WA has some of the best renewable energy resources in the world, yet renewable energy still only comprises a small percentage of energy consumed in WA.
Delmonico et al., (2018) argued that sustainability concerns in supply chain are linked with growing risks of publicized disasters and the established campaigns to address work safety issues, payments and its conditions, labours rights, and environmental considerations. The production of goods or delivery of services can directly or indirectly affect the environment and society. According to Walker et al., (2014) sustainable renewable energy is a rapidly growing essential practice of sustainable supply chains in the evolving frugality. Government is concerned to protect the environment, so government organisations do not contact with any firms which are not following the required environmental standards in their operations (Mercado et al., 2016, P.66). In 2018 solar energy in Australia was increased by 20 per cent and contributed 21.3 per cent to the total generated electricity. According to a report WA is producing 7.5 per cent of its total energy from renewable sources in the year 2017. Tasmania and South Australia are ahead of this pack. Western Australia is exposed to the ravages of climate change.
The main issue is that WA is not setting a target, and does not have a proper policy regarding renewable energy. The country is investing more than $ 15 billion every year on the utilization of renewable resources. The investments in such projects ultimately produce more than 10,000 jobs every year. Most of the power producing projects are not eco-friendly, and their processes harm the environment (Byrnes et al., 2013, P. 714). In Western Australia, Perth includes a dry Mediterranean climate which is rapidly drying; even the household water consumption is decreasing continuously. Western Australia is well known for its best renewable energy resources in the world. There are many electricity grids which are operated with solar, and wind energy. Besides these efforts and fame, it still comprises a small percentage of the total electricity production in WA. Government is concerned about the eco-friendly electricity generation which can save the environment.
Renewable energy is the best source for the efficient utilization of wastes. production of renewable energy from waste is a modern technique which contributes to the ecosystem of the country. The government in Western Australia has run a campaign to educate people about waste management and reduce the level of wastes production. Despite these efforts, the production of wastes is still extremely high in Western Australia as measured by the per capita wastes production (Hugues et al., 2010, P. 1785). In Western Australia, the housing is not designed sustainably and mostly these are expensive. However, there is an initiative to provide sustainable and affordable housing by the government, which is an essential social sustainability issue. The author will investigate its impact on non-financial performance and the operational performance of the organisation. There is a myriad of literature on sustainability and green organisational practices in different business industries.
Background to the problem
The renewable energy industry in Western Australia is working continuously to produce energy from environment-friendly resources and expand the use of renewable energy. However, there is still a large gap which needs strong policies from the local government and federal agencies because the contribution of renewable energy is not up to the mark. Renewable energy is produced through the utilization of natural resources such as wind, hydro, landfill gases, geothermal, solar thermal, and solar PV. Substantial growth has been seen in Western Australia in the production of renewable electricity in the 21st century. The total renewable energy consumption of the country in 2015 was 5.9 per cent of the total energy (Laslett et al., 2017, P.472). Potential growth has been seen during the year as compared to 2011 and 2012.
WA is performing poorly on the production of renewable energy, despite that WA focuses on big solar uptakes. It is the state of the country which is highly committed to achieving renewable energy target. The council of Climate stated that Western Australia's inaction could be highly hazardous for the state. The goal of this report is to highlight the potential growth of renewable energy and its impacts on the environment, society, and economy of the territory. Lu et al., (2017, P. 665) argued that there are several barriers such as social, economic, technical, and cultural which hinder WA from shifting towards complete transformation towards renewable energy. The population of the world is rapidly growing and the demand for energy also increases dramatically around the globe. The non-renewable resources of energy are depleting constantly, so the focus of all the developed nations is to utilize the renewable energy resources Gulagi et al., (2017, n.p). To match the supply and demand of the energy is a major challenge; to cope with this challenge effectively it is required to utilize both the renewable and non-renewable energies.
