On September 19th, 2013, the Abbott Government abolished the Climate Commission. On September 24th, 2013 the independent Climate Council was launched thanks to the biggest crowd-funding campaign of its time: over 16,000 Australians pitched in over $1.1 million dollars in just 10 days to bring the organisation to life.
Fast forward to today and hundreds of thousands more have joined Australia’s leading independent voice on climate science, solutions and action as part of the Climate Council community. Together, we have shifted national attitudes and catalysed climate action at every level of government.
From the very beginning, our community has been at the heart of everything we do, and we cannot thank you enough. As an independent, people-powered organisation, it’s our community that drives our impact.
Let’s take a look back at some of the highlights we’ve achieved together.
2023
July
Submission: Senate Inquiry into Greenwashing
Global temperatures are rising and we are running out of time to prevent wide-scale climate harm. But right now there is a billion tonne elephant in the room: greenwashing by major multinational fossil fuel companies.
The Climate Council’s Submission into the Senate Inquiry into Greenwashing calls on the Australian Parliament to pursue legislation banning greenwashing. It outlines why no fossil fuel company that is pursuing new or expanded projects can claim to have a genuine plan for achieving ‘net zero’ or ‘carbon neutrality’. It draws on the evidence-based framework provided by the United Nations High-Level Expert Group on the Net Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Entities (2022) to demonstrate that some of Australia’s largest corporations are currently making baseless and unsubstantiated claims to financial markets, investors and governments – as well as to consumers.
The serious and systemic nature of this greenwashing calls for government regulation, to ensure climate action in Australia is not derailed by the dishonesty of these corporations.
Submission: Setting, Tracking and Achieving Australia’s Emissions Reduction Targets
As Australia continues our journey through this make-or-break decade for climate action, the importance of bold, independent, and science-based advice to Government, business and the community cannot be overstated.
That’s why the Climate Council made a submission to the Climate Change Authority’s consultation paper on setting, tracking and achieving Australia’s climate targets – providing recommendations for Australia’s emissions reduction targets, along with practical actions for everything from transforming our energy and transport systems to supporting households and businesses with electrification and energy efficiency.
Report: Raising standards, cutting costs: how a new vehicle standard can reduce vehicle emissions and save consumers money
The Climate Council and Electric Vehicle Council commissioned new analysis to examine the potential impact of introducing Fuel Efficiency Standards in Australia.
The analysis found that Australians could collectively share in up to $13.6 billion in net benefits by 2035 from reduced vehicle running costs, cleaner air and less environmental damage if we design new fuel efficiency standards well
Importantly, strong fuel efficiency standards would result in up to 31 million fewer tonnes of harmful pollution over the next decade, and rapidly increase the number of low and zero emissions vehicles available to buy.
June
Report: Calling Time: How to Remove Fossil Fuel Sponsorships from Sports, Arts and Events
From flooded music festivals and concerts cancelled by bushfire threats, to extreme heat disrupting play at the cricket, climate change – driven by the burning of coal, oil and gas, is putting the sports, arts and events we love at risk.
The Climate Council, with researchers from Edith Cowan University, developed a voluntary code to help call time on fossil fuel sponsorship, in response to mounting pressure from artists, athletes and fans.
This code was launched alongside the report, Calling Time: How to Remove Fossil Fuel Sponsorships from Sports, Arts and Events, detailing how planet-wrecking companies like Woodside, Santos, Chevron and Tamboran Resources are piggy-backing on Australia’s most loved and iconic pastimes to distract from their environmentally destructive impacts.
Learn more about the code:
Policy Win: $100m fund to co-invest in energy efficiency and electrification upgrades with local governments
The Federal Government’s new $100 million Community Energy Upgrades Fund will be crucial in helping local governments deliver energy upgrades and bill savings for community facilities like local pools, sporting clubs and community centres, so they can spend more on community services, and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions driving climate change.
Cities Power Partnership director, Dr Portia Odell, said of this announcement “We have been working with the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) to advocate for a fund to support councils in reducing emissions and costs. So we are thrilled about this announcement and the work of ALGA. We look forward to seeing what else the Albanese Government has up its sleeve to continue to support local governments to create a better future for communities around the country.”
Webinar: One year on: From the ‘Climate Election’ to climate action – and why now is so critical
Watch this exciting discussion with Senator David Pocock, Dr Jennifer Rayner and Dr Simon Bradshaw, facilitated by Climate Council CEO, Amanda McKenzie.
Over the year since the past Federal Election, Australia has experienced a new era of federal climate action with the Australian Labor Party (ALP) beginning to implement its election commitments. The Climate Council has been pushing hard to strengthen each policy and to build momentum for stronger future action.
But recently, we’ve seen coal mine approvals, the go-ahead for fracking in the Northern Territory, and not enough money in the budget for climate action. And despite hard-fought progress, the changes locked into our climate system due to decades of delay, of which Australia has been a large contributor, place our communities, ecosystems and species at risk. We need to act faster. Watch the webinar discussion about Australia’s climate performance over the year following the previous Federal Election, and what needs to happen next.
Shifting the Narrative: Renewable Energy is Australia’s Bill Buster
The Climate Council worked with Jamie Durie to help reach more Australians with the benefits of renewable energy for our rising energy bills. Our campaign to showcase renewable energy as Australia’s permanent bill buster has reached over 1 million Australians across different digital platforms.
Policy Win: Cost cap on disconnecting from gas in Victoria
One of the key recommendations from the Climate Council report Switch And Save: How Gas is Costing Households was implemented by the Victorian Government. Gas companies will now be prohibited from charging consumers in Victoria huge amounts to disconnect from gas – making it easier for households across Victoria to get off gas and embrace the benefits to their health, hip pockets and the planet!
May
Submission: Fuel Efficiency Standard Consultation
As part of their National Electric Vehicle Strategy, the Federal Government committed to designing fuel efficiency standards. The Climate Council campaigned for over six months for the Federal Government to make this commitment, and is continuing to campaign for them to deliver the strongest possible standards, including having made a submission to the Australian Government’s consultation on the design of a fuel efficiency standard for Australia’s light vehicle fleet.
This is an important – and long overdue – initiative by the Federal Government to improve the efficiency of Australia’s cars, utes and vans to cut costs for drivers and reduce harmful carbon pollution from the fleet. The Climate Council urges the Government to move swiftly in designing and delivering this reform so that Australians can share in the benefits already being enjoyed by millions of people around the world.
Read the Climate Council’s submission and recommendations here.
Report: Shifting Gear: The path to cleaner transport
Transport produces a large and rising share of Australia’s harmful carbon pollution (19 percent). To reverse this trend, we need to fundamentally alter the ways we get around, as well as the transport options available to Australians. Shifting Gear: The path to cleaner transport finds that Australia can reduce transport emissions by 75% by the end of this decade with a shift to electrified public transport, walking and bike riding.
