Signatories

Represented by Natalie Isaacs, Founder

How does your organisation address climate change?

We are now a movement of over 1,000,000 women and girls across our platforms including our website and social media, acting on climate change through the way we live. In 2019 we won a behaviour change climate award from over 400 entries across 200 countries. We’ve spent the last 10 years empowering women and girls from around the world to live climate action through our campaigns, events and educational tools, App, blog and research. Our vision is a world that is powered by renewable energy; where the Indigenous custodians of the land are listened to and uplifted; where the love of earth takes precedence over the buying of stuff; where we choose to support the banks and financial institutions that invest in projects that are good for the planet, not fossil fuels; where we eliminate food waste at home; where we elect politicians who are committed to climate justice; where we influence those around us to build this world with us.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Over the next three years we will be focusing on four key areas:

1. A campaign to engage another million women (those who are not engaged on climate yet)
2. Women's economic power through shifting our money from financial institutions that continue to invest in fossil fuels
3. Using our vote come election time for climate action
4. Educating our community on how to go zero with the first steps - 50% min. reduction in food waste, 50%-100% reduction in energy, 50% min. reduction in consumption

Represented by Ande Bunbury, Director

How does your organisation address climate change?

At Ande Bunbury Architects, we design buildings with longevity, flexibility, and low energy use through passive solar design and careful selection of services and appliances. Our buildings are already carbon neutral in operation, we aim in the future to measure the carbon footprint of construction and to offset that as well.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Our office has been audited and is carbon neutral in operation. The buildings we design are already carbon neutral in operation, we aim in the future to measure the carbon footprint of construction and to offset that as well.

Represented by Peter Moore, Chair

How does your organisation address climate change?

Angligreen was officially established as the environmental group for the Anglican Church Southern Queensland in June 2007 to provide support to parishes in fulfilling relevant Worldwide Anglican Communion’s Mark of Mission, “to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the Earth”. By offering parishes and agencies support our hope was that parishes could find some small thing that could be a source of life and growth for their community and that the actions they chose would draw on the interests, strengths, or particular skills of the people in their community and be fulfilling for them. Angligreen continues to work purposefully to provide resources to ensure that the theology of creation is at the forefront of ministries in the Anglican Church Southern Queensland. We work ecumenically and with multi-faith groups including: 

• Queensland Churches Environmental Network
• Australian Religious Response to Climate Change
• Queensland Australian Religious Response to Climate Change
• Anglican Communion Environmental Network

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

We are active in #Faiths4ClimateJustice GreenFaith International pressure on leaders preparing for COP26 November 2021. Encouraging faith communities to participate in Days of Action at their places of worship and to pressure government leaders and industries to reduce their emissions in line with keeping global temperature below 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. We encourage participation in workshops by ARRCC and others to encourage reducing personal emissions and impacts on the environment through personal choices in the area of energy use, transport, investments (directly and indirectly through banking & insurance), food and consumer goods, ethical consumerism.

We are currently working to influence the Anglican Church Southern Queensland to set an emissions target of zero emissions by 2040. We have already influenced it in divesting from fossil fuel industries. We are organising actions in the lead-up to COP26 and joining with and supporting others such as the Student movement and Stop Adani.

Represented by James Weaver, ESD Consultant

How does your organisation address climate change?

Ark Resources has been at the forefront of environmentally sustainable design since being established in 1999. We have extensive experience in all building types and have provided advice for buildings and developments of every scale, ranging from individual houses to several of Melbourne’s most significant residential and commercial projects.

We provide sustainability input at all stages of the property development cycle from concept design, through planning application, design development, construction, commissioning and post-occupancy.

We have expertise in the development of ESD frameworks and policies and have developed several highly regarded sustainability rating tools for all levels of Government.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

We are actively working with our clients and partners in the construction/property sector and placing sustainability and climate resilience of building projects and working together as an industry towards achieving carbon neutrality.

To demonstrate our commitment to tackling the climate crisis head-on, we have become a Climate Active Certified Carbon Neutral Organisation, CitySwitch Green Office signatory, taken Victoria’s TAKE2 Climate Change Pledge and along with other engineers declared a Climate and Biodiversity Emergency. We are also in the process of becoming a certified B-Corp.

In addition, we are also Climate Active registered consultants and are keen to assist more organisations build understanding of their own impact and help them achieve their ongoing climate goals.

Ark Resources commits to:

• Undertake annual renewal of our Climate Active Carbon Neutral certification.
• Purchase 100% Green Power for our office.
• Purchase certified carbon neutral products where possible.
• Conduct meetings remotely wherever possible to reduce emissions from travel.

Read more about Ark Resource’s climate commitments here.

Represented by Matt Bray, Founder

How does your organisation address climate change?

At Art Disrupt, we champion art as a medium to connect people to social issues, the most pressing being climate change. With a background in advertising, we endeavor to amplify those voices, stories and movements through collaborations with artists and creative projects.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

As our network grows, we continue to seek opportunities to create awareness and inspire climate action. As part of the commsdeclare.org team, we are pushing for ethical standards to be introduced to the communications industry to put a stop to greenwashing.

Represented by Ying Zhang, Treasurer

How does your organisation address climate change?

Australasian Epidemiological Australia is a group of epidemiologists in Australia and New Zealand who are keen to promote epidemiological research and its translation into policies and practice. AEA is a member of Climate and Health Alliance. We recognised climate change is an epidemiological issue and a great global health threat that needs epidemiological experts to protect people's health. AEA has sent members to the Climate and Health in Canberra to advocate on climate change and health policies. Council members have been involved in the development of Better, Healthier Futures: Climate and Health Report and Roundtable.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

AEA will continue to contribute to addressing climate change and health issues through an epidemiological perspective and advocate for changes in policies and practices to protect people's health from climate change.

Represented by Dr. Sebastian Cordoba, Senior Policy Advisor

How does your organisation address climate change?

In line with our strategic plan the Australian Association of Social Workers is deeply committed to working towards a sustainable and socially just environment through individual, cultural and structural change. As social workers, we work with communities who are hardest hit by climate change and we appreciate that while climate change is affecting the entire population, the social, health and economic burden is falling most heavily on already vulnerable people. Learn more about our actions here https://www.aasw.asn.au/social-policy-advocacy/climate-action. 

Represented by Claire Richardson, Executive Director

How does your organisation address climate change?

In late 2019, Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) developed an internal committee to lead the research and writing of a Sustainability Action Plan and contribute to a wider approach to address climate change across the arts sector. With representatives from each of ACCA’s departments including Executive, the ‘ACCA Green’ committee supports a culture of sustainable practice across the organisation and seeks to champion environmentally conscious practices in our artistic and wider communities.

ACCA’s Sustainability Action Plan (in development) formalises ACCA’s long-term commitment and contribution toward environmental sustainability and identifies how ACCA plans to work collectively to identify and action a range of sustainability initiatives. The Sustainability Action Plan aims to lessen the impact of creating and installing new exhibitions including travel and freight, increase efficiency, reduce waste, support the circular economy and generate discussion about sustainability and climate action. It is guided by ecological principles of supporting and amplifying First Nations perspectives and care for Country and creating a platform for contemporary artists who maintain an environmentally conscious practice.

ACCA Green gratefully acknowledges Creative Victoria for providing the opportunity to investigate the feasibility for sustainability projects involving ACCA’s building and amenities. It is with Creative Victoria’s support that ACCA has been able upgrade all exhibition lighting to LED in 2020.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Through the continuation of ACCA Green, we aim to develop and publish ACCA's Sustainability Action Plan and continue to work with Better Futures Australia to launch an Arts Sector Working Group so we may widen engagement and help encourage climate action across the global art community.

Represented by Magdalena Simonis, President

How does your organisation address climate change?

Australian Federation of Medical Women’s current approach to addressing climate change occurs at local, state and national and international levels. We are active in responding to emergencies that are climate-related such as bush fires, emissions related air pollution, reducing the carbon footprint of medical practices, hospitals and the pharmaceutical industry. We educate our members who are influential in their respective fields of practice and provide them with advocacy materials to further the work of AFMW, and recently we have partnered with Doctors for the Environment (DEA) to achieve the same, on a larger scale. 

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Australian Federation of Medical Women aims to:

• Establish a climate action plan and target

• Encourage membership participation in Climate Change advocacy at local, state, national and international levels

• Unify the voice of medical women to collectively pressure governments locally, nationally and internationally

• Conduct research on climate change and health effects on women and children through our university affiliations

• Commit to applying the gender lens and where applicable use evidence-based research to educate ministers and our our patient cohorts around issues of climate and health being interconnected.

Represented by Stephen King, CEO

How does your organisation address climate change?

Australian Insulation Foundation Ltd (AIFWA) is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving the health and quality of living for low-income Australians. 

We provide a free service to supply and install thermal insulation for WA social housing tenants, we also clean and remove old insulation improving the air quality of their home promoting health.

WA Social housing tenants are required to pay for insulation to be installed.

With our intervention we have saved these tenants about $2000.00 from the install cost of the insulation.

Reduce their household Carbon footprint by 1.8 tonne per year.

Saves the tenant over $600 reducing their heating and cooling costs per year.

Improve their health wellbeing. 

Creating jobs.

We aim to be self funded from our retention of energy savings from the insulation we install for free. We will look to sell our carbon credits to polluters to offset their carbon footprint.

We educate and promote insulation as a way to improve climate change via our commercial service installing thermal insulation for existing homeowners and property investors. 

We believe if all Australian homes are fitted with the correct R insulation value to the current Australian Insulation standards, we would be able to switch across to renewables. 

Until all Australian households are fitted with the correct insulation R Value we simply won't be able to reach our carbon emissions target.

If every Australian household was thermally insulated correctly to the national standard we will reduce our yearly carbon footprint by 18 million tonnes per year.

Since our foundations birth 2 years ago, we have raised over $50,000 to insulate 24 social housing properties across WA.

We have joined forces with Clean State to support their climate action plan and clean jobs for Western Australia.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

We are advocating that thermal insulation should be made mandatory for all Australian households and to comply to the current insulation thermal standards.

We aim to insulation all WA 50,000 Social housing properties by 2030.

We aim to have our National rollout insulation scheme introduced by 2023.

We aim to have a national mandatory thermal insulation policy introduced by 2025.

Represented by Roslyn Morgan, Environmental Health Officer and Registered Nurse

How does your organisation address climate change?

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) is Australia’s largest national union and professional nursing and midwifery organisation. ANMF (Vic Branch) has a membership of over 93,000 nurses, midwives, student nurses and midwives, and personal care workers, employed in a range of health services.

ANMF (Vic Branch) is committed to providing an opportunity for its members to discuss professional issues and undertake research in the pursuit of nursing and midwifery excellence and improved patient outcomes. We take seriously the request of our members to support them in the area of climate change mitigation and environmental sustainability and are invested in understanding and responding to member concerns and opportunities. 

As an organisation we have identified opportunities to reduce our own carbon footprint and develop and improve net carbon emission mitigation in support of the state governments carbon zero targets and public health and wellbeing. We actively promote action on climate change and environmental sustainability. Nurses, midwives and carers see daily the ways in which health is inextricably linked to the environment. The negative health impacts of climate change and environmental degradation affect the key social determinants of health and damage social and community structures. These negative health impacts in turn increase pressure on already burdened health services.

A resolution was passed at the 2012 ANMF (Vic Branch) Delegates Conference, requesting ANMF (Vic Branch) be more involved in policy debate on climate change and environmental issues. In response, ANMF (Vic Branch) developed multiple mitigation and sustainability initiatives and resources to support our members. These include: 

1. Annual Health and Environmental Sustainability Conference 
2. Biennial Health and Wellness conference 
3. Employed an Environmental Health Officer 
4. Green Nurses and Midwives Facebook Page 
5. Biannual Vocational education in climate action and sustainable practice: Nursing for the Environment Intensive 
6. Successfully lobbied government for the inclusion of Health in Victorian Waste Education Strategy and the Victorian Waste Education Officer (VWEO) role. Work with VWEO for resource development (2018-20)
7. Worked with the Victorian Therapeutics Advisory Group to develop pharmaceutical waste guidelines (2020)
8. Advocacy, mediation and member support in workplaces.
9. Sustainability page of resources at ANMF (Vic Branch) internet page

ANMF has firm policy and position statements on climate change and health and the environment which the Victorian Branch has contributed to. Union solidarity motion with Strike4Climate recognises climate change presents an existential threat, being a global emergency (IPCC 2018) that requires immediate and wide-reaching action within the next decade to avoid disaster.

We have advocated to state government for Emission Reduction Targets consistent with 1.5 degrees of warming and contributed to multiple state government submissions. We work with Australian unions, building awareness of the health impacts of climate change. 

Organisationally, ANMF (Vic Branch) are award winning CitySwitch signatories and through this mechanism, annually report emissions and energy use. Water and waste data is also captured in our Environmental Management Plan which drives the action plan of the Environment Committee.

Our Melbourne office is a purpose built 5 Green Star building and in the financial year, 2019-20, we achieved a 5.5 NABERS tenancy rating.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

ANMF (Vic Branch) supports:

1. Interim emission reduction targets consistent with 1.5 degrees of warming. These are outlined in a 2019 joint submission with VTHC, Submission to the enquiry into interim emissions reduction targets for Victoria, being 40-45% reduction by 2025, 67-75% reduction by 2030.
2. An emissions reduction target for the Australian healthcare sector of net zero emissions by 2040, with an interim target of an 80% reduction on 2014/15 levels by 2030.
3. No new coal or gas
4. Resourcing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led solutions that guarantee land rights and care for country
5. The creation of jobs that fast-track solutions to the climate crisis and help communities recover
6. Projects that transition our economy and communities to 100% renewable energy by 2030, through expanded public ownership. 

The ANMF (Vic Branch) Environmental Management Plan is overseen by the Environment Committee. ANMF (Vic Branch) continues to refresh and reinvigorate a range of ongoing member services which resource, inform and empower.

• Annual Health and Environmental Sustainability Conference 
• Biennial Health and Wellness Conference 
• Green Nurses and Midwives Facebook Page 
• Nursing for the Environment Intensive 
• Sustainability page of resources at ANMF (Vic Branch) internet page.

We are currently developing online CPD to support the greening of healthcare. 

As CitySwitch signatories, we committed to 100% renewable energy by 2021. We have successfully implemented this in all buildings/offices where we own the energy account. We continue to report annually on our emissions and to work toward the CitySwitch commitment of zero emissions by 2050. We continue to update and implement our annual action plan derived from the Environmental Management Plan.

Represented by Suzie Brown, National Director

How does your organisation address climate change?

Australian Parents for Climate Action is on a mission to empower and mobilise parents to advocate for climate action. Our vision is for our children to live safe, healthy, full lives because Australian governments and businesses have implemented the solutions required to ensure a safe climate. Our active group has over 14,000 parents and carers amongst 30 local groups from around Australia. We operate largely online and welcome people from all parts of Australia to join us.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Parents are a large, morally powerful constituency of society. They are uniquely positioned to influence on climate by using their purchasing, electoral and moral power. If we enable them to advocate for climate action, we'll build a powerful base to influence government and businesses to implement the solutions we need to ensure a safe future for our children. We are currently campaigning for Federal and State government funding for all schools and early childhood centres in Australia to have solar and batteries and trade their clean energy as part of a virtual power plant.

Represented by Thea Ormerod

How does your organisation address climate change?

ARRCC is a multi-faith, member-based organisation of people from around Australia who are committed to taking action on climate change. We bring together representatives from all the major faith traditions to work together in addressing climate change.

We recognise that climate change is not only a scientific, environmental, economic and political issue – it is also a profoundly moral and spiritual one: the Earth's ecosystems are intrinsically precious and beautiful and deserve protection; the wellbeing of human beings is dependent on ecological flourishing; and it is the vulnerable people of the world who are most impacted by climate change.

We believe that as people dedicated to the common good, inspired by our beliefs and energised by our spirituality, people of all faiths can and should be at the forefront of creating a safe climate. While celebrating the uniqueness of our different traditions, we stand together in working for an ecologically and socially sustainable future.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Our primary aim this year (2022) is to lobby government to commit more funds towards delivering climate justice for vulnerable communities, especially First Nations peoples.

