PEPSICO has announced the return of its Greenhouse Accelerator (GHAC) program in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region for the third consecutive year.

The GHAC is a pilot-oriented, mentorship-based program in the region dedicated to fostering sustainable innovation in agriculture, circular economy and greenhouse gas emissions reduction, supporting startups by providing expert business advisory and collaboration opportunities with PepsiCo.

As a leading sustainability incubator in APAC, GHAC reinforces PepsiCo’s commitment to finding solutions that contribute to progress in circular economy, sustainable agriculture, and climate action. With 15 pilots initiated in seven markets including Australia and New Zealand through the 2023 and 2024 cohorts, the program focuses on supporting early-stage startups developing innovations aimed at reducing environmental impact, advancing renewable energy, and promoting sustainable farming practices. 

The Greenhouse Accelerator Program in Asia Pacific offers finalists equity-free grants of US$20,000 and the potential to pilot their innovations. Finalists also have the opportunity to collaborate directly with PepsiCo executives through a customised learning module.

At the final event, finalists can pitch their innovations to PepsiCo executives, venture capitalists, and investors for a chance to secure an additional US$100,000 grant.

Aust/NZ companies have been finalists

Australian and New Zealand startups have been strongly represented, with finalists in the last two programs including Australia’s ELIoT Energy, Wildfire and X-Centric, and New Zealand’s Captivate Technologies and Aspiring Materials.

“PepsiCo’s Greenhouse Accelerator Program is dedicated to empowering startups with the tools, resources and mentorship required to drive meaningful change and scale innovations across our food systems,” PepsiCo APAC chief sustainability officer, Ashley Brown said.

“Over the past two years, the program has successfully launched 15 startup pilots across APAC with PepsiCo and partners, and engaged with 95 venture capital firms and institutions, reinforcing our focus on fostering a robust sustainability ecosystem.”

GHAC continues to explore new ideas and test solutions that can drive meaningful change over time.

In Australia, the program launch comes as SMEs prepare to play a role in the Federal Government’s rising environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) requirements.

While most are exempt from ESG reporting due to their size, SMEs that are part of larger enterprises’ supply chains can fall under ‘scope 3’ emissions and need to engage with climate reporting.

US$20,000 grants and winner's $100,000

GHAC will award US$20,000 (about A$32,000) grants to each of the 10 finalists, with an additional US$100,000 granted to the winning startup. Finalists will also receive wrap-around mentorship from PepsiCo executives and business accelerator experts to help overcome challenges and catalyse growth.

This year, GHAC has teamed up with GC Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC) and long-term collaborator Circulate Capital to provide tailored feedback and guidance to participants throughout the program.

Since its launch, the program has established a track record of successful first-of-a-kind pilots leading to further collaboration with PepsiCo and partners, with 2024’s Australian and New Zealand finalists Captivate Technologies, ELIoT Energy, Wildfire and X-Centric being among the standouts.

Australia’s X-Centric, for example, is developing high-performance soil-testing instruments for accurate, precise and low-cost soil characterisation. Meanwhile in New Zealand, Captivate Technologies is pioneering a patented adsorbent that reduces CAPEX and OPEX costs for carbon dioxide capture from gas streams.

“As sustainability rightly grows in importance for investors, consumers, and employees, accelerator programs like GHAC play a crucial role in helping entrepreneurs meet these expectations and remain competitive,” Mr Brown said.

“Applicants benefit not only from mentorship with seasoned professionals but also from direct collaboration with PepsiCo, a global industry leader that drives the program and acts as the end user of their innovations. This provides access to decades of industry expertise, a strong partner network, and valuable insights to refine solutions and shape pilot opportunities,” he said. 

To apply for the PepsiCo Greenhouse Accelerator 2025 APAC Sustainability Edition, visit the website at greenhouseaccelerator.com/apac/ or PepsiCo’s LinkedIn linkedin.com/company/pepsico.

PepsiCo Greenhouse Accelerator 2025

Minimum requirements to apply

• Pre-revenue of up to a maximum of US$7 million in sales in the last financial year.
• Have business operations in one of the participating APAC region markets: China, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Fiji, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Pacific Islands, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Vietnam.
• Mission-driven innovations in three focus areas of circular economy, climate tech and sustainable agriculture.
• Startups that have achieved in-lab proof of concept with ability to execute defined data protocol.
• Ability and willingness to deliver performance data based on agreed metrics.
• Participation from startup leadership (CEO and/or strategy officer must attend program and events).
• Ability to forecast scale within scale within markets and/or APAC region beyond initial pilot.
• Be willing to work with PepsiCo Greenhouse Accelerator mentors throughout the May to September Accelerator program and attend Accelerator events.
• Agree to the Terms and Conditions.
• To ensure fairness and transparency, submissions will be reviewed by an external third party.

