It is fair to say that 2016 was an interesting year from a sustainability perspective and 2017 is not likely to be any different.
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We started 2016 with the global climate agreement in Paris at the end of 2015. With so many of the big players in lock step it appeared there would be some real change. However, changing political landscapes may have an impact as well in 2017.
Renewable energy was in the news throughout 2016. Early in the year increasingly affordable battery storage for solar power appeared. It started with Tesla and more new systems are entering the market. Certainly something to watch in 2017.
Wind power has also been prominent - not the least for the concerns raised after South Australia lost power for several hours on three occasions in mid- to late-2016. Closer to home the Victorian Government has approved two wind farms in the Wimmera. Again, watch this space in 2017.
Countries like France and Italy legislated against unsold supermarket food being provided to food re-distributors and not thrown out. Food waste continues to be a big issue and you can tell how big it is when celebrity chefs start talking about it and even write cookbooks on how to best use leftovers or reduce food waste.
Also on the food front there is continued growing interest in artisan foods, traceability, slow food, paddock to plate and grow your own. These will also continue to feature prominently in 2017 food trends.
In many countries there has been an expansion of localised sustainable solutions designed to work for a local community. For example Sarvajal, an Indian company has developed solar-powered 'water ATMs' that provide clean, low-cost water to people in remote parts of India, and Recycle Beirut, a social enterprise employs underprivileged residents in recycling operations in Lebanon. Sweden is providing tax breaks for products that can be fixed rather than just discarded in effort to move away from the ‘throw-away society’.
Technology has continued to provide opportunities for disruptive enterprises - whether it be game-changers like Uber, Airbnb and other online or social media entrepreneurs that are now changing the way we do things. Areas to watch in 2017 will be finance sector disruptors which may put the traditional banking system under pressure.
La Vergne Lehmann, Grampians Central West Waste & Resource Recovery Group