Represented by Richard Daugherty, Grazier

How does your organisation address climate change?

Balala Station is a grazing operation in New England, applying regenerative and holistic management practices and farming with biodiversity.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Our regenerative farming practices include nurturing biodiversity, cover cropping, and planned grazing. We hope to increase the SOM in the soils by trying to have continuing green plants growing year round.

Represented by David Rothfield, President

How does your organisation address climate change?

Bayside Climate Crisis Action Group supports Advocacy and Educational programs to promote climate action. 

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

We provide informed advocacy to all levels of government aimed at promoting material action to mitigate climate breakdown. The board provides an Annual Report to the members AGM. We will continue our advocacy efforts and organising of public events and campaigns.

Represented by Colin Lambie, President

How does your organisation address climate change?

At Bendigo Sustainability Group (BSG) we develop community-owned renewable energy projects, raising awareness about waste, recycling, and the natural environment.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

We are now working across Loddon Mallee Region, in lieu of just the City of Greater Bendigo, thanks to a Community Power Hub grant from the Victorian Government (Sustainability Victoria).

Read more about BSG's climate commitments here.

Represented by Jane Mayward, Owner

How does your organisation address climate change?

Biodynamic Well-being is a West Australian company that has evolved over sixteen years of experience and a lifetime of interest. It is dedicated to the health and wellbeing of humans and the wider natural environment that supports us all.

We are powered by renewables. We offset the companies and our own transport with Greenfleet and use a courier service that offsets its carbon footprint. We advocate in our social media for regenerative farming, organic and biodynamic foods and climate action.We created a product that was far less intensive packaging wise by making it more concentrated We advocate, donate to and participate with organisations that are helping to address climate change. We recycle our fermented vegetables by donating them to a local organic pig farm or composting them. Our bottles can be placed into the WA Containers for Change program and we recycle bottles and chairs returned to us through the markets. 

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

• As soon as electric utilities or vans become available we hope to purchase one.
• Improve our recycling of plastics.
• Advocate with packaging companies for them to use less plastics.

Represented by Lea Maguero, Sustainability Manager

How does your organisation address climate change?

BioPak has been carbon neutral since 2011. It means that we offset the greenhouse gas emitted by our products life cycle and our operations by investing in projects that reduce or sequestrate Co2 emissions. We are also currently working with our supply chain to reduce our footprint by using renewable energy in the manufacturing process.

BioPak donates 1% of its profits to Rainforest Rescue, a not-for-profit organisation that has been protecting and restoring rainforests in Australia and internationally through planting, maintenance and restoration programs.

Our Compost Service, launched in 2017, has allowed hundreds or customers to access organic waste collections, diverting thousands of tonnes of waste from landfill and avoiding methane emissions. The waste is being turned into nutrient-rich compost, a versatile new resource that helps improve soil quality and resistance to droughts.

Our commitment is to reduce further our carbon footprint and scale up our compost service, allowing us to eventually become "carbon negative".

We are planning on turning our Compost Service into an open, not-for-profit organisation, the “Compost Network”.

The Compost Network will allow businesses to identify suppliers of certified compostable packaging and access a sustainable end-of-life option. It is an organic recycling initiative and online platform that provides businesses with access to products, services and information that allows them to participate in a circular and regenerative system by diverting waste from landfill and converting it into nutrient-rich compost. There is a significant opportunity to capture and recycle a larger portion of the nearly 900,000 tonnes of organic waste generated by the foodservice and hospitality sector whilst simultaneously recovering and recycling an estimated 10 billion individual single-use foodservice disposables.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

- Expanding our existing compost service

- Reducing further our carbon footprint

- Phasing out conventional plastics in our products and operations

Read more at https://www.biopak.com.au/about/sustainability-report

Represented by Tony Bleasdale OAM, Mayor

How does your organisation address climate change?

Blacktown City Council's climate actions are guided by our Responding to Climate change policy and accompanying strategy with its annually updated action plan. Council has committed to achieving operational carbon neutrality from the 2020/21 financial year and we are preparing to seek accreditation through Climate Active, the Australian Government standard for carbon neutrality.

Additionally Council has a target of zero net emissions for our community by 2040. As members of Cities Power Partnership, we report on our actions, and as members of the Global Covenant of Mayors, we report via the international CDP platform. In 2020/2021 we achieved the following toward our policy commitments:

• Doubled our rooftop solar with another 709kW solar generation capacity added via an onsite power purchase agreement. Each year, this is expected to reduce our electricity use by 795,000 kWh and 563 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.
• Retrofitted the Civic Centre car park lighting with high lux LED lamps.
• Replaced Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope gas boilers with electric heat pumps, providing an initial reduction in our annual gas consumption from 16.5TJ to 12TJ
• Continued our partnerships with; UNSW on site-specific interventions for urban cooling to inform the upgrade of Dawson Mall, Mount Druitt; Sydney Water to employ a Water Efficiency Officer to assist Council and Blacktown City businesses to reduce potable water consumption.
• Won the ‘Communication, education and empowerment’ category award in the LGNSW Excellence in the environment awards for our climate change communication strategy
• Completed several tree planting projects, including; 1,937 under our ‘Five Million Trees for Greater Sydney Grant’ NSW Government grant project; Tree-rific Playgrounds, a partnership with NRMA Insurance to plant 100 trees adjacent to 10 playgrounds; Two Community Environment Program grant projects, which provided community urban cooling tree and vegetation planting on selected Council sites
• Supported an electrical easement that will facilitate Endeavour Energy to conduct a community battery trial that will improve the resilience of the electricity grid.
• Collaborated regionally in Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils’; Urban Heat Planning toolkit, which addresses urban heat through the land use planning system, with recommendations for establishing planning provisions; ‘Heat Smart’, which aims to provide a coordinated approach to heatwave preparedness and management through cross-sector collaboration, upskilling frontline staff, and community education.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

In 2021/2022, we have committed to taking the following main climate actions:

• Retrospectively achieving Climate Active accreditation as a carbon-neutral organisation for 2020/21
• Retrofitting with LEDs our remaining streetlights that use older less efficient lamps
• Finalise our Environmentally Sustainable Building Policy for Council buildings, to include; environmental performance standards; a rating guidance tool; a system for compliance o technical and product specifications for products and services.
• Finalising our draft Zero Emissions Blacktown strategy to guide urban planning approaches and provisions that minimise emissions and provide strong mitigation of the impacts of urban heat
• Trialling our heat refuge network to provide safe, cool places for residents who are most at risk from the ill-health impacts of heatwaves, especially the elderly, young children and those with chronic illness or disabilities who do not have access to air conditioning
• Finalising the Blacktown City climate risk and adaptation plan

Read more about Blacktown City Council’s climate commitments here.

Represented by Robert Morrison, Program Leader Waste and Sustainability

How does your organisation address climate change?

Blue Mountains City Council's Community Vision is to create a more sustainable and successful Blue Mountains by 2035, environmentally, socially, and economically. The Guiding Principles of our Community Strategic Plan 2035 and Delivery Program 2017-2022 include:

• Improving Decision Making: If we are to achieve a more sustainable Blue Mountains then our decision-making at every level needs to promote sustainability. Our Council has incorporated a “Sustainability Assessment” within every report being considered by the elected Council.
• Strengthening our Assets: Our organisation recognises it is important that the actions we take strengthen rather than erode the natural systems/ capital as well as the human and built capital, supporting quality of all life. We have developed asset management plans not only for built assets but also for the green and natural assets managed by the Council.
• A Partnership Approach: Taking action in partnership with others is critical to the achievement of a more sustainable and successful Blue Mountains. In 2020-2021 Council’s education and engagement programs engaged with over 3,000 students from 25 schools in the LGA and with many hundreds of community volunteers engaged in bush care, land care, and swamp care.
• Social Justice: Social justice means the rights of all people are considered in a fair and equitable manner.
• Sustainability: Taking action to improve the quality of all life, our council is supporting the achievement of a sustainable Blue Mountains, which is environmentally responsible, uses resources wisely, contributes to the creation of liveable, vibrant communities, and is fair and equitable to others – including future generations. In 2020-2021 the Council resolved to adopt the 'Rights of Nature' into Council governance and decision-making processes for the City.

Council is currently working in partnership with the community and a number of universities and organisations, to implement the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative, including the establishment of a Planetary Health Leadership Centre in Katoomba, to deliver on the common goal of advancing knowledge about planetary health and promoting sustainable and healthy living for our whole community.

The Planetary Health Initiative is embedding policy and action to grow planetary health, including radical climate mitigation, into all aspects of Council’s operations and is committed to empowering the wider community to do the same. Council is also working with Traditional Owners to incorporate Caring for Country into its deep time visioning and action to restore planetary health.

Read more about Blue Mountains City Council’s climate commitments here.

Represented by Clare Power, Climate Change and Sustainability Officer

How does your organisation address climate change?

Blue Mountains Conservation Society recognises climate change as a major factor impacting the local environment, within a global context. We raise issues related to climate change wherever these arise in our community - for examples bushfire impact on the Blue Mountains world heritage area, mining in the vicinity of Blue Mountains world heritage area, loss of fauna and flora, working with Blue Mountains city council towards strong planning measures and making submissions on development applications that are not sustainably designed.

Represented by Bobbijo Harrison, Owner

Read more about Bobbijo Harrison Digital Marketing & Communications at their website.

Represented by Kathy Graham, Manager Sustainability, Waste and Works

How does your organisation address climate change?

In September 2019, Broken Hill City Council recognised that climate change poses a serious risk and should be treated as a national emergency. The Council seeks to prioritise a climate emergency response.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Broken Hill City Council is a Cities Power Partner and has pledged to investigate opportunities for Council buildings and facilities to achieve 100% renewable status, roll out energy-efficient lighting across the municipality, achieve 100% renewable status for the City of Broken Hill by 2030, renew and improve our cycling, walking and mobility connections to reduce carbon emissions and increase our city’s liveability, introduce hybrid or electric vehicles to Council’s fleet as part of the fleet replacement.

Read more about Broken Hill City Council's climate commitments here.

Represented by Louise-Marlena Tarrier

How does your organisation address climate change?

It has been projected that safeguarding and restoring carbon over the coming decades in our forests, peatlands and agricultural areas may reduce well over 50 gigatonnes (50,000,000,000 tonnes) of carbon emissions that would otherwise enter the atmosphere. Maintaining our forests and restoring our natural landscape will make a real difference in reducing climate change.

Researchers have identified a correlation between widespread land clearing and less rainfall in Western Australia’s Southwest region. This implies that reforestation may well have a positive effect on rainfall.

The link between climate change and biodiversity has long been established. Rapid climate change affects the ability for many species to adapt. As a variety of species become endangered and extinct, the natural biodiversity decreases.

We now know that mass plantings of a single species of tree doesn’t optimise the reduction of carbon and will do little to restore the natural biodiversity of our landscape. Carbon Positive Australia plants in an ecologically sensitive way to promote species diversity on degraded land. Many fossil fuel companies are undertaking their own "regenerative" projects across the country, but they are not biodiverse and will ultimately not be sustainable. At the same time, these projects are also taking up resources from nurseries that would otherwise be utilised effectively by organisations such as Carbon Positive Australia. This is a significant issue that needs more awareness. 

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Our approach to combat climate change is to take degraded, unused farmland and restore the natural habitat by planting a mix of native trees and shrubs that are indigenous to the area. Planting trees offsets the carbon emissions we (humans) create in our everyday activities. Every carbon offset you purchase, every tree you give, every dollar you donate, helps us to plant more trees and shrubs and restore more of the Australian landscape.

We also encourage and educate individuals, businesses and organisations to understand their carbon footprint and to offset their emissions through our projects. We had one of the very first household carbon calculators in Australia and we endeavour to provide a unique educational user experience alongside an accurate carbon calculation for all of our calculator users. This tool is becoming widely used by households and small businesses alike.

Carbon Positive Australia works alongside landholders to help them design and implement planting schemes that can be incorporated within any farming system and that help to restore degraded land and that assist with the carbon neutral goals of the industry.

Represented by Jennifer West, Managing Director

How does your organisation address climate change?

Carbon West facilitates the restoration of soil carbon levels in agricultural soils to develop drought resilience and enhance productivity.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Our approach to addressing climate change aims to work with existing farmers to improve both their ability to farm in a drying climate AND enabling them to draw carbon out of the atmosphere to be stored in a stable form in soil.

Represented by Paul Dettmann

How does your organisation address climate change?

Cassinia plants over 1000ha of biodiverse forests for carbon sequestration and biodiversity benefits. We also offset internal emissions through additional plantings.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Seeking to establish native biodiverse forests reconnecting all Australia's National Parks, and other significant public and private biodiversity assets.

Represented by Ty Mark, Director Infrastructure, Contracts & Facilities

How does your organisation address climate change?

Central Australia Health Service has initiated energy initiatives scoped into Capital Works, Minor Works and Specific Maintenance Works projects. 

The Alice Springs Hospital will progress an initiative of food waste recycling to composting mulch. Initiatives we have already achieved include: 

• Close the Loop resource recovery (printer cartridges); 
• Dedicated infrastructure to collect, separate and recycle - cardboard, plastics, paper, glass and aluminium, ban the purchase and use of polystyrene cups; 
• Commenced phase out of single-use plastic in staff rooms; 
• Replacement of plastics for Meals on Wheels;
• New CAHS warehouse / supply stores fitted with 30kW solar panel system;
• Committing to 2 infrastructure solar installations;
• And electric vehicle charging installations.

Represented by Mik Aidt, Director

How does your organisation address climate change?

Centre for Climate Safety is a private NGO based in Geelong providing content, communication, and events about climate solutions and campaigns. This includes the weekly production of Australia's leading climate emergency podcasts series, The Sustainable Hour, The Regenerative Hour, and The Climate Revolution - altogether a production of more than 400 hours of radio interviewing thousands of Australians on the topic.

We started the campaign website in 2016 together with a small group of volunteers. This is today a global campaign that has seen over 2,000 councils and 24 national governments declare a climate emergency. Our most prominent current initiatives - #TheClimateRevolution and #AllForClimate - were described in this podcast episode. The campaign titled #AllForClimate involves the production of a series of physical posters as well as podcasts that explore the topics mentioned on the posters. Our weekly climate-related reporting can be seen and heard here.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

The centre has recently been assisting Geelong Council with its new climate response plan.

Represented by Dr. Portia Odell, Director

How does your organisation address climate change?

The Cities Power Partnership is Australia’s largest local government climate network, made up of over 145 councils from across the country, representing over half of the Australian population. Local councils who join the partnership make five action pledges to tackle climate change. Whether it’s putting solar on the local library, switching to electric buses, or opening up old landfills for new solar farms, the possibilities are endless. Together, Cities Power Partnership councils are making the switch to clean energy and setting up communities for a prosperous future – it’s truly inspiring stuff.

Represented by Sandy Verschoor, Lord Mayor

How does your organisation address climate change?

The City of Adelaide Strategic Plan 2020-2024 commits Council to being a leader in responding to climate change and supporting our community and business to be resilient in the face of environmental challenges. Recent achievements that demonstrate the City of Adelaide’s commitment to addressing climate change include:

• Announcement in February 2021 that the City of Adelaide’s 2019/20 business operations have been certified as carbon neutral by the Climate Active Program, delivering on the target established by Council in 2008 to be carbon neutral by 2020. The certification was one milestone in a suite of ten major projects that are ongoing to drive down emissions. They include an extensive program of tracking electricity and water use from our buildings, improving building energy performance, low emissions transport, and low-energy streetlights. A dashboard to explore the City of Adelaide's corporate greenhouse gas inventory is available on the City’s website. 
• Commitment to be the first city in Australia to achieve ‘zero avoidable waste to landfill.’ To achieve this goal, Council adopted the Resource Recovery (Organics, Recycling, Waste) Strategy and Action Plan 2020-2028 in October 2020. 
• Completion of an extensive Corporate Climate Risk Assessment in September 2020, using up to date climate modelling and considering governance and risk frameworks. The report combined multiple methodologies to assess climate risk and presented one of the most comprehensive risk assessments of any South Australian Council. A climate change adaptation plan is currently being developed based on the report findings.
• Commencement of the City of Adelaide 9.5 year 100 per cent renewable electricity contract for all operations from 1 July 2020, that is saving money while creating regional jobs.
• Installation of large solar on eight buildings, including several UParks, Adelaide Central Market, the Council Depot and heritage listed Town Hall building was completed in 2019 bringing the City of Adelaide’s total solar power capacity to over 1.1 megawatts.
• Resolution by Council that “climate change poses a serious risk to the people of Adelaide, and it should be treated as a national emergency” in August 2019.