Selection committee will choose finalists based on the following criteria:

• A clear go-to-market strategy and plan for sustained in-market execution.
• Post-prototype product or solution that is ready for a pilot phase with a multinational corporation or company.
• Uniqueness in the market.
• Balanced gender and ethnic diversity.
• Clear and active social responsibility mission.
• Aligned with PepsiCo’s Pep+ Sustainability Strategy.
• Scalable business model (APAC and global).
• Disruptive, breakthrough, purpose-driven solution or innovation focused on climate solutions, circular economy, sustainable agriculture and/or agrotech technology.

www.pepsico.com

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NEXT YEAR begins the five-year countdown for Australia to hit its 43 percent emissions reduction target – and the waypoint posts are being tapped into the success route now.

Emission projections at this stage indicate the nation is on track to hit 42 percent by 2030.¹ The government is accelerating the process by injecting millions of dollars into regulatory changes, improving consumer access to clean energy² and exploring mass energy production options such as wind, solar, hydro, geothermal and bioenergy.³ 

So far, 35 percent of the country’s electricity is generated from solar, wind and hydro sources.⁴ 

Australia’s fastest growing renewable energy provider⁵, Green.com.au, has undertaken thorough research and analysis of consumer and industry trends to forecast what is likely to take off in Australia in the next two years, along the pathway to emissions reduction target success – and a sustainable and resilient energy generation and transmission mix along the way.  

Green.com.au CEO and co-founder David Green has identified five energy trends set to sweep Australian in 2025 and 2026. 

“At Green.com.au, we see the next two years bringing households and businesses greater control over their energy costs,”
Mr Green said.

“From stricter energy efficiency standards for rentals to the rapid growth of rooftop solar, the market will have more opportunities to save on energy bills while accessing cleaner energy options.  

“As Australia moves toward its emissions reduction targets, advancements in wind power and hydrogen, and ongoing debates around nuclear energy, will continue to provide the energy industry with new opportunities to adapt and innovate.”  

1. Stringent energy efficiency standards for rentals will expand nationwide. 

This year, the Victorian Government proposed minimum energy efficiency standards for rental properties, with the aim of improving comfort and living costs for renters and supporting the state’s path to net zero emissions. For October 2025, the new standards would see landlords required to install ceiling insulation, improve door sealings, replace hot water and heating systems with energy-efficient appliances at the end of their lives, install four-star energy efficient shower heads and three-star cooling systems in the main living area. 

Green.com.au’s own research found that 81 percent of Australians support Victoria’s move and 61 percent supported adoption of the same standards across all State Governments and the ACT. Full study here: https://www.green.com.au/research/renters-and-landlords-divided-on-energy-efficiency-reforms.

2. Large-scale wind power projects will hit new milestones.

This has been a pivotal year for wind energy in Australia, with three significant projects due for completion and advancements in integrating wind energy into Australia’s energy grid.⁶ It has set the scene for exponential growth in the next few years.

The government granted 12 feasibility licences for major projects in Australia’s first declared offshore wind zone in Gippsland's Bass Strait.⁷ Another preliminary feasibility license was granted for the Southern Ocean offshore zone, and applications have opened for the Western Australian Bunbury offshore wind zone.⁸ These licences – valid for seven years – are the first of three in the process of building offshore wind farms⁹ and the half-way mark to construction and operation.¹⁰ It has taken two years to get to this point so while the next steps will take time we can expect significant progress in the next two years, bringing cheaper, cleaner energy and thousands of jobs closer. 

3. Rooftop solar will continue to boom. 

A new study from Green.com.au found that two out of three Australian households are willing to outlay $8000-$10,000 on rooftop solar and battery systems after expecting, or being lobbed with, energy bills beyond their expectations. The findings point to a potential boom in rooftop solar, which already accounts for 11.3 percent of Australia's electricity.¹¹ 

A record 57,000 battery or energy storage systems were installed in Australian homes in 2023 – a 21 percent growth on 2022¹² – and nearly 30,000 battery units were sold in the first half of 2024.¹³ The Green.com.au study found a quarter (24%) of households paid more than $300 per month more in their energy bills this year.

