Watch a video of the event on our Facebook page 

Download presentations from the event:

Presentation by Shane Rattenbury, ACT Climate Change Minister  - ACT Climate Strategy Minister presentation.pdf - 1.9MB

Commentary by panel members:

• Dr Matt Stocks - Matt Stocks ACTCCS.pdf - 403kB
• Associate Professor Cris Brack - Brack_Living Infrastructure launch.pdf - 1.44MB

Our climate is changing - heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense, rainfall is becoming increasingly unpredictable and the bush fire season now extends throughout the year. Climate change poses a massive challenge for every one of us - to avoid the worst disruption, we need to urgently slash greenhouse gas emissions and put in place measures to adapt to the changes that are locked in.

So far, the ACT has made good progress on climate action and is on track for a 40% cut on emissions by 2020 (from 1990 levels). This has been achieved predominantly by transitioning to 100% renewable electricity. But the next phase will be tougher and requires greater participation from the community, a focus on reducing emissions from transport, gas and waste as well as planning for a climate-adapted city.

Join us to hear Shane Rattenbury, ACT Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability, explain the new ACT 2019-2025 Climate Change Strategy, Canberra's Living Infrastructure Plan and future directions for ACT climate policy.

He will be joined by a panel of ANU experts who will give their perspectives on the plan followed by a Q&A session. The panel will include:

• Dr Arnagretta Hunter, ANU Medical School
• Dr Matthew Stocks, ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science
• Associate Professor Cris Brack, ANU Fenner School of Environment & Society

The event will be moderated by Prof Mark Howden, Director, ANU Climate Change Institute.

About the speakers

Shane Rattenbury is a Greens MLA and Minister in the ACT Government. Inspired by key environmental issues of the 1980’s and 90’s including ozone depletion, Antarctic protection and logging, Shane became an environmental advocate at a young age. He joined the Greens while studying Economics and Law (Honours) at ANU.

Shane has been a Member of the ACT Legislative Assembly since 2008 when the ACT Greens first gained balance of power, and negotiated for ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets in their Parliamentary Agreement with the Labor Party. In 2012 Shane negotiated an Agreement that locked in a target of 90% renewable electricity consumption by 2020, which was later increased to the current 100% target. Since November 2016, Shane has held Ministerial responsibility for Climate Change and Sustainability, Justice and Road Safety, Corrections and Mental Health.

Dr Arnagretta Hunter is a cardiologist and physician with an interest in preventative health, public policy, and the health effects of climate change. She works in Canberra and regional NSW and is a senior lecturer at the ANU Medical School.

Dr Matthew Stocks is a Research Fellow at the ANU College of Engineering and Computer Science. He has more than 20 years research and development experience in renewable energy and photovoltaics. His particular interest is in high efficiency photovoltaic solar cells, including tandem devices, and integrating high amounts of renewable energy in Australia's electricity network.

Associate Professor Cris Brack is a teacher and researcher at the Fenner School of Environment & Society at ANU. Cris's expertise is focused on the development of urban forestry. He has just been appointed to the ACT Climate Change Council.

This event is co-hosted by the ANU Climate Change Institute and the ANU Energy Change Institute.