Reshaping Queensland: Strategies for a sustainable future
This event will bring together leaders from industry, government, academia and the community to discuss how Queensland can respond to climate pressures, build economic resilience and regional prosperity, and unlock opportunities for sustainable growth.
Presented in partnership by UQ Business School and the Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia (BCSDA), the summit provides an opportunity for meaningful discussion and collaboration across sectors.
Event details
Date: Wednesday 2 September 2026
Time: 12–5pm
Location: Customs House, 399 Queen Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Register by: Wednesday 26 August 2026
Event schedule
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 12–12:30pm | Registration and light lunch |
| 12:30–12:45pm | Welcome remarks |
| 12:45–1:30pm | Keynote address: Queensland's economic future in a shifting climate landscape |
| 1:30–2:30pm | Panel 1: Sectors in transition: Insights, challenges and opportunities |
| 2:30–2:45pm | Afternoon tea |
| 2:45–3:45pm | Panel 2: Shared transition: Communities, regions and trust |
| 3:45–4pm | Closing remarks |
| 4–5pm | Networking |
Event presenters
Welcome remarks
Andrew Petersen
CEO, Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia
Andrew Petersen is Chief Executive Officer of the Business Council for Sustainable Development Australia (BCSD Australia), a national business-led organisation working to accelerate practical solutions for sustainable economic development. He works with Australian and international businesses, governments, researchers and industry groups on issues including climate, nature, reporting, infrastructure, workforce transition and sustainable finance. Andrew is a regular speaker on the business implications of sustainability, helping organisations translate emerging policy, market and regulatory developments into practical decisions that create long-term value and resilience.
Keynote address
Professor Belinda Wade
Chair in Climate Action and Ethical Transitions, UQ Business School
Belinda Wade is an Industry Professor at the UQ Business School with 25 years’ experience in sustainability and climate change across the Australian electricity market, higher education and consulting sectors. She works to establish best practices in climate management and understand how companies can align their operations with a carbon constrained future. Major project collaborations include with the Australian Accounting Standards Board examining organisational behaviour in response to mandatory climate reporting; the Future Fuels CRC (hydrogen adoption and biomethane); the Queensland Decarbonisation Hub (sector planning); and, Net Zero Australia (decarbonisation). Belinda has published work in top international journals including Nature Climate Change, Nature Communications and Journal of Business Ethics .
Mark Hutchinson
Former CEO, Fortescue Energy
Mark brings extensive business and leadership experience at a senior executive level, having held various roles at GE over a 25-year career, the two most recent as President and Chief Executive Officer China and Europe. In these roles, Mark led the efforts to strengthen GE’s operations across China and Europe and developed and executed a shared growth strategy for all the GE businesses which helped to drive significant growth, year on year. Mark was then appointed CEO of Fortescue Energy in 2022. His focus was to drive growth in Fortescue Energy, building a global portfolio of renewable green hydrogen and green ammonia projects and developing green technology solutions. In 2024, the team focused on accelerating projects in Morocco, Norway, the USA, Brazil and Australia. Mark stepped down as CEO in May 2025 and is now Senior Advisor to the Board.
Panel 1: Sectors in transition: Insights, challenges and opportunities
Jessica Rudd
Head of Sustainability, Brisbane Airport Corporation
Jessica Rudd is the Head of Sustainability at Brisbane Airport Corporation, leading the airport’s long term sustainability strategy and program across climate resilience, circularity, waste, water, nature and social impact. Jess helped guide BAC to its 2025 Net Zero achievement, shaped its Sustainability Strategy, and is currently leading work on Scope 3 emissions and Sustainable Aviation Fuel advocacy. Previously, Jess was Sustainability Manager at the Port of Brisbane, where she developed the port’s sustainability strategy and led climate adaptation and reporting. She is focused on practical, business aligned sustainability delivered through collaboration with teams, industry and government.
Paul Greenop
Head of Portfolio Management and Sustainability, Clean Energy Finance Corporation
Paul manages the General portfolio investments in renewable, energy efficiency and low-emissions projects at Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC). He also oversees CEFC’s sustainability function covering corporate commitments and investment-related performance. Before joining the CEFC predecessor, Low Carbon Australia in 2010, Paul worked for the Carbon Trust in the UK, managing its energy efficiency programmes delivering expert technical advice to over 3,000 businesses per year looking to reduce their energy costs.