Alarmingly, in the same study, 34 percent said gas and electricity bills were their largest expense – well above the 21 percent of householders citing food as the biggest cost. Full study: https://www.green.com.au/research/is-energy-bill-pressure-swaying-australians-toward-solar.

4. Hydrogen a step closer to becoming a significant local industry.

The Australian Government announced a further $2 billion investment its Hydrogen Headstart program, which supports large-scale renewable hydrogen projects, and aims to accelerate the development of Australia’s hydrogen industry, make connections with new global hydrogen supply chains and set the country up as a renewable energy superpower. With six shortlisted applicants in round one, based on projects that are among some of the largest renewable hydrogen projects in the world, Australia’s reputation in the industry will grow, gain trust and earn respect with continued investment in 2025 and 2026.¹⁴ 

5. Nuclear power debate will ramp up. 

With a 2025 Federal Election looming, and with the Coalition gaining ground in the polls, Australia can expect to see increased debate around nuclear power. Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton has released his plan to build nuclear power plants across the nation, earmarking seven sites where coal power stations have closed or are scheduled to close. If a Liberal-National Coalition wins the next Federal Election, the nuclear power debate will once again come be at the forefront of Australia’s emission reduction race.¹⁵

Mr Green said the research was part of Green.com.au’s mission to educate the Australian people, government decision makers and business leaders about the country’s successful transition to renewable energy. The company was co-founded under the brandname Teho in 2020 by him and his brother, Jonathan Green – and rebranded in May 2024 as Green.com.au.

Green is helping lead the way in the transition to renewable energy by offering innovative energy solutions to Australian households, ranging from solar panels and solar batteries, heat pumps, and installation of electric vehicle charging solutions.

In 2023 the Australian Financial Review recognised Teho as a Fast Starter, taking top position in the Agriculture, Mining and Utilities category, and 15th position overall. 

REFERENCES

¹ Net Zero - DCCEEW 
² Powering Australia - DCCEEW 
³ Emerging energy technologies 
⁴ Renewables | energy.gov.au 
⁵ In 2023 the Australian Financial Review recognised Teho (now rebranded Green.com.au) as a Fast Starter, taking top position in the Agriculture, Mining and Utilities category, and 15th position overall. 
⁶ Wind Energy Prospects 2024: Australia's Green Future (energyaction.com.au) 
⁷ Offshore wind energy 
⁸ New offshore wind zone declared in Western Australia | Austrade International 
⁹ Offshore wind energy 
¹⁰ Gippsland, Victoria declared offshore wind area - DCCEEW 
¹¹ As of April 2024. https://cleanenergycouncil.org.au/news-resources/rooftop-solar-generates-over-10-per-cent-of-australias-electricity   
¹² https://www.sunwiz.com.au/battery-market-report-australia-2024/ 
¹³ https://cleanenergycouncil.org.au/news-resources/australia-s-love-of-rooftop-solar-continues-to-ease-energy-costs-on-homes-and-businesses   
¹⁴ Six shortlisted for $2 billion Hydrogen Headstart funding - Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) 
¹⁵ Peter Dutton's energy scheme: Everything you need to know | Climate Council 

#ends

By Leon Gettler, Talking Business >>

SO MANY COMPANIES have endorsed the Federal Government’s Net Zero policy and have ostensibly committed themselves to reducing carbon emissions from their businesses.

But so many of those companies are also lobbying against these policies. They’re either doing it themselves or through their associations.

The Climate Integrity Report released at the end of May has revealed that these companies that claim to be behind Net Zero – yet are lobbying against climate action – include Coles and Woolworths, Qantas, Rio Tinto, BHP and other big organisations. 

“It’s what we refer to as greenwashing,” Lucy Piper, a director of WorkforClimate told Talking Business. “On the one hand we’re saying we’re going to do something and on the other hand, lobbying behind the scene to try to prevent regulation from allowing those changes to happen.

“My understanding is the organisations, that were leading the research, wanted to look into the biggest household names and companies in Australia to get a clear picture of what they are saying versus what they are doing behind the scenes to take action on climate. 

“And we can see that, despite making commitments around emissions reduction – because those companies all have Net Zero targets – what they’re doing behind the scenes is using their influence to try to shape government policy in a way that’s going to prevent any meaningful action happening in the short term.”

Net Zero has a cost

Ms Piper said it was acknowledged that it would cost companies a great deal of money, in the short term, to prevent “catastrophic climate change and global warming from happening”.

“It’s going to cost us money in the short-term but we need to take action in order to prevent long-term bad things happening in our economy and society,” Ms Piper said.