The City of Adelaide maintains and publicly discloses an inventory of community emissions, and reports both corporate and community emissions annually to the CDP, the international global disclosure system.

The City of Adelaide is a signatory to the international Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy and through this pledged to contribute to the goals of the Paris Agreement. And we participate in the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance -- a collaboration of leading global cities with aggressive climate change targets.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

The City of Adelaide has a stated target of carbon neutrality for the broader community, and a transition to low carbon and circular economies. The City of Adelaide and Government of South Australia are currently reviewing the progress made on the Carbon Neutral Adelaide Action Plan 2016-2021 and considering future next steps on emissions reduction. The Corporate Climate Risk Adaptation Plan currently being developed will guide Council’s efforts on climate adaptation in the organisation. 

As mentioned, the City of Adelaide recently adopted the new Resource Recovery (Organics, Recycling, Waste) Strategy and Action Plan 2020-2028. This strategy and action plan includes new commitments including the following priorities: 

• Reduce food waste generation and increase diversion of food scraps going to landfill by 50 percent. 
• Drive robust waste management education to all residents, businesses and users of our city. 
• Collaborate with industry, academia and entrepreneurs to develop innovative solutions and data collection methods to reach the Resource Recovery Vision.
• Support methods to establish waste avoidance and reduction and improved resource recovery as central in business decision making, development applications, building plans, product design, manufacturing and waste systems design. 
• Work internally and externally with different levels of government to drive long term fundamental change in consumption and waste management.

Read more about the City of Adelaide’s plan to reduce emissions here.

Represented by Krista Milne, Co-Director Climate Change and City Resilience

How does your organisation address climate change?

City of Melbourne has a strong record of reducing emissions and restoring and conserving biodiversity. We have:

• Been certified carbon neutral for our operations every year since 2012
• Cut emissions from our council operations by 76 per cent since 2013
• Purchased 100 per cent renewable energy through the Melbourne Renewable Energy Project
• Switched our major events such as Melbourne Fashion Week, Melbourne Music Week, and Melbourne Knowledge Week to be certified carbon neutral
• Planted 3000 trees a year to grow our urban forest, with over 30,000 trees planted since 2012
• Invested $40 million in stormwater harvesting and water sensitive design, capturing and reusing around 180,000 kilolitres of water per year
• Invested $17.1 million of Clean Energy Finance Corporation funds in energy efficiency and renewable energy, including 2244 solar panels installed and 11,816 street lights
• Increased biodiversity with over 24,000 m2 of new understorey vegetation planted in Melbourne since 2018, providing habitat for our wildlife
• Greened the city and increased permeability by over 3,500 m2 through park expansion and streetscapes projects
• Accelerated waste avoidance and resource recovery through introducing food and organics collection and centralised garbage and recycling hubs across the city

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

To support our climate and biodiversity emergency declaration, we have committed to reaching Council’s zero emissions target for the municipality 10 years earlier, by 2040. In order to do this, we are launching a new project, Power Melbourne, which will raise the bar on renewable energy by establishing a network of coordinated neighbourhood-scale batteries to deliver more renewable energy into the grid and drive sustainability. The Power Melbourne project will see the installation of a battery network across the city, with a focus on City of Melbourne's existing infrastructure initially, as well as the Melbourne Innovation District located in the CBD’s north. Power Melbourne will encourage greater uptake of renewables, create new opportunities for research, training, and jobs in the green technology sector, and help build Melbourne’s reputation as a centre for clean energy innovation. Alongside this project, we have identified priorities for accelerated action including:

• Transition council operations from fossil fuels
• Fast track the delivery of 44km of protected bike lanes in four years
• Embed climate change and biodiversity action into everything we do
• Mandate greening and zero emissions buildings through the Planning Scheme

Read more about City of Melbourne’s climate commitments here.

Represented by Jag Walia, Sustainability Coordinator

How does your organisation address climate change?

The City of Melville has committed to Carbon Neutral City Operations and Services by 2030 and regional Carbon Neutrality by 2050. We have an interim target of 48% emission reductions by 2025 from 2005 levels and have been intervening in improving our operations and are well placed to achieve this interim target.

Represented by Heather Holmes, Mayor

How does your organisation address climate change?

In October 2019 City of Mitcham declared a climate emergency, reflecting Council's ambition to provide leadership for our community in addressing the unprecedented threat of climate change. Following this declaration, the City of Mitcham has undertaken a range of projects that have made significant reductions to our greenhouse gas emissions. This has been demonstrated through energy efficiency upgrades to corporate facilities, installation of solar panels on key Council sites, and the upgrade of Mitcham's residential streetlights to LED technology. While this reduction is a step in the right direction, the Council understands that more can be done to adapt to the changing climate and mitigate its effects.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Transitioning rapidly to renewable energy, restoring our environment, improving our energy efficiency, and upgrading transport are goals that can be implemented at a national, state and local level to create positive outcomes for the future. At a Council meeting on 27 October 2020 Councillors made a commitment to five pledges as part of its commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

• Purchase 100% of Council's energy from renewable sources by 2030
• Change all street lights to energy efficient technology by 2030
• Fund an ambitious and accelerated transition towards Council's fleet being fully renewables powered by 2030
• Set targets and fund programs to reduce waste to landfill by 75% both for Council's commercial and domestic waste streams by 2030
• Adopt sustainable procurement and policies by October 2022 to prioritise low emission products and services and incorporate zero emission design into all new Council buildings

Council also aims to assist the City of Mitcham community in mitigating and responding to climate change by funding programs and/or infrastructure to:

• Promote and accelerate a community renewable energy transition
• Continue building community capacity towards net zero emissions and climate resilience
• Transition toward renewables powered transportation
• Assist residents in behaviour change education
• Assist residents in designing new low energy buildings

Represented by Jess Scully, Deputy Lord Mayor

How does your organisation address climate change?

The City of Sydney has been a leader in climate action for more than a decade. We have led by example in reducing our organisational environmental footprint, and we influence change in the operations of our service providers, businesses and communities to establish Sydney as a global exemplar in environmental performance. The City has been certified as a carbon-neutral organisation since 2011. At June 2020, efficiency projects and generation of renewable electricity on our properties had reduced the City’s operational emissions to 31 per cent below 2006 levels. We have also been transitioning to electric and hybrid vehicles to reduce emissions from our fleet. From July 2020, we began using 100 per cent renewable electricity, and our emissions dropped to 76 per cent below 2006 levels in June 2021. We have been strengthening water resilience by establishing a precinct-scale recycled water scheme at urban renewal site Green Square, incorporating water reuse schemes in 20 of our parks to keep them cool and green during drought, and laying a recycled water pipeline along George Street – the CBD’s central boulevard. The canopy cover in the local area increased from 15.5 per cent in 2008 to 19.2 per cent in 2020, and we created 11.5 hectares of new green space since 2009.

The City works closely with the sectors that have the greatest environmental impact in our local area: commercial offices, the accommodation and entertainment sector and residential apartment buildings. Through programs like Smart Green Apartments, the Better Building Partnership, CitySwitch Green Office and the Sustainable Destination Partnership, we partner with owners and operators to reduce these impacts. The City has been working with developers, the NSW Government, and other local councils to establish net-zero performance standards for new buildings, including multi-unit residential and commercial buildings, shopping centres, and hotels. We have been working with Ausgrid to install LED street lights, which improve lighting quality and reduce energy consumption and bills. Over 9,500 street lights have been converted to LEDs since 2012, and Ausgrid is now rolling out a replacement program of over 112, 000 LEDs in 28 other councils. Since 2010, the City has installed 24.6 kilometres of separated cycleways, as part of our commitment to encouraging our community to use active transport and reduce car use in our city. The City reports annually through the CDP Cities program, part of our C40 Cities membership; as well as publishing a comprehensive annual Green Report and an annual Climate Active report to demonstrate carbon neutrality.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

The City’s Environmental Strategy 2021 – 2025 sets out the City’s targets and actions for its own operations and for the local area. Targets include:

• 80% reduction in operational emissions generation by end June 2025, from 2006 baseline; while maintaining carbon neutrality
• For the local area, net-zero emission by 2035 and d70% reduction by 2030, from a 2006 baseline.

The City will continue to deliver energy, water and resilience outcomes in our own operations, as well as looking to regenerate the environment through our carbon neutral commitment by buying high-quality, Australian carbon offsets. We will evaluate our supply chain for opportunities to reduce embodied emissions and deliver circular economy outcomes. To influence the performance of existing buildings in our local area the City will advocate for stronger requirements for mandatory disclosure of environmental performance. Through our partnerships and grants programs, we will support building owners, operators and tenants to implement efficiency measures, use renewable electricity and transition from gas to electricity. We will also support the transition to zero-emissions transport.

Read more about City of Sydney's climate commitments here.

Represented by Michael Oke, Sustainability Unit Manager

How does your organisation address climate change?

Yarra City Council’s first Climate Emergency Plan, endorsed by Council in June 2020, sets longer-term objectives for Council’s response to the climate emergency and identifies strategic priorities to focus our work over the next four years. The objectives of our Climate Emergency Plan are:

1. Achieve zero-net emissions across the entire Yarra community by 2030, and accelerate the removal of excess carbon emissions
2. Enable our community to take effective climate action — pushing for urgent change and changing the way we live and work
3. Ensure our community is safe, healthy, and resilient — especially those most vulnerable to severe climate impacts
4. Create a city that continues to adapt to a changing climate and is ecologically healthy for all species
5. Collaborate and advocate with others in the climate emergency movement to increase our impact

So far we:

• Are delivering a wide range of community-focused climate action programs which aim to support our community to be part of the collective movement applying pressure on governments to step up their climate policies, make lifestyle changes to cut individual and household carbon emissions, and prepare for and cope with worsening climate impacts.
• Have installed nearly 3,000 solar panels on 38 council buildings
• Are powering all our operations with 100% renewable electricity
• Have reduced our organisation’s total carbon emissions by more than 70% since 2008/09
• Have been a carbon-neutral organisation since 2012
• Are transitioning all our buildings and facilities to be all-electric, powered by 100% renewable energy with no use of gas
• Are continuing to create and improve cycling paths including safe, separated bike lanes
• Are planting more trees
• Are creating climate-adapted green spaces by harvesting more stormwater to maintain our park
• Are working towards requirements for new commercial and residential developments to achieve our zero carbon standards.

Yarra City Council also reports on commitments made via a range of mechanisms including reporting to the Global Covenant of Mayors.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Key commitments in our Climate Emergency Plan include:

• 'Get off gas’ by transitioning all of Council’s buildings to electric, powered by 100% renewable energy, by 2030
• Transition all Council’s fleet to electric vehicles powered by renewable energy by 2025
• Speed up the roll-out of cycling infrastructure by trialing temporary bike lanes to inform permanent upgrades
• Create climate-adapted green spaces by harvesting more stormwater to irrigate our parks
• Introduce zero carbon standards for new commercial and residential developments, working with other government partners to amend the planning scheme
• Enable our community to cut their carbon emissions and collectively push for the urgent climate action we need
• Help residents and businesses take up renewable energy and facilitate solar installations
• Advocate for urgent climate action by other levels of government, including strong renewable energy and carbon emissions reduction targets, along with policy and economic measures that both enable recovery from the pandemic and drive emissions reductions.

Read more about City of Yarra’s climate commitments here.

Represented by John Englart, Convenor

How does your organisation address climate change?

Climate Action Moreland is a grassroots climate action organisation that has been active in the City of Moreland since 2008. We promote community advocacy to all three levels of government, particularly driving local climate emergency action.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

We are focusing on local campaigns to:

1. Phase-out gas in Council owned Leisure centres
2. Raise awareness about the environmental and climate impact of synthetic turf, especially for council sports facilities
3. Advocate for improving sustainable transport infrastructure and drive community mobility behaviour change to reduce transport emissions

Represented by Fiona Armstrong, Executive Director

How does your organisation address climate change?

Climate and Health Alliance (CAHA) is the national peak body on climate and health in Australia. CAHA's Mission is to build a powerful health sector movement for climate action. We work through the following key strategies:

• we activate health professionals and health institutions to be powerful advocates for climate action;
• we build public support by communicating climate health impacts;
• we advocate for national and global action on the climate-health emergency; and
• we support the health sector to reduce emissions and build climate resilience

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

We are advocating for the implementation of a national strategy on climate, health and wellbeing based on the framework put forward by the health sector.

Read more about CAHA's climate commitments here.

Represented by Robert McLean, Editor

How does your organisation address climate change?

Climate Conversations is about increasing the volume of those concerned about the climate crisis, giving them the chance to expand on their ideas and talk about what we all need to do to slow the crisis and along with that adapt to changes.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Interview with as many climate activists, climate professionals, scientists, and pretty much anyone who has something positive to say about the climate crisis.

Represented by Jaime Yallup Farrant, Convenor

How does your organisation address climate change?

Climate Justice Union is a member-based organisation working across sectors to restore a stable climate while taking care of people and place.

Represented by Belinda Noble, Founder

How does your organisation address climate change?

Comms Declare is a group of around 300 individuals and 70 organisations from the PR, marketing and advertising industries that have pledged to not promote fossil fuels, high greenhouse pollution as 'business as usual' or spin around climate science. We are CANA members.

For the last century the advertising, PR and marketing industries have been promoting myths around fossil fuels. This includes manufacturing climate denial to delay cuts to coal, gas and oil production. Now these professions are helping big polluters maintain their social license to delay making the greenhouse gas cuts we desperately need. 

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Comms Declare aims to persuade people in these industries to stop helping fossil fuel companies pretend to be the solution to the problem they are creating. We conduct an annual survey of the top 200 agencies in Australia to judge climate activities and award a 'Climate Comms Champion' to the most climate friendly agency. We also conduct campaigns against fossil fuel advertising.

Represented by Muneesh Wadhwa, Partnerships

How does your organisation address climate change?

Communiteer enables collaboration between corporate employees and Not for Profits addressing climate change. We facilitate and report against virtual volunteering to support Not for Profits that are taking climate action. We scope business projects in areas such as marketing, finance, technology, HR, digital etc and offer them to the NFPs volunteers to help deliver. 

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Communiteer supports all Not for Profits addressing climate change with virtual volunteering at no cost to them. Read more about Communiteer's climate action initiatives here. 

Represented by Lisa McLeod, Principal Consultant & Owner

How does your organisation address climate change?

At Connect Consulting, we support the community through pro bono advocacy to encourage climate action. We are a home-based business and personally commit to zero emissions through solar, circular economy, and sustainable living practices.

Represented by Daniel Harper

How does your organisation address climate change?

Cool Planet has extensive experience in education, energy efficiency, retrofitting, waste, carbon and sustainability management. By working across commercial and residential sectors throughout Australia, Cool Planet not only helps clients reduce their environmental impact but saves them money in the process.

Cool Planet is actively working with all levels of government on a variety of sustainability focused programs. We have directly helped governments increase awareness of sustainability initiatives, influenced policy and helped them significantly reduce their expenditure.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Cool Planet has aimed to embed circular economy principles at the core of our business. We are already carbon neutral but are moving to carbon positive and zero waste.

Represented by Kayla Mossuto, Founder

How does your organisation address climate change?

