The climate and biodiversity crises are upon us and inequality is gathering pace. Yet the solutions are ready and global momentum for action has never been greater. This is the critical decade for action.
Join Australia’s premier donor network of climate and environmental philanthropists as we explore the answers to these urgent questions:
How can this period of grand disruptions deliver a pathway out of the climate and biodiversity crises?
How can effective philanthropy grow and collaborate so that it addresses the systemic issues of climate, environment, inequality and social justice?
Event recordings
Megatrends in environmental philanthropy
Megatrends deep dive: Climate
Megatrends deep dive: Nature
Project Showcase
Watch all the nature and climate project showcase pitches on the Project Clearinghouse — filter by Conference 2022
Speakers
Anjali Sharma
Anjali Sharma is the lead litigant of Sharma vs Environment Minister, also known as Class Action 4 Climate.
11.30am to 1.00pm — Conference opening: Megatrends in environmental philanthropy
Philanthropy can be the engine room of social change, driving innovation, policy development and best practice for business and governments to join. And this is the decade to ramp things up. So, what megatrends in environmental philanthropy can help us get more effective to deliver a pathway out of the climate and biodiversity crises?
In this session we will explore local and global megatrends that Australian philanthropy can or is already utilising to rapidly catalyse change.
Acknowledgement of Country by Adrian Appo OAM, Yajilarra Trust
Speakers
Charlotte Pera — Vice President for Strategy and Programs at the Bezos Earth Fund.
Interviewed by Rebecca Gorman — AEGN member, individual funder.
2.30pm to 4.00pm — Project Showcase: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led project opportunities
This session will highlight four Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander organisations or projects in need of philanthropic support. More of a conversation than a pitch, the session will see project representatives, introduced by their nominating member, take part in a panel discussion to share a bit about themselves, their work and their future aspirations.
The session will be supported by a set of project proposals.
In-person event
5.00pm — Dinner: The Calyx, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Gather in the heart of the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, at The Calyx, a venue boasting the largest vertical floral display in the Southern Hemisphere. There will be exclusive access to ‘Inside the Tide’ — a beautiful immersive exhibition exploring aquatic wonders of the world.
Mingle with fellow funders, catch up with old friends and meet someone new. Challenge yourself to look to the future and be inspired by our panel of inspirational speakers.
Speakers
Harry Burkitt — General Manager, Colong Foundation for Wilderness.
Joshua Gilbert — Indigenous consultant, agriculturalist and innovator
Dress code: inspired by nature
Wednesday 23 March
Virtual sessions
11.30am to 1.00pm — Megatrends deep dive: Climate
2022 will be a defining year for global action on climate change. Looking backwards, the last six years have all been the hottest on record. At Glasgow, world leaders agreed to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees — but global action is not on track to meet this goal. Looking forwards, there is everything to play for. In 2022 we will see growing pressure for more ambitious action to fight global warming on the ground — and philanthropy has a critical role to play.
Join experts in climate change science, funding and solutions talk about major trends in 2022, and how to scale up the action required.
Speakers include
Saul Griffith — Inventor, author, founder and scientist.
Dr Cassandra Goldie — CEO of the Australian Council of Social Service and Adjunct Professor with the University of New South Wales.
Helene Desanlis — Associate Director, ClimateWorks Global Intelligence
Lesley Hughes — Distinguished Professor of Biology and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Integrity and Development), Macquarie University.
Facilitated by Rebecca Milgrom, Executive Director, Tripple.
2.30pm to 4.00pm — Project Showcase: Climate
We are in an historic moment for the health of our planet. The decisions we make today will shape the future of humanity and the biodiverse web of life that sustains us. Philanthropy has a critical role to play in transforming us from a laggard to a leader on climate action.
The Project Showcase is one of our premier events of the year. It is an opportunity to hear rapid-fire five-minute pitches from funders and organisations that are ready to make a real impact in the world. There’s no obligation to fund any of the projects — but we think that you’ll want to!
In-person event
5.00pm — Dinner: Treetops at Melbourne Museum
Speakers include the next generation of environmental heroes
Enjoy floor-to-ceiling views across the historic Carlton Gardens while immersing in the beauty of science and nature at Treetops, inside the Melbourne Museum.
Mingle with fellow funders, catch up with old friends and meet someone new. Challenge yourself to look to the future and be inspired by our panel of inspirational young speakers.
Dress code: inspired by nature.
Thursday 24 March
Virtual sessions
11.30am to 1.00pm — Megatrends deep dive: Nature
Australia’s stunning land and sea country, and iconic species, sit at the heart of our cultural identity. Yet our precious natural environment is under threat like never before, from climate change, land clearing, overfishing and feral invasive species. Scientists, advocates, funders and policy makers are exploring new ways to meet the challenge of biodiversity decline by devising new solutions to old problems. In this session we will hear from three speakers on trends and emerging issues in nature conservation. Together we will explore what our changing climate means for conservation policy and outcomes, what has been learnt from decades of supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to care for Country, and how the emerging awareness of biodiversity loss is driving change for businesses in Australia and around the world. Bring along your questions!
Speakers include
Brendan Wintle — Professor of Conservation Ecology at the University of Melbourne and for past six years Director of Australia’s Threatened Species Recovery Research Hub.
Denis Rose — Gunditjmara traditional owner from South West Victoria, Chair of Country Needs People.
Shara Lohrasb— Associate Director of Asset Management, Clean Energy Finance Corporation, Co-Chair of the Nature Working Group at the Responsible Investment Association Australasia.
2.30pm to 4.00pm — Project Showcase: Nature
We are in an historic moment for the health of our planet. The decisions we make today will shape the future of humanity and the biodiverse web of life that sustains us. Philanthropy has a critical role to play in transforming us from a laggard to a leader in conserving our unique biodiveristy.
The Project Showcase is one of our premier events of the year. It is an opportunity to hear rapid-fire five-minute pitches from funders and organisations that are ready to make a real impact in the world.
There’s no obligation to fund any of the projects — but we think that you’ll want to!
There is a threat on the horizon for Australian charities. While thousands of charities across the country work tirelessly to reduce the social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic...
There is a threat on the horizon for Australian charities. While thousands of charities across the country work tirelessly to reduce the social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic...
