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• COP31: Why the ‘Climate Olympics’ in Australia really matters, and what philanthropy can do

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  COP31, short for the United Nations’ 31st Conference of the Parties, is a pivotal global climate summit and it may be heading our way. Often referred to as the ‘Climate Olympics’, these annual conferences bring nations together to assess progress in addressing the climate crisis, negotiate agreements and set targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

  Scheduled for November 2026, COP31 is particularly significant as Australia has bid* to co-host the event in partnership with Pacific Island nations. COPs are the only multilateral, international forums dedicated to agreeing a global response to the climate crisis.

  Note access to funding opportunities on Project Clearinghouse mentioned below is for AEGN Members only. Learn more about joining our network or apply to become an AEGN member.

  Why COP31 matters

  Hosting COP31 would allow the Australia-Pacific to communicate the unique climate challenges and solutions from our region, and catalyse significant progress towards local and global climate goals, including limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. 

  The summit will bring global attention to the climate challenges faced by the Pacific and First Nations communities, providing a platform to advocate for urgent action and community-led solutions, and shift the trajectory of Australia’s performance and transition towards becoming a renewable energy superpower. COP31 presents an opportunity to:

  • Influence global and domestic policies and initiatives by supporting advocacy efforts to shape ambitious outcomes. 
  • Foster collaboration through networking and partnerships between civil society, governments, NGOs and the private sector, creating opportunities for collaborative projects. 
  • Drive innovative projects that deliver climate solutions, counter climate blockers and address climate challenges in new and effective ways. 
  • Enhance the visibility of the needs and challenges of the Australia-Pacific region in relation to climate change and promote solutions which reflect these needs. 
  • Highlight the incongruence of the Australian Government’s policy of calling for climate action whilst continuing to expand our fossil fuel industry.

  Risk and Opportunity

  COP31 hosted in Australia is both a mammoth opportunity AND a significant risk. It’s our opportunity of the decade to put pressure on the Australian Government to deliver ambitious outcomes in the lead up, during and after COP31. However, as a major fossil fuel exporter, an Australian COP could be captured by fossil fuel interests.  

  Philanthropy will play a crucial role in determining whether COP31 in Australia is a turning point for our national, regional and global contribution to climate action, or simply an exercise in greenwashing and delay.

  Leveraging the opportunities for philanthropy

  Philanthropy is presented with an extraordinary opportunity to enable regional coordination, amplify Pacific and First Nations voices and dramatically shift the trajectory of Australia’s domestic and exported emissions. Hosting COP31 in partnership with the Pacific will be an important milestone.  

  Some of the transformative ways that Australian funders can ensure COP31 is the opportunity our people and planet need include:

  • Amplifying the voices of Pacific and First Nations communities, ensuring their perspectives and needs are central to the outcomes of COP.  
  • Inspiring international funders to fund into Australia, turbocharging civil society organisations and their impact. 
  • Funding capacity-building and training programs to empower local leaders and organisations to build civil society capacity in the lead up to COP31. 
  • Supporting advocacy and campaigns that raise awareness about our regional climate challenges and blockers, and the opportunities for stronger regional climate action. 
  • Encouraging those funders who have not yet supported climate initiatives to do so – thereby growing the climate philanthropy pie.

  Ready to get involved?

  There are three ways you can get started right now:

  1. Fund 

  There are several opportunities that have been presented on the Project Clearinghouse. Further funding opportunities including First Nations led initiatives will be added over time. Current opportunities include:

  • Maximising opportunities for Pacific participation through building the capacity of NGOs on the technical aspects of the Paris Agreement and negotiating priorities. 
  • Supporting the Pacific Elders’ Voice to provide independent, well-researched and evidence-based opinion in relation to regional priorities ahead of COP31. 
  • Enabling the Pacific Islander Australian Fellowship Program to catalyse collaboration between Pacific climate activists, the Australian climate movement and Pasifika diaspora in Australia.

  2. Learn 

  Hear more about how to amplify Pacific voices ahead of COP31, a recording of the AEGN’s recent webinar featuring key Pacific community leaders sharing what they need to make the most of this historic opportunity.

  3. Keep up to date 

  Let us know if you’re interested in COP31 information and events and we will keep you in the loop on important opportunities. Email Farema Yazdi, AEGN’s Climate Program Coordinator, on farema@aegn.org.au

  Thank you to Anna Cernaz and Leanne Minshull at the Graeme Wood Foundation, and Jane Thomas at The Myer Foundation/Sidney Myer Fund for their invaluable thoughts and ongoing leadership on this important topic.

  *It is not yet confirmed whether Australia will host COP31 in partnership with the Pacific. The other host being considered is Turkiye. An announcement on the host can be made at any time.

• Vision for our future

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  Australian federal election —
  key policy asks from the environmental movement.

  On 21 May, Australians will take to the polls to decide our next Federal Government.

  Across the climate and environment sectors, organisations are calling on all political parties to adopt bold policy agendas to turn the tide against the dual biodiversity and climate crises knocking on our doorsteps. 

