Sydney Opera House and Honeywell partner towards Global Goals

Building technologies company Honeywell and the Sydney Opera House have formed a three-year partnership to collaborate on initiatives aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The partnership follows the Opera House’s commitment to the UN SDGs in October 2019.

As a Global Goals partner, Honeywell will support the world-famous performing arts centre in its commitment to sustainability, diversity and inclusion, via initiatives such as helping the Opera House become climate positive by 2023; collaborating on an event to discuss how engineers are contributing to positive social and environmental change; and launching a program to support First Nations tertiary graduates with their chosen profession.

“We are thrilled to welcome Honeywell as our first Global Goals partner,” Sydney Opera House CEO Louise Herron AM said. “Achieving these goals requires a huge collaborative effort. As we approach the Opera House’s 50th anniversary in 2023, we are looking for more ways to work with organisations that share our vision for positive social and environmental change. By enabling a range of significant projects, this partnership will make an important contribution.”

In the lead-up to its 50th anniversary, the Opera House is seeking partners across Australia and globally to join its efforts to inspire positive change. This aligns with Global Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals, which encourages organisations to share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources.

Honeywell Building Technologies President and CEO Vimal Kapur said, “We are pleased to work with the Opera House as its first Global Goals partner and demonstrate our shared values to protect the environment. The Opera House has long set the standard for more sustainable buildings in Australia with regards to improved energy efficiency, water management and waste reduction. We look forward to our continued collaboration to identify new solutions that will help our valued customer achieve their goal to become climate positive by 2023.”

Honeywell has helped the Sydney Opera House reduce water consumption by 30% through improved monitoring and supported its 20% energy reduction target through its building management system.

Honeywell recently committed to achieve carbon neutrality in its operations and facilities by 2035. This commitment builds on the company’s track record of sharply reducing the greenhouse gas intensity of its operations and facilities as well as its decades-long history of innovation to help its customers meet their environmental and social goals. About half of Honeywell’s new product introduction research and development investment is directed toward products that improve environmental and social outcomes for customers.

NSW Minister for the Arts Don Harwin added, “As a symbol of modern Australia, the Opera House has the power to inspire and shape positive change. This partnership is a great example of the arts, business and government coming together to achieve common goals. I look forward to seeing the Opera House and Honeywell collaborate over the next three years on initiatives that deliver a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.”

Image courtesy of Sydney Opera House. Credit: Hamilton Lund.