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| Future Earth Australia | |
|---|---|
| Name | Future Earth Australia |
| Formation | 2014 |
| Type | Research network |
| Headquarters | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory |
| Region served | Australia |
| Leader title | Director |
Future Earth Australia
Future Earth Australia is a national research network linking Australian institutions to the global Future Earth initiative. It connects universities, research institutes, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations to coordinate sustainability research, transdisciplinary programs, and policy engagement across the Australian continent and its maritime jurisdictions.
Future Earth Australia operates as a hub connecting institutions such as the Australian National University, University of Melbourne, University of Sydney, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, and University of Queensland with international partners including the International Science Council, United Nations Environment Programme, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Future Earth (global), and UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The network promotes collaboration among entities like the CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Bureau of Meteorology, Australian Institute of Marine Science, Geoscience Australia, and museums such as the Australian Museum to address issues spanning the Great Barrier Reef, Gulf of Carpentaria, Timor Sea, and Southern Ocean. It engages stakeholders from industry groups like the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association, Minerals Council of Australia, and civil society organizations including Australian Conservation Foundation, World Wide Fund for Nature Australia, Nature Conservation Council, and Climate Council.
The network was established following consultations involving actors such as the Australian Academy of Science, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, Department of Industry, Innovation and Science (Australia), and the Australian Research Council. Its formation drew on precedents set by projects coordinated by the International Council for Science and initiatives linked to the United Nations Framework of sustainable development, echoing milestones like the Rio Earth Summit and the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals. Early partners included the Griffith Centre for Coastal Management, University of Western Australia, Monash University, Macquarie University, Curtin University, and research centres such as the Centre for Policy Development and Institute for Sustainable Futures.
Governance involves representation from organisations including the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, state entities like New South Wales Government, Victorian Government, Queensland Government, and statutory bodies such as the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and Australian Renewable Energy Agency. Advisory and steering committees have included experts associated with the Lowy Institute, Grattan Institute, ClimateWorks Australia, CSIRO Future Science Platform, and the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences. Institutional partners span higher education such as University of Tasmania, Deakin University, University of Adelaide, and think tanks like the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.
Research themes align with international frameworks like the Paris Agreement, Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the Convention on Biological Diversity, covering topics on resilience for regions such as the Northern Territory, Tasmania, and the Kimberley (Western Australia). Programs address coastal adaptation at sites like Cairns, Port Hedland, and Sydney Harbour, freshwater studies in the Murray–Darling Basin, land-use change in the Pilbara, and urban sustainability in cities such as Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. Collaborative projects have been undertaken with research centres including the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, CSIRO Land and Water, Australian Climate Change Science Program, and initiatives connected to the Global Carbon Project and the World Climate Research Programme.
National partners list universities and agencies including Federation University Australia, Southern Cross University, James Cook University, University of New South Wales, and institutes like Queensland University of Technology and Swinburne University of Technology. International relationships extend to organisations such as International Union for Conservation of Nature, Food and Agriculture Organization, World Health Organization, International Maritime Organization, Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research, Research Councils UK, National Science Foundation (United States), and regional bodies like the Pacific Islands Forum and ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity to address transboundary environmental challenges.
Funding sources include competitive grants from the Australian Research Council, programmatic support from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, project funding via the National Environmental Science Program, philanthropic support from foundations such as the Ian Potter Foundation, Myer Foundation, and international funds administered by entities like the Global Environment Facility and Green Climate Fund. Additional resources are mobilised through partnerships with state research grants administered by entities like the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and private sector collaborations with companies such as Origin Energy, BHP, Chevron Australia, and Woodside Energy for applied research.
Future Earth Australia engages policymakers in forums including submissions to the National Cabinet (Australia), briefings for ministers such as the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, and collaboration with statutory committees linked to the Australian Parliament and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Board. Outreach activities involve public lectures at venues like the Museum Victoria, media engagement through outlets such as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and partnerships with educational initiatives including Science in Public and community programs run by organisations like Landcare Australia and Bush Heritage Australia. Research outputs inform policy processes including reviews of the Emissions Reduction Fund and responses to inquiries by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security and environmental tribunals such as the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
Key challenges include coordinating across jurisdictions like the Northern Territory Government and addressing pressures from sectors represented by the Coal Producers Association and agribusiness actors such as Cargill. Future directions emphasise strengthening ties with Pacific partners including Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Samoa; enhancing data sharing via infrastructure such as the Australian National Data Service; expanding links to regional initiatives like the Indian Ocean Rim Association; and scaling collaborations with global bodies including the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the World Bank to support climate resilience, biodiversity protection, and sustainable development across Australia and its neighbours.
Category:Research organisations based in Australia