  Acting decisively on climate and nature offers an opportunity to deliver great outcomes for people across Australia, as well as our natural environment. Below is a snapshot of the key policy asks that climate and environmental organisations are calling for this election.  

  If you would like to be introduced to any of these organisations, please contact Daisy: Daisy@aegn.org.au  

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  Climate Action Network Australia

  Climate Action Network Australia (CANA) is a network that supports 149 members and their allies to take action to protect people from climate change, to safeguard our natural environment and to build a fair, clean, healthy Australia for everyone.  As part of CANA’s policy goals to reduce climate pollution, it is calling on all parties and candidates this election to commit to develop a national plan to slash climate pollution this decade. They call for strong targets that at a minimum match the United States, the United Kingdom and trading partners such as the European Union and Japan.    

  This plan would include: 

  • delivering 100 per cent  of our electricity from sun, wind and other renewable power and storage by 2030; 
  • a national plan to clean up transport and drive the shift to electric vehicles; 
  • ending public funding for coal, oil and gas; and 
  • delivering an Australian Trees for Climate Plan to reduce climate pollution by at least 1 billion tonnes by 2030. 

  Australian Land Conservation Alliance

  The Australian Land Conservation Alliance (ALCA) represents Australia’s leading land restoration and conservation organisations working with landholders on privately owned and managed land across Australia. Together, ALCA’s members represent a substantial and growing voice in Australia’s land management sector. ALCA’s top policy asks are below.

  1. The reinstatement of the National Reserve System Programme with a fund capitalisation of at least $1 billion, with stated goals of: 
     • assisting Australia to meet a commitment to protect 30 per cent of Australia’s land and 30 per cent of Australia’s sea by 2030, in line with the post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework;  
     • scaling the current protection provided by Private Protected Areas from its current rate of 2 per cent of private land, to 5 per cent of private land by 2030; and  
     • addressing the adequacy and representativeness of our protection of Australia’s unique and diverse ecosystems.  
  2. An initial budget commitment of at least $80 million to $100 million over the forward estimates to expand the private protected areas network.
  3. A commitment to implementing the recommendations of the Samuel Review of the  Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, but especially strengthened National Environmental Standards and a genuinely independent Environment Assurance Commissioner.

  Download ACLA’s full list of policy asks from their website (pdf)

  Australian Conservation Foundation

  The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF)  is one of Australia’s largest national environment organisations, funded by 700,000 people advocating for nature protection and action on climate change. The ACF’s Renew Australia plan asks policymakers to enact climate and nature solutions that will cut climate pollution by at least half this decade by:  

  • implementing a roadmap over the next decade to decarbonise Australia’s export economy from fossil fuels to renewable energy, and establishing a National Just Transition Authority to assist communities currently reliant on jobs in coal and gas;
  • committing to zero emissions transport by 2025 through electric vehicles, electrified freight rail and public transport;
  • creating energy independent communities by investing in and moving to 100 per cent renewable energy through powering schools, hospitals, government offices, public and social housing, remote Indigenous communities, sporting clubs, halls and libraries with affordable, clean energy by 2025;
  • moving the money so that federal and state governments, as well as banks and superfunds, immediately stop funding coal and gas projects;
  • creating strong national nature protection laws that stop Australia’s worsening extinction crisis and support nature as a climate solution; and
  • allocating adequate funding to restore and protect nature, including $2 billion per year for three years toward a national conservation and land management program.

  Download ACF’s complete Renew Australia Agenda from its website.  

  Australian Council of Social Service

  The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) is a national advocate supporting people affected by poverty, disadvantage and inequality, and the peak council for community services nationally. ACOSS has a comprehensive suite of climate policy asks on its website (pdf). Summarised below are its top policy priorities:

  • Aim to cut emissions by 75 per cent by 2030. At the very least match commitments from our key allies to halve our emissions by 2030, and reach net zero emissions by 2035. 
  • Invest up to $5000 in energy efficiency improvements per dwelling for 1.8 million low-income homes to cut emissions and energy bills, and create thousands of local jobs. 
  • Establish a First Nations Communities Clean Energy Fund to invest in clean energy and energy efficiency for remote communities. 
  • Establish and adequately fund an Energy Transition Authority to provide a fair and inclusive transition for fossil fuel-dependent workers and communities. 

  Country Needs People

  Country Needs People is not-for-profit, non-partisan and works with all sides of politics for a positive outcome. It is a growing alliance of over 41 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land and sea management organisations. Threats to Country are getting worse, but with sustained long-term funding, Indigenous rangers and Indigenous Protected Areas can turn things around. That’s why Country Needs People is calling on all political parties and candidates to commit to:  

  • double the number of Indigenous rangers over 10 years; 
  • create a fund for ranger training, capacity building, networking and infrastructure costs; 
  • double the funding for the Indigenous Protected Area program over four years; and  
  • ensure equal employment opportunities for women rangers by 2030. 