Launched in 2014, Crema Joe specialises in reusable coffee pods, assisting coffee capsule machine owners to reduce their waste and environmental footprint.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Our ethos is focused on reuse. This ethos is carried across the entirety of our business. From top to bottom, we are committed to reducing our impact as a business with a focus on responsible & sustainable supply chain and utilising reclaimed materials wherever possible.

As a sustainable business, we use our voice to educate - we're aiming to use our platform to further amplify the conversation around climate, and what we can do as individuals to contribute to making an impact (please see our recent blog post for reference www.cremajoe.com.au/blogs/news/how-to-write-a-climate-letter).

Represented by Elizabeth Boulton

How does your organisation address climate change?

Destination Safe Earth is a one-person operation. This year it published 2 peer-reviewed papers, and a variety of shorter articles. It has been busy educating on these ideas through public talks, podcasts, webinars and radio.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

It will continue to socialise "Plan E" via community talks, webinars, podcasts etc. 

Represented by Peter Dowson, Director

How does your organisation address climate change?

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Digital Storytellers is investigating deeper work with climate restoration activities, including landscape rehydration and regenerative agriculture, to reconnect water, carbon and nutrient cycles.

Represented by John Van Der Kallen, Chair

How does your organisation address climate change?

Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) aims to help create the social and political change necessary to address climate change and other environmental issues that affect health. Specifically, it seeks legislative change and policies aligned to science-based evidence that will ensure the long-term protection of the natural environment. Its primary focus is on climate change and environmental degradation that contributes to biodiversity loss. DEA uses a combination of key interventions for greater impact. It applies maximum pressure on decision-makers, both in its own right as an expert public voice and as a valued partner in broader movements for change.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

DEA's members are mobilising doctors to build community support for climate action, demonstrating the health impacts of climate change and the benefits of a healthy climate. We are also committed to educating the medical profession about the health impacts of climate change, and assisting the health sector to get to net-zero emissions.

Represented by Marija Petkovic

How does your organisation address climate change?

Our mission is to help drive the transition to clean energy by giving organisations the data and insights they need to make informed decisions. We pride ourselves on being a trust source of independent advice and helping to bring the most innovative clean energy projects to life.

Trusted advisor for clean energy projects: Energy Synapse has provided technical, commercial, strategic and regulatory advice for a wide range of clients ranging from VPP startups, councils and governments, and all the way up to developers of utility-scale renewables battery storage in the hundreds of megawatts. Our Director Marija Petkovic has been advising on battery storage since 2012 and in that time has become known as a leading expert in the field.

Leading experts in wholesale energy and FCAS  markets: Energy markets are our bread and butter at Energy Synapse. We regularly advise energy companies, large energy users, and government departments/agencies on wholesale energy and FCAS  markets. At Energy Synapse, we are known for our advanced proprietary modelling tools, which have the unique ability to forecast energy and FCAS prices at five minute intervals and the ability to capture the inherent volatility in these markets – a crucial factor for accurately modelling battery storage. We are also highly skilled in revenue modelling for a range of clean energy technologies, including battery storage.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Energy Synapse has recently launched a software tool that helps empower investment in large-scale clean energy. This is a key initiative that will allow us to scale our impact on climate change. After we have proven the concept in Australia, we are keen to expand internationally (starting with the US), where we can have a truly global impact.

Energy Synapse was recently a finalist for the inaugural ClimateTech Impact award from Climate Salad, which recognises the game-changing potential of our software.

Represented by Luke Reade, Policy Advocate

How does your organisation address climate change?

Energetic Communities Association is a state-wide association that aims to represent the interests of households, communities, and not for profit organisations working in the social, environment and community sectors, and to promote and develop community owned renewable energy. We aim to be a leading force in building social change and economic wellbeing for all household and not-for-profit energy consumers. We bring experience of engaging with complex regulatory processes, and we have excellent connections with other Queensland based consumer advocates. 

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

We're a community energy organisation, with Queensland's first locally grown community energy project.

Represented by Corinne Fagueret, Coordinator Pacific Calling Partnership

How does your organisation address climate change?

The Edmund Rice Centre has identified three priority areas of focus:

• Indigenous Peoples and Reconciliation
• Refugees and Asylum Seekers
• The impact of climate change, especially on our neighbours in the Pacific

In each of our programs areas we:

• Raise awareness about the causes of poverty and injustice and the need for human rights to be respected and advanced
• Advocate for the needs of groups who are systematically excluded locally and globally
• Promote social action that engages people in the work for social change

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

The Pacific Calling Partnership (PCP) began in May 2006 in recognition of the negative impacts climate change was having on the peoples of Kiribati, Tuvalu and islands of the Torres Strait. We are committed to listening to what islanders are saying about imminent threats to their way of life and collaborating with them in passing this important message on. The PCP strives to facilitate links between concerned people in Australia and Pacific Islands that are the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

Represented by Ilea Buffier

How does your organisation address climate change?

Your carbon accounting solution for a greener future. Empowering businesses with the ability to shape the future of our planet through technology. Evalue8 links to financial accounts to enable measurement of your carbon and provides recommendations on how to reduce your organisation’s impact.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Help 1,000 SMEs reduce their emissions by at least 10%.

Represented by Hilary McAllister, Director

How does your organisation address climate change?

For Wild Places is dedicated to protecting wild places of cultural and environmental significance from destructive industries such as logging and fossil fuel extraction. Through engaging and connecting people with the outdoors, For Wild Places activates the trail running and wider outdoors community to defend the wild places in their community and country through fundraising, creating awareness, and treading more lightly on the planet. Long term, For Wild Places aims to make the outdoor competitive sporting space more respectful of the lands upon which events are held, recognising and supporting Traditional Owners, leaving no trace, and hosting single-use free, carbon offset events.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

For Wild Places hopes to lead the outdoors space in creating carbon-neutral events which benefit the lands and Traditional Owners upon which the event is held. We are committed to offsetting our digital footprint annually, minimising merchandise, offering offsets to event participants, and working towards setting a new responsible events standard in the trail running world. We will continue to work alongside affiliate climate and outdoors groups to provide resources and education to promote positive policy change.

Represented by Tjanara Goreng Goreng, CoFounder & National Convenor

How does your organisation address climate change?

Foundation for Indigenous Recovery & Development Australia (FIRDA) supports the transformation of First Nations groups in Ngungynateea (Australia) through spiritual and cultural activities & advocacy to strengthen us all. We use First Nations knowledge & ancient wisdom to support scientists & others dealing with climate change to take care of Country.

Represented by Bruce Cutts, Convenor

How does your organisation address climate change?

GECAN is an organisation campaigning for climate action for a safe, fair and liveable future.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

We work face to face with the community, engaging with all levels of government. We successfully campaigned for a climate emergency declaration in the City of Glen Eira. We are campaigning for a progressive and realistic action plan for zero net emissions by 2030 following the emergency declaration.

Represented by Tony Wolfe

How does your organisation address climate change?

Our mission: Build partnerships, connect people with information and opportunities, support and deliver climate-positive initiatives with social, economic, and environmental benefits.

We acknowledge the various Traditional Owners across Gippsland’s six local government areas; the Gunaikurnai, Monero, Bidhawel, Bunurong, Boon Wurrung, Taungurung and Wurundjeri peoples, as well as all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in our communities today. We recognise their continuing connection to land and the role they play in managing our shared resources.

We celebrate our diverse landscapes and share a sense of urgency for action to ensure that people and nature can both thrive. We need to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, drawdown atmospheric carbon levels, and support the regeneration and sustainable management of all Gippsland’s natural resources.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

For the first time ever, Gippsland will host a two day New Energy Conference on 11-12 August 2022, in Sale.

The conference will showcase $33 billion of renewable energy projects planned across Gippsland such as solar, wind, bioenergy and beyond. Keynote speakers will be addressing the latest new energy innovations, initiatives and project developments coming to Gippsland.

It’s time to celebrate what has already been achieved and what is next for new energy and the diverse opportunities it brings for local business, community, education and tourism.

We believe that we are stronger together and that everyone can, and should, be a part of the solution. This means working with people and organisations with levels of commitment to climate change and finding the ways in which we can learn together. The climate challenges we all face are significant, so we aim to support our community and industry partners to increase climate literacy, build connections, and create stronger partnerships. In doing so, we can facilitate and deliver progressive initiatives across Gippsland and beyond.

We work in a space that is rapidly changing. Through our partnerships and connections, we can adapt to take advantage of opportunities that will enable us to have the biggest impact with the resources available to us. We are a not-for-profit powered mostly by a dynamic group of committed volunteers and members. We hold all political parties to the same standards: protecting our environment and building a better future for our communities. With this in mind we are prepared to work with government entities as they strive towards this ideal. Gippsland is carbon neutral by 2040 with thriving communities, new industries, a resilient economy, healthy habitats, and sustainably managed resources.

Engaging our community about the real and present threat of climate change impacts in Gippsland in ways that understand the science, promote partnerships, utilise our local expertise, and generate hope. 

We are a Gippsland wide not-for-profit and registered charity focused on connecting and collaborating with local communities, businesses, and government organisations around climate change awareness and solutions.

Represented by Bruce Cutts

How does your organisation address climate change?

GECAN is an organisation campaigning for climate action for a safe fair and liveable future. 

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

GECAN works face to face with the community and engages with all levels of government. They successfully campaigned for a climate emergency declaration in the City of Glen Eira. 

Represented by Casey Whitelaw, Founder

How does your organisation address climate change?

Go Neutral is a consumer-focused climate action brand, focused on making meaningful climate action more desirable and accessible. Most people cannot live zero-emission lives, and so we make carbon offset products to help everyone become net zero, and build a stronger future for Australia.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

We believe everyone can do more to slow climate change. You shouldn't need to be a climate scientist or an eco-warrior, and you shouldn't feel bad if you can't install solar panels or buy an electric car. That's why we started with cars: almost everyone needs to drive, and it will be years until we can all drive EVs. So in the meantime, the best thing that you can do is go carbon neutral.

Offsets aren't new, but Go Neutral's approach is. We make going carbon neutral easy and rewarding. Your Go Neutral sticker helps you feel good, and spread the word. It's all about people power!

We proudly support 100% Australian carbon removal projects, that build a better future for our land and economy.

Represented by Danielle King, Director

About Green Moves

Green Moves provides householders and businesses with a selection of sustainability services that are designed to minimise energy costs and reduce environmental impact. We provide totally independent advice and guidance on energy efficiency, carbon reduction and sustainability. Our key services include energy auditing, carbon accounting and inventories, sustainability guidance and education.

How does your organisation address climate change?

Our organisation is certified Climate Active Carbon Neutral, we are also a certified B Corporation. We like to walk the talk and have implemented significant energy efficiencies across our operations including building fabric and heating/cooling upgrades, equipment and vehicle change over to minimise emissions. We have a plan to move to fully electric and transition our vehicles to electric (from hybrid) within the next 2 years. Its our role to assist others to minimise emissions, save costs and take urgent action on climate.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

We are already certified carbon neutral through Climate Active. We are looking to become Climate Positive and continue to minimise our impact on an ongoing basis. 

Read more about Green Moves climate commitments here.

Represented by Berish Bilander, CEO

How does your organisation address climate change?

Set up by musicians, for musicians, Green Music Australia strives to harness the cultural power of our industry to lead the way to a greener, safer world. We run campaigns, publish research and offer personalised support to artists, festivals and music businesses to transform our sector into a leader in sustainability. Along the way, we mobilise our supporters to become bold advocates for climate justice and, via their audiences, drive broader social change.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Green Music Australia brings together musicians, record labels, booking agents, management companies and distributors across our country recognise the serious threat climate change poses. Read more about their collective climate change declaration at https://www.greenmusic.org.au/climatechangedeclaration

Represented by Akaash Sachdeva, Senior Responsible Investment Adviser

How does your organisation address climate change?

HESTA is an industry superannuation fund dedicated to providing retirement outcomes for workers primarily working in the health and community services (HACS) sector. Our promise is to be an advocate to drive meaningful change to make a financial difference to every member for their retirement.

The risks and opportunities related to climate change have been a key focus area for HESTA for many years. HESTA was the first major super fund to commit to reducing the absolute carbon emissions of the investment portfolio by 33% by 2030 and to net zero by 2050, implement restrictions on investment in thermal coal, and be certified as carbon neutral for our business operations. 

We have been actively investing in low carbon opportunities and in June 2020 had approximately 9% of total assets under management in low carbon or climate resilient investments. We believe that to mitigate climate change risk, we need to achieve change in the real economy.

Direct engagement and collaboration with other asset owners to amplify our voice is a strong focus for us. We use ongoing dialogue with high carbon emitters and other fossil fuel dependent industries to encourage them to transition their business models to be viable in a low carbon economy. We believe such a transition will have a positive impact on the performance of these companies, and in turn, the retirement outcomes of our members.

We have recently published our inaugural climate change report: our path to net zero using the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). In this report, we detail our approach to managing climate risk and opportunities in support of an orderly transition and consider the interaction of carbon reduction and meeting regulatory obligations, while delivering long term sustainable returns to members.

You can read the report here.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

In our investment portfolio, our actions are focused on operationalising our commitments outlined in the Climate Change Transition Plan and for continuous improvement of our approach to climate change.

The social impacts of climate change are of particular relevance to HESTA members, as the HACS sector is at the front line of dealing with impacts such as heatwave related deaths, the spread of infectious disease and the potential dislocation cause by climate refugees. Therefore, working closely with HESTA partners to address the broader systemic issues associated with climate change is a key priority of ours.

Read more about HESTA’s climate commitments here.

Represented by Lisa Siganto, Managing Director

How does your organisation address climate change?

ImpaQt Fund is an early-stage venture capital company investing in environmental and social solutions for a future world. We invest in early-stage businesses that have the potential for large-scale impact and returns.

Our investment thesis is that 30% of our investments will be in early-stage companies that address climate change solutions, energy efficiency, and carbon reduction.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

We plan on investing in eight to 10 businesses addressing climate change in the next three years.

Represented by Michael Frangos, CEO

Read more about Indigenous Energy Australia at their website.

Represented by Cathy Eatock, Co-Chair

How does your organisation address climate change?

The Indigenous Peoples Organisation (IPO) is a coalition of 285 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and individuals who advocate for Indigenous rights at the United Nations and are committed to implementing the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples within Australia and overseas. IPO addresses a wide range of concerns from land and climate management, cultural heritage, remote communities, welfare entitlements, housing and services, community well-being, and self-determination as the key overarching right, which is the foundation of all other rights.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Working within IPO’s coalition of 285 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and individuals, our activities over the next 12 months will focus on increasing the understanding of climate change priorities for Indigenous peoples and strengthening collaboration and readiness for joint advocacy among these groups.

Represented by Rochelle Porteous, Mayor

How does your organisation address climate change?

Inner West Council has adopted a Climate and Renewables Strategy and has committed to accelerating action, resourcing solutions, and placing climate at the centre of decisions. The Climate + Renewables Strategy outlines the key areas of focus to mitigate against climate change. The tools we will use include:

• Embedding climate action in Council systems and processes
• Establishing an Office of Renewable Energy Innovation
• Rapidly increasing solar and renewable energy generation
• Switching to a zero-emissions fleet
• Fostering zero-emissions mobility solutions
• Supporting low carbon development
• Eliminating organic waste to landfill
• Helping our community address unsustainable consumption e.g. through facilitating and encouraging the share economy

Protecting and enhancing the urban tree canopy and promoting green infrastructure Solar capacity in the Inner West has more than doubled since 2017. Council's solar promotions have been expanded to apartments, schools and local businesses. A $1.6 million rooftop solar and energy efficiency program has more than doubled Council’s solar capacity since the program commenced. Council has over 700kW of solar PV installed on over 35 buildings. Inner West Council is supplied with over 4,000,000 kilowatt-hours of renewable power each year from the Moree solar farm. This amount covers almost all of Council’s daytime electricity use. Council has set targets to be carbon neutral and 100% renewable for electricity by 2025. We are the first Council in NSW to be 100% divested from fossil fuels.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Inner West Council aims to purchase 100% renewable electricity for its operations before the 2025 target date, become carbon neutral by 2025 and continue to be 100% divested from fossil fuels. We will develop a plan to transition to an electric fleet.