Policy Win: Federal Government commits $1.6 Billion to electrification and energy efficiency for homes and small businesses
The 2023-34 Federal Budget included an encouraging step in supporting emissions reduction through electrification and energy efficiency upgrades for homes and small businesses. This directly delivered on Climate Council’s advocacy asks for direct support to households so more of them can get off gas.
The funding announcements included:
- $1 billion to deliver household energy upgrades that will help keep Aussie homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer. This fund is expected to support upgrades for approximately 110,000 homes.
- $300 million to support energy upgrades to social housing, helping install all-electric appliances and other energy efficiency measures in around 60,000 social housing properties.
- $314 million for a small business energy incentive to support small businesses to get off gas, become more energy efficient and lower their power bills.
While this was a welcome investment, the Climate Council characterised the rest of the Federal Budget as a slow jog in the race to tackle the climate crisis, failing to meet the scale of the climate emergency Australia faces.
Check out the breakdown of the Federal Budget and what’s in it for climate
Report: Climate Allies: Australia, the United States and the global energy shift
Australia and the US are increasingly working together to address the root causes of climate change – which will require both countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions as fast as possible – and to manage the economic and strategic implications of the global energy transition.
Developed ahead of the G7 Summit in Japan, where climate change was squarely on the agenda, this report highlights Australia’s once-in-a-century economic opportunity to become a global clean energy powerhouse. It outlines why close collaboration is vital to shore up Australia’s national interests in the Indo-Pacific region.
April
Local Leadership: Councillor Fuel Efficiency Joint Statement
120 mayors and councillors across Australia have signed the Cities Power Partnership’s joint statement on Fuel Efficiency Standards, urging the Federal Government to legislate fuel efficiency standards that:
- Are mandatory and deliver at least equivalent settings to those in other major markets.
- Give Australian drivers more choice and affordability than they have today.
- Support 100% of new vehicles sold in Australia to become zero emissions as soon as possible.
- Are reviewed and updated approximately every five years.
In mobilising these leaders from local councils across the country, the Climate Council’s Cities Power Partnership has highlighted the strong local government support for effective Fuel Efficiency Standards that could supercharge Australia’s supply of affordable electric vehicles.
Report: Smarter energy use: how to cut energy bills and climate harm
Electrifying our homes, and improving their energy efficiency is a great two-for-one deal: it helps combat the rising cost of living, and climate change. The Climate Council’s report Smarter Energy Use: How to Cut Energy Bills & Climate Harm, and Bill Savings Simulator show Australians the range of readily available measures for electrifying homes and improving energy efficiency, and highlights how governments can support all Australians to benefit from the switch.
Report: Ute Beauty! The case for lower and zero emissions utes in Australia
To get to net zero, the way Australians get around needs to change. In Australia, ute sales are growing and the most popular vehicles are also among the worst performing and most polluting – this isn’t sustainable.
This report from the Climate Council provides a snapshot of where the electric ute market is going, and highlights that the fuel efficiency and emissions profiles of new utes sold in Australia varies hugely. This means that those looking to buy a ute today can already tap into cost and emissions savings by choosing a more efficient ute that is cheaper to run, even before electric utes become readily available.
Shifting the narrative: I Quit Gas
Gas is a polluting fossil fuel that harms our health and wellbeing, while electric appliances are more efficient, safer, and cheaper to run. Every home should be able to ditch gas, and enjoy the benefits for their health and hip pockets.
That’s why the Climate Council teamed up with Sarah Wilson, New York Times best-selling author of “I Quit Sugar” to build critical awareness of the harm of gas in our homes, and call for governments to support Aussies in their transition to all electric alternatives in our I Quit Gascampaign. Together, we took the critical message that kicking gas to the curb and embracing electric, energy efficient alternatives, means safer homes, cheaper power bills, and less harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
Join the growing wave of Australians committing to quit gas today!
Whether you’re a home-owner or a renter; can switch out just one gas appliance; or will need to do so over time, your choices are powerful. By taking the pledge to go gas-free, we’re building widespread momentum across the country, and proving to politicians and the fossil fuel industry that Australians are ready to get gas out of our homes – for good!
March
Policy Win: Safeguard Mechanism
The update to the Safeguard Mechanism was the first major Federal climate policy reform in a decade, driving big polluters to cut their emissions – meaning more clean, renewable power, and less carbon pollution!
Want to learn more about the Safeguard Mechanism? Check out our explainer here.
Together with our community, we were able to significantly influence the best parts of this deal. In the months leading up to the decision the Climate Council:
1 – Advocated directly with Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, leader of the Greens, Adam Bandt, and other key decision-makers in Parliament
2 – Released influential modelling on emissions from new fossil fuel projects
3 – Launched our ‘Dirty Dozen’ campaign against big polluters, with hard hitting videos and tailored digital content
Check out the Dirty Dozen campaign here
4 – Released critical research on how the manufacturing sector can transform in a net-zero world
5 – Maintained a constant presence in the media arguing for strong reform
6 – Hosted online events to educate and inform Australians about this deeply technical yet very important federal climate policy.
Report: Australia’s Clean Industry Future: Making Things Here in a Net Zero World
The world is undergoing a new Industrial Revolution. Driven by an urgent need to tackle the climate crisis, and grasp the economic advantages of renewable energy, this switch away from fossil fuels is reshaping the global economy with major implications and opportunities for Australian industry.
Australia’s Clean Industry Future: Making Things Here in a Net Zero World urges the Federal Government to deliver strong policy and incentives to drive the transformation of Australian industry, and highlights the opportunities a net zero world presents for Australia’s industries.
February
Report: Climate Trauma: The growing toll of climate change on the mental health of Australians
While rigorous research has taught us a tremendous amount about the physical risks of climate change, far less attention has been paid to the impact of climate change on our mental health and the fabric of our communities. This new national study has deepened our understanding of the impacts of climate change on mental health in Australia, and provided an opportunity to hear from those on the frontline of the climate crisis about how to better prepare for and respond to future disasters.
The Climate Council’s Climate Trauma: the growing toll of climate change on the mental health of Australians report found more than 80% of Australians have experienced an extreme weather disaster since 2019. Of those, half said that their mental health had been impacted.
Elevating the real human stories of the many people impacted by climate change across Australia is powerful in pushing for stronger action: both to address the causes of climate change, and to support those impacted by it.
Click here to access the report and first-person testimonies from the survey.
For support please contact Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36 or explore the Phoenix Australia’s Disaster Mental Health Hub online with some excellent resources or check in with your GP or local mental health services.
Report: Powder Keg: Australia Primed to Burn
Released with Emergency Leaders for Climate Action (ELCA), Powder Keg: Australia Primed to Burn warns that three years of La Niña have led to prolific vegetation growth, creating ‘powder keg’-like conditions for fires. When wet weather inevitably gives way to hot, dry conditions, light grasses and shrubs die and dry out and we are then left with more vegetation available to burn.