  Sustain – the Australian Food Network

  Sustain – the Australian Food Network is a not-for-profit network specialising in designing and building healthy food systems that support flourishing communities, individuals and ecosystems. Sustain provides people, councils and organisations with the tools they need to help them become empowered food citizens. Sustain asks that policymakers: 

  • commit to expand the network of community gardens including a $500 million national edible gardening fund over three years to support a mass expansion of urban agriculture activities across Australia, co-financed by state and federal governments as well as developers and philanthropy, and funding for edible gardens in the public school system; 
  • facilitate land access and infrastructure for urban farmers and community growers and fund research on the impacts and benefits of urban agriculture;
  • improve skills-based training and apprenticeships in urban agriculture, market gardening and related fields; 
  • prohibit fast food outlets within 1km of educational or healthcare facilities; and 
  • develop policy to support market gardeners and farmers transition to sustainable and regenerative forms of horticulture and agriculture. 

  Legal disclaimer: The organisations featured in this article undertake activities for the purpose of furthering the protection of the environment including action on climate change. The AEGN is sharing information about these organisations as a means of educating members about the range of organisations working in this area. We are not endorsing the organisation ourselves. The AEGN does not advocate for political candidates or parties or unlawful conduct.  

  Across the climate and environment sectors, organisations are calling on all political parties to adopt bold policy agendas to turn the tide against the dual biodiversity and climate crises knocking on our doorsteps. 

  Daisy Barham, Environmental Philanthropy Manager

• Environment and climate change giving trends 2025

  View the Giving Trends Report

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  The climate and biodiversity crises offer humanity an opportunity to forge a better future: to restore ecosystems, create cleaner and healthier cities, and enable more equitable and sustainable ways of being.

  Philanthropy is uniquely positioned to enable this shift through collaboration with Traditional Owners and the public, private and community sectors to take risks and and invest in innovative solutions – scaling up the most effective ones at speed. This report presents a comprehensive analysis of global and Australian trends in philanthropic giving to climate change and environment, highlighting the opportunities and challenges faced in addressing the urgent and interconnected climate and nature crises.

  The philanthropic sector has seen increased levels of environmental giving in recent years, driven by a growing awareness of the need for transformative action. This is reflected in both global and local trends, with donors demonstrating a stronger commitment to funding an equitable and sustainable future.

  Despite these encouraging developments, the trends also show signs of plateauing growth relative to overall philanthropy, and the quantum of giving to climate change and environment remains a small fraction of overall philanthropy. This moment demands a mobilisation of scaled resources and effective collaboration that enables strategies to protect and restore our natural world.

  Headline Findings

  • Combined, Australian Private Ancillary Funds (PAF) and Public Ancillary Fund (PuAF) donations to environment now represent less than 4% of broader giving, dropping from the previous year’s figure of 5%.
  • Around one-third of Australia’s 50 biggest donors and more than half of the 50 largest corporate philanthropic organisations gave to environment as one of their main causes.
  • Since 2019, international foundation funding to Africa, Oceania and Latin America collectively received only 20% of total foundation funding, compared to 60% for the United States and Europe.
  • Global philanthropic funding for biodiversity-related initiatives increased by 86% between 2017 and 2021, rising from US$501 million to US$932 million.
  • AEGN members gave at least $247 million to climate and environment in FY2023/24, with almost 1/3 increasing their giving to climate and environment from the previous year.

  Become a member

  It’s been exciting to see the growth in sophistication of how the AEGN operates. For the benefit of all.

  Hayley Morris, Morris Family Foundation

  Find out more

• Reflections on January 26 – why we say it’s not a date to celebrate

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  When I was 7 years old and my sister was 11, she took me for a walk to our local park that was just around the corner from our house. Like all good big sisters, she was holding my hand like she had done many times before and we were relaxed and laughing enjoying each other’s company – swinging our hands – walking along under a beautiful vast blue Australian sky with a bright sun shining down on us.  

  I remember jumping over cracks along the pathway feeling free and safe as she kept my smaller hand loosely in hers. Then, out of the corner of my eye I noticed two boys coming along on their bikes, weaving in and out on the same pathway – making their way closer to us. First, I noticed their BMX bikes, second their speed, third they were headed straight for us and finally that my sister’s hand had tightened thick around mine. She knew what was coming. I had no idea.

  They shouted out, with gleeful aggression, ‘get out of the way you black coon’. I didn’t know what this language meant at the time, but even at that young age I knew it wasn’t good because my sister stood still frozen beside me – paralysed with fear. Without hesitation I broke free of her hand and stood in front of her, yelling back, rock solid at these boys ‘no, if you wanna get through – you go around us’. They continued to speed towards us, but in the end, with no other option, they swerved at the last minute and went around us, continuing to yell and spit racist taunts at us as they laughed and rode off. Just a fun Saturday for them.

