In our previous discussion, we explored an overview of the transformative potential of AI in advancing sustainability. However, the deployment of AI technologies is not without its ethical challenges. It promises the best of times and the worst of times all at once. Nate Silver recently stated that “AI is the highest-stakes game of poker in the world right now. Even in a bearish case, where we merely achieve modest improvements over current LLMs and other technologies like driverless cars, far short of artificial superintelligence (ASI), it will be at least an important technology. Probably at least a high 7 or low 8 on what I call the Technological Richter Scale, with broadly disruptive effects on the distribution of wealth, power, agency, and how society organizes itself. And that’s before getting into p(doom), the possibility that civilization will destroy itself or enter a dystopia because of misaligned AI.” If you have a moment, indulge yourself and go down the Technological Richter Scale and p(doom) rabbit holes, but for now, in short, its impact will be significant and broad.

Global & Australian Sustainability 🔹 What Does Australia’s New Climate Reporting Legislation Mean for Small Businesses? Simple overview of what you need to do as a SME.

When determining what is Reasonably Practicable, the consideration is to identify and implement what ‘Should’ be done, not what ‘Could’ be done. This is a common source of confusion as some of the early guidance in Australia presents a different view, however it has now been clarified by the Supreme Court of Victoria in 2019 [VSC 460].

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Artificial intelligence. It can simultaneously cause the rolling of eyes and unmetered excitement. I genuinely believe AI has a crucial role to play in addressing the complex environmental challenges we face and enabling us, the people who work in this space, to develop new and innovative ways to respond to the challenges that we’ve faced in the past.

Global & Australian Energy Transition 🔹 Lumea Commences Grid Works on Australia’s 1.6GWh Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub (20 Jan 2025) Lumea has begun grid works to connect the 1.6GWh Melbourne Renewable Energy Hub in Victoria

I have written a lot of articles over the last year on the topics of assurance, safety risk, and Reasonably Practicable. One of the topics that comes up regularly in the questions is the use of Standards as a means of determining what is Reasonably Practicable.