Navigating the energy crisis

Future Ready Forum

In the face of a global energy crisis, can Perth become a world leading sustainable city?

Committee for Perth’s upcoming Future Ready Forum – Navigating the energy crisis, is being held on Friday, 4 August 2023.

GHD’s Global Head of Corporate Sustainability, James Viray will join us to present the global research from SHOCKED. The SHOCKED report, released in June in New York, revealed most global energy sector leaders believe the current energy crisis is the most severe their market has ever experienced.

James will reflect on the report, and share insights on global leading practices towards sustainability, and incorporating Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) principles.

Joining James will be GHD’s WA Market Leader – Energy, Joep Vaessen, and together they will address:

• How we can stay the course to net zero.
• What the research findings mean for Western Australia and Perth.
• Where we can find hope and opportunity.
• How we can create an energy transition that leaves no one behind.

Committee for Perth’s Future Ready Forums explore tomorrow’s opportunities. Featuring future-focused leaders, the events bring together members and special guests to make connections, share insights and discuss important issues.

Action is required to address the climate and energy crisis being felt across the globe. This important event will offer all leaders a global and expert insight into the challenges and opportunities.

Meet our speakers and panellists

James Viray

Global Head of Corporate Sustainability – GHD

As Global Head of Corporate Sustainability, James Viray leads GHD’s commitment to sustainable development through integrating ESG principles into decision-making across the organisation and driving a sustainability culture.

James has worked extensively with NGOs, governments and corporations in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America to develop shared value for communities and companies. He developed his expertise on sustainable development through conducting assessments, engaging stakeholders from village chiefs to Presidents, and designing and implementing global development projects in Africa and Asia. Uniquely, he has had the opportunity to address sustainable development from the perspective of an international NGO, a government agency and a Fortune Global 500 company.

Over his career, he has driven collaboration among multinational corporations in sectors from technology to energy & mining to agribusiness to apparel and their stakeholders in addressing environmental & social impacts at both local and global levels. He has worked within companies to successfully integrate environmental & social issues into key decision-making processes and to create a culture of ownership and accountability for sustainability performance.

Recognized for his innovative work, James was awarded the U.S. Department of State’s Superior Honour Award. He has represented the United States at the United Nations and OECD

Joep Vaessen

WA Market Leader for Energy – GHD

Joep Vaessen is a future energy leader with an extensive background in energy infrastructure, and renewable energy projects globally. He is currently the WA Market Leader for Energy at GHD where he provides industry and government with strategic advice in decarbonisation planning, solutions and is a well-known partner in the delivery of energy projects. Joep comes from a project development and construction background. He was actively involved in the delivery and completion of WA’s largest renewable projects and currently leader in one of Western Australia’s largest future energy team involved in decarbonisation, green fuels and energy transformation projects.