  As I grew, I heard that term a lot, mostly targeted towards my sister, as she was so much darker skinned than myself. The level of racism directed at my sister over the years caused a lot of trauma for her and our family and it impacted on her life in a very deep and serious way – mostly at the cost of her self-belief, self-worth and self-confidence. Over the years we heard the horrors faced by my great grandmother, the tough choices my grandmother had to make in raising her own family, and the desperately sad secret my mother held until a few years before she passed – that her first born – a son was taken off her in hospital as she was a 16 year old unwed Blak mother. She never recovered from the trauma of losing her first born, and my sister and I grew up under that cloud. For me, those experiences of trauma fortified my drive to advocate for and create positive change for our Peoples and in particular re-dress the inherent power asymmetry that has been created because of colonisation, with a focus on breaking the perennially reinforced cycles of hierarchical oppression.

  I am not going to enter into a detailed history lesson about the 26 January, because there are many other sources and individuals out there taking that on. And, its not my job to educate you about the history of this Country. You are grown, and intelligent and can do that fact finding on your own. What I do want to share though it that you won’t be able to digest any of the complexity around this day without first offering some generosity and space into understanding that for many of us, this is a day where much of our dark trauma’s surface and become visceral, and where we mourn those life traumatic events – those of our lifetimes, those of our families, those of our ancestors, those of the collective. Where time entangles our past, our present and our future, in combined moments of vivid feelings, emotions, memories and stories. If you have ever personally experienced a traumatic event such as a great loss, a violation or abuse you know how it destroys your trust, your sense of safety, even your sense of who you are.

  Emma Garlett straight talks facts about the 26 January on her YouTube Channel Paint It Blak. Just like those white boys back in the 1970s, with the racist taunts, her comments feed is lashed with a foul stench from some of our fellow Australian citizens. One white settler, says ‘as a white settler, im triggered. We improved lives and now, indigenous lives are far greater in numbers and healthier’. Another Australian legend is not bored enough to unleash his inner keyboard warrior to claim ‘Ohhh yawwwwwn… the grievance industry gears up for it’s annual sookfest..’ and yes he is looking forward to celebrating Australia Day on Jan 26^th with his fellow Aussies. And I will leave you with this classic that we hear a lot and is also a re-occurring offender in my own community social pages – ‘…the only ‘geno’ that ever took place here, was between tribes well before the brits ever arrived.. stop making up history ..’.

  Humanity is submerged in layers of individual, intergenerational, and collective trauma, and while we still have a date that claims to celebrate our nation but also coincides with a day of mourning and survival – our collective healing as a nation will be lost. This prevents us as a nation from addressing the roots of collective challenges we face and keeps us from taking steps toward healing that can transform the systems around us.

  My primary hope in writing this is to give you some mental space, to stimulate your curiosity, bravery and courage around the issue, to challenge you to deepen your understanding, soften, question your perspectives and mindsets – as it is an essential step towards a broader paradigm shift on this topic. 

  Join me in a new paradigm – shifting divide to connect, control to relate and exploitation to belonging.

  Go well this January.

  In culture, healing and respect, 

  Liz Wren

  Co-Chair, AEGN First Nations Wisdom Group

• How citizen science doubles your impact

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  Data collected by citizen scientists is playing an increasingly important role in scientific research and conservation. Supporting citizen science projects is a powerful way to protect nature.

  Around 50% of records in Australia’s biodiversity data repository, the Atlas of Living Australia (ALA), now come from citizen scientists. But, the 2021 State of the Environment report, highlights the need for even more citizen science, as professionals and institutions alone cannot manage the required volume of research.

  Citizen science extends beyond data collection; it fosters connections between people and nature, as well as within communities. The AEGN’s Nature Funding Framework (NFF) underscores the importance of citizen science in energising and involving individuals, from students to landholders, “enabling communities to engage, contribute and connect with nature and each other, on land and at sea.”

  By doing so, citizen science effectively advances two of the NFF’s seven change levers (approaches that funders can support to protect nature): “participation and agency” and “science, research and monitoring”.

  People and data

  Beth Mellick, Executive Director of the Wettenhall Environment Trust, which supports grassroots conservation projects, highlights the importance of data collection as the foundation of any conservation effort.

  “To gather the most reliable data, you need people who know their local habitat. Even the most high-level conservation programs worth millions of dollars rely on the collection of local species data,” Beth said.

  She emphasises that even small projects can have a big impact by providing critical information that informs larger conservation efforts. According to Beth, a key ingredient in long-term successful projects is an effective system for engagement, and for recording and sharing data.

  Fortunately, systems to support citizen science projects are becoming more sophisticated and coordinated, thanks to digital technology and the support of organisations that have been established over the last decade. These include the Australian Citizen Science Association, which works to increase capacity for citizen science projects around the country. In the digital realm, the ALA provides Biocollect, an online platform that hosts project-specific webpages and helps groups with data-collection protocols and data sharing.  

  Beth has also observed positive changes at the grassroots level. “Local groups have become very well informed and strategic, often partnering with scientists and ecologists to establish protocols or for setting baseline parameters. We find that groups who partner well do the best job,” said Beth.