Professor Belinda Wade (Moderator)
Chair in Climate Action and Ethical Transitions, UQ Business School
Belinda Wade is an Industry Professor at the UQ Business School with 25 years’ experience in sustainability and climate change across the Australian electricity market, higher education and consulting sectors. She works to establish best practices in climate management and understand how companies can align their operations with a carbon constrained future. Major project collaborations include with the Australian Accounting Standards Board examining organisational behaviour in response to mandatory climate reporting; the Future Fuels CRC (hydrogen adoption and biomethane); the Queensland Decarbonisation Hub (sector planning); and, Net Zero Australia (decarbonisation). Belinda has published work in top international journals including Nature Climate Change, Nature Communications and Journal of Business Ethics.
Panel 2: Shared transition: Communities, regions and trust
Councillor Andrew Smith
Mayor, Western Downs Regional Council
Mayor Andrew Smith is serving his fifth consecutive term on Council, having first been elected in 2008 and previously serving as Deputy Mayor from 2016 to 2024. A successful entrepreneur with a wealth of experience in small business, retail and agriculture, Cr Smith still maintains several business interests in the region. In his role as Mayor, Cr Smith has a strong focus on investment attraction and regional economic advocacy with emphasis on long-term water security, telecommunications, and roads and infrastructure investment for the Western Downs. Cr Smith is passionate about growing communities, diversifying the economy and business prosperity on the Western Downs.
Seleena Blackley
Project Officer, First Nations, Queensland Tourism Industry Council
Seleena Blackley is a proud Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander woman. Her Aboriginal heritage extends to the Kalkutungu, Waanyi, Gunggari and Ngaro peoples and Torres Strait Islander heritage from Kubin Village, Moa Island. Seleena was born and raised on the traditional lands of the Kalkutungu people in Mount Isa, far North-West Queensland and is a practitioner of Kalkutungu dance, song, language and art. A traditional Kalkutungu dancer, Seleena has represented her people on a state and national level, fostering cross-cultural exchange. Coming from a youth and cultural worker background, Seleena transitioned into the tourism industry in late 2024 and is the current First Nations Project Officer at QTIC. Seleena is passionate about improving the lives of First Nations peoples by supporting economic participation, entrepreneurialism and truth-telling. Seleena currently resides in Brisbane but maintains her cultural connections to Mount Isa.
Dr Naomi Devetak
Acting Manager, Community and Social Performance, Powerlink
Dr Naomi Devetak is a social performance leader, researcher, and practitioner with more than 15 years of experience across the government, academic, and energy sectors. As Community Relations Team Leader at Powerlink Queensland, she leads community and social performance initiatives for major energy infrastructure projects. Naomi holds a PhD from The University of Queensland and is a published author and conference presenter with a passion for building trust, strengthening social licence, and creating lasting value for communities through the energy transition.
Kylie Porter
CEO, Queensland Farmers’ Federation
Kylie Porter is the Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF), Queensland’s peak body for agriculture. Through QFF, Kylie works with member organisations to support farmers, strengthen policy and contribute to the future of Queensland’s regional communities. Kylie is known for bringing people, industries and ideas together to tackle complex challenges, unlock practical solutions and strengthen regional resilience. A respected regional and industry leader, she is committed to ensuring regional and rural voices are heard in the decisions that shape their future. Kylie is also a founding Director of C-Res, one of Australia’s largest social enterprises, which delivers a local buying platform in remote and regional locations across Australia in partnership with BHP, and a member of Queensland Treasury’s Clean Expert Economy Panel helping guide Queensland’s low-emissions future.
Professor John Cole OAM (Moderator)
Honorary Professor, UQ Business School
Professor Cole is a leader in sustainability, innovation, governance, and strategy with specific expertise in innovative sustainable development and stakeholder engagement. He has over 40 years multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral experience as a senior executive and board member in government, industry, academic and community positions - all of which involved new value creation through innovative stakeholder engagement and partnerships. John is a highly respected thought leader with an international reputation as an expert and speaker in sustainable development, innovation practice, and policy. He has played a pioneering role in addressing contemporary ESG issues and trends in various settings. John has a specific passion for sustainable regional development and building resilient communities.
Closing remarks
Professor Christoph Nedopil
UQ Business School
Dr Christoph Nedopil is a Professor at UQ Business School, Visiting Professor at Fudan University, and Professorial Research Associate at SOAS University of London. A leading expert on green industry transitions in the Asia-Pacific, he advises governments, financial institutions, businesses and civil society on green finance, corporate governance and transition leadership. He has led major international initiatives, including the UNDP SDG Finance Taxonomy and climate finance reports for the G20, authored four books, and is published widely in leading academic journals.