What Are the Key Ingredients of Climate Leadership

Do we have the climate leadership we need!

As the world prepares for COP29 and while Australia is actively bidding to host COP31 in 2026, and already this year records have again been broken for the hottest temperatures. The science is clear: our planet is warming at an alarming rate, and life as we know it could become unsustainable within decades without urgent and deep action. To safeguard our future, we need profound systemic transformations. But this raises a critical question: do we have the leadership necessary to ensure a thriving future for both people and the planet?

This was the discussion at a collaborative event between with Climate Futures and Melbourne Climate Network during Innovation Week in Melbourne, September 2-7, 2024. 

The speakers leading the discission were: 

• Kylie Porter, Group Head, Sustainability, SunRice Group
• Tishiko King, Masigalgal x Badulag-gal woman, Caring for Country Grant Lead, Groundswell Giving
• Sam Lowe, Assistant Secretary, A/g Branch Head Renewable Superpower Taskforce, DCCEEW

Leadership can take many different forms

The speakers hailing from corporate, government and community represented the key ingredients needed for innovation to take place. The panel spoke about the burden of responsibility to solve climate cannot squarely rest on the shoulders of one sector, group or person – it’s going to take all of us and as Tish King pointed out ‘We all have a role to play in climate leadership’.

Importantly, to solve climate we need to ensure there are diverse and inclusive perspectives at the table, First Nations’ perspectives and voices – “Don’t talk about us, include us” – Tish said as she reflected on the many COPs she’s attended and engaged with. 

When discussing what area we must focus our efforts on to tackle climate change, Kylie Porter talked of the mass collaboration needed and that partnerships was key. 

The event was a call to arms to inspire action and collaboration, we invite you to subscribe and be part of the Melbourne Climate Network and Climate Futures where we can, together, solve the greatest challenge humanity has ever faced. 

Yossi Goldfarb from the City of Melbourne made the welcome address