The discussion was part of the James Cook University Captains of Industry Luncheon Series on Global Environmental Impacts on Business: Challenges and Strategies on 19 May 2014.

The event allowed academics, public sector leaders and corporate captains to discuss the challenges faced by businesses worldwide. Topics discussed included global climate change and the need for carbon neutral practices, energy inefficient processes, degradation of sensitive environments through development, overfishing, and ecologically unsustainable techniques in aquaculture, agriculture and fishing.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor of JCU Singapore, Dr Dale Anderson, said that sustainable environmental practices are becoming increasingly important to business.

"Implementing sustainable environmental practices is now a consumer driven demand and will help businesses to enhance their collective corporate social responsibilities," he said.

"An astute environmental strategy that recognises the importance of sustainable environmental practices, and the ability to tackle a range of environmental challenges is essential if businesses are to maintain their base of clients and operate in a global market," according to Dr Anderson.

According to the Minister this is a crucial calling to which educational institutions like JCU Singapore must respond in order to pave the way for a brighter and more sustainable environment for future generations.

“…universities and academic institutions have critical roles to play – making the necessary discoveries to generate solutions – which hopefully, responsible governments will have to implement.That is what our people demand and expect of us”.

Aligned with this sustainable environmental agenda, JCU Singapore will continue to engage with businesses to identify their needs in the environmental sector and tailor the university’s academic programs to meet these needs. These new initiatives provide great future employment opportunities for appropriately qualified graduates.