This inaugural memorial lecture was held in honour of Emeritus Professor Will Steffen, one of Australia’s most influential and respected climate scientists.

Professor Steffen was an internationally esteemed expert in climate change research, serving as Executive Director of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP) and a contributor to five Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessment reports.

Will left a significant legacy at The Australian National University (ANU), as the former Director of ANU Fenner School of Environment and Society, and the Inaugural Director of ANU Climate Change Institute.

The inaugural lecture was delivered by Professor Dr Johan Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and Professor in Earth System Science at the University of Potsdam. Together with Emeritus Professor Will Steffen, Dr Rockström led the development of the Planetary Boundaries framework, which presents a set of nine planetary boundaries within which humanity can continue to develop and thrive for generations to come.

Several of Professor Steffen’s close colleagues made short remarks following Dr Rockström’s address, including Professor Emerita Lesley Hughes, Pro-Chancellor at Macquarie University, Professor Brian Walker, ANU and Distinguished Professor Penny Sackett, ANU.