b'Presidents pieceASEG newsPresidents piecetheir 2030 targets to reflect the goals ofhugely important for carbon capture and the Paris Agreement signed in 2015; tostorage, hydrogen exploration, and the hold global temperature rises below 2oC,discovery of minerals needed to build and strive toward 1.5oC renewable technologies.During the COP26 you may have foundAttracting students into our profession yourself defending your professionis critical, and the above-mentioned to friends and family, or perhaps yousteps and the announcement of targets found yourself in agreement withby mining and energy companies the media that Australia could havemay help to attract new students who signed up to do more. In its plan thewant to ensure that they are making Kate Robertson Australian Government relies heavilyan environmentally conscious career on driving down costs of technologicalchoice.advancements to reach Net Zero targets The ASEG Federal Executive developedin 2050. Indeed, investing in greenerOn 23 November we conducted an ASEG a three-year strategic action planoperating methods and emissionsZoom panel session on the Challenges during 2021. This plan was launchedreduction technologies to meetand opportunities for geophysics. during the ASEG Federal Executivesemissions targets and decarbonise, suchThe discussion focused on the role of annual Strategy Day (which, due toas electrification and use of hydrogen- geophysics in the move towards a Net COVID, was not actually a day but apowered technologies, will be of utmostZero future and the associated energy series of Strategy zoom sessions). Someimportance in this quest. transition. This is a conversation we objectives of the plan are to improvewould love to continue next year, when geophysics education, streamline ASEGRegardless of the measures put in placewe are planning to host a onetwo day processes, reward and acknowledgeby the government, companies areworkshop on the topic.the commitment and service of ASEGalready making changes and taking volunteers and Members, increasesteps toward a Net Zero future. TheThis month we farewell David Annetts professional development opportunitiesInternational Council on Mining andfrom the Federal Executive. David has for Members, position the ASEG duringMetals (ICMM) commits to a goal ofmade a very significant contribution the upcoming energy transition,Net Zero Scope 1 and 2 Greenhouseto the leadership of the ASEG over the financially diversify the Society, improveGas (GHG) emissions by 2050 or soonerpast seven years, first as webmaster Member value and reverse the declinein line with the ambitions of the Parisfor four years, followed by President in membership numbers. We are excitedAgreement. The ICMM representsElect, President in our 50th year, and as about seeing some changes and progresscompanies that make up one-thirdImmediate Past President.I am especially from these actions over the coming years! of the global mining and metalsgrateful for Davids incredibly valuable industry, and includes companies suchmentorship and coaching as I stepped In October, amongst the strategyas Anglo American, BHP, Newmont,into the President Elect role and then sessions, I was also happy to chair theNewcrest and Vale - just to name a few.Presidents role. On behalf of the Federal virtual ASEG Council meeting. ASEGBeach Energy and Santos are just twoExecutive I would like to extend a huge Secretary Leslie Atkinson describes thisAustralian petroleum companies thatthank you to David for all of his efforts, meeting in her Executive Brief, which alsohave Net Zero emissions targets for theirand his dedication and commitment to appears in this issue of Preview. own operations by 2050 or earlier. Inour Society.addition, many companies have released In other news, I am sure youre all verysustainability plans and much greaterI hope all our Members have a very aware that the UN Climate Changeimportance is being placed by investorshappy and safe Christmas and are able Conference UK (COP26) was held inand customers on companies meetingto spend it with their loved ones. I am Glasgow from 31 October and to 12Environmental, Social and Governancelooking forward to taking several weeks November. Research by the Climate(ESG) criteria. off in January - for a honeymoon after Action Tracker found current plansgetting married in a hybrid wedding presented by countries in Glasgow wouldThe implementation of these goals, and(imagine knowing what that was, back in lead to at least 2.4oC of global heating.the changes that are likely to result, has2019?!) in early December.Whilst the COP27 was supposed to beled to the prediction that the demand held in 2026, it will now be held in Egyptfor geophysicists will increase. Even withKate Robertson in November 2022, giving all partiesthe gradual move away from fossil fuels,ASEG President about a year to revisit and strengthennear surface characterisation will bepresident@aseg.org.au3 PREVIEW DECEMBER 2021'