The Climate Council and ELCA’s recommendations to governments include:
- Emergency services and land management agencies need more funding to respond to escalating disasters, as well as more full-time staff and volunteers.
- Emergency management agencies, state and local governments need a permanent arrangement rather than ad hoc solutions to initiate and manage long-term disaster recovery efforts.
- Communities need more funding for education and resilience projects.
- Much stronger efforts to move beyond fossil fuels by rapidly reducing emissions this decade, which can help avert even worse catastrophes.
Report: Cities Power Partnership – Tracking Progress
Tracking Progress: 2022 Snapshot of Council Action on Climate Changeshowcases the clean energy progress made by the Climate Council’s Cities Power Partnership’s (CPP) membership network of local governments around Australia, and how the CPP are supporting councils to take effective climate action.
Drawing on the survey results from 158 member councils, the Tracking Progress report highlights the power and potential of mobilising local councils across the country to step up on climate action.
The Cities Power Partnership is Australia’s largest network of local councils leading the way to a thriving, zero emissions future, with over 180 member councils, representing over 70% of Australians. Is your local council a Cities Power Partnership Member? Find out and ask them to join!
January
Survey: National study of the impact of climate-fuelled disasters on the mental health of Australians
The Climate Council, supported by Beyond Blue, conducted a landmark national study designed to better understand how climate-fuelled disasters are affecting mental health in Australia, and to hear directly from communities about the support they need.
The first part of this study was a poll conducted by YouGov with a representative national sample of 2,032 Australians. The second part sought to gain some deeper insights from those in disaster-affected communities, and saw 476 self-selected Australians share their personal experience of climate-fuelled disasters.
This paper provides a snapshot of some of the most significant findings from both of these surveys. You can read the full report and detailed analysis of the results, case studies and recommendations in the report published in February 2023, Climate Trauma: the growing toll of climate change on the mental health of Australians.
2022
December
Policy Win: Capacity Investment Scheme
Following active campaigning by the Climate Council, Federal and State Energy Ministers agreed to deliver a Capacity Investment Scheme that will incentivise more clean renewable energy and storage into the electricity market. Importantly, this newly established Capacity Investment Scheme will not include new coal and gas projects.
The Capacity Investment Scheme will:
- Make energy prices lower and more stable for homes and businesses
- Attract new investment in renewable electricity backed by batteries, pumped hydro and other long duration storage technologies
- Provide a kick start for domestic battery manufacturing in Australia
- Drive a significant reduction in Australia’s largest source of emissions.
Renewable energy storage like big batteries and pumped hydro can collect excess electricity when wind and solar are plentiful and store it for later use. The Capacity Investment Scheme will incentivise more investment in this kind of clean dispatchable energy supply, ensuring reliable and affordable power for Australian homes and businesses year round.
November
Report: The Great Deluge: Australia’s new era of unnatural disasters
2022 will be remembered as the year of the Great Deluge, when record-breaking rain and floods lashed large parts of Eastern Australia, causing untold devastation for Australians and our economy. Climate change, driven by the burning of coal, oil and gas, was a factor in the Great Deluge. It is consigning Australia to an era of climate disasters that we are not prepared for. The Great Deluge: Australia’s New Era of Unnatural Disasters is a stark warning that this is not over yet, and a call for all levels of government to speed up their emission reductions and disaster preparation efforts.
Report: Are we there yet? Clean transport scorecard for Australian States and Territories
With the transformation of Australia’s energy system underway and accelerating rapidly, decarbonising transport is the next frontier for our nation in tackling the climate crisis. Are we there yet? Clean Transport Scorecard tracks each State and Territory’s transport emissions and examines how they are faring on a variety of clean transport solutions: public transport, walking and riding, and uptake of electric fleets.
Local Leadership: Local Government Climate Solutions Roundtables
The Cities Power Partnership (CPP) delivered two local government climate solutions roundtables in Western Australia, focussing on the key theme of regional collaboration and sharing climate solutions. The CPP is engaging strategic regions where there is significant potential, and need, for council climate action – ramping up effective action across the country to cut emissions and build a net zero future.
Shifting the narrative: COP27
The Climate Council had eyes and ears on the ground at COP27, as an independent voice keeping you up-to-date on everything happening at the international climate negotiations, and Australia’s performance.
Our team on the ground delivered over 2,000 messages from our community directly into the hands of Minister for Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen in Egypt.
The Climate Council hosted a panel session in the Australian Pavilion, under the heading “Building Resilience in the Face of Climate change: Working together as an Australia-Pacific Community”.
The panel featured:
- Greg Mullins, Emergency Leaders for Climate Action
- Rikki Dank, Gudanji Traditional Owner
- Jo Dodds, President of Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action
- Joe Sikulu, Pacific Regional Managing Director at 350.org
- Nicki Hutley, Climate Councillor
- Tishiko King, Our Islands Our Home
The Climate Council’s panel had a simple message: Urgent action is needed and there are many things we can do to drive more rapid progress if we can find the political will. High on the list of everyone’s priorities was an end to fossil fuels.
Check out the running blog for more details on each day of the conference.
Report: G’Day COP27: Australia’s Global Climate Reset
Released ahead of COP27, G’Day COP27: Australia’s Global Climate Reset found that over the year since the previous climate conference, extreme weather records had been broken on every continent. As a fossil fuel heavyweight, and potential renewables superpower, Australia has a big role to play in the global energy transition. COP27 presented a big opportunity for the new Federal Government to act in our national interests – restoring our international climate reputation and showing that Australia is willing and able to play a serious role in rolling out solutions at the scale and pace the science demands.
Our team on the ground at COP27 made sure the Australian delegates heard our message, even leaving a copy at their negotiating seat.
October
Report: Switch and save: how gas is costing households
Switch & Save: How Gas Is Costing Households shows that Australians can save on their energy bills by kicking gas out of their homes and embracing clean, safe and affordable electric alternatives.
Alongside the report, the Climate Council also released a savings calculator to show Australians how much they could save on their yearly energy bills by switching different appliances to energy efficient, electric alternatives. Check out the calculator to see how much you could save!
September
Report: Australia’s Clean Engine Room: Central Queenland’s Industrial Future
While Central Queensland has been traditionally dominated by fossil fuel extraction and exports, this report shows how the region could be a leader in the renewable energy and clean industry economy, with many green shoots already emerging. Central Queensland has abundant natural resources and the skilled workforce needed to take advantage of the significant economic and job opportunities presented by the energy transition. With rising local understanding and support for a shift towards decarbonisation, what’s needed now is government leadership. This report helps build the case for supporting this clean energy future for the region, both in the community and within the government, highlighting the ample benefits to the region.
Pollution Speed Limit: Australia’s Most Important Climate Policy
The Safeguard Mechanism (or, ‘Pollution Speed Limit’on Australia’s biggest emitters) is quickly becoming one of the most important policies for Australia’s climate action efforts. It covers Australia’s 215 biggest polluters who are responsible for almost 30% of Australia’s total emissions, like Santos, BHP and Woodside.
