Chat with a Local: Lauren Cameron – Carbon and Sustainability Advisor, Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania
As Australia’s first Carbon and Sustainability Advisor to be working within a tourism industry association, Lauren Cameron plays a pioneering role in guiding local tourism operators toward more sustainable practices and lower emissions.
Lauren began her career as a journalist with The Advocate in northwest Tasmania, before moving to Hong Kong to work on an environmental lifestyle magazine. Here, she discovered a passion for sustainability – one that inspired her to return to university and pursue what was then Australia’s first degree in sustainable development. After completing her degree, Lauren went on to work across the sustainability sector, working with the United Nations and various non-profits on projects across South East Asia.
During her time abroad Lauren observed the power of cohesive, simple and global solutions and realised that at the core, everyone is trying to solve the same problems. Lauren returned home in 2019 taking up the position of Carbon and Sustainability Advisor with the Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania in 2023.
In this edition of Chat With a Local, Lauren shares insight into sustainable tourism in Lutruwita / Tasmania and explores why the island stands out as a sustainable events destination.
I love living in Lutruwita/Tasmania because…
I can be in the city centre in 15 minutes, but I can also be up on the mountain, down on the Huon River, or even cold plunging at one of Australia’s southernmost points in that same time! So, I just love that I am so close to everything.
The most rewarding part of my role is…
Hearing industry feedback following a workshop or a climate-focused event that I deliver. I find that those who attend are so interested and they’re so thankful that there’s attention being paid to this. Operators like these are motivated, inspired and ready to take action as an individual business and that’s all we can ask for at the end of the day.
It’s easy to take a different look at the world from Lutruwita/ Tasmania because…
The setup is so different here. You know you’re all separated by about two degrees. You can get things done because you have contacts everywhere and strong connections and communities, particularly when it comes to climate action.
One place you have to visit here…
Cockle Creek – a small coastal settlement and the most southerly point in Australia.
Our islands’ tourism industry stands out because…
There are very few destinations in Australia where you can still ‘meet the maker’ while travelling (and by that, I mean to say, sit down and share a glass of wine or meal with them following your tour or experience). You can’t help but be truly immersed in this place when you are a visitor.
An event or project I’m most excited about this year is…
There’s so many it’s tough picking the right one!
We’re currently running electric vehicle (EV) tourism workshops across the state and I’m excited to see where they lead. Tasmania is considered something of a haven by EV tourists already, so I’m excited to see how many operators make the move to install destination chargers and realise the opportunities that can come from supporting EV tourists.
Lutruwita/Tasmania is the perfect place to host sustainable events because…
We’re one of only a few jurisdictions in the world that have actually achieved net zero emissions, and this is something that event organisers and corporate groups, particularly those based in Europe, are searching for in a corporate event destination. Add to that our world-class food and wine offering, and you can’t go wrong!
Looking ahead, what’s your vision for Lutruwita/Tasmania’s role in leading sustainable tourism on a global stage?
We already are! We perform exceptionally well when it comes to eco-accreditation in Australia, and we were the very first state to fund a dedicated Carbon and Sustainability Advisor role to work directly with industry through a tourism industry association —my role. No other state or territory in the country has someone solely focused on advising the tourism industry on sustainability and emissions reduction. It’s a national first.
We’re also one of only three jurisdictions in the world to have achieved net zero emissions— and we’ve maintained it for the past nine years. That’s an extraordinary accomplishment.
It’s something we believe deserves far greater recognition. We’ve already achieved what so many others are still striving for—and that’s a big deal.
Cape Grim, Image Credit: Tourism Tasmania & Kraig Carlstrom
This article was taken from the Business Events Tasmania Magazine – Winter 2025 Edition. For more business event inspiration and news, be sure to check-out the full magazine, available to read for free today.