Climate action in focus: Case studies from across South Australia

IKEA Australia: Driving towards zero-emission deliveries

IKEA Australia is leading the shift to zero-emission home deliveries, aiming for 90% of truck deliveries to be completed by electric vehicles by 2025. Currently (May 2025), 72% of orders are delivered using zero-emission vehicles across all operating states, supported by a $4.7 million investment in EV charging infrastructure at stores and distribution centres. In collaboration with delivery partners, 110 zero-emission vehicles now operate in NSW, SA, WA, ACT, QLD and VIC. While regional deliveries remain a challenge, IKEA continues to advocate for policy support and fit-for-purpose public charging to help accelerate Australia’s transition to low-emission freight.

Leading cheese company sets benchmark in water and energy efficiency

La Casa Del Formaggio, Australia’s leading producer of fresh Italian-style cheeses, is proving there’s nothing cheesy about serious sustainability. Its $35 million production facility in Edinburgh, in Adelaide’s northern suburbs, is packed with clever design features that cut environmental impact and boost performance. Since opening in 2023, La Casa reduced water use by 20% and cut electricity and gas by 10% per kilo of product. Innovations like heat recovery systems, high-efficiency boilers and waste-saving equipment are helping reshape food manufacturing. Nationally recognised for packaging leadership, La Casa is showing the future of food manufacturing is anything but bland.

Rebuilding with waste: How Transmutation is creating sustainable construction materials from recycled plastics

Transmutation, a recycling and manufacturing company based in Robe, South Australia, is addressing the challenges of plastic waste and the carbon footprint of construction materials by transforming hard-to-recycle plastics into certified limestone blocks. Using its proprietary PostPrime® technology, the company collaborates with partners like CRDC and Jaffa Limestone to convert contaminated plastics, such as soft plastics and automotive parts into durable, thermally efficient building products. These blocks have undergone third-party testing to ensure compliance with Australian Standards, and the initiative has already repurposed over 40 tonnes of plastic waste, demonstrating strong potential for broader industry adoption and Green Star-rated developments.

Capturing carbon from wine fermentation to reduce industry emissions

In a national first, Hill-Smith Family Estates, a sixth-generation Australian wine company based in Angaston, partnered with the Australian Wine Research Institute to trial carbon dioxide capture during wine fermentation. Funded by Wine Australia, the two-year trial undertaken in 2024–25 tested low-cost, practical equipment to compress, store and reuse CO₂ at Oxford Landing Winery located in Barossa. Fermentation gas was collected using custom tank lids, captured in a bladder, compressed, and stored as liquid. While the technology proved effective, seasonal storage remains a challenge. Capturing CO₂ from 10,000 tonnes of grapes could offset 790 tonnes of purchased CO₂ - pending purification for reuse.

Pioneering Australia's first oxy-fuelled furnace to slash emissions and boost efficiency

Orora has invested more than $100 million to build Australia’s first oxy-fuelled glass furnace at its Gawler site in SA, delivering a 30 per cent reduction in energy use and emissions and positioning it among the world’s top 10 per cent most energy efficient furnaces. Commissioned in December 2024 with support from a $12.5 million Australian Government grant, the project includes a new oxygen plant and advanced furnace upgrade, it significantly cuts greenhouse gas and nitrogen oxide emissions. This pioneering initiative highlights the value of innovation and collaboration in achieving sustainability, and offers a strong model for reducing industrial emissions nationwide.

Powering climate-smart property decisions: How VALAI is transforming real estate, finance and home energy upgrades

VALAI’s Home Energy Assessment Tool (HEAT) API brings residential energy performance into focus, enabling banks, property platforms, and homeowners to make informed, climate-smart decisions that reduce emissions and reshape the housing market. Through HEAT, VALAI not only delivers automated scoring of homes based on energy performance and emissions potential, but also supports homeowners with an intuitive decision support tool. This tool helps households plan electrification and upgrade pathways tailored to their property—maximising access to available grants, rebates, and financial incentives while improving comfort and long-term value.