Read more about Inner West Council’s Climate + Renewables Strategy here.

Represented by Lucy Siebert, Global Corporate Communications Manager

How does your organisation address climate change?

Intrepid Travel has been a carbon-neutral business since 2010 and in 2018 became the world’s largest travel business to be certified B Corp. This means we meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. We’re seeing many more companies committing to carbon neutrality.

But based on the facts we know today; we would be lying to ourselves if we were to continue as though being carbon neutral is enough for the travel industry. Over the last 15-years, the need for climate action has grown more obvious year on year. Not only is the climate crisis leading to extreme weather events that threaten people and wildlife the world over, but it is a significant threat to our business. So many of the destinations we love may well be destroyed by drought, fire, or other weather events over the next decade.

In January 2020, we declared a climate emergency with Tourism Declares, a global collective of tourism businesses, organisations, and individuals who have pledged urgent action on climate change. Intrepid Travel is the first global tour operator with verified science-based carbon emission targets in line with a 1.5°C future, which means we will reduce our greenhouse gas emissions at the pace and scale that science says is necessary to limit global warming to 1.5°C across our operations and supply chain.

Intrepid Travel's seven-point climate commitment plan:

1. Measure our emissions
2. Offset 125% of our emissions in 2020
3. Set a science-based target to reduce emissions
4. Transition to 100% renewable energy in offices by 2025 and on trips by 2030
5. Invest in green deposits
6. Empower women and strive for social justice
7. Invest in research and innovative solutions Intrepid Travel reports annually via its integrated annual report

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Business has a vital role to play in helping limit global warming to a maximum of 1.5°C and building the net-zero carbon economy of the future. As such, Intrepid Travel is committed to decarbonising its business by reducing emissions from its trips and global operations. In January 2020, Intrepid Travel published its seven-point climate commitment plan, and in October 2020, Intrepid Travel became the first global tour operator with approved science-based targets, verified by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

To reach its 2035 target, Intrepid Travel has committed to reducing absolute scope 1 (direct emissions) and scope 2 (emissions from heat and electricity) greenhouse gas emissions 71% by 2035 from a 2018 base year. Intrepid Travel also committed to reducing scope 3 (value chain emissions) greenhouse gas emissions from its offices by 34% per full-time employee and from its trips by 56% per passenger day over the same period.

Read more about Intrepid Travel’s climate commitments here.

Represented by Bishop Philip Huggins

How does your organisation address climate change?

The ILC was established as a Special Group under the UNFCCC during the 2013 Conference of the Parties (COP) to support the informal gathering of faith-based organisations (FBOs) actively engaged at the UNFCCC.

The ILC works as a platform for FBOs to facilitate dialogue and action. The ILC meets during the annual UN climate negotiations and regularly online to collaborate on faith advocacy for climate ambition, embracing all the pillars of the UNFCCC and of the Paris Agreement: mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage and finance.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

The ILC is keeping momentum going through to COP27 via its weekly prayer and meditation group sessions. We coordinate across the world to deliver cohesive positions on climate action.

Represented by Jenny Frieden, Project Officer

How does your organisation address climate change?

For nearly two decades, Ironbark Sustainability has worked with councils and their communities to reduce greenhouse emissions, tackle climate change and implement sustainability projects and programs. There are 537 local governments in Australia and since we began our journey in 2004, we've worked with 260 of them, covering 86% of the population, in every state and territory. 

Whether on council facilities and assets or in the broader community, the concept of real action underpins everything we do. We're proud that the projects that we've been involved in advising, preparing, or getting our hands dirty project managing have resulted in real projects that will deliver 3.64 million tonnes of greenhouse gas abatement as well as over $550 million in financial savings. 

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

As a certified B-Corp and leader in the climate field, we already manage our operations in a way that minimizes our carbon footprint. We purchase Greenpower (electricity from renewable sources), completely avoid use of gas and offset all flights and vehicle trips. We also encourage staff to cycle and take public transport to meetings and to work, and provide flexible work arrangements that reduce the need to commute. 

We will continue to do so, and additionally strive to fly less and drive less by encouraging our staff and clients to increase their use of teleconferencing. We have committed to being carbon neutral by 2030 but plan to meet this milestone earlier, with the main area for action being offsetting our fleet emissions, which we plan commence this year.

Our biggest impact, however, is in our work with our clients. We have a very small carbon footprint that is reduced through renewable energy and offsets, and this is dwarfed by the work with councils, which has resulted in millions of tonnes of emissions reduction. We work with councils and their communities to reduce greenhouse emissions, tackle climate change and implement sustainability projects and programs. We will continue to enable our clients to make the biggest impact in this space that they can. 

The actions we seek to encourage range from reducing councils' operational greenhouse gas emissions, to working with their communities to facilitate substantial greenhouse gas reductions, to advocating for a better future through initiatives like the BFA declaration.

Represented by Lynette Apostolou, Practice Manager

How does your organisation address climate change?

Jackson Teece is an award-winning design consultancy with studios in Sydney, Brisbane and an expanding client base throughout Asia Pacific. We offer architecture, interior design, urban design and heritage conservation services. Our clients and projects benefit from the knowledge, creativity and synergies that arise from the interplay of these multi-disciplinary skills. At Jackson Teece we are changing the way we live, work and Design to be more responsible humans.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

We encourage the effective use of recycling facilities at home and at work. We encourage carpooling, catching public transport or walking/riding to work to reduce our carbon footprint. We are advocates in minimising food, water and energy waste, encouraging eating or sharing leftovers with others. Jackson Teece supports OzHarvest Australia, and last year we donated in lieu of a Christmas party. Awareness to staff is at the forefront in our minds as we encourage the specification of sustainable building products and educating our clients on the short and long term benefits of doing so! There is so much more we can do and will do moving forward.

Represented by Abigail Forsyth, Co-Founder and Managing Director

How does your organisation address climate change?

Launched in 2009, Australian company KeepCup has revolutionised the way consumers drink their takeaway espresso, by introducing the world’s first barista standard reusable cup, designed for drinking pleasure. Now sold in over 75 countries, KeepCup customers divert millions of disposables cups from landfill every year.

KeepCup is in business for better — as a founding B Corporation member, KeepCup is committed to making a positive impact for all stakeholders — workers, customers, suppliers, communities and the environment. As a member of 1% for the Planet, KeepCup donate at least 1% of global revenue to environmental causes.

KeepCup manufacture locally, work closely with suppliers to increase positive impact and practise circular design, focusing on reduced consumption, reuse and repair, and campaign for a world where we neither want, need or use single-use cups.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

We're committed to carbon neutral by 2025, with a focus on real reductions over offsetting, and are investigating adoption of a science based target. We design and make reusable and repairable products that replace single-use plastic. When used to their intended lifespan, KeepCups have a lower carbon impact than single-use cups. Used once every weekday for a year, and based on an eight-year lifespan, a Thermal KeepCup has a 77-87% lower footprint than using single-use cups.

We use Life Cycle Analysis of our products to help guide decision-making and identify hotspots in our supply chain. Our 2018 third party, peer reviewed LCA, and the 2020 addition to it, which covers the new KeepCup Thermal, is publicly available online for transparency and to empower others with strong environmental data that can aid decision making.

As a global business, transport of our products is a key area of focus, which is why we choose local manufacture for local markets, where volumes and production capacity allow. 41.5% of our supplier spend is on suppliers within 80km of our hubs.

We preference sea shipping over air freight and work with each of our suppliers to minimise impact in all possible areas. We also encourage our team to have virtual meetings and make cycling an accessible commute option to and from work with secure bike parking and showers.

Our offices have been solar powered since 2015 in Australia, and 2018 in the UK.

In 2019 we installed 76 KW of solar power on the roof in our new Australian offices. We use eleXsys -electricity export system, Planet Ark Power technology, to export excess power back into the grid. This is cutting edge technology designed to overcome barriers to commercial adoption of rooftop solar.

When it comes to our buildings, we adopt energy-saving measures including LEDs, sensor lights and energy efficient appliances as the baseline, making the extra effort to minimise our impact.

Most importantly we use our voice, and the actions of our customers to advocate for change. We support cross sector campaigns that call on governments and businesses to adopt strong climate action to limit global heating to 1.5degrees.

We recently launched our online Impact Calculator, that enables individuals and companies to forecast and track their impact, including the energy, carbon and waste savings made by switching to reuse. If an individual drinks five takeaway coffees in their KeepCup per week, for 50 weeks in a year, they will have saved 250 single-use cups from landfill, over 9kg of carbon dioxide (CO2e), 830g of plastic and over 5kg of timber.

The efforts of everyday changemakers over the last decade has demonstrated one thing above all else – that people want to be part of the solution and drive positive change. KeepCup is driven by individual behaviour change but, as a collective, we all have the power to remove social licence for single-use products and reduce waste and impact. 

Represented by Mark Honey, Mayor

How does your organisation address climate change?

Kiama Municipal Council is committed to minimising its impact by reducing emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change. We have set out to directly achieve this by implementing our Corporate Emissions Reduction Plan (CORP ERP) that provides a pathway to continue to achieve emissions reductions for the future and lays the foundation to reach our net-zero targets.

Part of this commitment involves lobbying State and Federal governments to take a more stringent and collective approach to reduce emissions. We have already implemented a number of emission reduction actions including energy efficiency upgrades, on-site generation of renewable energy, and waste reduction projects.

These achievements and reductions are measured and reported annually through our robust carbon accounting program to best understand where future actions are best implemented. To meet the challenges of addressing the climate emergency it will take a collective effort from all aspects of government and the Community.

As the level of government closest to the community, we wanted to show leadership to our residents and local businesses through our CORP ERP. To complement this plan a Community Emissions Reduction Plan will also be developed to facilitate sharing knowledge, research, and experience with the local community.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Read more about Kiama Municipal Council’s climate commitments here.

Represented by Aymeric Maudous, Founder & Director, and Stephen King, Head of Partnerships

How does your organisation address climate change?

Lord of the Trees is a global reforestation project combining precision- planting drones supported by artificial intelligence, scientific and forestry research. Our unique Seedpod technology uses scientifically-formulated, organic blends of nutrients encapsulating seeds to sustain the healthiest possible germination.

We plant trees and have been for almost 18 years. During this time our research was aimed at new technology to use drones to speed up the process whilst dramatically reducing the capital cost. At the same time we developed a key understanding of co-planting techniques that assist in raising the level of propagation.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

We have numerous projects in our pipeline. Projects like Blue Carbon, post bushfire reforestation, bee lines (wildflowers) and general reforestation both here in Australia and overseas.

Represented by Janine Mohamed, CEO

How does your organisation address climate change?

We are an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation working for the health and wellbeing of Australia’s First Peoples through high-impact quality research, knowledge translation, and by supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health researchers.

Represented by Kathrin Wheib, Director

How does your organisation address climate change?

Make Good Studio is a sustainable interior design studio based in Melbourne, undertaking both commercial and residential projects and renovations. We design with the principle of less is better. Our work seeks to inspire a better way of living through respect for the planet’s resources and through intelligent design. We make spaces that are beautiful and modern which elevate the aesthetics of sustainable projects. Make Good Studio offers a future forward take on interiors where waste is minimised and materials and resources are respected.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

I set up Make Good Studio because I wanted to make a positive contribution to combating climate change and given the construction industry contributes ~40% greenhouse gases there is a lot of scope for improvement.

I passionately believe there is a smarter way to design interiors. The amount of waste generated and the mindless consumption of resources and energy that are currently used is what we are seeking to change. We offer a unique service to clients wishing to create beautiful spaces that marry aesthetics, function and sustainability. 

We delve deeper than simply specifying eco products and incorporate circular thinking and zero waste philosophies into our work. We consider a material’s embodied carbon footprint, a space’s ability to be flexible and future proof as well as lifecycle thinking / design for deconstruction. We are passionate about adaptive reuse projects and renovations as a way to extend the life of the embodied carbon within the existing building fabric. We retrofit spaces to become more energy efficient.

Represented by Mirella Arapian, Founder & Creative Director

How does your organisation address climate change?

Mek Studio creates purpose-driven brands and design for people and the planet. As specialists in branding and design we help businesses and organisations build and improve brands, define and communicate values, engage people, minimise impact, and meet growing demands for sustainability.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

1. Mek is located in a solar-powered purpose-built premises created with the assistance of the Sustainable Melbourne Fund.
2. Mek is a 100% carbon neutral and paperless company. Our equipment is powered by the sun and has the highest star energy ratings where possible.
3. We've partnered with One Tree Planted to plant a tree in our clients‚Äô name for every new project we complete. Trees will be planted to restore native habitats and recover forests affected by the 2019‚Äì20 Australian Black Summer bushfires.In an effort to minimise our impact and not cause unnecessary harm, we regularly assess our use of resources, materials, and processes. 
4. Our studio materials are plastic free, cruelty free, and not tested on animals.
5. We only recommend eco-friendly and sustainable solutions to our clients across print, packaging, and spatial materials. We partner with trusted suppliers educated on the latest technologies and innovations for reducing waste and environmental impact.

Represented by Councillor Mark Riley, Deputy Mayor

How does your organisation address climate change?

Moreland City Council acknowledges we are in a state of climate emergency that requires urgent action by all levels of government, including local councils, as well as all members of the community. Zero Carbon Moreland is a community and council movement to achieve a safe climate for all of Moreland.  

Council's collaboration with partners and the community led to the Zero Carbon Moreland Framework 2040 and Action Plan. The strategy aims to engage all members of the Moreland community including residents, businesses, schools, local community groups, as well as the Council itself, to advocate and take action to transition our community to zero carbon by 2040.

Council itself has been certified Climate Neutral for operations (under the national Climate Active program) since 2012, and purchases 100% renewable energy through a Power Purchase Agreement with Crowlands Windfarm to power all our buildings, streetlights, and growing fleet of electric vehicles.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

• Playing a leading role in Victorian local government efforts towards zero carbon buildings via Planning Scheme standards, enforcement, and advocacy
• Providing direct support and financial assistance for low income / CALD homeowners to undertake thermal efficiency upgrades or install solar panels at no or low out of pocket costs
• Ensuring Council builds highly energy efficient facilities, including onsite renewables and no new fossil gas
• Facilitating 'mode shift' to active travel and public transport
• Rolling out municipal-wide food and garden organics curbside service to deliver 'best in class' diversion from landfill

Represented by Harry Audus

How does your organisation address climate change?

The MoretonCAN campaign has evolved with support from individuals, groups and businesses, to put pressure on and work with the Moreton Bay Regional Council (MBRC) to declare a Climate Emergency. A Climate Emergency Declaration (CED) by the Council is a critical element in responding locally to the climate crisis. The CED would align Moreton Bay with the Sunshine Coast and Noosa Councils, which declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 and 2021 respectively.

The broad actions MoretonCAN wants MBRC to take are:

1. Declare a climate emergency, and join more than 100 other jurisdictions across Australia that have already done so to stimulate strong climate action.
2. Set a target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions to be achieved by 2030.
3. Directly engage the community in planning to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet this target.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Council engagement to determine Council's position on and elicit Council's support for a Climate Emergency Declaration, specifically with:

● the Mayor

● Individual Councillors

● Senior Council staff

● Manager, Economic Development

Communication with the public to raise awareness of climate crisis and support for CED campaign, via:

● social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)

● our web site

● market stalls

● door knocking

Petition the Council:

● MBRC hardcopy format

● online (Change.org)

Conduct surveys to elicit community needs and concerns on a CED using:

● Survey Monkey

● Facebook

● Twitter

● web site

Work towards a Northern SEQ coalition for CEDs by liaising with groups in other council areas, e.g. Sunshine Coast, Noosa.

Represented by Despi O'Connor, Mayor

How does your organisation address climate change?

Mornington Peninsula Shire’s Climate Emergency Plan, adopted by Council in August 2020, guides the Peninsula towards zero net community carbon emissions by 2040 to restore a safe climate pathway. The plan includes interim targets of a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2025, 65% by 2030 and an 80% reduction by 2035.