Three dimensions of Sustainable renewable energy (Environmental, Social and Economic)
Hydropower is a widely used and advanced and mature sustainable source of energy that provides a significant level of electricity in more than 160 countries around the world. In Australia, Hydropower and solar energy are the best sources of renewable energy. Sustainable development in renewable energy sources incorporates the social, economic, and environmental dimensions at all levels such as locally, nationally, regionally, and globally. It is dealing with sustainable communities and their environment. It refers to sustaining the ecosystems, natural resources, communities and economy of the country. It is related to both the processes and products in this sector.
The sustainability drive by the government of Western Australia leads to economic development and the source of greenhouse gases free environment for humans and wildlife on the planet. It also reduces the burden on fuel consumption. Most of the energy is produced with oil, gas, and coal, while the waste produced by burning these fossil fuels produces carbon dioxide gas. CO2 gas is harmful to the ozone layer and leads to many environmental hazards. It is not only harmful to human and other wildlife, but also for the environment. Sustainability and green business practice is an emerging business and there is a need for research in various fields in the resource sector. The rapidly growing industries and other issues have adversely affected the environment.
The emission of poisonous gasses and chemicals has polluted water and air which resulted in various environmental and social disasters (Brammer and Helen Walker 2011). In recent years, the strategies of many large corporations and government institutions have changed; they are doing business with those environment-friendly organisations. The eco-friendly organisations are encouraged by governments and other organisations, to deliver goods and services that are sustainable to the community and environment. It is a great source of employment and also develops the economy of the country. However, there is also a negative impact from the mining industry which is hazardous to the environment and human beings (Utembe et al. 2015).
A common ground was identified to resolve this conflict which was to protect the environment in the exploration and extraction of minerals and production of energy. This common ground was identified by the recognition of both the parties that protected the interests of both industry and environmental department. Meanwhile, around the globe, all industries including mining industry joined the WBCSB (World Business Council for Sustainable Development) to adopt the main theme of sustainable development. The pressure state response system shows sustainable development agendas and policies. The human activities to produce minerals are seen as pressure over the environment. The following figure shows the pressure state response (PSR) system.
Figure 1 Sustainable Renewable Energy Impacts
Environmental
Sustainable business practices have become a hot topic for researchers from different field of studies. Sustainable renewable energy is encouraged by government agencies and motivates other organisations to modify their business practices (Christensen and Per Laegreld 2007). Here we will highlight the impact of sustainability in the production of electricity on the environment. The environmental factor is important because the emission of gases has adversely affected the ozone layer, wildlife, forestry and other natural calamities.
Among the most pressing environmental worries for stakeholders are mining organisation’s energy and water use, the effect of mining exercises on biodiversity. Indeed, even the most inventive mining firms keep on relying on expanded measures of energy created by coal and oil subsidiaries, whose discharges add to a dangerous atmospheric warming and the environmental change, regardless of their endeavours to improve energy effectiveness. electricity producers in Western Australia keep on trying to lessen the emanations of fuel, and other substances, that produces environmental hazards. They are additionally threatened by the generation of ozone-draining substances and fluoride. Air quality in and close to mines is amazingly delicate and must be observed and kept up at safe dimensions. Most of the electricity grids are not eco-friendly and produces harmful gasses that cause global warming and other climatic catastrophes. The conventional methods of producing energy are polluting the environment and are not considered as eco-friendly (Amoako et al., 2017).
Social
In the social circle, the industry is looking to address difficulties with respect to the worker and community security, stakeholder commitment, HIV/AIDS decrease, strategies for the existence cycles of mining tasks, and human rights. Endeavours have been made to represent these worries all points in the procurement network. The social or cultural impact of sustainable renewable energy is not only confined to the labours but to the whole society. It is the responsibility of every organisation to take care of the well-being of the employees. Renewable energy is not only eco-friendly but also better for the employees. There are least hazards of the energy plants to the employees. The sustainable energy is produced with the wind, hydro and other naturally available resources, so the cost of production is lower, and the firms are in a better position to uplift the wellbeing of its employees and society. They can spend a handsome amount as a CSR to pay back to society.
