Western Australia has unique opportunities to gain economic prosperity through environmental industries, according to Dr David Annandale from Murdoch University’s School of Environmental Science.

Supported by the WA Department of Training and Employment, Dr Annandale recently completed an investigation into the opportunities and outcomes for environmentally responsible industries operating around the world.

“Economic prosperity and environmental protection were traditionally thought to be mutually exclusive. However, evidence from this research revealed the opposite to be true,” said Dr Annandale.

Dr Annandale found environmentally sustainable industries were often labour intensive, creating new employment opportunities.

“For example, Denmark has created about 16,000 jobs through supplying 20 per cent of the country’s energy demands with wind turbines,” he said.

Dr Annandale said Australia was in an ideal position to take advantage of sustainable industries.

“Western Australia is fortunate to have lots of land, sun and wind, which could provide massive commercial opportunities,” he said.

“We already have expertise in earth repair, environmental surveying with remote sensing technology, renewable energy and resources, sustainable energy such as wind or solar power, sustainable city design and organic food.

“However many of these experts are struggling on their own, with little funding or community support.”

During recent talks to packed crowds in Albany and Geraldton, Dr Annandale said sustainable industries needed communities to see the value in small-scale businesses and local networks in order to succeed.

Dr Annandale will be continuing to unveil his vision of economic prosperity through environmental industry around Western Australia later this year.