’s economy may falter, he warns.

A photo of a group of people in a field.

“Transforming Australia to a low carbon economy is inevitable and complex. If we get it right, the opportunities are immense” - Philip Chronican, Chair, National Australia Bank

Philip Chronican, Chair, National Australia Bank visits NAB customer Agrimix.

NAB’s role

NAB is taking action and recognises the impact climate change is having and will have in the future on the environment, communities and businesses. Taking action makes good business sense.

Backing innovators

NAB is funding customers who have developed innovative technologies that help to address climate change.

For example agricultural firm and NAB customer Agrimix has developed a new legume pasture with researchers from James Cook University. The drought-resistant pasture can help greenhouse gas mitigation by drawing more carbon out of the atmosphere and storing it in the ground. Research also suggests it can reduce the methane production from cattle, sheep and goats.

 

 

Supporting the transition

The All Systems Go report shows that Australia needs to focus on four key segments which play a key role in our lives and our economy if Australia is to achieve net zero by 2050. There needs to be co-ordinated action across energy, raw materials manufacturing, mobility and food and land use – which account for about 90% of Australia’s carbon emissions.

An infographic explaining new investment needed to transform Australia's economy

NAB is providing finance to help customers make emissions reductions.

For example, 1.8 billion tonnes of steel is manufactured globally each year and is expected to grow by as much as a third by 2050. It is one of the hard-to-abate industries vital for the global economy that will need significant technology breakthroughs and investment to achieve a low-emission transition.

Bluescope Steel believes investment in renewables, infrastructure, renewable energy storage and research and development will be critical to meet its net zero target. NAB can play a role in funding crucial investment.

 

 

NAB has a critical role to play providing finance to help customers make emissions reductions.

Climate and community

Australians are facing more frequent and intense natural disasters as a result of climate change. NAB is supporting customers, colleagues and communities to prepare, respond and recover from natural disasters through our  NAB Ready Together program.

Two people working on a building project outside
NAB Ready Together volunteers work together on a project.

 

NAB has taken other action too

Back in 2010, NAB became Australia’s first carbon-neutral bank. NAB is also the leading Australian bank provider of project finance to the global renewables segment.

The bank is ranked within 100 Most Sustainable Corporations globally and ranked in top 10 global issuers of bonds addressing climate change.

There is more to do.

NAB CEO Ross McEwan said NAB would continue working closely with its customers and colleagues to transition to a low carbon future.

Ross McEwan visits customer

“Our role is to support our customers and communities through the transition and fund the investments needed to create a strong and sustainable future for Australia.” - Ross McEwan, NAB CEO

You can find out more about NAB and what we are doing to tackle climate change here.

You can read more NAB News articles related to climate change and Australia’s transition to a low carbon economy here.

Related Articles

  • Climate

The key to climate compliance

A senior NAB banker has joined the corporate regulator in urging businesses to use existing climate frameworks and data to comply with the imminent introduction of mandatory climate disclosure.

  • 03.10.2024
  • Time to read 1 min read
  • Climate

Salta partners with NAB on first NAB Green Finance for commercial real estate loan in Victoria

Leading property development and asset management group Salta has secured the first NAB Green Finance for Commercial Real Estate (CRE) loan for a building in Victoria.

  • 01.10.2024
  • Time to read 3 min read
  • Disaster relief

NAB offers Disaster Relief Grants to Victoria

NAB launches relief measures for customers affected by major storms in Victoria which commenced 25 August 2024.

  • 10.09.2024
  • Time to read 2 min read

Quick links

Environment and sustainability

Find out how NAB is adopting a sustainable approach to managing our business, and helping our customers to do so.