The well-being and security of labourers is a noteworthy test for energy-producing organisations in Western Australia. Of specific worry in the business is the commonness of HIV/AIDS and other endemic sicknesses, for instance, malaria in mining networks, particularly for organisations, so these hazards can be controlled by using sustainable resources and implementing health and safety measures. These illnesses have harmed the strength of local members, yet in addition, lessened the workforce and are diminishing the efficiency of the current workforce. Human rights have likewise been a subject of worry for renewable energy producing organisations and associations that track them (Contestabile et al., 2016, n.p). A few organisations have reacted with far-reaching human rights techniques and projects, for example, non-segregation and opportunity of affiliation; and approaches against kid work, and constrained or obligatory work. labour unions and other agencies are ensuring the safety and security of the employees and other stakeholders.
Economic
There have additionally been cases that sustainable energy producing firms don't work in manners that will furnish them with long haul fiscal sustainability. To keep up financial sustainability, different variables must be considered. Notwithstanding the customary elements, for instance, net deals, installments and debts, different variables ought to be noted likewise. Exceptionally compelling are interests in the open segment and payments made to the government in Western Australia. Renewable energy is not only better for the society and environment, but it can also contribute to the economy of the country. It can produce huge opportunities for employment and contribute the handsome amount to the GDP of the country. Due to the depletion of fossil fuels, the shift of electricity to renewable energy was crucial. Fossil fuels are continuously depleting because these resources are scarce and highly required for other purposes. The sustainable renewable resources have no risk of diminishing and its efficient utilization can help the country's economy.
Sustainable energy is challenged to add to the practical development of the communities in which they work by deserting establishments and infrastructure that will bolster the communities. Organisations are urged to recognize destinations where local financial improvement is of specific focus and enthusiasm to stakeholders, layout approaches as for evaluating this commitment, to put resources into these establishments and infrastructure. Furthermore, organisations are encouraged to draw merchandise, materials, and administrations from the host or local communities. To diminish bribery and other unlawful payments, organisations are emphatically urged to represent and uncover all charges of various kinds paid in all tasks. Donations, comparatively, might be tallied and uncovered. Various groups have started to squeeze governments and organisations to reveal all payments. Various groups have enthusiasm for the aggregates paid for land concessions or paid in taxes, especially in view of various open doors for corruption, and to screen the manners in which that income comes to or does not reach different areas of the host community.
Conclusion
Sustainable energy is rapidly growing around the globe due to environmental, economic, and social impacts. The local government of Western Australia has reduced emissions of Carbon dioxide gas due to environmental consideration. The production of electricity through green practices is one of the steps towards socio-economic and environmental factors. There are many sources of renewable power technologies, some of the most commonly used are; solar energy, biogas, geothermal, low-impact hydroelectricity, emerging technologies wave and tidal power, wind energy, and waste treatment. The government of WA has the best renewable energy plants, however still there is a huge gap, and they produce only 7.5 per cent of the total electricity through renewable energy. There are a lot of benefits in terms of job creations, environmental and social domains.
However, transforming the existing system is a big challenge that requires a huge budget and proper infrastructure planning. There is no polarized opinion regarding the benefits of sustainable renewable energy. It can save our environment from harmful radiations, save the ozone layer, prevent natural disasters, and global warming. Moreover, renewable energy has a minimum cost, and the resources are not depleting, so it can contribute significantly to the GDP of the country. The electricity produced with these resources is better for society and for the well-being of its workers and other stakeholders. Renewable energy is sustainable and eco-friendly. There is no emission of poisonous gasses and substances which can harm our planet and its wildlife. In Perth, it is mandatory for all households to have solar panels. Hydropower is not only producing electricity but save water reservations. The key challenges are poor planning and implementation of the set policies regarding sustainable renewable energy plans in Western Australia.
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