RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN

As Australia’s first 1.5 degree energy retailer, there are clear synergies between our sustainability agenda and the traditional ways in which the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have sustainably managed the land. We have already seen Traditional Owners lead the way in the development of carbon abatement and savannah burning methodologies, harnessing traditional practices to care for Country, whilst generating valuable income streams that support the aspirations of current and future generations. There is much our industry can learn from Australia’s Traditional Owners and we are actively engaging with First Nations communities and leaders to guide us on that journey. Conversely, we commit to leverage our intellectual property, networks and access to capital to support the active participation of First Nations in Australia’s energy transition.

Equity and equality is a fundamental pillar of reconciliation and we believe First Nations peoples must be active players in Australia’s energy transition. Central to our RAP efforts will be the development of a First Nations Engagement Framework with the aim of supporting communities to leverage economic, cultural and social outcomes from net-zero focussed activities taking place on their country. This is vital if First Nations peoples are to truly achieve self-determination and economic independence.

We are committed to better understanding our own level of cultural awareness and maturity, and are excited to explore how we can empower our people with education and new experiences to go on a journey of learning and reflection. As we grow, our ultimate goal is to position ZEN as an industry leader in First Nations engagement within our sector.

We will explore and deliver initiatives that maximise employment opportunities for First Nations peoples across the ZEN Group and throughout our supply chain. We’ll use the initial 12 months of our Reflect RAP to identify how we can have an impact.

The procurement of goods and services from First Nations suppliers is a powerful mechanism to support both economic independence and employment outcomes for First Nations peoples. We will review our procurement policies, processes and practices to maximise opportunities to support First Nations suppliers.

Our core purpose of leading communities into a zero-carbon world requires transition, innovation and diversity. As the Traditional Owners and Custodians of our Country, we believe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a vital role to play in that transition. First Nations peoples have successfully managed the Australian landmass in a sustainable way for millennia, and simply must benefit from the significant investment in renewable energy infrastructure to come. We know we have much to learn from the unique knowledge, experiences and perspectives of the Traditional Owners of Australia, this is a common theme throughout our RAP.