Programmed recently joined thousands of sustainability professionals, business leaders, innovators and solution providers from across Australia for two days of learning and industry insights at Sustainability Business Live 2026 – Australia’s largest corporate and commercial sustainability event.
Held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the event brings together organisations committed to creating practical and meaningful sustainability outcomes. For the Programmed team, it was a fantastic opportunity to hear from industry leaders, explore emerging technologies, share experiences with peers, and learn more about the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of sustainable business.
Key themes for Programmed
Across the two-day event, several themes emerged that are highly relevant to Programmed’s sustainability journey and future priorities.
Fleet management and decarbonisation
One of the biggest topics of discussion was fleet management, with organisations sharing their goals, challenges, and successes in reducing vehicle-related emissions.
As a business with a large and diverse fleet, these conversations were particularly valuable for Programmed. Presenters highlighted the complexities involved in transitioning fleets, from new technologies and infrastructure requirements to operational considerations and long-term planning.
With Programmed’s sustainability targets currently being developed, reducing fleet emissions will continue to be an important focus area as we work towards a lower-carbon future.
Waste management and Scope 3 emissions
Waste management was another key topic, particularly around improving the way organisations measure, manage, and reduce waste-related emissions.
Industry leaders shared practical strategies, innovative technologies, and new approaches to waste reduction. A common theme throughout the discussions was the importance of education. Many organisations identified employee awareness as one of the biggest opportunities for improvement, highlighting the role everyone plays in understanding waste streams, making informed disposal decisions, and supporting better environmental outcomes.
Climate reporting and transparency
The introduction of mandatory climate reporting requirements under AASB S2 was also a major focus throughout the event.
As a Tier 1 organisation, Programmed will be required to report on areas including emissions, climate-related risks and opportunities, governance arrangements and sustainability targets.
Hearing from other large organisations that have already begun this reporting journey provided valuable insights into their experiences, lessons learned and priorities for future reporting cycles. These discussions offered practical guidance as Programmed continues to strengthen its own climate reporting and governance processes.
On towards a more sustainable future
Beyond the presentations and panel discussions, Sustainability Business Live reinforced the value of collaboration and knowledge sharing across industries.
The event provided attendees with new ideas, fresh perspectives, and practical learnings that can be applied across different parts of the business. While each person came away with their own insights, one message was clear – creating a more sustainable future is a shared responsibility, and everyone has a role to play.
The event was a valuable experience for the Programmed team, providing opportunities to learn, connect and explore new approaches that will help support our sustainability journey now and into the future.