Read our explainer to learn more about the Pollution Speed Limit.
The Climate Council has made a submission to the Federal Government and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water to help strengthen the Safeguard Mechanism (Pollution Speed Limit) to enable dramatic emissions reductions this decade. Keeping the Government and the public informed on the latest science and powerful ways we can cut emissions is central to our work pushing for urgent climate action.
Policy Package: Power Up: 10 Climate Gamechangers
The Climate Council released a plug-and-play policy roadmap to rapidly drive down emissions this decade, while tackling the cost of living crisis. The report outlines 10 climate gamechangers centred around a 100% renewable energy supply, and the building, transport and industry sectors. These solutions can be put into action right now, and can create a wide range of different jobs and economic opportunities across the country.
Shifting the National Narrative on Gas
There has never been a better time to switch away from gas – and the Climate Council partnered with Australian comedian Dan Ilic to help spread the word. Check out the video and share it today to take this message further!
Polling: Australians want transport options that are better for our hip pockets and climate
The Climate Council partnered with YouGov to commission the People and Transport National Poll 2022; we asked more than 2100 Aussies what they think about Australian transport. Understanding what the public thinks of climate solutions helps us shape the national conversation, and push for urgent action to cut emissions.
The People and Transport National Poll reveals that:
- Eight in 10 Australians believe governments should invest more in public transport
- Seven in 10 are keen to see Australia’s entire bus fleet electrified and run on renewables as soon as possible.
- More than two-thirds of Australians think governments should deliver more footpaths and bike lanes across the country.
August
Policy Win: National Construction Code Updated
All States and Territories agreed to increase the minimum energy efficiency standard of new homes to 7-Stars, as part of the next update to the National Construction Code. The standard will come into force in May 2023, and all new homes will have to comply by October 2023. This is a big win for Australia, and for the Climate Council community after thousands of Climate Council supporters emailed a copy of our report, Tents to Castles, to their relevant Ministers to call for this change.
Webinar: Humanity’s Moment: In Conversation with Dr Joëlle Gergis
Climate Councillor, Dr Joëlle Gergis, was interviewed by Climate Council Research Director, Dr Simon Bradshaw, for the launch of her book, Humanity’s Moment: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope. As one of the lead authors of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 6th Assessment Report, Dr Gergis knows the heartbreak of the climate crisis – but she also understands why hope-fuelled action has never been more important.
Watch the playback of this inspiring conversation:
Webinar: In Conversation with The Hon. Chris Bowen MP
Climate Council CEO, Amanda McKenzie, held a frank and open discussion with the Hon. Chris Bowen MP, about the national plan to tackle climate change, and the credible action, policies and solutions that must be put in place urgently. This conversation was a unique opportunity to take the Climate Council community’s questions straight to the Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy.
Want to see more events like this? Subscribe to the Climate Council today!
July
Media Spotlight: Climate Council Attends the Pacific Islands Forum 2022
The Climate Council sent two staff members to the Pacific Islands Forum in Suva, Fiji, to meet and work alongside other international climate groups, and report back to global news organisations everything that happened on the ground.
This was the first Pacific Islands Forum for the new Federal Government, making the event an important opportunity to set a new tone for Australia’s relationship with the Pacific and secure strong cooperation on climate change, the region’s greatest threat. Support from our community enables us to hold the Government accountable in the media by providing an independent, expert voice on the ground.
Report: A Fight for Survival: Tackling the Climate Crisis is Key to Security in the Blue Pacific
Climate change is an existential threat to the Pacific and time is running out. So ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum 2022, Climate Council released its report A Fight for Survival: Tackling the Climate Crisis is Key to Security in the Blue Pacific, which found that to earn the trust of the rest of the region, Australia must show Pacific countries that it is serious about climate action.
Report: Re-Energising the Indo-Pacific: Australia’s Clean Energy Opportunity
This report, co-authored by the Climate Council and PerthUSAsia, outlines concrete recommendations on how Australia can lead a transformative energy revolution in the Indo-Pacific region. It was released ahead of the Sydney Energy Forum 2022 in Sydney, co-hosted by the Australian Government and the International Energy Agency.
June
Policy Package: Charging Ahead: State and Territory Transport Policy Recommendations to reach near-absolute zero emissions
The Climate Council has developed a package of policies to address Australia’s fastest growing source of emissions, personal transport, and deliver significant health, economic and employment benefits, all while helping states and territories achieve their emissions reduction targets.
Emergency Leaders for Climate Action meets with Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen MP
In stark contrast to the first act of the previous government abolishing the Climate Commission, one of the first acts of Climate Change and Energy Minister, Chris Bowen MP, was to invite Emergency Leaders for Climate Action to meet with him. ELCA members Greg Mullins, Major General Peter Dunn and David Templeman were able to bring their 6 key asks to the nation’s highest offices, calling for:
- Strong, immediate emissions cuts (at least 75% by 2030)
- National leadership and collaboration to prepare for extreme weather
- Funding for vulnerable communities
- Properly resourced emergency services and a stop to subsidies for fossil fuels
- A national risk assessment and climate strategy
- Adaptation programs in tandem with emissions reduction
This meeting and press conference garnered significant media attention, with features across major news publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian, 7News, News.com and SBS.
Webinar: Scale, Pace, Momentum: A new chapter for climate action
A panel of experts from the Climate Council joined together after the ‘Climate Election’ to discuss how we can make the most of the opportunity this new election poses for climate action across the nation.
May
Policy Package: Climate Policies for a Sensible Government
The Climate Council published a comprehensive list of the pragmatic policies that can be implemented within the first term of government ahead of the Federal Election, and sent it out to key candidates so that they knew where to get started if elected.
Campaign: #PutClimate First
We produced a range of resources and guides to help Australians make informed decisions about climate change at the ballot box. As an independent, non-partisan organisation, the Climate Council doesn’t promote or oppose individual parties or politicians, rather we advocate for policies that can deliver the deep emissions cuts we need, based on the most up-to-date climate science and information.
Panel: Federal Election Briefing: Putting Climate First
This webinar included a brief rundown of the major parties’ climate policies, and how they stack up to the science, before diving into an in-depth discussion with the expert panellists on why climate was such a crucial issue in the upcoming election, and how we can continue to keep pushing for stronger climate action on a national level.
Other Key Resources
Climate Crap Checker – A thorough breakdown of claims made about Australia’s (woeful) climate record (and what you can do to combat them).
What does good climate policy look like? – A guide to sorting the science from the spin when it comes to climate election promises.
Where do Australia’s major parties stand on climate action?– Analysis on the climate policy platforms from the Liberal-National, Labor and Greens parties.
Interactive Map: Climate Risk Map of Australia
The interactive Climate Risk Map of Australia localises and personalises the risks of climate fuelled extreme weather events, such as bushfires and floods, to properties within electorates, local government areas and suburbs around the country, allowing users to see how their area will be impacted by climate change into the future.
