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S4E3 - Sustainability isn't a department anymore w/ Alexandra Monson
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How do you move sustainability from a standalone function to something embedded across an entire business?
In this episode of Infrastructure Connections, we explore how sustainability is being integrated into infrastructure delivery at every level—from strategy and governance to operations, technology and culture.
The conversation examines the growing shift from compliance-driven sustainability to long-term value creation, and what that looks like in practice across large-scale infrastructure and asset management.
Joining the discussion is Alexandra Monson, Group Manager - Sustainability at Ventia as she shares how Ventia is embedding sustainability into decision-making through climate transition planning, integrated reporting and science-based emissions targets.
The episode also explores the role of innovation and emerging technologies—including AI-enabled asset management, fleet transition and data-driven planning—in improving resilience, reducing risk and delivering more proactive infrastructure outcomes.
This episode unpacks:
- Embedding sustainability into business strategy and operations
- Decarbonisation and climate transition planning in practice
- How AI and data are reshaping asset management
- Building capability and resilience across supply chains
- Why sustainability is everyone’s responsibility—not just one team’s
As infrastructure owners and operators face increasing environmental and operational pressures, this conversation explores what it takes to create systems that are more resilient, efficient, and future-focused.
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Transcript
Introduction and Guest Overview
00:00:00
Speaker
Sustainability is one of those key core three pillars. It's absolutely integral to our strategy.
00:00:13
Speaker
Welcome back to Infrastructure Connections. Today we're speaking with Alexandra Monson, and she's going to help us answer three questions. How does sustainability provide value creation for corporate governance? How do you encourage and reward innovation? And how can an organization create cohesive social value?
00:00:32
Speaker
Alexandra Monson is Group Manager of Sustainability at Ventia. With over 20 years experience in environmental and sustainability management spending infrastructure services, transport and construction, Alex leads sustainability strategy, decarbonization planning, target setting and reporting. Alex is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Rhodes Australia Fellow and delivered Ventia's first IS operations rating.
00:00:59
Speaker
Well, hello, welcome to the show. Thanks. Good to talk with you today. Thanks for being on. So going back through your career, you've been in sustainability a long time. Was there a point where you started to see an interest in it and was there an aha moment or something that really started it or has it been there all along? but Probably not an aha moment. um I think really just such a long time back at school, um really an appreciation for the natural world, but also a curiosity for how mankind, humankind can impact the environment. um Just started that desire to want to work in an environmental field, um looking at the impact that we have. And I think really it's just sort of a natural progression from there into sustainability and the and the broader impact, thinking about environment and and social more broadly.
00:01:50
Speaker
That's great. Well, you had the pleasure of being on the IS rated operations project and um you are an
Sustainability Ratings and Value Creation
00:01:57
Speaker
ISAP. So what's kind of been your experience? How do you think sustainability ratings add value to what Ventia does? Clearly on the contract that's delivering a rating, there's the ability um through the things the rating encourages the team to look at and drive through, drive innovation, sustainability outcomes that are auditable for the contract itself. um There is a ah strengthening, the advantage, i think, of how we can talk and back ourselves up around sustainability to to the market. um
00:02:29
Speaker
But really fundamentally it's about but how do we, we can use the rating to embed sustainability principles in terms of how we do our day-to-day work on that contract and beyond driving that whole of life value um through productivity, risk reduction, and the outcomes that we generate. And I think the first time I delivered that um with the team on a contract, it all sort of fell together quite well to see how the rating brings those things together. um and of course,
00:02:59
Speaker
then with that ability, that robustness of having that independent, trusted assurance um around the the capability in that space is is a really powerful thing.
