Standards for sustainability: strengthening Pacific partnerships

Connecting cultures for climate change solutions

Standards Australia is pleased to announce the launch of its Pacific Climate Standards Fellowship, taking place from October 14th to 25th, 2024. This program is designed to establish new networks and strengthen partnerships between Australian organisations and nations in the Pacific, including Kiribati, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Timor-Leste. The goal is to create a stronger and more interconnected future between Australia and the Pacific nations. Funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the fellowship aims to foster collaboration and enhance climate response capabilities across the region.

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Empowering nations through knowledge and standards

The Pacific Climate Standards Fellowship is set to transform the way participating nations approach climate change. The Fellowship will equip country representatives with essential knowledge on adopting and implementing standards tailored to the unique challenges faced, due to their geographical location.

Adam Stingemore, Chief Development Officer at Standards Australia says, “By providing a systematic approach to climate response, standards play a crucial role in enhancing economic competitiveness, bolstering resilience against environmental impacts, and ensuring the safety and quality of goods and services. This program emphasises the importance of transitioning to renewable energy through interactive training, mentoring, and discussions, thereby enabling participants to build resilient communities.”

The skills and insights gained will not only elevate the participants' capabilities but also facilitate stronger connections between their nations and the Australian standards ecosystem.

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Transformative training and expert insights

Over two weeks, participants will engage in a series of comprehensive training sessions focusing on the Standards Development Process as it relates to climate adaptation, resilience, and energy transition.

In addition to interactive workshops, participants will embark on site visits to key Australian Quality Infrastructure bodies in Sydney and Canberra, offering firsthand insight into how climate and energy standards are integrated into infrastructure projects. These include the National Measurement Institute, and the University of Canberra’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Institute for Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions.

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Building a sustainable future together

By the end of the two-week program, participants will have developed industry-specific standards development skills that are critical for addressing climate and green energy challenges. They will also have the opportunity to network with Australian industry experts and key players in the conformance ecosystem.

This collaborative environment will allow them to engage effectively with stakeholders across government, private sector, and civil society, thereby fostering a robust framework for climate action in their respective countries. Standards Australia is committed to promoting ongoing engagement among participants to address regional climate challenges collectively.

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