In the first year of implementation, we have commenced delivery of 70% of the 172 tasks set out in the Plan. Some of these include:

• Successful advocacy by the community and the Shire to oppose the AGL Gas Import Terminal
• Achieving Carbon Neutral certification for Shire operations through the Climate Active program
• 2 ha of biolinks created and nearly 17,000 trees and shrubs planted, sequestering carbon and delivering on the objectives of the Biodiversity Conservation Plan (2018)
• The Annual Budget FY21/22 included $500,000 to implement the Climate Emergency Plan
• Climate Action Grant Program launched with $100,000 available for community groups, businesses and schools delivering climate action
• Launch of the first stage of Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) collection
• Expansion of the Shire’s school and community environmental education program, with multiple webinars, workshops and new lessons offered
• Launch of the Community Energy Program to support the formation of a community energy group in the Shire
• Direct support for community energy efficiency, including a Solar and Energy Bulk Buy and a partnership with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning to deliver the Energy Savvy Upgrade program
• Investigation and research on climate resilience and adaptation, which will inform key documents, such as the Health & Wellbeing Plan and the Climate Adaptation Strategy
• Adoption of key strategies, plans and policies including the Beyond Zero Waste Strategy (Aug 2020), Single Use Plastics Policy (Aug 2020), ESD Policy for Council Building and Civil Works (Sept 2020), Waste Contamination Policy (Feb 2021)

For full details refer to our Climate Emergency Plan Progress Report 2021. The Shire is also a signatory to the Global Covenant of Mayors, contributing to the targets set through the Paris Agreement.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

The Shire is committed to implementing the actions within the Climate Emergency Plan to achieve zero net emissions across the Peninsula by 2040 across the peninsula. A key component of this is embedding climate emergency across the organisational plans and policies. This includes integrating climate change actions into the Shire’s Draft Integrated Water Management Plan, Flood and Stormwater Management Strategy and Food Economy and Agroecology Strategy.

Key commitments within the Climate Emergency plan for the next few years include:

• Establish an executive-led Climate Oversight Group to embed climate emergency priorities into all Shire decisions, programs, policies, strategies and actions
• Develop a Climate Advocacy plan to achieve social and economic change at state and federal levels
• Develop a regional electric vehicle charging roadmap
• Source all Shire energy requirements from renewable generation by 2023
• By 2025, all Shire pool vehicles will emit zero tailpipe emissions
• Provide advice to support community owned renewable energy programs such as solar farms and micro-grids
• Develop and implement a Carbon Bio-sequestration Implementation Plan for local terrestrial vegetation, soil carbon and blue/teal carbon programs

Read more about Mornington Peninsula Shire’s climate commitments here.

Represented by Mayor Ann Ferguson OAM

How does your organisation address climate change?

Mount Barker District Council is situated in the Mount Lofty Ranges, a 30 minute drive from Adelaide. Mount Barker District Council is one of the fastest growing councils in Australia with Mount Barker destined to become the second biggest city in South Australia. The district is a mix of urban, peri urban and rural with many people attracted by the scenic hills environment and lifestyle.

Mount Barker Council has been working on climate change programs for the past 2 decades, although the urgency of acting on climate change was most recently highlighted in Council’s Environment Strategy that was developed in 2018 and a subsequent Climate Change Action Plan adopted in 2019. Council is tackling Climate Change by:

• Educating our community about climate change and what to do;
• Managing a major wastewater treatment and reuse program and establishing wetlands;
• Monitoring and reducing our energy consumption where possible - from our buildings, fleet and through our procurement policies and procedures;
• Installing solar arrays;
• Creating a climate resilient open space network by the use of appropriate species and by increasing the tree canopy cover through an extensive tree planting program;
• Participating in the Resilient Hills and Coasts regional climate adaptation planning;
• Declaring a Climate Emergency;
• Committing to a 3% annual reduction in GHGs; 
• Focusing on the residential housing market and supporting good practice in new dwellings; and,
• Converting 85% of the Council fleet to hybrid vehicles.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Focus areas in the coming period include:

• Building Better Houses of Tomorrow;
• City Catalyst project including a new civic centre and community facility;
• New aquatic centre;
• Mount Barker Natural Parklands; and,
• Summit and Totness linear park.

Read more about Mount Barker District Council's climate action plan here.

Represented by Gabrielle O’Kane, CEO

How does your organisation address climate change?

The National Rural Health Alliance is the peak body for rural health and comprises 44 national member organisations and is focused on improving the health and wellbeing of the 7 million people residing outside our major cities.The Alliance produced a position statement on climate and rural health in November 2019 and has subsequently developed a larger position paper covering food insecurity, severe weather events and vector-borne diseases.

Represented by Brett Holmes, General Secretary

How does your organisation address climate change?

The NSW Nurses & Midwives Association (NSWNMA) is the trade union and professional association for nurses, midwives and assistants in nursing and assistant in midwifery in the State of NSW. We have a membership of 72,000 across Public Health, Private Acute, Aged Care, Disability and Primary Health Care. We are foundation members of the Hunter Jobs Alliance - which aims to promote alternate employment in Hunter Coal communities, a member of the Climate and Health Alliance, and a member of Global Green and Healthy Hospitals. We facilitate seminars and meetings of interested members with health managements to encourage both understanding and cooperative action in health environments. We are growing our member involvement in climate and health awareness. Internally we are reducing our energy footprint by changing to LED lighting and moving a fleet of 51 cars from diesel to Hybrid.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Internally we will undertake an assessment of how we can further reduce our environmental footprint in energy, recycling, and resource use. Externally, we continue to engage our members in taking action at work and in their communities.

Represented by Carolyn Suggate, Director

How does your organisation address climate change?

The Organic and Regenerative Investment Co-operative is an innovative organisation, focussed on bringing together farmers, eaters and like-minded businesses. ORICoop exists to nurture and increase the amount and the productivity of organically and regeneratively managed land in Australia. While supporting farmers to be better land stewards of our delicate ecological food system and reducing our carbon footprint.

We believe that healthy soil leads to healthy waterways, better food, resilient farmers & stronger communities. We work with organic and biodynamic farms and support farmers to transition their agricultural businesses for the better. We bring together farmers and eaters who are interested in long term change.  That creates a more resilient Australian food and farming economy and changes the way our farmers do business … for the better!

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

We aim to sequester carbon through our Eco-Credits™ program. ORICoop is offering Eco-Credits™ to conscious businesses and individuals looking to offset their carbon footprint. Eco-Credits are deployed directly to organic farmers who can commit Eco-Credits to their farmland. Opportunities for the Eco-Credit commitments include: to draw down carbon into the soil, increase the quality and size of biodiversity on farmland, plant native trees, and increase the amount of cover cropping and pasture cover. These credits are independently and annually verified using the latest technology and measurement parameters.

Represented by Kristen Perry - Director, Secretary

How does your organisation address climate change?

Outdoors People for Climate is a 300-strong grassroots community of people who love, live, and work in the Australian outdoors. Climate change and other ecological stressors are causing irreversible damage to the wild places we love and will make it progressively harder for Australians to access the outdoors. We are here to call for meaningful, ambitious, and rapid political and business leadership on climate change in Australia.

People who love the outdoors represent a large and important stakeholder in the protection of wild Australian places from the threat of climate change. At Outdoors People for Climate, we are building a community of climate-engaged and climate-active outdoors enthusiasts and professionals from across Australia. Together, we speak up about the impact of climate change on outdoors people and the Australian outdoors, empower our community to take action in their outdoor adventures, workplaces, politically and beyond, and work with outdoor businesses to generate sector-wide change.

Represented by Iain Smale, Managing Director

How does your organisation address climate change?

Pangolin Associates is an energy and carbon management consultancy that works with organisations Australia-wide to increase efficiencies and reduce environmental impacts. The consultancy’s core services include greenhouse gas (GHG) assessments and verifications, the Australian Government’s Climate Active program, carbon offsetting services, and the supply of carbon credits. Pangolin also provides energy audits and compliance services for the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme (NGER), and the Climate Solutions Fund (ERF). Pangolin’s scientific team is one of the few in Australia providing climate change initiatives such as Science Based Targets (SBT) services, and construction of environmental and energy management systems. Pangolin Associates was the first in its sector to become certified carbon neutral under Climate Active.

We're the leading provider for the Australian Government's carbon neutral certification program, Climate Active, having assisted close to half the participants. As a small organisation our role is more of an influencer with our impact being small and as we are already certified carbon neutral. Our team has worked with the government's carbon neutral initiatives since their inception in 2007. Our belief is not just ensuring businesses are measuring and offsetting but also striving to make real reductions as this best way to tackle climate change.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

As a small business, our role is to influence organisations large and small to take action and we are constantly growing the uptake of businesses, products, services, etc on becoming certified carbon neutral and reducing their impact.

Read more about Pangolin Associates climate commitments here.

Represented by Carl Prins, Co-Founder & CEO

How does your organisation address climate change?

Pathzero is a carbon management platform that accelerates a company's transition to net-zero emissions by providing online tools and on-demand sustainability consultants.

Pathzero has been carbon neutral from day one. We have also adopted low-carbon work practices from day one. We offset the unavoidable emissions with carbon offsets. We are now taking best practice and enabling other companies to follow suit by using our measurement, reduction, offsetting and reporting tools.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Read more about Pathzero’s commitments to climate action at https://reports.pathzero.com/pathzero

Represented by Ben Smith, Director

How does your organisation address climate change?

Popamono specialises in crafting the powerful stories that underpin big goals or projects.

We develop tender responses, business cases, plans and strategies that get results. We support increased awareness of climate change, and we target supporting projects that provide increased action and community resilience.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

We will be installing solar panels to make the company 100% renewable powered, as well as aiming for a 50% reduction in business travel and reduction of company waste by 50%. We also support planetary health solutions.

Represented by Donald Sharples, Director

How does your organisation address climate change?

Populus Data provides data to the government about the communities they serve, (including on their people, environment, economy, and place) helping them to make evidence-based decisions and monitor their impact.

We aim to bring environmental data into the consciousness of government organisations so they can work with their communities collaboratively on actions.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

We are a very low-impact organisation, we intend to focus our operations on solutions rather than our operations on mitigation. However, to the greatest extent possible, we aim to green our resource use, reduce unnecessary travel and work with ethical service providers.

Represented by Andrew Baker

How does your organisation address climate change?

POSSIBLE is a specialist strategy and leadership firm. We help organisations find their strategy for success in an improving world. Our clients are CEO's and directors of organisations addressing the biggest opportunities of our time. Led by founder Andrew Baker, our team works via direct, long-term relationships and applies our proprietary strategy and leadership processes to find novel solutions to our clients’ most pressing issues and opportunities. We work across multiple scales and contexts to harness diverse viewpoints, build shared perspectives, and align organisations around a clear strategy for success. Teams emerge from our processes with deep insight, true conviction, and the ability to Think Big, Dream Big, Commit, and Act.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Our principle contribution is to assist climate and nature leaders through our expertise in research, strategy and leadership development.

Represented Geoff Rushworth, Co Founder

How does your organisation address climate change?

Project 17 Solutions is providing a service for people who want to be part of a team making a tangible contribution to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Climate change. Participants are people who believe we can all contribute to making the world a better place, and commit a minimum of 2 hours a week for their part. We take a cohort of enthusiastic, committed people through an ideation phase, where together we develop a list of potential ideas and prioritise them. The participants then form teams around the idea they feel most passionate about. The teams, supported by their agile coach, clarify their purpose and use a Lean Startup approach to define achievable goals towards their idea. Over five two-week sprints, they deliver a Minimum Viable Product, reflect on their achievements and re-evaluate their goals for the next cycle. The teams are supported as they progress, utilising the latest remote collaboration tools, receiving video training, learning, and utilising Lean Startup approaches to product development. Like any good startup, when the ideas show promise, there is genuine potential to create a viable startup enterprise.

Represented by Peter Sutrin, Director

How does your organisation address climate change?

We have a strong office culture around doing our part to minimise our individual impact on the environment. This includes everything from encouraging our installers to recycle all single use food and drink packaging with designated bins, and recycling 95% of the scraps left over from our solar installations to doing our paperwork digitally, so we only use a ream of paper every few months. We've retrofitted our office with LED lights to minimise bulb replacement and electricity use and installed a 39kw solar system on our warehouse so we can power our building with renewable energy. We also work closely with brands who believe in minimising their carbon footprint during the manufacturing process and are contributing towards end of life solutions for their products.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Although we work hard to ensure we minimise our carbon footprint, we are aware there are many more steps we can take. In the future, we plan to invest in additional equipment to increase our recycling capabilities, donate more second-hand solar panels to community projects, move more of our marketing online, and encourage our customers to read and sign paperwork digitally.

Represented by kelli mccluskey

How does your organisation address climate change?

founded in 1998 and based on whadjuk noongar boodja, western australia, pvi collective is a tactical media art group who create participatory artworks intent on the creative disruption of everyday life. pvi use gameplay alongside emerging, familiar and diy technology to explore creative solutions for living in an unstable 21st century.

pvi believe in the potential for art to create systemic change. their work critically investigates contentious issues from privacy, disaster capitalism, climate crisis, corporate power, political corruption and the slow creep of alternative facts in our daily lives.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

this year we are joining pangolin and associates on a carbon neutral pilot project through the australia council for the arts. the aim is to embed progressive environmental practices throughout the organisation and work towards achieving climate active accreditation.

Represented by Dave Copeman, Director

How does your organisation address climate change?

Our goal is that we are all taking action for a safe climate. To achieve this;

1. We will lead a statewide campaign for a just transition to replace all of Queensland's coal-fired power stations with renewable energy by 2030.
2. We will support and coordinate community and member group campaigns to reduce other sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Queensland and prepare for the impact of climate change.
3. We will engage directly with the Queensland Government to influence laws, policies, and programs to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Represented by Sarah Rickard, Architect

How does your organisation address climate change?

Re-Architecture provides expertise to assist clients with making their home or building more sustainable, and support lifestyles that are resilient and regenerative.

The motivation for the business began with acknowledging the need to live more sustainably and build resilience in our community, to deal with the impacts of climate change and energy descent from peak fossil fuels.We are becoming more aware of the dependence of our current system built on finite resources such as oil, gas and coal, and to stop catastrophic climate change we need to change the current system. People need the solutions to be able to make this shift and will be looking for assistance to navigate the best way to do this. I believe sustainable design and living practices can be employed by any one and any business, so long as it is aligned with budget, ability and access. 

My aim is to provide expertise as a qualified and experienced Architect to assist my community in making the shift to live within a sustainable system. With my knowledge about solar passive design, sustainable construction, permaculture and sustainable living I offer a consultancy service, alongside traditional architectural services, to provide design and advice to homeowners, renters, and also those who cannot afford full architectural services.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Aim to minimise and remove GHG emissions generated by the business.

Aim to minimise energy & water use and remove any environmental impact caused by the business.

To continue to offset any further GHG emissions generated by the business.

To acknowledge and respect the Traditional Owners, their knowledge and care of Country of the land on which the business is located.

To aim for socially just, sustainable practice.

To assist Clients and Co-workers to do the same.

Represented by Peter Mulherin, Leader

How does your organisation address climate change?

rebuildit was founded in 2007 on the principles of stewardship as a pathway to full circularity. We are founders and funders of three further business enterprises that sequentially advance business models for future resilience.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

We believe iterating the existing linear and terminal economic model is a distraction that delays meaningful action. The competitive nature of extractive linear models demands externalities and exploitation. Measuring production and consumption as GDP is critical failure in a constrained environment. The global imperative is for a wide diversity of fully cyclical, regenerative and perpetuating economic models, owned and maintained in an inverted hierarchy where government and business rightly serve the planet, people and communities. We have worked across government, academia and business and recognise that their evolved frameworks and structures are not intended or capable of change in the time remaining available. We need a designed solution. We propose a new model where natural and social resources are measured by utilisation (GDU), embedded and disclosed at moments of trade and exchange with authority restored to the commons through a common currency.

