We are in an historic moment for climate action.
The decisions we make today will determine the future of humanity. Scientists warn that to limit global warming to 1.5C, action must be taken as soon as possible this decade.
As leaders around the world increase their ambition towards this goal, Australia risks being left behind, missing out on the opportunities presented by a clean energy future.
Philanthropy has a critical role to play in transforming Australia from a laggard to a leader on climate action. Funding these six strategic projects from our climate change showcase will help shift the dial on climate solutions and make a real impact at a crucial moment.
The projects
Below is a brief summary of the projects, if you would like the full project details (including bank details for each project) contact Daisy Barham, Environmental Philanthropy Manager on daisy@aegn.org.au
If you are a member, you can access all the details on the Project Clearinghouse.
Sweltering Cities Ltd
Building community power for extreme heat adaptation and climate action
- Seeking grantSweltering Cities Ltd
- Closing date1 March 2022
Nominated by: Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation
Sweltering Cities engages and empowers people living in Australia’s hottest suburbs to advocate to decision-makers about building resilient and sustainable cities and recognising climate change as a public health emergency. Our vision is for cooler, equitable, and sustainable cities, with planning and policies that centre people.
To bring people together in our hottest suburbs SC will hire community engagement people in Western Sydney, Melbourne, and SE Queensland to work with impacted communities to:
- support new leaders and build networks to increase community awareness of heatwaves through outreach, cooperation with local organisations, and events and training held locally in out hottest areas,
- identify people with powerful stories and empower them through training and one-on-one support to share their stories in the media, and
- work with communities to develop and launch advocacy campaigns highlighting local impacts of rising temperatures as an urgent political issue.
Contact: Emma Bacon
Job title: Executive Director
Email: emma@swelteringcities.org
Tax deductibility: DGR Item 1
Solutions for Climate Australia
Ending the climate wars – creating bipartisanship on federal climate politics in Australia
- Seeking grantSolutions for Climate Australia
- Closing date31 March 2022
Nominated by: The Myer Foundation
A strategic, co-ordinated and targeted ‘umbrella’ approach to building and activating constituents of federal MPs across all major parties who are concerned about climate change has been a major gap in climate advocacy in Australia.
Solutions for Climate Australia is co-coordinating and supporting the work of the Federal Grassroots Advocacy Alliance, a network of climate advocacy organisations mobilising influential constituencies to help achieve bipartisan support for decisive climate action in the next term of government.
Contact: Dr. Barry Traill
Job title: Lead, Solutions for Climate Australia project
Email: barry@cana.net.au
Tax deductibility: DGR Item 1
Environment Victoria
Victorian Coal Pollution Case
- Seeking grantEnvironment Victoria
- Closing date30 June 2022
Nominated by: The Mullum Trust
Environment Victoria, represented by Environmental Justice Australia, and a team of barristers led by Hon Ron Merkel QC, is taking the EPA and Latrobe Valley power station owners to court over the failure to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.
The coal-fired power stations in Victoria are responsible for some of the worst air and climate pollution in the country, contributing to around 40% of Victoria’s annual carbon emissions.
In March 2021, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) – Victoria’s pollution watchdog – concluded their review of the power station licences. Despite having the power to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, the EPA failed to take any meaningful action to address the biggest threat to our health and environment: climate change. There is currently no limit on how much CO2 the power stations can emit.
This case will be the first to test Victoria’s key climate change legislation and challenge the lax regulation of air pollution from these coal-fired power stations.
Contact: Camille Warambourg
Job title: Key Relationships Manager
Email: c.warambourg@environmentvictoria.org.au
Tax deductibility: DGR Item 1
350.org
Our Islands Our Home — Torres Strait Islander Climate Justice campaign
- Seeking grant350.org
- Closing date–
Nominated by: Limb Family Foundation
Torres Strait Islanders are on the frontline of the climate crisis. Urgent action is needed to ensure they can remain on their islands. Right now, king tides, erosion, inundation, droughts and coral bleaching are threatening their homes and cultures, while the Australian Government refuses to address this crisis.
The Our Islands Our Home campaign is demanding that the Australian government take action to mitigate climate change impacts on Zenadh Kes (Torres Strait Islands), amplifying the voices and leadership of Torres Strait Islanders on climate justice in Australia, and building the depth and diversity of our climate movement though building Torres Strait Islander led grassroots action groups.
As part of this campaign, eight claimants from Zenadh Kes have brought a human rights complaint against the Australian Federal Government to the Human Rights Committee of the United Nations over the Government’s inaction on climate change. A decision on this case is expected by early 2022.
Contact: Verity Appleby
Job title: Development Director
Email: verity@350.org.au
Tax deductibility: DGR through Auspice Partner
The Australia Institute
Net Zero is Fraud
- Seeking grantThe Australia Institute
- Closing date30 November 2021
Nominated by: McKinnon Family Foundation
To publicise, both domestically and particularly internationally, research showing that the governments proposed “net zero” target is a fraud because it will be achieved by “dodgy” offsets while the government continues to support and subsidise the expansion of fossil fuel supply.
To bring international and domestic pressure to bear to force the government to have more meaningful commitments and policies.
Contact: Ben Oquist
Job title: Executive Director
Email: ben@australiainstitute.org.au
Tax deductibility: DGR Item 1
Environs Kimberley and CCWA
Stopping a new gas pipeline from opening the Kimberley to fracking
- Seeking grantEnvirons Kimberley and CCWA
- Closing date–
Nominated by: Madden Sainsbury Foundation
The Canning Basin is one of the world’s largest undeveloped fossil fuel reserves, far larger than WA’s offshore gas resources. The carbon pollution from the development this gas resource would be 13-20 billion tonnes (25-38 years of Australia’s annual carbon pollution).
Development of the Canning Basin has been constrained by a lack of infrastructure (pipelines) and a lack of access to market. The threat of a pipeline to open up the Canning Basin has recently become real and imminent, with a WA Government decision to give in-principle support for a pipeline to allow Canning Basin gas to be exported through the Burrup Hub LNG facilities in the Pilbara.
There is real potential that the McGowan Government can be made to back away from these proposals with a focussed, urgent campaign including these three elements:
a) Engaging Kimberley Aboriginal communities and Traditional Owners.
b) Engaging and activating Perth-based community.
c) Establishing the basic elements of a larger campaign.
Contact: Martin Pritchard
Job title: Executive Director
Email: director@environskimberley.org.au
Tax deductibility: DGR Item 1
More information
If you would like to discuss any of the projects or join the AEGN contact Daisy Barham, Environmental Philanthropy Manager on daisy@aegn.org.au or 0400 878 989.