Sustainability in Strategy and Governance
00:03:09
Speaker
Would you say sustainability is now integrated into what Ventia does as a company? It's absolutely integral to our strategy. So yes, being integrated in how we perceive o ourselves, what's important to us, our values and how we deliver our work. and When you look at our our enterprise-wide strategy,
00:03:27
Speaker
our pillars there for how we deliver what we do and create value for our stakeholders. Sustainability is one of those key core three pillars, along with our customer focus and innovation. And of course, they're also inextricably linked ah in terms of meeting what our customers' expectations are around sustainability and using innovation in that as well. So they work together really, really nicely.
00:03:50
Speaker
I did notice that your sustainability report has been actually integrated into your financial annual report. um That was about two years ago. what instigated that change and how has that helped sustainability become more of a ah focus for the corporation, for the organization?
00:04:06
Speaker
And we started in 2021 with a standalone sustainability report. and And that was a new thing for the organization to do. and to talk about the good work that we do environmentally and around social as well and how we bring that together from a governance framework and back that up with examples and case studies from across the business, how we bring that to life. And that that was really important.
00:04:31
Speaker
But then in, so a couple of years ago, as you mentioned, so 2024, we took the decision to integrate into a combined annual report. i mean, one of the benefits is then sustainability isn't a bolt-on or ah a so a side thing over there that you can go and look at in a separate report report if that interests you. So it really brings that into a core document, which means it's part of core corporate governance then. you've got the governance over the whole integrated um report. So it strengthens accountability and transparency. And one of the nice things that we're able to do then, having it integrate in that way is be really clear about how sustainability sits within our value creation model and how we do create value through the work that we do every day for our stakeholders. So it was really nice to
00:05:23
Speaker
explore that in that way through the report. And and I hope it comes across in in that way. yeah it's just refreshing to hear sustainability called value creation for a project and for an organization. So that's that's good to hear and especially to hear it integrated into the governance structure.
Climate Transition and AI Innovations
00:05:43
Speaker
You've been very involved in the Ventia's Climate Transition Plan and Net Zero Ambition. So tell us a bit about that and how that filtered into the plan. Yeah, yeah, absolutely. And because it's the first time now there's a requirement for organizations to um disclose the information around the transition plan.
00:06:01
Speaker
um But more importantly, think it's the shift that we're seeing to not just talking about emissions and impact on the environment, but really integrating what's the impact on the business, how resilient is the business and how we considering climate um in relation to the ongoing growth and resilience of the organisation and um really articulating what does transition look like for Ventia.
00:06:29
Speaker
And so we have two pillars in our transition plan. One is around building resilience and the other is around decarbonizing our operations. But we set um a couple of years ago now some bold um emissions reductions targets through the science-based targets initiative. um So for our direct emissions are one and two.
00:06:50
Speaker
um So the fuels that we use and the electricity that we buy, we've committed to 42%
00:06:58
Speaker
reduction, full reduction, absolute reduction by 2030. Wow. wow um So that's not offsetting, um that's reducing those emissions from a 2021 base year and then a net zero target by 2050. And what's interesting with that one is that's across all of our value chain emissions. So our scope three emissions that we count um for those, that target. So that's our supply chain. And that's more than 90% of our ah total emissions is through that supply chain.
00:07:31
Speaker
Things like um sourcing renewable electricity in our offices and our depots. think at 2025, just over 30%, 31% renewables procured.
00:07:45
Speaker
Transitioning our fleet. And so far, I'm really pleased to say that from our baseline, we've reduced over 22% from our baselines. while in that period we've grown considerably as a business in the nature of the types of work that we do. So our teams can be really proud, but of course there's always a lot more to do.
00:08:07
Speaker
That's fantastic. and what One of the things I've noticed during the IIS operations ratings with Ventia has just been the innovation that's coming out of Ventia as a whole. One of the ones that always impressed me the most was the sensors that are being placed on vehicles to identify potholes and and cracks in the road as they form faster than a human inspection would. And then also using AI to connect those repairs that need to be done so that they can be clustered.
00:08:33
Speaker
rather than spread out the repair crews across a whole wide area and wasting time in transport. So can you talk about some of those innovations that Ventia is working on and what's exciting about them?