Milking innovation for sustainable dairy farming and business growth

Hicks-Jacobs Dairies, a partnership between two Mount Compass dairy families, showcases how climate-smart farming and innovation can go hand-in-hand with strong business growth. Operating across nearly 2,500 acres on the Fleurieu Peninsula, the dairies use solar and battery systems, off-grid operations, robotics, and precision agriculture to cut emissions and improve efficiency. Water is reused up to four times, while perennial pastures boost drought resilience. Genomic testing is used to breed more efficient cows that produce more milk with less emissions, and 1,000 trees are planted annually to support animal welfare and carbon sequestration. With a focus on economic and environmental outcomes, the partnership shows strong leadership in sustainable dairy farming in South Australia.

Scaling net zero: How 2XE is exporting its climate transition management service from South Australia to the world

South Australian consultancy 2XE is helping businesses worldwide transition to net zero through its award-winning 5PTM climate transition management service. Combining expert advice with AI-powered software, 2XE enables clients to decarbonise while meeting climate-related financial disclosure requirements. Headquartered in North Adelaide, the firm has worked with over 1,000 companies across industries, reducing emissions, driving $1 billion in investment, and positioning sustainability as a competitive advantage, earning national recognition along the way.

Orora's bold steps towards a circular economy in South Australia

Orora, South Australia’s largest container glass manufacturer, has implemented a comprehensive strategy to enhance recycling and promote a circular economy. This included investing $25 million in a state-of-the-art glass beneficiation facility at its Gawler site, modifying production processes to incorporate higher levels of recycled glass, and collaborating with various stakeholders to collect and recycle glass. In just four years, Orora went from processing 0% to 100% of all Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) redeemed glass collected in SA. By introducing advanced colour-sorting technology, Orora streamlined collection depot operations and boosted transport efficiency. Collaborating with charities, businesses, and Material Recovery Facilities, it significantly increased recycled content in products. The initiative highlights how investment, innovation, and broad collaboration can enhance recycling and serve as a scalable model for other regions.

RAA Charge: South Australia’s statewide electric vehicle charging network

With support from the South Australian Government, RAA has delivered the state’s first border-to-border electric vehicle (EV) charging network, making it easier than ever to own and drive an EV in South Australia. The RAA Charge network is now one of the most comprehensive in Australia, with more than 140 charging sites and 540 charging bays installed across the state, including 75 per cent in regional areas. Chargers range from 7kW to 200kW and are strategically spaced so that no site is more than 200 kilometres apart, well within the typical driving range of most EVs.

Since launching, the network has enabled more than 100,000 charging sessions and powered over 13 million kilometres of EV travel. It has also contributed to reducing an estimated 830 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. RAA has pioneered Time of Use charging rates in South Australia, offering incentives for daytime charging to align user behaviour with peak renewable energy generation. This innovation not only reduces charging costs for drivers, but also supports a more sustainable and resilient energy grid.

Photo: Voted Best Charging Station in Australia in 2024 by the Electric Vehicle Association of Australia, the Snowtown site reflects RAA’s focus on user-friendly design and local partnerships.

Empowering emissions reduction through data

ResourceCo, a leading Australian resource recovery company that transforms construction and demolition waste into materials for roads and infrastructure, is cutting emissions and energy use with Trellis Technologies’ cloud-based platform. Trellis Technologies is an Adelaide-based software and data services company specialising in ESG reporting and sustainability data management. By replacing manual, spreadsheet-based processes with automated data tracking, ResourceCo has saved weeks of administrative work and unlocked clearer, real-time insights. The team now has the tools to identify high-energy areas, benchmark performance, and take swift, targeted action, resulting in measurable energy savings, lower emissions, and a stronger foundation for product-level carbon reporting and future sustainability gains.

From sceptic to sustainability leader: a dairy farm’s climate shift

James Mann has transformed Donovan’s Dairy over the past 15 years into a climate-smart, resilient and profitable operation. Working with his son and team, James reshaped the 2,600-head South Australian dairy through innovations in genetics, renewable energy, pasture diversity and circular economy feed systems. Fewer cows now produce more milk, significantly reducing enteric methane emissions, which make up around 60 per cent of the farm’s total. Selective breeding and dietary supplements further support methane reduction, while compost-based fertilisers and multi-species pastures cut water and nitrogen use. Solar energy and smart nutrient recycling now power and support daily operations. By embracing collaboration and innovation, James shows that sustainable dairy farming isn’t just possible – it’s smart business.

