How can industry, local government and non-government actors work together towards positive change in Australia's emissions intensive regions? 

Stakeholders in emissions-intensive regions are facing uncertain futures. However, Australia is perfectly positioned to take advantage of new markets and pave the way for renewable energy worldwide.

The 2022 IPCC Climate Change Mitigation report highlighted the importance of meaningful engagement with communities throughout the process of systems change to ensure equitable and resilient futures. In Australia, we need to be having meaningful conversations with regional communities to ensure they do not get left behind.

Panellists discussed how policy interventions and actions are necessary at a national level to provide certainty throughout the process of decarbonisation for emissions-intensive regions across the country.

Panellists

Dr Amanda Cahill - is the CEO of The Next Economy. She has spent over two decades working with inspiring people across Australia, Asia and the Pacific to create positive change on issues as diverse as economic development, public health, gender equality and climate adaptation. The focus of her work at The Next Economy is to support communities, government, industry and others to develop a more resilient, just and regenerative economy.

Warrick Jordan - is the Coordinator of the Hunter Jobs Alliance, a union and community environment alliance focused on supporting communities through structural change in energy and related industries in the Hunter region. He has worked on conservation, resource management and regional economic change issues for the past 20 years. 

Wendy Farmer - is the President of Voices of the Valley, a community advocacy group that formed during the catastrophic 2014 Hazelwood brown coal mine fire in Victoria. Sally is passionate about working towards a ‘Just Transition’ for the Latrobe Valley and other communities and is a dedicated campaigner and media spokesperson.

Note: this event was held 31 May 2022