This map made a huge impact in the media, with over 2300 features across print, online and broadcast coverage. It appeared on every major news network; reaching people across the country with the facts about how climate change is affecting their communities.
In response to the findings of this map, over 3000 people emailed the Climate Risk Map to their Federal MP and Candidates ahead of the federal election to demand stronger action on climate change to protect their community.
Report: Uninsurable Nation: Australia’s Most Climate Vulnerable Places
This report found that by increasing the minimum energy efficiency standards for new homes from 6 to 7-Stars, we can dramatically cut household emissions, reduce energy bills and improve people’s health and wellbeing.
April
Report: The Lost Years: Counting the costs of climate inaction in Australia
This report found that by increasing the minimum energy efficiency standards for new homes from 6 to 7-Stars, we can dramatically cut household emissions, reduce energy bills and improve people’s health and wellbeing.
Report: Tents to Castles: Building Energy Efficient, Cost Saving Aussie Homes
This report found that by increasing the minimum energy efficiency standards for new homes from 6 to 7-Stars, we can dramatically cut household emissions, reduce energy bills and improve people’s health and wellbeing.
Responding to our Tents to Castles report, thousands of members of the Climate Council community emailed a copy of this report to their relevant State or Territory minister, calling on them to increase the minimum energy efficiency standards for new homes to 7-Stars.
Panel: The Path Forward: Understanding the latest IPCC Report
The IPCC Working Group III report focused on the path ahead of us, detailing how governments can rally to drastically cut emissions and the solutions that must be rapidly implemented to tackle climate change. Check out the insights on this report and what it means for Australian communities from our expert panel: Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie, Climate Council Senior Researcher Tim Baxter, Climate Councillor Dr Madeleine Taylor and inventor and scientist Saul Griffith.
Media Spotlight: Emergency Leaders for Climate Action on A Current Affair
Emergency Leaders for Climate Action member, Major General Peter Dunn, featured in a segment of A Current Affair addressing how military and emergency services leaders, business leaders and flood affected residents are calling for urgent action to reduce emissions this decade to prevent worsening climate impacts. Click here to check out the segment.
March
Explainer: Breaking down the latest IPCC report
The Climate Council continued our work unpacking the latest science and making it accessible to the public and decision makers alike as we broke down the findings of the IPCC Working Group II report. Check out our explainer here, and watch the summary from Climate Council Research Director Dr Simon Bradshaw.
Panel: Special Briefing: What you need to know about the latest IPCC report
Our expert panel delves into what the IPCC Working Group II report means for Australians, what we can do to propel Australia towards bold, effective climate action, how to look after your mental health in light of these findings, and more.
Panel: Leading the Charge: Let’s talk about women and climate change
Emergency Leaders for Climate Action member, Major General Peter Dunn, featured in a segment of A Current Affair In honour of International Women’s Day, Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie facilitated a panel discussion with three trailblazing women working towards climate action in Australia; Kavita Naidu, Jo Dodds and Lisa Viliamu Jameson. The panel discusses the effects of climate change on women, reflects on how we can increase female representation in the push for urgent action, and unpack gender inequality in climate impacts and solutions.
Rapid Response: Climate Council responds to the flooding crisis
Thanks to the ongoing support of our community, the Climate Council was quick to respond to the east coast flooding crisis, providing expert insight in the media, and producing key resources to keep Australians informed of how climate change impacts flooding events. Read our public statement on the floods here.
Report: A Supercharged Climate: Rainbombs, Flash Flooding and Destruction
This report explains how climate change is intensifying extreme rainfall, how the frequency of these events is likely to double with each degree of further global warming, and how climate change was firmly embedded in the 2022 flooding emergency that swept through southeast Queensland and New South Wales.
Cities Power Partnership: Stand with Local Leaders
Facilitated by the Cities Power Partnership, a program of the Climate Council, 31 Mayors, Councillors and local government networks joined together to call for urgent disaster recovery funding, more ambitious emissions reduction targets and a coordinated national response to climate fuelled disasters. Over 2700 Climate Council community members signed on to this joint statement to amplify this urgent call for action.
February
Communication Guides: Marine Heatwaves
This communication guide is full of helpful tips and tricks on how to talk about the impact of climate change on marine heatwaves. This guide delves into how climate change has contributed to the increased frequency, duration and intensity of marine heatwaves, their ecological significance and how they’re altering our oceans.
Resources for Managing Climate Anxiety
Responding to the rising eco anxiety among Australians, the Climate Council has compiled some tips, tools and resources for managing climate anxiety. Climate Councillor and public health doctor, Dr Kate Charlesworth, also developed a guide for parents managing eco anxiety in their children.
January
Bandaid on a Broken Leg: Responding to Reef Funding Announcement
The Climate Council responded in the media to the then Federal Government announcing $1billion in funding for the Great Barrier Reef that failed to address the number one threat to the reef, climate change, labelling the announcement a “band-aid on a broken leg”. Our coverage of this announcement was featured in a variety of news outlets including the Sydney Morning Herald, CNN and Yahoo.
Check out Climate Councillor and Ecologist Professor Lesley Hughes’ response to the announcement below:
2021
December
Conversation Guides: Helping you talk about Climate Change and impacts
Our Extreme Weather Communication Guide was developed so you can accurately explain the link between extreme weather events and climate change. We also produced social media squares in Mandarin, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Arabic, Korean, Greek, Thai, Khmer and Spanish about how climate change effects different extreme weather events including bushfires, floods and heatwaves that you can share.
As La Niña influences a wetter, stormier summer than many Australians are used to, we created the conversation guide Stormy Summer and Climate Change to help arm you with the facts when chatting about climate change.
PANEL: Are We Any Safer?
Two years since the devastating Black Summer Bushfires, the Climate Council and Emergency Leaders for Climate Action are hosted an online panel to look at what progress has been made, and ask “Are We Any Safer?“. Watch the webinar to learn from our expert panel:
REPORT: Crunch Time: How Climate Action in the 2020s will Define Australia
This report unpacks the key takeaways for Australia from the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, in particular the urgent need for Australia to catch up with the rest of the world. The only way to do this is with a strong 2030 target and a suite of credible climate policies that accelerates the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy and electrification.
November
Climate Councillors featured in must-see Black Summer bushfires documentary
The Climate Council keeps powerful, expert voices on climate change in the public eye to set the record straight on the facts and solutions.
Academy Award winning film maker, Eva Orner, featured in-depth interviews with some of our Climate Councillors, including Prof. Tim Flannery and Greg Mullins, AO, AFSM, in her documentary Burning. This film takes an unflinching look at the 2019-2020 Black Summer bushfires, delving into the catastrophe that unfolded across Australia, while shining a light on the global issue of climate change.
PANEL: Glasgoing, Going, Gone: What Now?
