Climate Council (Australia)

Climate Council (Australia)
Name	Climate Council (Australia)
Formation	2013
Type	Non-profit
Headquarters	Sydney
Location	Australia
Leader title	CEO
Leader name	Amanda McKenzie

Climate Council (Australia) is an Australian independent non-profit organisation focused on climate change communication, policy advocacy, and public education. It was formed after the dissolution of a former advisory body and operates as a crowd-funded think tank delivering reports, briefings, and media commentary on climate change-related issues. The organisation engages with Australian politics stakeholders, renewable energy industries, and international networks to inform public debate on carbon dioxide emissions, climate policy, and climate science.

History

The organisation emerged in 2013 following the abolition of the Climate Commission by the Abbott Ministry, prompting former commissioners and advisers such as Tim Flannery, Will Steffen, and Lesley Hughes to establish a successor. Early actions included public campaigns during the 2013 Australian federal election, leveraging networks connected to the Australian Academy of Science, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, and conservation groups like the World Wildlife Fund Australia. The council grew through crowd-funded campaigns, rapid-response media engagement during events such as the 2019–20 Australian bushfire season and the 2014 World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, and collaborations with academics at Australian National University, University of Melbourne, and University of Sydney.

Organisation and Governance

Governance is overseen by a board including scientists, communicators, and policy experts drawn from institutions like the Australian National University, the University of New South Wales, and the University of Queensland. Leadership roles have included chief executive officers and chief scientists with links to entities such as the Grattan Institute, the Climate Institute (Australia), and international bodies like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Its structure incorporates advisory panels featuring members from the Australian Academy of Science, the International Energy Agency, and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change observer community. Legal and corporate registration adheres to Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission regulations and reporting standards relevant to Australian incorporated associations.

Activities and Campaigns

The council conducts national campaigns on emissions reduction, renewable deployment, and resilience measures, engaging with stakeholders including the Australian Greens, the Liberal Party of Australia, and the Australian Labor Party on policy debates such as the Emissions Reduction Fund and the National Energy Guarantee discussions. Campaigns have targeted fossil fuel infrastructure projects like proposed Adani Carmichael coal mine developments, supported transition narratives for regions tied to the Hunter Region and the Latrobe Valley, and advocated for targets aligned with the Paris Agreement. Media work spans appearances on outlets such as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, SBS Television, and print in the Sydney Morning Herald, while public education initiatives include town halls, social media outreach, and partnerships with environmental NGOs like Friends of the Earth Australia and GetUp!.

Research and Publications

The organisation publishes reports, briefing notes, and technical summaries produced in collaboration with researchers at universities including Monash University, University of Adelaide, and Griffith University. Topics cover renewable technologies such as solar thermal and wind power, grid integration with entities like the Australian Energy Market Operator, emissions accounting methods related to land use, land-use change and forestry, and adaptation analysis for sectors including agriculture in Australia and urban planning in cities like Melbourne and Sydney. Publications respond to international assessments produced by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and regional studies from bodies such as the Pacific Islands Forum. The council has issued briefings on heatwaves, bushfire-climate links, and sea-level rise impacts on areas including the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait Islands.

Funding and Transparency

Funding derives from donations, crowdfunding campaigns, philanthropic grants from foundations linked to figures in the philanthropy sector, and partnerships with academic institutions. The council publishes summaries of funding sources and financial reports consistent with disclosure expectations set by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission and industry norms observed by organisations like the Grattan Institute. It maintains donor policies to avoid conflicts related to industries such as coal, gas, and large-scale mining interests exemplified by firms active in the Bowen Basin and the Galilee Basin. Supporters have included individual donors, community groups, and environmental foundations with ties to international philanthropies.

Criticism and Reception

The organisation has been praised by scientific bodies including the Australian Academy of Science and environmental groups such as Bush Heritage Australia for clarity of communication, while drawing criticism from political actors in the Coalition (Australia) and industry groups representing the Minerals Council of Australia and certain state-based resources departments. Debates have centred on its advocacy role versus research functions, comparisons to think tanks like the Institute of Public Affairs, and questions about funding transparency raised in commentary by outlets such as The Australian Financial Review and the Herald Sun. Independent reviews and academic analyses have examined its influence on public discourse during high-profile events including the 2019 Australian federal election and national emergency responses to the 2019–20 Australian bushfire season.

Category:Environmental organisations based in Australia