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
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, Darling 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.
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
Professor John Cole OAM (Moderator)
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.