Vale Fiona Wain, former head of SBA

Published by

It is with great sadness that I inform you Fiona Wain passed away this week, following her long and courageous battle with cancer.

She was in the company of friends at her passing, after she slipped into a coma yesterday.

What can be said about the inspiring and tenacious resilience of Fiona?

Led by Fiona, the Sustainable Business Assocation embarked on a strategic plan to raise the business debate about the role and scope for smart policies, investment, technology and trade opportunities towards achieving a sustainable and just world. Under her leadership, the then Environment Business Australia raised awareness about the scale and relevance of environmental challenges.

Over the years she pursued the role of Australian business at a number of international forums. This including chairing the business leaders Sustainable Production and Consumption Working Group at the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002.

She was instrumental in the recognition of the nascent environment industry in 2001, through development and release of the Australian Environment Industry Action report,

Her representation on the Queensland Government’s Climate Change Council, submissions on the Renewable Energy Target and to the development of the Australian Emissions Trading scheme will long be remembered as a significant business contribution to the sustainability agenda in this country.

Through Fiona’s efforts, Australian business saw the creation of national forums, including involvement in the launch of the Environment Business Conference (which is now EcoForum) in alliance with key business groups, and Carbon Expo, which is now Australia’s premier carbon policy and trade expo.

Fiona was a high-energy person, never short of an opinion and never afraid to confront the status quo. And there was her love for champagne – and champagne only!

Fiona Wain’s 10-year leadership of SBA was a reflection of her belief in the need for the stewardship by mankind of our environment and our fellow human beings. She nurtured and took responsibility for something on behalf of everyone. That something was SBA.

We will miss her.

Andrew Petersen

CEO

Sustainable Business Australia

 

Share
Published by

Recent Posts

Korea drops secures grid connection approval for its first big battery in Australia

A two-hour, 100 megawatt battery energy storage system has received approval to connect to the…

21 December 2025

Offshore wind turbines create all-you-can-eat havens where some fish can double in size

New study shows offshore wind turbines create different marine environments that accommodate more groups and…

21 December 2025

First solar-battery hybrid on Australia’s main grid is energised, and ready to send PV into evening peaks

The first large scale solar battery hybrid project to join Australia's main grid has been…

20 December 2025

Wind, solar and batteries smash output records in midst of pre-Christmas heatwave

Near-record demand creates important window into how much renewable capacity is available across the system…

19 December 2025

Huge new battery will be able to power South Pacific island for three hours a day, and pave way for more solar

France is building one of its biggest batteries on its territory in New Caledonia, where…

19 December 2025

Australian offshore wind trailblazer pulls up stumps, warns against “overstated risk aversion and timidity”

Australian offshore wind start-up that blazed a trail for the nascent technology will wind up…

19 December 2025