Hear from our expert Climate Councillors about their reflections on COP26, and what Australia needs to do now to take meaningful action on climate change.
COP26: Shaping the National Narrative
Both on the ground in Glasgow and back at home in Australia, the Climate Council shaped the narrative around COP26 by keeping influential voices in the media. The Climate Council was a go-to source for journalists, resulting in us featuring in the media over 3,600 times throughout the climate conference. Through traditional and social media, our team kept the public across the developments at the conference, facts about climate change and solutions.
Check out some of the highlights from COP26
October
REPORT: From Paris To Glasgow: A World On The Move
From Paris to Glasgow: A world on the move takes stock of the world’s response to the climate crisis and outlines what Australia needs to deliver to play its part in reducing global emissions and protecting future generations. Australia has a long way to go, and our report ranks Australia dead last among comparable nations.
REPORT: Markets are Moving: The Economic Cost of Australia’s Climate Inaction
Markets are Moving: The Economic Cost of Australia’s Climate Inaction looks at the economic impact that carbon border tariffs could have on Australia’s economy if we do not take appropriate measures to act on climate change now in line with our key trading allies.
September
REPORT: Path to Zero: How NSW can Kick the Gas Habit
This report provides one of the first pathways for eliminating gas demand in New South Wales by 2050. New South Wales could reduce its annual gas demand by the same amount that the Narrabri Gas Project is forecast to produce, as soon as 2030.
REPORT: Neighbourhood Issue: Climate Costs & Risks to Councils
As the level of government closest to the community, councils are at the heart of responding to climate impacts. The findings and case studies in this report paint a picture of the impacts and scale of the challenge councils face, but also outline a pathway to overcome them.
REPORT: Rising to the Challenge: Addressing Climate & Security in Our Region
This report outlines the relationship between climate and security. It highlights significant risks within our region that could be realised in the future, and how Australia can rise to this challenge.
Watch our Climate Security Online Panel Discussion to learn more:
Cities Power Partnership reaches over 150 Partner Councils
The Cities Power Partnership now represents over 60% of Australians, across over 500 cities and towns, as Australia’s largest network of local councils leading the way to a thriving, zero emissions future.
August
Explaining the IPCC Report
The Climate Council breaks down the findings of the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to help everyday Australians understand the latest science, and push our business, community and political leaders to cut emissions by as much as possible, as fast as possible.
June
Community Protection Pledge
Emergency Leaders for Climate Action (ELCA), a project supported by the Climate Council, launches the Community Protection Pledge. The pledge is a set of 10 commitments aimed at all of Australia’s 151 Federal MPs, who are committed to advocating for climate action and protecting their communities.
May
REPORT: Kicking the Gas Habit: How Gas is Harming our Health
Gas is a dangerous, polluting fossil fuel that’s harmful to our health, wellbeing, and climate. This report smacks down misinformation from the gas industry, to demonstrate the way to a smarter, cleaner and healthier future for all Australians.
See the benefits of living in a gas free home:
April
REPORT: Aim High, Go Fast: Why Emissions Need to Plummet this Decade
The Aim High, Go Fast report is a sobering reminder that any further delay to action on climate change will have devastating consequences for our lives, livelihoods and ecosystems. The report concludes that Australia should aim to reduce emissions by 75% below 2005 levels by 2030, and reach net zero emissions by 2035.
First Nations Climate Justice Panel
Emergency Leaders for Climate Action and the Climate Council hold the First Nations Climate Justice Panel – a discussion on how First Nations communities are leading the fight for climate justice, and why First Nations voices must be centred in the national climate conversation.
Watch the panel below, or click here to read and share our summary:
February
REPORT: Game, Set Match: Calling Time on Climate Inaction
This report highlights the impact of increasing heatwaves and extreme weather on local, national and international sporting codes – engaging new audiences by elevating the voices of Australian athletes concerned by the climate crisis.
January
REPORT: Hitting Home: The Compounding Costs of Climate Inaction
Following one of the most intense periods yet for climate-fuelled extreme weather, the Climate Council releases a report outlining how climate change is driving more destructive heatwaves, downpours, cyclones, and fires, and costing our economy billions.
2020
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic dominating the news cycle, the Climate Council keeps climate change in the headlines. Emergency Leaders for Climate Action (ELCA) are a source of authoritative climate information in the media, featuring over 78,000 times in traditional and social media over the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires.
December
REPORT: Passing Gas: Why Renewables are the Future
Gas is driving climate change. This report explores the Federal Government’s commitment to the gas industry, while exposing some of the biggest myths surrounding gas extraction, production and consumption in Australia.
July
Australian Bushfire and Climate Plan
The Australian Bushfire and Climate Plan, developed at the National Bushfire and Climate Summit 2020, outlines 165 recommendations for more effective bushfire readiness, response, and recovery. Many of these recommendations influence the outcomes of the Bushfire Royal Commission, including its acknowledgement that climate change is leading to more dangerous fire conditions.
Clean Jobs Plan
The Climate Council releases its Clean Jobs Plan which identifies 12 major policy opportunities to create 76,000 clean, emissions-busting jobs across the nation, including in regional areas.
The Clean Jobs Plan goes on to influence over 50 strong policy outcomes on renewable energy and climate solutions from State and Territory Governments.
June
National Bushfire and Climate Summit
In response to the Black Summer bushfires, Emergency Leaders for Climate Action (ELCA) hosts the 2020 National Bushfire and Climate Summit, bringing together more than 150 experts and community leaders, to share their experiences, and come up with ways to address the worsening risk of devastating bushfires fuelled by climate change.
Watch the highlights below, or click here to watch the full panel.
March
REPORT: Summer of Crisis
Summer of Crisis is the first comprehensive overview of how climate change fuelled Australia’s devastating Black Summer bushfires.
January
PM acknowledges link between climate change and fire conditions
The Climate Council’s work educating Australians on the link between climate change and extreme weather, including drought and bushfires, is instrumental in changing the public narrative around the Black Summer bushfires.
At a press conference, Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he’s “always acknowledged” the link between climate change and bushfires.
According to research conducted in the aftermath of the bushfires, 49% of Black Summer articles discuss climate change, compared with only 5% of reporting of the Black Saturday fires in 2009.
2019
December
ELCA meets with David Littleproud and Angus Taylor
Emergency Leaders for Climate Action travel to Canberra to meet with Minister David Littleproud and Minister Angus Taylor.
November
REPORT: State of Play: Renewable Energy Leaders and Losers
Climate Council’s 2019 report, State of Play: Renewable energy leaders and losers, finds that South Australia is winning the state and territory renewables race, with the ACT and Tasmania hot on its heels.
September
ELCA writes again to the PM
Emergency Leaders for Climate Action (ELCA) writes again to the Prime Minister, asking why the Government has not yet given them a meeting.
REPORT: This is What Climate Change Looks Like
The Climate Council releases a visual report, This is what climate change looks like, highlighting recent examples of climate impacts on natural ecosystems and wildlife.