00:08:45
Speaker
You're all across these. It's it's great. um And that's really just the tip of the iceberg with some of the things that we do. But they are really good examples of how the teams will identify what's the application of technology to do things better.
00:09:01
Speaker
Of course, looking after the network, finding out when things are deteriorating and then how do you respond to that. um historically, that has tended to be more reactive, um which can be resource intensive, more likely to disrupt road users and the like. So, of course, being having better information and being proactive has lots of benefits.
00:09:21
Speaker
um So using the computer vision on vehicles that are travelling the network, um much more efficient than the human eye. What is good, it's not just sensors just bringing information and that's it, it's how it's then used and using the algorithms, um the technology there to track any defect over time, um re-rate the condition,
00:09:44
Speaker
in can capture in the subsequent inspections how how it's tracking. um We can then refine and and make some predictions around how it's going to perform over time and and react into our plans. um And then that additional overlay Then thinking about sort of your spatial techniques, like how do you then cluster those? so How do you plan your works to do? you know, you're not just doing one and then you're going over here and then you're going over there. You're actually responding in a coordinated, well-planned way. from what could be quite a, I suppose, a simple maintenance to task, us inspecting, recording defects, responding to it, is actually just using technology better for a much better outcome overall. So it's really quite encouraging.
00:10:28
Speaker
It is encouraging. And how would you use those operational sustainability concepts on using this new technology on newer essential infrastructure modules, such as data centers or other up and coming infrastructure?
00:10:42
Speaker
It's hard to have any conversation about technology and AI and how essential it is to deliver efficiency and improvements in all of our day-to-day lives and very much so when we're talk about managing infrastructure that we need data centers to do that and having them onshore, the data sovereign, um know it's it's safe to have our ah data onshore is really going to be essential for the future. So there's no getting away from that.
00:11:09
Speaker
um But then how do we... um have a really integrated approach using some of these learnings from the other sectors um so that we can manage power, cooling controls, really insights into how we manage workforce and and planning and design for all these centres and certainly theyre their ongoing maintenance life.
00:11:32
Speaker
um So I think because a lot of the focus I hear on data centres is sort of on the construction and low carbon as it's built, but we know through our experience with other assets then actually how you you plan and set them up for operations is where you'll get really efficient lifecycle benefits across these data centers um that will be more and more of them starting up.
00:11:57
Speaker
How do you think that AI is going to change that sustainability work? Oh, gosh, in so many different ways. um It'll just, it'll supercharge what our amazing sustainability professionals are able to do um and all of us. So I think there's the ways that we're already, many of us already starting to use to get efficiencies into what we do now. um And that shouldn't be underrated. That's huge. We can do things faster than than ever before, get more insights into things,
00:12:26
Speaker
um But then using that similarly to the that road defect information, having then the data there to have some predictive foresight into what may happen and then um prescribing that and then what can we do and what should we do.
00:12:42
Speaker
Just looking at the sustainability profession and and people as well in terms of what can we use now and sort of that that sort of first phase in our day-to-day, and really getting access to data better.
00:12:54
Speaker
Think about supply chain um information. how do we pull information, use AI to actually read information, predict, thinking about that that scale of that scope three, that supply chain emissions challenge that many of us have got. How do we use AI to actually provide insights and and on ways to do things better there. So i do think other than um the data driven decision making, using that predictive preventive and sort of insights, then really empowering faster innovation and that we as sustainability people can um leverage all of these, but particularly I think around the supply chain sustainability.
00:13:33
Speaker
How does Ventia encourage that kind of innovative thinking?