Represented by Bruce Campbell, Administrator

How does your organisation address climate change?

Regional Australians For Climate Action (RAFCA) is an independent, unaligned group that promotes urgent climate action. RAFCA believes regional Australia will benefit from new industries, new jobs, and a repaired natural environment by transitioning to a low carbon economy. Our members are also encouraged to lobby politicians at all levels to increase action on climate change.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Regional Australians For Climate Action (RAFCA) members lobby governments to:

1. Australia will end the use of thermal coal by 2030.
2. Australia will end deforestation by 2025.
3. Australia will end sales of new fossil fuel-powered vehicles by 2026.
4. Australia will transition to 80% renewable energy by 2030.
5. Australia will increase its contribution to international climate finance for developing nations to AU$3 billion per year.
6. Australia will cease all assistance, foreign investment, and other support for new fossil fuel development from July 2022.

Represented by Rob Gell, Executive Director

How does your organisation address climate change?

ReThink Sustainability is a sustainability advisory company. We advise businesses in energy management, smart technologies, governance (ESG/SDGs), planning and communications.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

We have minimal climate impact; we have a small carbon offset office and remote working capability to reduce transport impacts.

Represented by Kate Ringvall, Chief Solutionary Officer

How does your organisation address climate change?

Ringvall Circularity is a Circular Economy consultancy committed to supporting Australia to transition to a more sustainable, equitable model for economic growth. We exist to question and rethink the current approaches and frameworks and to push forward to a future that supports us all. 

Everything we do as an organisation is focused on helping organisations and communities to transition to a just, circular and zero carbon world. We live and breathe it in our own organisation and help our clients to do the same. Ringvall Circularity is a start up with an ambitious aim to change the world, one organisation at a time. 

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

We're a new start up working in the Sustainability and Climate Action space through the work we do in the Circular Economy; our aim is to help as many organisations transition to a Circular Economy model of growth, and thereby reduce their climate impacts.

Represented by Jeremy Wright, Board Member & Chair, Climate & Peace Sub-Committee

How does your organisation address climate change?

The Rotary Club of Sydney Cove is a leading Rotary Club in Sydney, proudly serving the community - locally and internationally - via projects that address a range of humanitarian needs including climate issues, disease prevention, youth and Aboriginal issues and natural disasters.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

We aim to raise awareness, advocacy and action regarding the Climate. We have a 'Climate & Peace' Webpage and a quarterly webinar with local and international commentators. We are also undertaking projects including the installation of solar panels on Fijian schools and repurposing redundant medical equipment. We are also advocating for Net Zero emissions by 2040 and actively reducing our own carbon footprint.

Represented by Raymond Minniecon, Honorary Indigenous Pastor

How does your organisation address climate change?

The people of St John’s represent the breadth and diversity of the community of Glebe. We have students, new arrivals from overseas, residents of social housing, retired people, professionals and other workers, long-term residents of Glebe, and people who enjoy our blend of traditional and contemporary worship. We address climate change through advocacy and education.

Represented by Mick Liubinskas, Climate Tech Investor and Author

How does your organisation address climate change?

Through my book, She’s Building a Robot, I'm an advocate for women in STEM, which will help women in education and also create more solutions for climate problems. I'm also an investor in climate tech companies.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

I take personal and business actions to reduce my carbon footprint and lead others to do so by sharing stories.

Represented by John Grimes, Chief Executive

How does your organisation address climate change?

The Smart Energy Council is the independent industry body representing the renewable energy, energy storage, EV and renewable hydrogen sectors. Founded in 1954 it is one of the oldest renewable energy organisations in the world.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

We believe you can have a strong economy and a safe climate. In fact you can only have a strong economy if you have a safe climate. The transition to renewables is the biggest business opportunity of a lifetime. By setting ambitious goals, and going 'all in' on climate, will provide the certainty needed for the market to transition to a 100% renewable future.

Represented by Peter Jones, Co-convenor

How does your organisation address climate change?

Social Workers for Climate Action is an alliance of social work students, educators and practitioners committed to raising awareness within the profession of the scale and impacts of the climate emergency.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

SW4CA engages with members of the social work profession through regular newsletter updates, action alerts, engagement in community activities, etc. We offer presentations and workshops on climate change to social work and welfare organisations, and contribute to national policy developments and political lobbying.

Represented by Heidi Lee Douglas

How does your organisation address climate change?

Everyday Aussies are leading the renewable revolution—rooftop by rooftop—to cut bills, take energy generation back into our own hands, and create a healthier, better life for everyone.

Solar Citizens is an independent, community-based organisation bringing together millions of solar owners and supporters to take the next step and keep growing renewables in Australia.

Together, we take action to protect the rights of Australia’s three million solar homes and businesses, and pursue the largest opportunities for a fast and fair transition to clean, renewable energy.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

This year we are running a campaign on electric vehicles, to improve their accessibility and affordability in Australia. We are also working on a campaign to implement mandatory fuel efficiency standards in Australia. In QLD we are focused on fostering renewable energy manufacturing, to harness economic opportunities for remote and regional economies. Much of our work also includes consumer advocacy on the affordability of energy, and improving access to renewable energy.

Represented by John Davis, Commercial Director

How does your organisation address climate change?

At South Pole, our mission is to accelerate the transition to a climate-smart society. We believe that a more prosperous future is within reach, but only if everyone plays their part today.

We've helped organisations big and small play their part since 2006, with meaningful climate action being central in everything we do. South Pole is a proud member of the UN Global Compact and our sustainability policy guides day-to-day operations to ensure our environmental and social impact is consistently managed and optimised.

We have set a science-based emissions target in line with 1.5°C global warming scenarios, which has been validated by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi).

However, we know that climate action is a team sport, which is why we've also signed the SBTi's Business Ambition for 1.5°C and the UNFCCC's Race to Zero initiatives to connect with like-minded organisations and to inspire others to join us.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

We've committed to ensuring that within the next 20 months all of our default pension providers across our 18 global offices are sustainable. We're also on the road to global B Corp certification.

In 2020, our entities in the USA and Australia became certified B Corps. During 2021, we will do the same in the UK, Netherlands, and German offices.

Read more about South Pole's climate commitments here.

Represented by Simon Smith

How does your organisation address climate change?

Southern Cross Coaching & Development employs neuroscience-based principles for; Leadership Development, Executive Coaching, Team and People Development, Leading and Resilience to Change, T.O.A.D. Coaching Leadership, Panel Recruitment, Job Application & Interview Skills and Career Development, Critical Thinking and Red Teaming.

They are a 35-strong team operating across all levels of Government, the Private Sector and NFP organisations across Australia and Asia. 

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

They ensure that their operations are founded on sustainability principles. For example, all office lights are LED, no appliances left on after work hours (except the fridge), a 1-cup of water in the kettle policy, electricity comes from an Australian clean energy provider, worm-farms offered to all staff, and we hire local office staff who do not use motorised transport to get to work.

Represented by Jordan Wilkes, Founder

How does your organisation address climate change?

Stride helps everyday Australians in the fight against climate change by providing a slow fashion alternative to the destructive fast fashion industry.

As consumers, every time we make a purchase, we are casting an economic vote for the world we desire. Our aim is to empower every Australian to vote for a world that protects our planet. What will you be voting for today?

Represented by Philip Donaldson, Founder

How does your organisation address climate change?

Sustain SA is a business approach delivering local bespoke collaborations and solutions and strategies in green cities and regions across South Australia and Nationally. We provide experiences that deliver outcomes, working with you to create a better quality of life for all.

We are driven by a single goal, to do our part in making the future a better place for all.

One Planet - One People - One Purpose - Sustain Life.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Our approach is to support others in their journey through development of One Planet Living Action Plans, to advocate for Zero Carbon Energy approaches to new developments in the built environment, to support green building and communities through the Green Building Council. As a sole trader, we work with others and are part of networks and members of the Climate Coaching Alliance, Trees for Life and AIUS SA taking part in conversations globally, acting locally as a volunteer grower for TFL and taking part in conversations on regenerative futures. As Executive Leader for Bioregional Australia, we deliver training and education programs that help organisations communities and council and development to undertake One Planet living Action plans to address the Climate Emergency. We offset our emission from travel and use renewable energy to power our home office.

Represented by Trinity Ross

How does your organisation address climate change?

Superthink is a creative agency that exists to put in motion the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals by creating unique, innovative ideas for businesses to design a better world.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Superthink aims to become a certified B-Corp and to work on creative projects that directly align to the SDG goals.

Represented by Gregory Story, CEO

How does your organisation address climate change?

At Sustainable Energie Partners, we develop renewable energy projects including solar, wind, biomass, energy storage, and hydro incl. PHES and waste to energy. We have considerable expertise in developing renewable energy projects, structuring the assets for investment, and conducting the ongoing management of the assets.
Sustainable Energie Partners’ team has extensive experience in the following:

• Arranging the acquisition of the asset
• Managing the assets
• Arranging debt for acquisitions
• Structuring efficient international cross-border investment vehicles
• Maintaining risk management strategies and hedging of foreign currency returns
• Managing interest rate exposure

Represented by Sharron Pfueller, CEO and President

How does your organisation address climate change?

Sustainable Gardening Australia (SGA) is a volunteer-led not-for-profit registered charity on the Commonwealth government’s Register of Environmental Organisations. It aims to inspire and empower individuals, communities, and organisations to contribute to sustainability through gardens. Through its extensive website with over 400 articles, workshops and webinars, newsletters, and social media It provides scientifically-based information and education on protecting and enhancing biodiversity, conserving soil, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving water quality, and engaging in local, healthy food production.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Our basic premise is that information and education about the benefits of addressing climate change and ecological sustainability are essential to engage people in positive action for our planet. In our educational activities, SGA continually describes ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and sequester them by maximising tree and other plant growth. We do this by encouraging and informing people how to manage soil appropriately, how to reduce the energy inputs required in the use of synthetic pesticides, weedicides, and artificial fertilisers by using natural and organic methods of growing plants and food. We aim to reduce food miles by encouraging local food production and how to achieve that in home and community gardens and through sharing harvests in local communities. In order to avoid unnecessary energy use involved in the production of commercial goods, we describe how to maximise recycling. On our website and social media articles, we stress the health benefits of how gardens and urban forests ameliorate the effects of higher temperatures on cities, suburbs, and houses.

Since our inception 20 years ago, SGA has been dedicated to reducing human deleterious impacts on the planet. We are not articulating more clearly how all activities in gardens can contribute to addressing climate change. The reporting that we are able to do is related to informing our subscribers and other readers about our educational resources and the extent of readership of climate-related material that we publish and of attendance at webinars and workshops addressing methods of reducing climate impacts.

Represented by Helen Webb, Convenor

How does your organisation address climate change?

Sustainable Living Armidale provides community input relating to the Armidale Regional Council October 2019 Climate Emergency Declaration and strong participation in the preparation of the report 'ARC Framework for Climate Action' via the Climate Emergency Working Group of Council Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee. Action since 2007 re climate change awareness-raising and participation in local actions calling for effective climate action. Local groups playing a role in sustainable energy, transport, food, biodiversity enhancement (wildlife habitat / native revegetation).

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Our vision is of a thriving, proactive, self-reliant community, with low carbon emissions. Our mission is to raise awareness of the implications of climate change and the depletion of natural resources, to build networks, and inspire and empower our community to build a more self-reliant, resilient, and sustainable future.

Read more about Sustainable Living Armidale’s climate commitments here.

Represented by Veronica De Poi

How does your organisation address climate change?

The Sydney Environment Institute is a national and world leader in multidisciplinary environmental research, known in particular for work in the environmental humanities and social sciences.

SEI’s purpose is to extend and amplify the scope of the engagement on environmental issues; and to bring together expertise from across disciplines to address key problems in favour of the public good.

Our vision is of a University community reaching both inward across disciplines and outward into the larger world to collaboratively design and implement strategies for just and sustainable environmental transformation. Recognising the breadth of the harms unfolding, our work aims to both effect and affect the personal and cultural, the social and political, the ecological and economic. We seek to be part of the wider community of people and organisations creating the conditions under which all life can flourish.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Please see our current research projects: https://sei.sydney.edu.au/research/

Represented by Rachel Brdanovic, Director

How does your organisation address climate change?

Tandem Energy is currently seeking Climate Active carbon neutral certification, which will involve regular reporting, and also B Corp certification which identifies us as an ethical company. Our staff and directors are all active in local community organisations working for climate action. We also support and encourage our clients to consider the impact of climate change and act to mitigate it where possible.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

We will be carbon neutral by the end of 2021.

Represented by Natasha Lewis Honeyman

How does your organisation address climate change?

Tasha Rui is a lifestyle label that offers a summer look designed to help women create an artful and eco lifestyle that enables them to connect with and enjoy our beautiful Oceanic environment.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Tasha Rui’s key climate actions for 2022:

1. Continue production of Tasha Rui eco swimsuits, enabling the system that supports the recycling and regeneration and re-use of synthetics that reduce RAW synthetics to be produced, reduces greenhouse gas emissions plus cleans up waterways and reduces landfill to continue.
2. Raising awareness about climate action and a circular economy by sharing information about our production and materials to educate customers.

We achieved a brand alignment endorsement with ECONYL® regenerated nylon in May 2022, enabling the label to better communicate the messaging about reusing, recycling, and regenerated synthetic materials-and contributing to a circular economy.

• Using natural fibres for the accessories product line. Begin to transition to organic natural fibres only. Target has been for 75% of our product line in 2022 to be made from organic natural fibres.

In 2022, we started the process of sourcing and producing accessories with organic natural fibres, reducing water and chemical usage. We adopted the use of linen, which reduces green house gases and also has multiple uses and is more sustainable than cotton.

We aim to achieve 100% organic cottons and linens in our product range by 2023.

Represented by Geoff Reid, Media Officer

How does your organisation address climate change?

We are a small environmental organisation that operates with a hands-on approach to environmental restoration and regeneration across the Land & Agriculture and Built Environment sectors.

Represented by James Grugeon

How does your organisation address climate change?

The Good Beer Co. is a social enterprise beer company. It exists to brew and sell beer to raise funds and awareness for good causes. Ten percent from every beer sold goes to charity partners. The Good Beer Co makes it easy for you to enjoy a good beer and give back. We work with good causes, good brewers, good businesses and good beer drinkers to do good. James was one of the of the Queensland Government's 100 Faces of Small Business and a finalist in the 2018 Lord Mayor of Brisbane's Business Awards in the Channel 7 Business Person of the Year Award.

Great Barrier Beer and the partnership between The Good Beer Co. and the Australian Marine Conservation Society was a 2018 finalist in the prestigious Banskia Sustainability Awards “Minister’s Award for the Environment”, in Australia.

Great Barrier Beer was awarded a Bronze Medal and Pale Tail was awarded a Gold Medal in the 2019 Royal Queensland Food and Wine Show Beer Awards and both beers were voted into the Hottest 100 New Australian Craft Beers of 2018.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

As a start-up social enterprise, The Good Beer Co. promotes campaigns and social causes by starting conversations with everyday Australians over a good beer. Normalising discussions on social problems helps to illuminate them to the general public, which opens space for these discussions to be had between changemakers and people in power.

The Good Beer Co. is committed to sustainable business practices, sustainable procurement and recycled packaging. Each brewery that makes Good Beer is carefully selected for its environmental impact. As a start-up founded to advocate for social justice issues, climate change is an overarching and complex social issue that The Good Beer Co. is committed to illuminate to the public. We are in the process of becoming a B-Corp and are developing our own climate action plans. While we are a small business, these are important goals for us and we are actively resourcing these plans.

We are also committed to promoting and supporting the work of the Indigenous-owned non-alcoholic beer company, Sobah.

Represented by Jaime-Lee Kay, Co-Founder & Director

How does your organisation address climate change?

theotherstraw is a social enterprise replacing plastic straws with reusable, ethically-sourced bamboo straws. We launched late 2018. Since then we have replaced 48,378,560  plastic straws from entering our landfills and polluting our natural environments.Our mission is to make the world a more sustainable place. And this is embedded in everything we do.