  Impacts of citizen science projects

  Some citizen science projects have a specific aim, such as monitoring a particular species or impact, while others are broader in scope. Most data from most citizen science projects, whether small or large, are uploaded to the ALA, and can be freely accessed by scientists, policy makers, industry, land managers and the public.

  More than 100,000 citizen scientists are actively contributing to the many programs across Australia. As a nation, we are the third-biggest contributor to the global citizen science platform iNaturalist. The impact of citizen science includes:

  • Disaster recovery and feral species monitoring. On Kangaroo Island, South Australia, thousands of volunteers from around the world have helped monitor wildlife recovery after bushfires, and are monitoring feral cats. This work is enabled by DigiVol, a crowdsourcing platform that allows volunteers to monitor camera footage from their homes.

  • Mapping species distributions on land. BioBlitz events engage citizen scientists to survey as many species as possible within a specific timeframe and area. The data provides a snapshot of the health of local ecosystems, information about distribution patterns, and sometimes reveals new species.
  • Mapping species distributions in the sea. The RedMap database enables anyone to share sightings of marine species. This data can be used to determine which species are extending their distribution range in response to changes such as ocean warming and can help researchers decide which areas to focus on.  
  • Mapping entire orders of species. FrogID is a nation-wide database of frog calls to document the species diversity, distributions and breeding habits of Australian frogs. Fungimap records and maps fungi across Australia. Both FrogID and Fungimap feature the data needed to fed into threatened species assessments as outlined in this Conversation article.
  • Capturing unusual behaviours. Citizen science program Wildtracker exhibited never before recorded behaviours in a photo competition from camera-trap images.
  • Tracking invasive species and pathogens. The ALA’s new Biosecurity Alerts Service notifies authorities about invasive species, which are a major driver of biodiversity loss. Up until the end of 2023, 1441 occurrences of invasive species had triggered biosecurity alerts.
  • Detecting vulnerable species in areas where habitat is threatened. Volunteer-led surveys of endangered greater gliders were instrumental in the Victorian Government’s decision to end native forest logging and are part of the campaigns in Queensland.
  • Learning about rare or elusive species. A researcher at Charles Sturt University is asking the public to log sightings of the elusive rakali, or Australian water rat, to better understand the species. So far, more than 1200 submissions about the animal have been made.

  Help fund citizen science today

  Citizen science and community nature programs are at the coal face of conservation efforts – and they need funding.

  Beth said, “It is incredibly rewarding to help projects and organisations who are out in the field. They can account for every dollar. There is no wastage or massive administrative overheads – they put petrol in their cars, feed and house their volunteers, buy equipment, update equipment, pay a coordinator, get insurance, pay ecologists, train in mapping software, upload data to sites and produce resources.”

  By supporting citizen science initiatives, funders can double their impact, engaging communities in meaningful conservation efforts and at the same time contributing to scientific knowledge and environmental protection.

  Projects to partner

  AEGN members have funded various programs in the past from the Great Victorian Platypus Search using environmental-DNA in water samples to the Port Phillip Ecocentre micro plastics initiative that informed legal action for the protection of waterways.

  Find citizen projects on the Project Clearinghouse, including:  

  • WildTracker Citizen Science Program
  • FrogID Project
  • Great Reef Consensus

  For more information, contact Margie Jenkin, AEGN Environment Program Manager — Nature.

• New Blueprint for a Sustainable Quandamooka Country/Moreton Bay

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  As lovers of Moreton Bay, we have been proud funders of The Moreton Bay Foundation since its inception. Last month, we were pleased to attend the launch of TMBF’s Blueprint for a Sustainable Moreton Bay for People and Nature (2025–2035). The Blueprint sets out a comprehensive and ambitious roadmap for how we work together to protect the natural, cultural and economic values of the Bay.

  By Meta Goodman and John Goodman

  A significant step towards securing the future of one of Australia’s most cherished natural assets, the release marks a significant milestone in the region’s efforts to balance environmental protection with community and economic needs.

  What’s in the Blueprint?

  This Blueprint is the first of its kind—a comprehensive and holistic plan for coordinated action by multiple stakeholders across connected jurisdictions. Developed by EcoFutures with input from local communities, government bodies, Natural Resource Managers (NRMs), and First Nations organisations, the Blueprint includes a thorough review of Moreton Bay’s ecological, social, and economic values, the threats to those values, and the various plans and policies addressing its care.

  Most importantly, it identifies key gaps and recommends priority actions to ensure Moreton Bay remains healthy and productive.

  Values of Moreton Bay

  Moreton Bay is a unique environment, home to a rich diversity of marine life, stunning coastal habitats, and significant cultural heritage. The report highlights the Bay’s role as a vibrant ecosystem, supporting species like marine turtles, shorebirds, and dugongs. It’s also a vital area for human activities, providing recreational opportunities, supporting local fisheries, and offering a connection to nature for surrounding communities.

  Additionally, Moreton Bay holds deep cultural significance for the Quandamooka, Kabi Kabi, and Kombumerri/Yugambeh peoples, who maintain an unbroken connection to the land and sea. These First Nations are crucial to successful management and advocacy for Moreton Bay.