Innovation Platforms and Social Value
00:13:37
Speaker
um We have a really exciting sort of internal platform um called VennSpark for our um innovation ideas, ah where anyone in the organization can pop in um ideas and people get in and rate and comment. And it's a really interactive, we just launched that last year. So all all um innovations can come through. What I love is because sustainability is one of our pillars, any idea goes through, people can sort of allocate, well, this idea supports innovation, it supports sustainability. So
00:14:09
Speaker
There's that that way for any ideas to come up through that can um really drive sustainability outcomes there. And then we have um other opportunities as well. um Annually we have our Ventia Awards that are really exciting. So we have award submissions in different categories, sustainability being one of them, innovation being another as well. And so that's a really exciting opportunity. recognition for those who really are going above and beyond and you know pushing the envelope with some really cool innovations i'm really excited when we'll be able to share some of the the sustainability winners from this year because they're fantastic that's one of the ways that we share the stories because that really is the way that you encourage more by showing the benefit um for and not just in terms of it's a you know a nice to have we've got nice furry benefit over here that's sustainability but how it drove um efficiency improvement, cost savings, safety benefits, um social outcomes, like what are all the other ways that um ah the other benefits that come out through this innovation, you share that, other people will be more likely to to implement their own innovations too.
00:15:13
Speaker
That's one of the things I've always been impressed with by but by Ventia. um In a world where sustainability is often treated as IP and innovations are treated as IP, Ventia has been very good about making sure to publish those innovations in sustainability. I know Ventia has a case studies section of their website. What other ways does Ventia really reach out to the industry and do that knowledge share?
00:15:37
Speaker
Yes, so the the website is um um a really good knowledge source of those those case studies and and really keen to share the stories of of what's done well. um We do like to share through industry forums as well. So, for example, the ISE Connect conference um over the years, we've had a number of ah presentations through that conference and other industry um associations as well and partnerships. Venti is a member of the Climate Leaders Coalition, so we like to get involved in in initiatives through that coalition, through the Social Value Task Force as well. um
00:16:15
Speaker
it's ah It's a really important way to a keep, and it I suppose, like a closer finger on the pulse of what's happening, what's what's moving, bring insights that we have, but of course, bring other insights in and learn from others as well.
00:16:30
Speaker
The other aspect of Ventia that Ventia does very well is the social values. um What's important about social values that makes it such a focus for Ventia? m It all comes down to us with our purpose of making infrastructure our infrastructure work for our communities. So it's it's fundamental to who we are as an organization. and So when we we define social value as the overall positive impact that's created for people and communities and so it's a result of the things that we do so that that positive impact through the work that we do and so how do we we demonstrate that and then how can we measure the social value that we create so therefore how can we then learn from that and create more um because that that's part of what drives us ah and our teams um
00:17:24
Speaker
So our our approach, it looks at ah different areas around social value and and the work that we do. So across work, economy, and community, First Nations and and planet.
00:17:36
Speaker
And then how do we um bring that together and and measure? at social value to then be able to share in our annual report and through other ways and importantly with our customers. So they know obviously the work that we do for them on their asset, this is through working with Ventia, this is what we've been able to do together with them to create social value. um i mean It's an important criteria of any of the projects that we we do, whether they are private or or public customers that we're working for, is understanding the benefit
00:18:08
Speaker
every type of infrastructure that we look after, it has a ah ah purpose, users, and that generally the the public, whether it's travelling public on the on the road, us at home using our our digital technology at home. If someone's maintaining that infrastructure, it's for people. um And so the outcomes, the positive outcomes should be for people as well. and And we see that coming through more in the criteria for these projects. So it's really important to be able to measure it to demonstrate um how the approach of how we perform that work our approach to procurement, who our supply partners are and and the reach and the impact that they have, how that can come together for for the benefit.
00:18:48
Speaker
You're right that infrastructure delivery relies on these connections across clients and proponents and contractors and suppliers.
Addressing Capability Gaps and Role Integration
00:18:55
Speaker
And where do you see the biggest sustainability capability gaps across that ecosystem and how is Ventia helping to close them in a practical way?
00:19:03
Speaker
Capability, it's such an interesting question. I think an important way of that that measurement is through the Australian TOMS, which is themes and outcomes and measures to be able to get get that information ah and measure it together.
