Climate Futures Summit
Climate Futures Summit 2023
Transition to transformation
9.00am–5.00pm Tuesday 10 October
Melbourne Connect or online
In 2023, the need for urgent transformative climate action is beyond dispute. But getting there will require hard decisions, difficult trade-offs, and determined leadership.
To achieve the significant task of transforming our energy systems, we must address issues of law, economy, land use, and more, to ensure the shift is made justly, safely, and equitably.
Furthermore, with extreme weather events occurring with more frequency and severity, we need to put in place the systems and resources to address the oncoming challenges – as well as those already on our doorstep – of a changed and changing climate.
At the 2023 Climate Futures Summit, we put the challenges of transition front and centre. Join Melbourne Climate Futures and our esteemed speakers for a day of unflinching discussion, with the goal of sharing and developing the solutions we need to transition speedily to a positive climate future.
Registrants attending in person will receive lunch and refreshments. Places are limited and registration by 29 September is essential.
For the full program and registration visit the website.
Climate Futures Summit 2022
On 6 October 2022, Melbourne Climate Futures (MCF) hosted its inaugural Climate Futures Summit.
It brought the breadth of University of Melbourne research together with voices from policy, industry, Indigenous people, and youth that make up our rich community.
The summit gave us an opportunity to work together, share ideas and continue to make strides towards change.
Below, you can find recordings of the sessions, photos from the day, as well as details of the official launch event on 5 October 2022 at the Science Gallery.
2022 recordings
Opening address
The inaugural Climate Futures Summit was formally opened by University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Professor Duncan Maskell, Wattle Fellow Thea Shields, and introduced by Melbourne Climate Futures Director Professor Jacqueline Peel.
Keynote address: Ross Garnaut
Ahead of the publication of his new book, Superpower Transformation: building the Australian Zero Carbon opportunity, noted economist Professor Ross Garnaut discussed why being a global climate leader is in Australia's national interest.
A message from Al Gore
To mark the inaugural Climate Futures Summit and provide context to our second keynote, former US Vice-President Al Gore provided a message on the critical need for urgent climate action.
Keynote address: Henry Puna
In this keynote address, Mr Henry Puna, Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum and former Cooks Islands Prime Minister, delivers a Pacific perspective on the urgency of climate action in our region.
What does the latest climate science tell us we need?
In this panel, lead authors from each Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) working group report come together to discuss what needs to be done to implement the climate action we need.
Current sustainability trends in business and investment
With ever-more-urgent calls for climate action, what do businesses need to do to swiftly curb emissions and fossil fuel investment, while ensuring they are delivering the products and profits their shareholders expect?
First Nations’ leadership on climate solutions
In this panel, First Nations scholars and leaders discuss what First Nations leadership looks like, what communities need, and how to ensure their voices and interests are included as we seek to transition to a positive climate future for all.
A message from Sophie Howe
Ahead of our panel on youth perspectives, we were joined by Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, Sophie Howe, via pre-recorded video. She told us how she works with young people to create a hopeful future and how Australia could adopt a similar role to build hope for future generations.
Youth perspectives for innovative climate solutions
While we've seen policy-makers struggle to shift behaviours from the status quo, the youth voice has the potential to provide us with novel and innovative ideas for preserving a safe and equitable world for future generations to live in. In this panel, we hear from younger voices about their hopes for the future and the changes they want to see.
2022 photos
Photos from the 2022 Climate Futures Summit.
2022 summit launch event
On 5 October 2022, guests gathered at the Science Gallery to celebrate the launch of the inaugural Climate Futures Summit and explore the SWARM exhibition.