  Threats to Moreton Bay

  Despite its many values, Moreton Bay faces several serious threats. The report identifies pollution from urban runoff, sedimentation, and the impacts of climate change (including rising sea levels and more frequent extreme weather events) as key threats. Population growth and coastal development also pressure the Bay’s ecosystems, leading to habitat loss and increased human-wildlife conflicts. Furthermore, the Bay is vulnerable to overfishing, invasive species, and declining water quality, all of which threaten the health and resilience of its natural and cultural resources.

  Recommended Programs and Actions

  To address these threats and preserve Moreton Bay’s values, the report outlines nine targeted programs comprising 30 specific actions, including research, advocacy, education, and management efforts. These programs focus on key needs such as protecting and restoring coastal habitats (e.g., seagrass beds and mangrove forests), reducing sediment and pollutant runoff from surrounding catchments, and managing recreational activities to minimise their environmental impact.

  The report also emphasises the need for stronger community engagement, encouraging locals to connect with and care for the Bay, and calls for better coordination among stakeholders, along with refining regulations to support the Bay’s long-term sustainability.

  What The Blueprint Means for Moreton Bay

  This new report is excellent news for Moreton Bay. The Blueprint provides clear guidance on how all stakeholders can contribute to protecting this incredible environment. Whether you’re in government, a business owner, or just someone who loves the Bay, there are actions you can take to help maintain the health of the marine and coastal ecosystem.

  The Moreton Bay Foundation has responded to the Blueprint’s call to action by using its recommendations to underpin their new Strategic Plan (2024-27). In the coming months and years, TMBF will facilitate knowledge exchange and collaborative action to address the recommendations identified in the report.

  What’s Next?

  With challenges like climate change, changing land use, population growth, and increased visitation to the Bay during the 2032 Olympics on the horizon, the Blueprint serves as a guide for making smart decisions for the future. It also underscores the importance of blending traditional knowledge with modern science, respecting the wisdom of the Bay’s original custodians.

  The next steps involve implementing the recommended actions with a focus on measurable outcomes and adaptive management. The success of this initiative will depend on the collective efforts of government agencies, local businesses, community groups, and individuals who all share a vested interest in the future of Moreton Bay.

  Get Involved

  TMBF will lead the charge to ensure the Programs and Actions recommended by the Blueprint are implemented across all community, industry, ENGOs, and government levels.

  In the time we’ve been supported them, Meta and I have seen TMBF grow into an impressive and effective organisation.  We encourage AEGN members to consider making a Donation to support their research and engagement work.  Feel free to get in touch with us if you’d like any more information.

  Other ways to stay informed about what’s happening in Moreton Bay, include:

  Join The Moreton Bay Foundation to get the latest updates, participate in events and workshops, and contribute your voice to the future of our Bay.

  Sign up for TMBF’s newsletter on the website.

• AEGN Preview: The Global Nature Positive Summit

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  This week, the inaugural Global Nature Positive Summit will be held in Sydney. The Summit has attracted a host of international speakers on key biodiversity issues and is being billed as an event to “accelerate collective action to drive investment in nature and strengthen activities to protect and repair our environment.” 

  The attitudes and demands of the wider community are clear – with more than 73 per cent of people wanting stronger nature laws and over 90 per cent supporting more nature funding, according to the 2024 Biodiversity Concerns survey report launched earlier this year by the Biodiversity Council. Philanthropy’s role in catalysing action and supporting community voices has never been more crucial, which is why it is important to use the Global Nature Positive Summit to learn from and connect with AEGN members, business leaders and NGOs across the sector working to secure a nature positive future. Claire O’Rourke (AEGN CEO) is attending the Summit with AEGN Board Chair Dr Catherine Brown OAM and Nature Program Manager Margie Jenkin.

  While the Summit primarily addresses economic mechanisms for conservation, it’s important to remember that achieving a nature-positive future is ultimately a government responsibility. It is disappointing that reforms to Australia’s weak environment laws have been delayed, and government investment in nature remains a fraction of public spending on subsidies for destructive industries. As we engage with the ideas and initiatives presented at the Summit, we will continue to advocate for strong policy and regulation, government funding that enables restoration, the reform of nature damaging subsidies, genuine engagement with First Nations communities, and robust mechanisms for transparency and enforcement.

  What is the Global Nature Positive Summit?

  In December 2022, parties to the Convention of Biological Diversity agreed to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). The key commitments in the GBF are: 

  • By 2030, halt and reverse biodiversity loss ; and

  • By 2050, value, conserve, and restore biodiversity, maintain ecosystems services, sustain a healthy planet and deliver benefits essential for all people.  

  The concept of not only halting but reversing declining biodiversity has come to be known as “Nature Positive” – an approach that commits to overall gains, with an end goal of restoration of what’s been lost.   