We offset all our CO2 emissions and invest in regenerating empty lands and restoring forests. We put part of our sales revenue to environmental projects to protect and restore our natural ecosystems. We are a 1% For The Planet member to further boost our support and love for our natural environments and oceans.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Climate policies and strategies are at the forefront of our business. We want to make sure everything we are doing is working towards a cleaner, healthier planet. All of our products are made from sustainable and renewable materials including bamboo and coconut. As a result, we've avoided 69,964 kg CO2 emissions from people switching to our straws instead of producing plastic straws. For our packaging, we do not use any virgin paper or materials. All our satchels, paper and card is made from post-consumer materials. So we can limit our CO2 footprint.

We have cancelled all of our CO2 emissions. Since day one, all of our orders have been sent out 100% carbon-neutral. We've supported 11 carbon offset projects to cancel our emissions and provide 100% carbon-neutral delivery. But we decided that just offsetting our deliveries wasn't enough. So we turned it up a notch and cancelled our entire business CO2 emissions. 

We track and monitor our business greenhouse gas emissions. We're currently researching and investing in other renewable energies and strategies as part of our commitment to protect, restore and regenerate our planet.

We are partnered with Carbon Neutral Australia. They are a carbon solutions provider and reforestation developer. Through our partnership with them, we are restoring forests and regenerating empty lands across Australia. Being carbon-neutral is a great start, but there is more that needs to be done.

Represented by Karen Redman, Mayor

How does your organisation address climate change?

On 22 January 2019, the Town of Gawler was the first South Australian council to declare that we are facing a climate emergency and that urgent action is required by all levels of government. The motion acknowledged that the Gawler Council Area is likely to be adversely affected by climate impacts, such as heatwaves, bushfires, drought, and floods according to local data and provided by numerous reports and agencies.

The Council recognises the importance of leading by example and building on foundation work on climate change established in its Environmental Plan and Regional Climate Adaptation Plan. Gawler is developing a new Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP) to enhance resilience and reduce emissions and climate impacts. Whilst the CEAP is still to be released for community consultation and not yet endorsed by Council, new initiatives are already being progressed or investigated in detail.

Gawler Council sees its role as:

• Supporting its community to reduce emissions and improve resilience.
• Leading by example by reducing emissions from council operations.
• Engaging with our communities on climate change, leading all levels of government and key organisations to declare a climate emergency and advocating on behalf of our communities to reduce barriers to action.

Gawler has established 130 kW of solar power on its buildings and has commenced a project to maximise solar generation locally and across its sites.

Our staff are taking a lead role in an Electricity Procurement Working Group representing councils to advise LGA SA Procurement, aiming for 100% accredited renewable electricity for all SA councils from January 2023.

We have investigated the costs and benefits to upgrade Gawler’s public street lighting to LED, identifying that this project would deliver substantial electricity savings, cost savings, and GHG reductions. Council has endorsed an application for funding under the Federal Government's Building Better Regions Fund. 

Our fleet includes a number of hybrid and plug-in electric light vehicles (EVs). We are seeking to trial full EVs in 2021-22 and investigating a full EV transition. Council’s EV charging stations will be upgraded and household charging facilities are being considered for our staff that have vehicles for on-call duties or negotiated for private use.

For our Gawler Aquatic Centre, we are seeking to change pool heating from gas to heat pump technology which will deliver cost savings and reductions in GHG emissions. In order to achieve this, we may first need to upgrade the facility's power supply.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

In 2016 Council adopted an Environmental Management Plan, which contains both strategies and actions relative to Climate Change mitigation and adaptation. In addition, Council has declared a Climate Emergency and is currently in the process of preparing a Climate Emergency Action Plan.

Council has declared a Climate Emergency and is currently in the process of preparing a Climate Emergency Action Plan, which builds on existing commitments and seeks to establish targets for achieving: 

• Net zero emissions for council operations
• Supporting and advocating for zero community emissions
• 100% accredited renewable electricity for council
• Advocating the Federal Government for reforms to the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Legislation to support clarity and fairness in clean energy and offset markets
• Transitioning from piped gas to electricity
• EV light vehicles to be purchased
• EV heavy vehicles to be purchased
• Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) and urban greening initiatives to be increased

Represented by Natasha Davis, CEO

How does your organisation address climate change?

Trees For Life restores and protects South Australian landscapes, raises awareness about nature and empowers people to take action. Our vision is for all South Australians to value native plants and animals and be actively involved in protecting the land we love, for current and future generations. Over 40 years, thousands of people have contributed time, money, land and energy towards our collective vision of creating healthy bushland, farmland, coasts and creek lines and biodiverse urban parks and gardens.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Biodiversity loss continues to be a major driver for our work, and climate change is rapidly becoming a major threat to the health and survival of our native plants, animals and ecosystems. Climate change is also affecting how, when and where we work and this is only going to increase the cost and complexity of delivering our mission. Paradoxically, while delivering our work becomes ever more challenging in a warmer, drier, more unpredictable climate, equally it becomes even more important. Nature restoration and conservation is one of the most powerful tools we have to mitigate and prevent some of the worst impacts of climate change in both urban and rural communities. 

In response to these ever increasing threats, Trees For Life has developed a Climate Change Resilience Strategy which analyses the risks arising from climate change that will impact on our mission and to outline the areas where we can play a significant role in adaptation challenges facing South Australia. Trees For Life is committed to working with our partners, stakeholders, supporters and members to develop and apply new landscape restoration tools, resources and ways of working. The complexity and uncertainty of threats posed by climate change cannot be addressed by organisations working in isolation and we cannot assume that business as usual will be possible. Working with our nature conservation and climate adaptation partners, we have outlined collaborative projects under 7 themes:

1) Climate resilience leadership in nature conservation

2) Climate-proofing revegetation

3) Extreme weather and disaster preparedness and response

4) Traditional knowledge

5) Targeted intervention in at-risk ecosystems

6) Communicating hope

7) Planning for people and infrastructure

A number of projects are already underway. Read more at https://treesforlife.org.au/resources

Represented by Richard and Maria Maguire

How does your organisation address climate change?

We teach and facilitate planning and action using highly participatory practical methods. We work most intensively in the areas of Climate Action, Engagement with Aboriginal people and communities, international development, and building democracy through the Sydney Alliance. We also contribute a substantial portion of our income to organisations in these areas.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

We will continue to be active in the aforementioned organisations and make contributions to support their work. In addition to our already minimal environmental footprint, we are reducing our consumption of meat and dairy by 50% to take more responsibility for our personal carbon footprints. 

Represented by Steph Cunio, Strategic Coordinator

How does your organisation address climate change?

United Workers Union organises low paid workers by building leaders who take action to win the change they want. To address climate change, we have member and staff climate action groups focussed on building momentum to take action on OHS climate threats.

Represented by Trish Hansen, Principal

How does your organisation address climate change?

Urban Mind Studio is a social enterprise that exists to enrich the creative and cultural life of people and places. We develop strategies with municipalities to transition to regenerative practices.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

We will continue to provide pro-bono support to a range of stakeholders towards a regenerative future.

Represented by Christina Hobbs

How does your organisation address climate change?

In 2018, Zoe, Alex, and I (Christina) came together because we knew that it was time to build something bold and audacious: the first Australian superannuation fund to be founded by women, led by women, and tailored for women.

We felt an urgency to bring Verve to life because we were sick of the status quo: a 35% super gap between men and women, elderly Australian women retiring into poverty, and Big Banks and super funds plagued by scandals.

We wanted ethical, trustworthy, and supportive financial services for women, now. And we wanted the opportunity for women to control capital to invest in the more compassionate, sustainable, and healthy future we all want, now. This includes a climate-safe future. 

Verve was founded with the knowledge that it’s not enough for individual women to succeed, but rather we must work together to redefine what economic success looks like, to ensure it’s sustainable, inclusive, and equitable for all.

Today Verve is a flourishing community of thousands of women joined by men and non-binary folk who identify with our mission. And now it’s the ideas and enthusiasm of our members that set the direction of where we go next.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Verve does not invest in fossil fuels or their derivatives. We invest in renewable energy projects that empower and support community development. We are currently working on a project this year that will enable more people to invest ethically - keep an eye out for an announcement on our website later this year!

Represented by Francis Wedin, CEO

How does your organisation address climate change?

Vulcan Energy is the world's first Zero Carbon Lithium and renewable energy combined business. We are currently net zero across our operations, and are committed to use our business to decarbonise battery raw materials production and supply. Vulcan’s Australian business has been certified as carbon neutral by Climate Active. Climate Active is a partnership between the Australian Government and Australian businesses, to encourage voluntary climate action. Vulcan uses prospective life cycle assessment (LCA) as part of our geothermal lithium process development in order to reduce environmental impacts of our process for making lithium hydroxide monohydrate before capital expenditures are incurred. This allows us to quantify our environmental impacts, understand drivers of our impacts, and make decisions about our supply chains and energy use to minimise those impacts.

Vulcan will most likely have the lowest CO2 intensity of production of any lithium chemical in the world. This is due to three main reasons:

• Vulcan will burn zero fossil fuels while producing lithium chemicals and electricity;

• Vulcan will co-produce low-CO2 electricity for the high CO2 intensity German grid. We will produce more power than we will use, decarbonising the grid, and;

• Vulcan is making deliberate technology decisions to reduce CO2 emissions, notably the choice of electrochemical lithium hydroxide conversion instead of reagent intense processing through lithium carbonate.

Vulcan announced in March 2021 that it will use Circulor’s full traceability and dynamic CO2 measurement solution for its lithium products across the European Lithium-ion battery and Electric Vehicle (EV) supply chain, in a world-first for the lithium sector. Vulcan has been accepted as a Member of the Global Battery Alliance (GBA), an umbrella partnership made up of 70 members workings towards a globally sustainable battery value chain. Vulcan also works with business partners to bring them up to speed with best practice, having entered into two agreements with LG Energy Solution and Renault Group to provide solutions that will reduce their carbon footprint in 2021. 

As Vulcan's Australia division is still young, best-practice from Europe will be brought to our operations here once they have commenced. Read more about Vulcan's sustainability committments here. 

Represented by Sam McGuinness - Executive Manager, Environmental Sustainability

How does your organisation address climate change?

Waverley Council has had Council and community greenhouse gas emission targets for over 10 years. In 2020 Council achieved its 30% GHG emissions target and is now aiming to achieve both net-zero emissions and 100% renewable energy by 2030.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

We are committed to:

• Climate and Biodiversity Emergency
• 100% renewable energy by 2030
• Net-zero by 2030 for Councils scope 1 and 2 emissions

Read more about Waverley Council’s climate commitments here.

Represented by Richard Weatherhead, Founder

How does your organisation address climate change?

Weatherhead Farms is a dairy farm located in Millaa Millaa, Queensland. Founder, Richard Weatherhead, has a focus on regenerative farming practices, reforestation, and is looking at wind turbines as a form of renewable energy for the farm.

Represented by Lisa Field, Community & Business Development Manager

How does your organisation address climate change?

Werribee River Association undertakes tree planting, litter collections, educational programs, and joins with many stakeholders in our advocacy work to reduce the threats to waterways, support biodiversity, increase tree canopy cover in Melbourne's west, and improve both facilities and access to the riverine parklands.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

We educate and involve communities in the restoration along the waterways and other open spaces, empowering communities to take positive environmental actions.

Represented by Barb Vernon

How does your organisation address climate change?

WHA is a non-profit community of women’s hospitals and maternity units throughout Australia.

Established in 1994 by the then Chief Executives of the Women’s Hospitals to help staff of these services share information, WHA has since expanded into a vibrant community of more than 120 maternity hospitals and health services across Australia. Our members include the largest tertiary maternity services in capital cities through to the smallest rural and remote maternity services, and every type of service in between.

We understand that managers and clinicians involved in the care of women and newborns face similar challenges, despite each service being unique. We recognise that the expertise for addressing these common challenges, and for coming up with innovative solutions, lies within the member community.

Children’s Healthcare Australasia (CHA) is a non-profit community of Children’s Hospitals and Paediatric Units throughout Australia and New Zealand. Established in 1988 as the Association of Paediatric Teaching Hospitals, CHA has a long history of providing support to children’s hospitals and paediatric services, and facilitating sharing & learning among healthcare providers about best practice. Since 2011, we have been working under the name “Children’s Healthcare Australasia’ in recognition of the whole patient journey across healthcare settings. 

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

WCHA hosts virtual meetings with practical examples of successful emissions abatements projects and actions occurring in hospitals. We work with member hospitals to develop an emissions reduction dashboard, to help them to benchmark progress. We are developing a joint statement on the importance of climate action in the delivery of healthcare services. 

Represented by Janet Salisbury, Founder, Director

How does your organisation address climate change?

Represented by Gaye White, Communications

Read more about WinZero at their website.

Represented by Fiona Stevenson, Coordinator Green Living

How does your organisation address climate change?

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Through the Resilient Wyndham Strategy:

• Proportion of mode share for walking and cycling trips to triple by 2040 (Active Transport Strategy)
• Wyndham City Council operations are carbon neutral by 2023 (excluding the RDF)
• All new Council buildings are gas free (where appropriate electrical solutions exist)
• Council decision making aligns to the science-based targets in the Paris Agreement
• By 2030 all Council fleet passenger vehicles will be low or zero emission
• By 2030 all Council vehicle purchases will meet best practice emissions standards and use a carbon-neutral power source (where a fit for purpose option is available)
• By 2040 Wyndham has transitioned to become a zero-carbon community
• Halve household food waste to landfill by 2030
• 20% reduction in the waste we generate at home by 2030
• 90% of the waste we generate at home is kept out of landfill by 2040
• Wyndham residents are recycling right by 2030 (maximum 5% contamination)

Represented by Sarah Deasey, Secretary

How does your organisation address climate change?

Yarra Climate Action Network (YCAN) is a community volunteer group based in the City of Yarra which campaigns for urgent action on climate change. Our members live or work in Yarra.

Our focus has been on action at council level. We regularly attend council meetings, to ask questions and make submissions to council. YCAN was instrumental in having Yarra declare a climate emergency, and in the development of the Climate Emergency Plan. We represented on formal and informal committees and working groups.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

We are committed to seeing Yarra, Victoria and Australia "Getting off Gas".

Represented by Vicki McLeod, Co-founder

How does your organisation address climate change?

Zero Emissions Brisbane (ZEBne) aims to lead community action on climate change for a safe climate future in a timeframe that reflects the urgency of the challenge - so we may share the benefits of a safe climate future.

Our priorities for the next 6 months are to:

1. Advocate the Climate Council’s scientifically based target be adopted for the City of Brisbane:

• That is a 75% reduction by 2030 and Net zero emissions in Brisbane by 2035.

2. Build partnerships and a supporter base. We are doing this by:

• Growing our network of volunteers and citizen scientists;
• Facilitating Ward-based community outreach and organisation;
• Identifying and working with academics and professionals on discrete projects;
• Building Partnerships with other climate advocacy groups and Zero Net Communities; and,
• Meeting with BCC Councillors and other Local Govt representatives.

3. Develop a 100% Renewable Energy Brisbane Roadmap:

• Electricity consumption is the largest, the easiest and most cost-effective way to reduce carbon emissions across Brisbane.
• ZEBne with the assistance of academics and volunteer citizen scientists, are collecting data and undertaking emissions profile analysis. To serve as both a baseline and means to identify opportunities and priorities for action and on a Ward-by-Ward basis.
• Identification of priority actions and investment ready projects including shared assets like Local Batteries, Solar Gardens and e-mobility.
• Advocacy around the Roadmap development and build buy in to the outcomes.

4. Host the Community Energy Congress in Brisbane in 2032:

• The last community Energy Congress was held in Melbourne in 2017 with over 700 attendees and 1100 with side events.
• For more information Congress – C4CE 5. Climate positive Olympics 2032.

What is your organisation doing to create a better future?

Meetings with all 26 Brisbane City Councillors to advocate science based reduction target.

Read more about ZEBne's climate commitments here.