00:19:17
Speaker
But in terms of the knowledge and the capability led to our joining the and Supply Chain Sustainability School last year. And we we joined as ah as a partner, not just as a participant, but sort of it was really important to reinvigorate that. um Well, there's really good training out there, including with the ISC for sustainability professionals, leaders and others in sustainability programs. This is an opportunity through the school to provide lots of, I suppose, um even playing field information for all kinds of suppliers. And it provides it free through that platform. So through partners like Ventia, provide training modules, um videos, content to explain something like emissions and carbon, what's important, social value, providing that information, what is it. and what are ways that you can um understand and uplift social value in what you do. Providing um free resources essentially for for uplift and knowledge across a whole range of sustainability topics is really important.
00:20:20
Speaker
That's fantastic. i'm going to have to look into the supply chain sustainability school. um You've spoken about how everyone can actually contribute to sustainability without having sustainability as part of their job title. And we see that throughout large industries that are very sustainability focused. I recently read a great book called Your Job is a Climate Job by Ryan Philp. along the same lines. And and how do you encourage people in Ventia and even people outside of Ventia, as such as the supply chain school to forward sustainability objectives internally? Yeah, I really like that framing that really every job is the climate job, but whether people think about it or not. um And it it does reflect what we see. And we think about some of the even innovations that we've spoken about today.
00:21:03
Speaker
um They weren't necessarily all driven or implemented by sustainability people. We're thinking about you know those sensors and that technology application. And we've engineers, project managers, work teams who really understand what they do really well and are looking for improvements, efficiencies and and and what they do. They're doing great sustainability work, whether they think about it or ah like that or not. and and And I think one of the ways that i encourage and emphasize sustainability And it gets back to that being core to our our values and and our strategy. So it's it's not an add on. It's not what we do, what we we're there to do every day. And then if we've got any time, we'll do some sustainability stuff after.
00:21:45
Speaker
it's really, it's fundamental. The work that you're doing, where you know you're looking to do things better and save money and be really efficient and add value to our customer and our communities and to that infrastructure, that's all about sustainability. And it's about a resilient business, it's about resilient infrastructure into the future, making sure it stays safe, um reliable, accessible, all of those things is really important as well.
00:22:11
Speaker
um But I guess like having it a strategy isn't enough. i'd I'd love to say it is. We say it's my strategy and therefore we do it. um But people will engage if it feels real to their role and therefore is is core to what what they're doing and they see the value in that and also recognize and recognize for when they've made in a event followed innovations, implemented things, made things better, that there's recognition of that is is really important.
Practical Advice and Closing Remarks
00:22:36
Speaker
What's your best advice for people who want to do more work in sustainability regardless of their current job title? How do they get started?
00:22:42
Speaker
Yeah, I think my advice is to just think about the impact you can make where you are now. um So really understanding your own job deeply, but being really curious about um about trends that are ah happening. Start asking different questions.
00:22:59
Speaker
So how does this decision or this thing affect risk over the long term? um Is there a lower impact option? Is there a different product I can buy? um What problem are we optimising for here? what are we What are we doing? And how can we increase social value and connectivity with what we're doing here? I think there just some key questions that we could ask ourselves just periodically through, and particularly when it's a key decision, or do we go this or do we go with that? Just thinking, is there a sustainability aspect, something we can think about here? I think that will go quite a long way.
00:23:34
Speaker
Just asking those sustainability questions is such a great place to start, regardless of what that role is. Absolutely. Well, thank you so much for coming on the show. Really appreciate getting a window into what Ventia does in the sustainability space. It's been really and illuminating for us. Thank you so much. Thank you.
00:23:54
Speaker
And thank you for listening to another episode of Infrastructure Connections. Please take a moment to follow us wherever you get your podcasts, and we want to know what you think. Leave a message in the comments down below or give us a ring at the Infrastructure Sustainability Council.
00:24:09
Speaker
Stay tuned for the next episode of Infrastructure Connections.