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Better Futures Forum Australia will be held online over three days from August 17 in preparation for the COP26 in Glasgow in November which has been labelled by the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) as the “most important climate meeting ever”.
“Global leaders will decide on targets and policies that maintain a safe climate and keep global average temperature rise to 1.5 degrees or less,” says ACF Climate Change Program Manager, Gavan McFadzean about what’s expected from the COP26.
“So right now, in the leadup to COP26, it’s the perfect time for a united climate alliance – courtesy of Better Futures Forum Australia,” he said.
“Australians are ready for the opportunities the climate challenge presents. A handful of antagonistic politicians can’t slow us down. Better Futures Forum Australia is a collective approach to a safer future for everyone.”
The Better Futures Forum Australia will be held online over three days – Tuesday 17 August, Wednesday 18 August, Thursday 19 August.
Sessions will be spread across the three day program, so participants can manage their attendance around other work commitments. “The Forum will be held in a dynamic virtual space that connects individuals through interactive plenary sessions, lightning talks, workshops, exhibits and entertainment across a number of virtual stages,” according to the website and the cost to participate is $95. The program is called “our moment to drive national climate action” and is billed as including “conversations with leading voices to discuss the opportunities that a society and economy-wide approach to driving ambitious climate action offers”.
Day 1 will focus on the theme of “Ambition for a healthy, prosperous zero emissions Australia”.
Day 2, will be about “Short-term actions and opportunities”.
And Day 3 will tackle “The road to Glasgow: Together, we can do this!”
Three online sessions will run each day at 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM AEST/Sydney time.
“Unconfined by a physical location, the Better Futures Forum will meet you wherever you are in a virtual space, providing us all with a moment to drive national climate action!
“The themed sessions will include lightning talks, interactive workshops, plenary sessions and entertainment across a number of virtual stages.
“Recordings of all sessions will be available to registrants until November 2021.”
In these times it is understandable that the program may be subject to change but highlights include a keynote address on day one entitled Australia’s opportunity to transform the economy and society for the benefit of all from a global perspective by Ban Ki-Moon, former Secretary General of the United Nations and Deputy Chair of The Elders.
And Cassandra Goldie, CEO of the Australian Council of Social Service will also be participating in the program on Day 1 and long Dr Amanda Cahill, CEO of The Next Economy and Natalie Isaacs Founder & CEO, 1 Million Women. Day 2 on Wednesday 18 August will focus on short-term actions and opportunities.
Speakers will include Josh Karliner, International Director of Program and Strategy, Health Care Without Harm and Eugenie Kayak, Spokesperson, Doctors for the Environment
Partnering to achieve zero emissions supply chains.
The program for Day 3 on Thursday 19 August is called The road to Glasgow: Together, we can do this!
Jonathan Pershing, US Climate and Foreign Policy Advisor will give a keynote address on the capacity of Australians to lead and innovate on climate.
The morning will focus on how leaders across the economy and society are shaping the future now.
A number of mayors, deputies and other local government representatives will participate including Andy Deacon, Managing Director, Global Covenant of Mayors, Cr Rohan Leppert, Councillor, City of Melbourne, Chair of Environment Portfolio, City of Melbourne, Susan Aitkin, Mayor of the City of Glasgow and Jess Scully, Deputy Mayor, City of Sydney.
Other topics will include prioritising health in the national climate response and scaling finance to drive action.
An afternoon plenary session on the final day of the event will be dedicated to identifying and responding to climate change priorities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and will involved Pastor Minniecon, Cathryn Eatock Co Chair of Indigenous Peoples’ Organisation and Dr Janine Mohamad CEO, Lowitja Institute.
For more information or to book visit https://www.betterfutures.org.au/forum