August
REPORT: Compound Costs: How Climate Change is Damaging Australia’s Economy
The Compound Costs report finds that there are few forces affecting the Australian economy that can match the scale, persistence and systemic risk associated with climate change.
April
Emergency Leaders for Climate Action (ELCA) is formed
A group of 23 former emergency service leaders, led by former commissioner of NSW Fire and Rescue Greg Mullins, writes to the Federal Government, alerting it to the threat of “increasingly catastrophic extreme weather events” and calling on both major parties to recognise the need for “national firefighting assets”, including large aircraft, to deal with the scale of the threat. ELCA launches a joint statement in The Australian and The Age Newspapers.
REPORT: Climate Cuts, Cover-Ups and Censorship
This report provides a detailed overview of the Australian government’s approach to climate change since the election of the Liberal-National Coalition government in 2013 – a period characterised by slashing science funding, cutting effective climate change programs and a lack of credible climate policy.
March
REPORT: The Angriest Summer
This report finds the Angry Summer of 2018/19 has been characterised by prolonged, continental-wide heatwaves and record hot days, bushfires throughout Australia, and heavy rainfall and flooding in northern Queensland.
February
Fighting Back Against Misinformation
The Climate Council hits back against claims from the Federal Government that CO2 emissions are reducing, despite their own data at the time showing emissions on the rise. 28 experts in science, energy and other emitting sectors, sign our statement, directly funded by our community, and published in the Australian and the Financial Review.
2018
5 years since the launch of the Climate Council and we have published over 100 peer-reviewed reports, had over 280,000 media hits generating over $100million worth of coverage on climate change. Our online community has grown to over 420,000 people since our launch. Over 2018, the Climate Council releases 17 reports and achieves over 2200 media mentions, reaching tens of thousands of Australians with important climate messages.
December
REPORT: A Renewable Feast
This report brings together a feast of renewable-powered food and drinks showcasing Australian growers and manufacturers who are using clean energy.
November
REPORT: Deluge and Drought: Australia’s Water Security in a Changing Climate
‘Deluge & Drought‘ finds that climate change is already significantly influencing water security in Australia, shifting rainfall patterns and increasing the severity of both droughts and floods.
October
REPORT: Powering Progress: States Renewable Energy Race
The Western Australian Government updates their climate policy to include a net zero emissions plan, in the wake of the States Renewable Energy Race report, where we single out Western Australia as the only state without a renewable energy or net zero emissions target.
REPORT: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Limiting Temperature Rise to 1.5C
To put into context what the latest IPCC report means for Australia, the Climate Council prepares its own report: The good, the bad and the ugly: Limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C. The report details how global temperatures have been rising rapidly, and Australia is one of the most vulnerable developed countries to the impacts of climate change, while contributing little to solutions.
Cities Power Partnership grows to over 100 Partner Councils
July
REPORT: Lethal Consequences: Climate Change Impacts on the Great Barrier Reef – Update 2018
This report shows the future survival of coral reefs around the world, including the Great Barrier Reef, depends on how deeply and swiftly greenhouse gas pollution levels are slashed over the coming years and decades.
June
Climate Council holds the Australian Energy Forum
The Climate Council’s Australian Energy Forum brings together twelve of Australia’s leading energy experts with 20 energy policy advisors representing every state and territory across Australia. The forum discusses the importance of strong emissions reductions targets in the context of the debate around the National Energy Guarantee.
February
REPORT: Icons at Risk: Climate Change Threatening Australian Tourism
This report drives home the impacts of climate change on some of Australia’s top natural tourist destinations, including the Great Barrier Reef, the Red Centre, the Top End, Beaches and our ski fields.
Launched at Sydney’s iconic Manly Beach, the report generates a diverse range of media coverage, exposing the Climate Council to new audiences, while also attracting international media attention in countries including China, France and Pakistan.
2017
2017 sees the Climate Council hit a significant media milestone: surpassing 20,000 media hits since the organisation’s launch in 2013 and featuring in over 3000 media items in 2017 alone. We take journalists on two media trips to help shape the national narrative about climate impacts and solutions. These trips are highly effective in conveying the severity of the impact of climate change on the Great Barrier Reef, as well as showcasing what a renewable energy future would look like by turning the lens to the solutions already being rolled out in California.
December
REPORT: Critical Decade 2017: Accelerating Climate Action
The ‘Critical Decade 2017: Accelerating Climate Action’ report shows Australia is highly vulnerable to many consequences of a changing climate, from worsening heatwaves, droughts and bushfires, to devastating coral reef bleaching, while most of the nation’s population centres are also highly exposed to sea level rise.
October
Responding to the National Energy Guarantee
The Climate Council opens up discussion about the NEG’s deficiencies, proposing an alternative set of policy principles for credible climate and energy policy, and continuing to highlight positive state and territory progress on renewable energy and storage. Our multi-tiered response strategy cut through the swathes of misinformation and made sure the Australian public understood the difference between the NEG, and credible climate policy
July
Cities Power Partnership Launched
The Cities Power Partnership is launched with 35 trailblazing partner councils and soon becomes Australia’s largest network of towns and cities leading the way towards a thriving, net zero emissions future.
California Media Imagination Project
The Climate Council held a media trip for Australian Journalists to California to help inform reporting on Australia’s clean energy future. Half of California’s energy is set to come from renewables by 2030, and more people worked in the solar energy industry than in all the state’s investor-owned utilities combined. It also has a similar climate, economy and vulnerability to climate impacts to Australia, making it an ideal frame of reference for journalists.
The trip generated extensive media coverage, including in the Australian Financial Review and Channel 10’s The Project.
July
REPORT: Risky Business: Health, Climate and Economic Risks of the Carmichael Mine
This report shows that if the Galilee Basin mine were a country, it would rank in the top 15 worst emitting nations in the world, and that any new thermal coal mines, particularly at that scale, is fundamentally at odds with protecting Australians from the impacts of climate change.
March
REPORT: Angry Summer 2016/17: Climate Change Super-Charging Extreme Weather
The “Angry Summer 2016/17: Climate Change Supercharging Extreme Weather” report shows summer temperatures have soared to unprecedented new heights, with capital cities such as Sydney experiencing its hottest summer on record.
2016
2016 is a big year for the Climate Council, releasing 19 reports across topics including heat and health, coral reefs, storms, land carbon and rural & regional impacts. By mid-2016, three of the top five spokespeople communicating on climate change are from the Climate Council, and we are consistently the number one organisation communicating on climate change, featuring in over 2100 media articles through the year.
October
Fighting Misinformation About Renewables
After a one-in-50 year storm results in catastrophic damage to power infrastructure across South Australia, the Climate Council’s rapid mobilisation in response to debate over renewables dramatically changes the narrative.
