Crawford School of Public Policy

CircularEco is joining forces with the Australian National University I2S (Institute for Infrastructure in Society) to turbocharge the energy transformation.

CircularEco is the latest leading organisation to join the alliance of infrastructure leaders dedicated to building the research evidence base for social licence, risk management, and engagement in transformational projects. CircularEco promotes sustainable growth, attracts investment, and expedites renewable energy commercialisation while supporting regional economic growth through sustainable initiatives.

ANU I2S is the world’s only research institute focused on social risk management, social licence, and community engagement for infrastructure delivery. I2S aims to transform the relationship between major projects and communities. Through their unique and pioneering work, I2S delivers robust research insights with real-world impact.

CircularEco’s collaboration with ANU I2S is advancing understanding of social licence, risk management, and engagement, enhancing their ability to deliver optimal outcomes and boost industry-wide knowledge sharing.

As the Green and Sustainable Arm for transitioning industries, CircularEco, together with ANU I2S, will address the risks of linear business models and integrate circular economy principles, decarbonisation, energy transition, and energy security approaches in the transformation journey of industries. This ensures our actions have a global impact, driving a worldwide sustainable energy transition.

ANU I2S’ world-leading research program seeks to understand the relationship between communities and infrastructure projects. It aims to identify and promote best practices and to improve community outcomes from major infrastructure delivery.

“We’re delighted to collaborate with CircularEco. Together, we can bolster their efforts to accelerate the renewables transition and integrate world’s best social practice into major projects,” said Institute Director, Professor Sara Bice.

“CircularEco are leading the charge for sustainable development, technological shifts and a comprehensive energy transition. I2S is excited to support their innovative and important efforts, and to learn from them.”

“Together, we will build research evidence that supports best practice engagement, placebased approaches and partnerships necessary for the establishment of a truly circular economy.”

Australia’s energy transition requires an unprecedented infrastructure build. ANU I2S and CircularEco will collaborate on research programs, industry and government partnerships, events and research dissemination in Australia and internationally. They will work with their industry partners to help shed light on how better understanding of the individuals and communities — on whom climate adaptation and the renewables transition depends — can be better acknowledged and engaged.

CircularEco CEO, Mary Barry, said the collaboration will help Australia’s rapidly developing renewables sector to improve their social licence, adopt leading practice and put community and stakeholders at the heart of decision-making.

“CircularEco has an impressive network of partners and supporters driving climate adaptation and renewable energy. We need them to have access to the very best research about the non - technical aspects of their work, if they are to be successful,” Barry said.

“The collaboration with ANU I2S will help us understand how people and places are affected by the transition and what we can do to build social licence. This will boost CircularEco’s ability to provide the best outcomes for our clients, stakeholders and industry partners,” Barry said.

Through their comprehensive approach, CircularEco and ANU I2S lead the way in creating a more inclusive and sustainable future.

Contacts

CircularEco - Mary Barry, Director and CEO

+61422185159

marybarry@circulareco.com.au

ANU I2S - Professor Sara Bice

+61410705214

sara.bice@anu.edu.au