“Unfortunately, the way businesses and the economy are set up are such that quarterly profit targets and quarterly reporting are what our businesses and corporate sector orient towards.”

Ms Piper said these businesses and directors faced the prospect of costly legal action if they continued to lobby against climate policies.

“Another thing highlighted in the Climate Integrity Report is … a future legal risk to organisations and company directors if they’re not aware of the lobbying activity that their company is either supporting – as part of a trade association – or is directly doing,” she said.

“That is creating that gap between ‘Here’s our climate commitments’ and ‘Here’s how we’re preventing action from taking place’.

“There is potential for them to be open to legal risk down the track.

“The legal risk to company directors,  if they are not across what their corporate lobbying and corporate affairs teams are doing – either directly or indirectly via trade associations who are lobbying on their behalf – will open them up to that integrity gap between what they’re saying and what they’re doing.”

Ms Piper said regulatory bodies such as the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) were now “cracking down” on greenwashing.

“Companies cannot say: ‘We’re going to do all these things’ and then act completely differently,” she said.

“It is not what consumers want, it is not what employees want. It is not what shareholders and investors want, because it means that funds can be allocated in the wrong places.” 

www.workforclimate.org

www.leongettler.com

Hear the complete interview and catch up with other topical business news on Leon Gettler’s Talking Business podcast, released every Friday at www.acast.com/talkingbusiness

https://shows.acast.com/talkingbusiness/episodes/talking-business-30-interview-with-lucy-piper-from-workforcl

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By Leon Gettler, Talking Business >>

THE SHIFT to lower emissions under the Federal Labor Government’s legislation will be the biggest step change for businesses.

According to Ndever Environmental founder Matt Drum it will create a number of issues. It will create complexity, capital requirements, operations and market impact.

It will also create costs.

But Mr Drum said, potentially, that could also deliver savings because of reduced energy. 

He said the legislation created by the Federal Government covers 217 of the largest emitters in the country. These are big mining, big industrial processing and big manufacturing companies.

“It turns this cohort of 217 into carbon accountants,” Mr Drum told Talking Business. “What we’ve been doing for the last 15 years is we’ve been quite good at accounting our carbon but we’ve never had to reduce it except for that brief period where there was a carbon price in 2012.” 

‘Massive step change’ for emissions

Mr Drum said, as a result, businesses now needed to understand that this was a massive step change with the majority of businesses required to reduce their emissions by 4.9 percent per annum.

As a result, he said, “transformational” projects will be required. If a business did not have the opportunity in the 2024 financial year to transform itself with, say, a fuel switch or a big energy efficiency project, they will be required to purchase carbon offsets or Australian carbon credit units.

This could potentially cost them millions in year one.

“So it’s not chicken feed,” Mr Drum said. “It’s an ongoing cost.

“Businesses will have a whole range of opportunities to reduce their emissions and each one of those opportunities will vary in scale in as much as how much they’ll be able to reduce their emissions and they’ll vary in cost to implement, operate and to acquire,” he said.

What businesses needed to do was to work out which opportunities were the cheapest and the most impactful to the most expensive.

“Theoretically, you work from the bottom of that curve up to the top of that curve, implementing the cheapest, most impactful activities first,” Mr Drum said.

“That’s what businesses need to understand because these projects will need finance. They’re going to need approvals, both financial approvals and potentially development approvals. They’re going to need hardware and equipment installed, purchased and commissioned.

“It’s a long-term play and this policy is a long-term policy.”

Costs balanced by savings?

Mr Drum said there would be costs – but potentially there would also be savings.

“We all know energy costs are going through the roof. If you’re implementing a project that saves a significant amount of energy, it might have a payback period of two or three or four years, that could be a cost negative opportunity,” he said.

“Factoring the cost of carbon, which we now have, some of them will have positive returns sooner than later.”

Mr Drum said once upon a time companies set a net zero target by 2050. Investors and stakeholders now felt it should be closer to 2035-2040

He said looking further out, some companies were relying on certain technologies like green hydrogen when the jury was still out on these innovations.

“Organisations need to start understanding the impact and the costs base and also, their ability to pass through those costs into their supply chain and to their clients,” Mr Drum said.

www.ndevr.com.au

www.leongettler.com

Hear the complete interview and catch up with other topical business news on Leon Gettler’s Talking Business podcast, released every Friday at www.acast.com/talkingbusiness

https://shows.acast.com/talkingbusiness/episodes/talking-business-9-interview-with-matt-drum-from-ndevr

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