September
REPORT: Land carbon: no substitute for action on fossil fuels
A Climate Council report finds that while increasing carbon in land systems is important, Australia is muddying the waters by combining land carbon and fossil fuel reduction policies – which is giving an inaccurate picture of Australia’s progress in tackling climate change.
August
REPORT: On the Frontline: climate change and rural communities
This report reveals that climate change is likely to worsen the systemic disadvantages suffered by rural and regional communities, and further widen the gap between rural and urban areas. It finds the increase in extreme weather events is disproportionately affecting those in rural areas, with serious social, health and economic impacts.
June
The Climate Council is well established as the expert voice on climate change, science and solutions in Australia
By mid 2016, the Climate Council consistently has three of the top five spokespeople communicating on climate change, and is consistently the #1 organisation communicating on climate change.
May
Unprecedented coral bleaching in the Great Barrier Reef
The Climate Council coordinates a significant media intervention in response to a mass coral bleaching event on the Great Barrier Reef, with our work quoted in over 100 international publications. We release the report ‘Australia’s coral reefs under threat from climate change‘, and take out a full page ad in QLD’s Courier Mail, with a statement signed by 56 scientists, with a combined 1200 years of experience working on the reef.
REPORT: Australia’s coral reefs under threat from climate change
This report finds that rising global ocean temperatures, driven by climate change, has been the cause of an extremely severe bleaching event on the Great Barrier Reef.
REPORT: Game On: The Australian Renewable Energy Race Heats Up
Our report card on the renewable energy progress of Australia’s states and territories finds South Australia and the ACT are acing the class, while NSW is lagging behind. The report grades Australia’s states on their renewable energy policy and performance across rooftop solar penetration, large-scale capacity per capita and percentage of renewable electricity.
March
REPORT:The Silent Killer: climate change and the health impacts of extreme heat
The Silent Killer: Climate Change and the Health Impacts of Extreme Heat report finds that although many states have taken significant steps to upgrade their heat and health warning systems since the deadly heatwaves of 2009, strategies vary considerably from state to state and focus primarily on reactive, rather than long-term planning.
2015
The Climate Council continues to ramp up its impact across Australia, releasing a joint statement, two briefing papers and 15 reports throughout the year, on topics including carbon budgets, the renewable energy boom, drought, the Carmichael coal mine and food and farming. Over the year, the Climate Council has over 2300 media hits conveying key messages about climate change right around the country.
November
Climate Council sends delegation to COP21 in Paris
Climate Council reporting on the COP21 conference reaches 11.2 million people, with media coverage worth more than $3.1m, setting the tone for how the Paris climate conference is understood back home in Australia. The Climate Council releases the report ‘A Whole New World, Tracking the Renewable Energy Boom from Copenhagen to Paris’.
See what our team on the ground have to say:
REPORT: The Burning Issue: climate change and the Australian Bushfire Threat
The Burning Issue: Climate Change and the Australian Bushfire Threat finds the length of the fire season has increased by almost 19% globally between 1978 and 2013. Longer fire seasons are reducing opportunities for controlled burning and intensifying pressure on firefighting resources.
October
The Climate Council Hosts the ‘Australian Climate Security Summit’
Thirty of Australia’s leading minds from Defence, academia, policy think tanks and other government bodies join together for discussions for Australia’s first climate security summit. The summit results in the inclusion of stronger language regarding climate change in the February Defence White paper, as well as an unprecedented public acknowledgement of climate change by Australia’s Chief of Army.
September
Climate Media Centre Launches
The Climate Media Centre localises and personalises climate change impacts and solutions for Australians by connecting journalists with powerful stories about the people and places affected by climate change, as well as the inspiring tales of those taking action to fix things.
August
REPORT: Climate Change 2015: Growing Risks, Critical choices
Released halfway through the Critical Decade for climate action and four years after the release of the Climate Commission report, Critical Decade: Climate science, risks and responses, Climate Change 2015 finds that the risks of climate change for our wellbeing now look more serious, strengthening the case for urgent action.
June
Key information from Climate Council Reports has now reached 6 Million People!
April
REPORT: Unburnable Carbon: why we need to leave fossil fuels in the ground
This report reveals that the pollution from Australia’s coal resources, particularly the enormous Galilee coal basin, could take us two-thirds of the way to a two degree rise in global temperature.
2014
The Climate Council features in over 2300 media items over 2014, including coverage of the 17 reports published throughout the year, across topics including heat waves, international action, bushfires, electricity and coastal flooding. Important foundations are laid for our ongoing work, and the Climate Council is established as an expert voice on climate science and impacts in Australia.
December
REPORT: The Australian Renewable Energy Race: which states are winning or losing?
This report is the first of our state renewable energy race reports, released annually, comparing state and territory uptake of renewable energy and targets to spur on state based climate action.
Increase in number of Australians that understand the link between climate change and extreme weather
Essential Media finds that 76% of people think that climate change and extreme weather are linked (compared to 52% in January, 2014).
November
REPORT: Lagging Behind: Australia and the Global Response to Climate Change
This report compares Australia’s action on climate change to the rest of the world in relation to reducing emissions and renewable energy, including the actions taken by some of the world’s largest economies such as China, the US and EU.
REPORT: Counting the costs: climate change and coastal flooding
A landmark report exploring coastal flooding: the sleeping giant of climate change risks. The report outlines how sea level has already rise and continues to rise du to climate change.
September
REPORT: Australia’s Electricity Sector: Ageing, Inefficient and Unprepared
Australia’s Electricity Sector: Ageing, Inefficient and Unprepared investigates the future of Australia’s electricity sector.
REPORT: Heatwaves: Hotter, Longer, More Often
This report finds that climate change is already increasing the intensity and frequency of heatwaves in Australia. Heatwaves are becoming hotter, lasting longer and occurring more often, with hot weather in Adelaide, Melbourne and Canberra reaching predicted for 2030.
August
REPORT: Heatwaves: Hotter, Longer, More Often
This report finds that climate change is already increasing the intensity and frequency of heatwaves in Australia. Heatwaves are becoming hotter, lasting longer and occurring more often, with hot weather in Adelaide, Melbourne and Canberra reaching predicted for 2030.
March
REPORT: The Angry Summer
The first in a series of ‘Angry Summer’ summer reports, this report provides a summary of extreme weather conditions in the 2013/2014 summer, illuminating a continuing trend of hotter summers and more weather extremes in Australia
2013
December
REPORT: Be Prepared: Climate Change and the Australian Bushfire Threat
Climate Councillors, Professors Lesley Hughes and Will Steffen, release one of the Climate Council’s first major reports, kickstarting our work educating the public and decision-makers on the relationship between climate change and extreme weather – a topic that will grow to be a core pillar of our work.
September
Climate Council launches in record-breaking crowdfunding campaign
16,000 people chip in over $1.1 million in just ten days to launch the Climate Council in the biggest Australian crowdfunding campaign of its time – bringing our independent voice for climate science, solutions and action to life.