  The GBF sets out specific and ambitious targets, including protecting and restoring 30% of land and oceans by 2030, and no new species extinction. In signing on to the GBF, Australia has committed to these targets. However, we are not currently on track to meet them. 

  The Summit is explicitly focussed on economic settings to attract private capital, impact investments, and use market mechanisms to fund the action needed to achieve “Nature Positive”.   

  Key topics for discussion include: 

  • Indigenous led initiatives to deliver for nature and communities 

  • Valuing nature – improving risk disclosures, getting the metrics right to drive change, and building confidence in the rigour of market mechanisms 

  • Embedding nature considerations into business decisions  (see the Biodiversity Council’s report on what Nature Positive means for business)

  • Greenwashing 

  • Sustainable agriculture initiatives 

  • Collaborations and lasting partnerships to scale up responses 

  • Sustainable oceans policy and the blue economy 
  • Landscape scale approaches

  What is the AEGN’s role?

  Government funding alone will not be enough to turn things around with the urgency required. Philanthropy and private investment have an important role in catalysing action, supporting community voices, and scaling up nature initiatives to achieve Nature Positive.  AEGN can be a leader in calling for, and investing in, the changes we need.  

  Any biodiversity markets need to learn from the failings of the carbon market – integrity, standards, clear metrics and reporting, transparency and enforcement will be essential. Without integrity, biodiversity markets risk being an expensive distraction and enabling business as usual.   

  Ultimately, achieving Nature Positive is a government responsibility. Commitments are not enough without credible action plans and funding to enable their implementation. For philanthropic and private capital to drive meaningful change, we need strong policy frameworks, government funding, genuine and constructive consultation, and robust mechanisms for transparency and enforcement. 

  AEGN plans to utilise the Summit to: 

  • Advocate for policy settings that instil confidence in philanthropy to invest in nature and climate solutions; 

  • Investigate methods to factor the true costs of nature and climate risks into decision making; 

  • Reconnect with AEGN members and share your experiences;
  • Learn from successful initiatives overseas and look for ways to adopt best practices in Australia; and
  • Support environmental NGOs engaging in the Summit and its side events, ensuring their valuable insights are heard.

  The Summit is an important opportunity to have robust conversations about what is needed to achieve a Nature Positive future. The AEGN will ensure philanthropy is part of those conversations.  

  

  

  Communities are demanding action to stop the destruction of nature, to end the extinction crisis, and to protect the climate. Image credits Annette Ruzicka 2023, Mike Gilpin 2024.

  Global Nature Positive Summit Side Events we are attending include:

  • 4:30pm, 8 October – The Nature Conservancy 30×30 event (hosted by AEGN member, Rob McLean), Yirranma Place
  • 6:00pm, 9 October – WWF Nature Positive Reception, Taronga Zoo
  • 6:00pm, 9 October – Murray Darling Basin Alliance update, Shakespeare Room, Library of NSW

  Dr Catherine Brown OAM

  “Philanthropy has played a lead role in supporting nature conservation and restoration in Australia, from backing organisations that have bought land or covenanted land for conservation, Indigenous-led land management, regenerative farming, large and local scale marine conservation, grassroots groups working on critical projects,  policy influencing, and more.

  As AEGN Chair and having worked in philanthropy for more than twenty years, it has become clear to me that philanthropy has special roles to play. We can be catalytic funders, we can take a long-term view, beyond political cycles, and we can provide start up and operating support with agility and flexibility. Our risk appetite is different from government or business. We sit alongside them and must all play to our strengths. Throughout the Summit, I’ll be looking to identify the most impactful roles for philanthropy and to consider opportunities to leverage philanthropy and blended finance models for maximum impact for climate and nature.”

  Claire O’Rourke, AEGN CEO:

  “I’m fascinated by the intersection of nature and climate and how to ensure our work drives positive change for both.  Over the next week, I’m looking forward to meeting people and representing AEGN in discussions about nature and philanthropy’s role in driving solutions.  

  The Summit is an important opportunity to remind government of its core responsibilities, and call for more funding, stronger laws, and a genuine commitment to urgent action. It’s also an opportunity to hear about what’s working well in other places, learn from First Nations and Pacific practitioners, and find ways to adopt better practices in Australia.   

  As I start thinking about AEGN’s Strategic Plan for the next three years, these discussions will help to align our work with climate and biodiversity targets, to accelerate action to match the urgency of this moment, and to use our collective power to secure lasting change. “

  Margie Jenkin, AEGN Environmental Program Manager – Nature 

  “I’ve just come back from the US, having been at the Environmental Grantmakers Association retreat, a Biodiversity Summit, and NY Climate Week. I’m keen to share what I learned and connect with others looking to collaborate on nature solutions.  

  I’m pleased to see so much ocean content in the agenda, and hope that those discussions result in tangible commitments from the government to regional leadership on sustainable oceans.  

  Two messages resonated through everything I heard in the US – First Nations people must be centred in nature and climate conversations, and private investment can only ever be a supplement, not a replacement, for government funding. Nature needs more and it will take leadership and support from the government and all sectors to achieve a genuinely nature positive future.”

