Dear Friend,

Welcome to the October newsletter. As we leave behind the energy and excitement of the Better Futures Forum, we’re diving into an action-packed season for climate. The October Newsletter is packed with industry events, noteworthy reports, and open consultations. Enjoy!

🌏 ON OUR AGENDA 🌏

Like many of you, we are eagerly anticipating the next few months of events with climate and clean energy at their core: COP29 in Baku, updated Nationally Determined Contributions, a federal election approaching, and a decision about Australia co-hosting COP31. At Better Futures Australia, we’re all about ensuring everyday Australians are well represented in key climate policy conversations. Here's where we're focusing our efforts at the moment:

• Pre-Budget Submissions: convening working group meetings to shape impactful submissions, and joining key consultations with government representatives.
• Remote COP29 Support: connecting our partners to maximise on-the-ground impact in Baku.
• Shared Advocacy: amplifying our own and partner-led campaigns to push for strong climate commitments and action. An example of this is the recent Climate Action Pays Off campaign by IGCC, which used a number of BFA Champion voices.
• Growing our Champion Network: welcoming new voices from across Australian society and the economy to support strong climate policies and action.

Interesting news on our agenda this month:

• Salā Dr George Carter, a Pacific Islands researcher and Better Futures Forum speaker, was appointed to the COP29 scientific council, amplifying Pacific voices on the global stage.
• The International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook 2024 predicts renewables could meet half of global electricity demand by 2030. Watch the launch video or explore the written report here.
• InfluenceMap’s Climate Policy Engagement Leaders Report features 40 companies driving forward ambitious climate policy. Read the report.
• Banksia Sustainability Awards are open for nominations. Submit your entry by December 6 here.
• The UN Climate Change High-Level Champions released a report showing how support from all sectors can create high-quality climate action plans. Read more.

📅 EVENTS & ACTIVITIES 📅

\\\ Better Futures Australia Quarterly Multi-Sectoral Roundtable

Join us online tomorrow, Thursday October 31st at noon AEDT, for our third multi-sectoral roundtable of the year. Hear insights from representatives collaborating on climate policy solutions across a range of fields.

\\\ Upcoming Events

• Uniting Business Live Australia, 📆 October 30-31📍Sydney (and virtually). UN Global Compact Australia is hosting a two day conference on bridging the gap between current practice and the future of sustainable business in Australia.
• ANU Solar Oration, 📆 November 4 📍ANU's 2024 Solar Oration will feature Tim Buckley, speaking on the solar step change.
• Colonialism, policy, and Indigenous governance in the changing Anthropocene: Climate change and pollution, 📆 November 7📍ANU webinar, featuring Brianna Gordon and Fabienne Rioux-Gobell.
• Investor Group on Climate Change 2024 Summit, 📆 November 7-8 📍 Melbourne. An impressive lineup of speakers and topics on turning foundations like climate disclosures, sectors net zero plans, and the National Climate Risk Assessment, into concrete action.
• Energy infrastructure and community engagement conference, 📆 November 12-13 📍 Sydney, hosted by Informa.
• Building energy performance summit, 📆 November 19📍Melbourne, hosted by the Energy Efficiency Council.
• National Intergenerational Fairness Summit 📆 Nov 21 📍Ann Harding Conference Centre, University of Canberra. Focused on advancing policy for future generations.
• Decarb forum for agriculture and land, 📆 November 25📍Sydney, hosted by Impact X.

\\\ ICYMI

Better Futures Forum Session Recordings Now Available
We’ve posted the session recordings on our YouTube channel. Feel free to explore the content when you have a moment, and share any feedback with us.

BFA IN BRIEF

\\\ Welcoming a New BFA Champion

Welcome, Rikki Dank!

We’re excited to introduce Rikki Dank, director of Gudanji for Country. Rikki became involved in climate action and education while working to protect the Country of the Gudanji nation from hydraulic fracturing projects.

She also works to educate the community about climate change and other environmental threats.

Read more about Rikki and other Champions here.

\\\ BFA Community Survey

Our Community Survey is open until Friday, November 1! Take 5-10 minutes to share your thoughts on the BFA program and our priorities, and any plans for COP29. We’d love to hear from you!

🌱BE PART OF THE SOLUTION 🌱

/// Open Consultations & Submissions

Have your say on the following critical policy areas:

Biodiversity Certificates | Feedback due Oct 30
Help shape the inaugural method inaugural method and proposed biodiversity assessment instrument under the Nature Repair Act 2023.

AEMO Capacity Investment Scheme | Submissions close Nov 11
Proposed National Electricity Law amendment to allow AEMO to administer the Capacity Investment Scheme (CIS). More information here.

Nuclear Energy Inquiry | Submissions close Nov 15
Share your views on the Senate’s inquiry into nuclear power in Australia. Learn more.

AEMO ISP Methodology | Submissions close Nov 22
Share your views on the modelling and cost benefit analysis for the Integrated Systems Plan for the transition of the National Energy Market. Learn more here.

First Nations Underwater Cultural Heritage | Survey closes Nov 29
The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water seeks feedback on the assessment guidelines for First Nations underwater cultural heritage in Commonwealth waters. Details here.

Carbon Market Infrastructure | Comments due Nov 22
Provide feedback on the Clean Energy Regulator’s proposed exchange trading model for ACCUs and new certificates registry. Comment here.

Environmentally Sustainable Procurement | Closes Nov 5
DCCEEW has released discussion papers proposing an expansion of the federal sustainable procurement policy to cover furniture, textiles, and ICT goods by mid-2025. More details.

Stay informed on upcoming consultations via consult.dcceew.gov.au.

All the best for a productive November!

Thank you for being a part of our community. Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or ideas.

Warm regards,

Lisa, Quimby, Jordan and Ciara
betterfutures.org.au

We respect and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and their Elders past and present and are committed to creating better futures together.