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Dear Friend,
We hope this finds you well as we wrap up an invigorating September. Welcome to our monthly roundup to share the impact and outcomes of the Better Futures Forum 2024, and look ahead to engagements on the horizon.
🌏 ON OUR AGENDA 🌏
The Better Futures Forum in Canberra this month was a landmark event, convening voices from diverse sectors to forge a unified path toward robust climate policy. Held in the vibrant setting of the National Film and Sound Archive, the Forum catalysed cross-sectoral conversations and sparked collaborative partnerships that promise to strengthen our collective advocacy work.
We are grateful to the attendees, partners, sponsors, speakers and volunteers for their time, energy and ideas during what was a whirlwind and wonderful couple of days. Read on for highlights, photos, media stories and our next steps.
BETTER FUTURES FORUM 2024
The Forum brought together over 300 participants from around the country - First Nations delegates, ministers, mayors, elite sportspeople, union representatives, scientists, civil society leaders, doctors, students and many more.
\\\ Photos
Our gallery of wonderful images from the Forum is live – please take a minute to have a browse. Get in touch if you would like to use these or other images.
\\\ Special Events
The Climate Leaders Dinner at the National Arboretum offered a moment of reflection and connection, with insights from ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr and the Hon Kristy McBain MP. They spoke alternately about clean energy and adaptation successes on a local level in Canberra, and on a national scale.
We also launched the 2024 Local Government Climate Review, which highlights tangible examples of local climate initiatives, and points out opportunities for state and federal governments to partner with councils on climate and energy projects - particularly as the federal government reviews its sectoral emissions pathways.
\\\ Media and Announcements
From partner organisations launching impactful campaigns, to making strong policy and investment recommendations, the Forum garnered substantial media attention. Highlights include:
\\\ Sessions Summary
The Better Futures Forum program prompted discussions on many topics. We’re working on editing the session recordings and will have those up on our YouTube channel soon. Stay tuned.
An important tactical aspect of the Forum were the Breakout Sessions, designed to produce actionable initiatives. We’ve summarised the key ideas we plan on pursuing with budget asks and policy recommendations and you can read about those on our website.
\\\ Post-Forum Work for BFA
With COP29, Minister Bowen's Annual Climate Statement and the 2025-26 federal budget all on the horizon, we are integrating outcomes from the Forum into our advocacy:
\\\ Forum Wrap
And finally, we've collated the best of the Forum in our Forum Wrap. Please take a look!
📅 EVENTS & ACTIVITIES 📅
Better Futures Australia Quarterly Multi-Sectoral Roundtable | Join us on Thursday, October 31st for our third multi-sectoral roundtable of the year. Hear insights from representatives collaborating on climate policy solutions across a range of fields.
New Report l Worth noting as we draw closer to the February 2025 NDC deadline is the following report: Whole-of-Society rallies to support strong National Climate Plans, just out from the UN Climate Change High Level Champions.
🌱 BE PART OF THE SOLUTION 🌱
\\\ Public Consultations
Closing today!
Nature Repair Market: Feedback due today on the operational rules under the Nature Repair Act 2023. More info here.
Draft South Australian Assessment Bilateral Agreement: Comments due today on this pivotal regulatory change. More info here.
2024 Review of the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Act 2016: Have your say by today on its goals and impact. More info here.
Proposed New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (Exempt Vehicles) Determination 2024: Submissions due 08.10.24 on implementing the NVES Act. More info here.
Stay informed on upcoming consultations via consult.dcceew.gov.au.
BUILD YOUR CAPACITY
\\\ Grant Opportunities
CANA Small Grants |The CANA Small Grants Program builds the capacity of the Australian Climate Movement by providing small amounts of money ($500 - $10,000) to projects that have an impactful strategy for campaigning, advocacy or organising to rapidly reduce climate pollution and advance climate justice.
Applications are currently open until midnight on Sunday, 13th October. You can apply here.
And that’s it for September! If you were at the Forum, thanks for being there and it was lovely to see you. If not, we hope to engage with you another time soon.
Warm regards,
The Better Futures Team
Lisa, Quimby, Jordan and Ciara
(The BFA team with CANA CEO, Glen Klatovsky, and CANA Board Chair, Linh Do on the steps of the NFSA. Full gallery here.)
We respect and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and their Elders past and present and are committed to creating better futures together.
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