Transitioning Adelaide Metro public transport fleet to cleaner, greener vehicles

Transport is the biggest source of emissions in South Australia, and the Department for Infrastructure and Transport is embarking on a significant program of work to transition its public transport fleet to zero tailpipe emissions. Sixty full electric buses will be delivered by early 2026, with assessments being undertaken to fully transition the government’s fleet of more than 1,000 buses and 50 remaining diesel railcars to zero tailpipe emissions operations. This builds on work already completed to electrify Seaford and Gawler passenger rail lines, and to convert remaining diesel railcars to hybrid technology. Hybrid trains are already cutting diesel use by up to 1 million litres and saving around 2,400 tonnes of carbon emissions each year - helping to build a more sustainable transport future for South Australia.

In recognition that public transport is an important element of a net zero transport system, the state's new Transport Strategy includes actions to boost public transport use, reduce car dependence and support low-emissions travel. Two new rail corridors have also been secured to service future growth areas.

Revitalising city buildings for sustainable housing

A City of Adelaide initiative is turning underused buildings into climate-smart homes, tackling the housing crisis while cutting emissions. The Adaptive Reuse City Housing Initiative (ARCHI), delivered in partnership with the Government of South Australia, champions adaptive reuse – a practice that can reduce embodied carbon by up to 50% compared to demolition and rebuild. The initiative aims to preserve heritage, reduce waste, and support the circular economy through material reuse and flexible design. Since launching in July 2024, the ARCHI Incentives Scheme has helped deliver four homes, with over a dozen more projects in the pipeline and over 50 enquiries – driving sustainable growth and helping the City of Adelaide achieve its net zero emissions goal.

Supporting small business on the path to net zero

Small businesses make up 98 per cent of South Australian enterprises, yet many report uncertainty about where to start with sustainability. In 2024, the Department of State Development launched two major initiatives to support this vital sector. Through the Small Business Sustainability Program, workshops and assessments led by 2XE are helping businesses understand their carbon footprint and implement practical, long-term changes. At the same time, the Economic Recovery Fund’s Small Business Energy Efficiency Grants delivered over $24 million to more than 1,030 businesses and not-for-profits, supporting upgrades like solar and energy-efficient equipment. For many, including seafood restaurant Secrets by the Sea, the results have been transformative - cutting energy costs and improving resilience. Together, these programs are helping local businesses take confident steps toward a low-emissions future.

Kangaroo Island leads with all-electric health care

Kangaroo Island Health Service at Kingscote is the first health facility in South Australia to operate entirely on electricity, following a coordinated gas phase-out led by Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network. By replacing gas systems with efficient electric alternatives, the site has significantly reduced its environmental impact while lowering operational costs. Electricity is not only cleaner than gas - it’s also more affordable on the island. The success of this cost-effective, climate-smart initiative is now guiding similar efforts across ten health sites in the region, including the new Mt Barker Hospital, which will be built gas-free.

Brewing sustainability – The Responsible Cafes initiative in Charles Sturt

The City of Charles Sturt partnered with Responsible Cafes to help local cafés reduce waste and adopt sustainable practices. A standout was Coffee in Common, which replaced single-use milk bottles with reusable kegs and refillable glass bottles, saving up to 80 bottles a week. The pilot has inspired other cafés to follow suit, showing how local leadership and community action can drive real change in the circular economy.

Built for the future: ESD in action at Henley Ngutungka

Henley Ngutungka, a new community centre and library opened in 2025, showcases the City of Charles Sturt’s commitment to sustainability. Designed under the council’s Environmentally Sustainable Design (ESD) framework, it features energy-efficient systems, rainwater harvesting, and low-emission materials. Powered by renewables and built for climate resilience, it sets a new benchmark for future council projects - demonstrating how local government can lead meaningful environmental change through smart, sustainable design.