  What’s missing?  

  The elephants in the room for the Summit will be climate inaction and the delayed reform of national environmental laws. Any Nature Positive goals will be undermined if the government continues to approve fossil fuel projects and ignores the impacts this will have on nature.   

  The Summit also has very limited content on water management, a key emerging issue as the new national water agreement is being negotiated. Water is a concern for many AEGN members, so we will be urging the government to elevate that issue.  

  Connect with us

  Will you be at the Summit or ALCA conference this week and would like to catch up with us or other AEGN members?  Get in touch with Jess on jess.feehely@aegn.org.au or 0400 803 262. 

• Road trip reflections: Nature and birdlife in outback NSW and Queensland

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  AEGN members Peter Sainsbury and David and Sally Rickards recently took a trip to outback NSW and Queensland to view nature and the teeming birdlife as a result of rains earlier this year. They found this usually dry landscape green and flourishing, with much birdlife and other entertainment along the way. Peter kindly agreed to share his perspective on the trip along with some excellent photographs:

  By Peter Sainsbury

  Will it be Hothouse Earth or Nuclear Winter? Why is an area twice as big as Victoria deforested every year? Which will be extinct first, polar bears or koalas? How much more plastic can we dump in the oceans? Environmentalists can be a thoroughly depressing mob!

  So it’s good to get out into nature as often as possible to remind ourselves of its beauty, diversity, temper and capacity to recover, given half a chance, from the insults we inflict on it.

  David and Sally Rickards and I have recently returned from a two-week road trip to outback NSW and Queensland as far north as Winton. We visited several conservation properties (Naree, Kilcowera, Bimblebox for instance) and saw forests, creeks and lagoons, wetlands, mountain ranges, plains and big skies everywhere. As we travelled north we also travelled back in time and visited the dinosaur museums at Eromanga and Winton.

  We saw lots of hoppy-things (far too many as roadkill – oops, sorry, forget that, I’m trying to be optimistic) and a couple of echidnas but my real interest is birds – I stress ‘interest’, not ‘expertise’. Nonetheless, I counted 71 different species along the way, including some exciting ‘firsts’: Bourke’s parrot, Plum-headed finch, Splendid fairy wren, Chestnut-crowned babbler and Eastern blue bonnet. With luck, the AEGN editor will permit me to include a few photos – all the birds are courtesy of Mike Gilpin and the leopard tree is mine.

  So, city dwellers, get out there and experience our wonderful nature. I can thoroughly recommend Rickards Outback Tours. The itinerary, transport, accommodation, food and entertainment (I was introduced to the very instructive and amusing Rest is History podcast along the way) were all first-rate. Plus, we won $40 in the trivia night in Longreach.

  

  Owlet Nightjar

  

  Pink Cockatoos

  

  Splendid Fairy Wren

  

  Nankeen Kestrel

  

  Leopard Tree

• AEGN Field Trip to Kangaroo Island/Karta Pintingga

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  Kangaroo Island or Karta Pintingga was devastated by fires in 2019/20, with almost half the island (212,000 ha) ravaged. Four years on, the AEGN visited Kangaroo Island on a conservation field trip to deepen our understanding of the people and programs behind the recovery and restoration of nature. We also learned about the ongoing threats to biodiversity and the critical role of philanthropy in securing species at risk. You can also find the bios and emails of experts we met here.

  Saturday 3 August

  We arrived off the 45 min flight from Adelaide to glorious winter sunshine and met our guide Craig Wickham, Exceptional Kangaroo Island. First stop, morning tea at the BioR Kangaroo Island Rare Plant Garden, Cygnet River where rare and endemic species are safeguarded. Established in 2022, the Garden has a conservation, research and education focus. KI botanist Michelle Hady explained that there are around 180 species of threatened plants on KI, some found no where else on the planet. Plant seeds are being collected and stored in a seed bank. Others will also be used for habitat restoration projects including those that David Paton and the BioR team are working on.  

  What a delight to release recently trapped and tagged birds with David, Penny and Fiona Paton (see KI Bird Identification).  

  The glossy-black cockatoo is a KI icon with the last South Australian mainland populations sighted in the 1970s. At least 54% of the glossy-black cockatoo feeding habitat (drooping sheoak) and 38.5% of all known nests were destroyed in the fires. Paul Rogers (KI Landscape Board) introduced us to the recovery program for the glossies: propagating and planting sheoaks; installing nest boxes, managing nest sites to reduce predation and competition; and monitoring the population. Great news that the numbers are increasing thanks to a highly strategic program and community effort. 

  Rischbieth is a well-known name on KI and we were thrilled to have welcome drinks hosted by South Australian AEGN member Henry Rischbieth (Letcombe Foundation) at his property Boobook on the Dudley Peninsula. What better location to hear from Paul Jennings (KI Landscape Board) about the Dudley Peninsula cat control program, the latest technologies in cat control and to meet Jaygar the detection dog. 

  Conservation landholder, KI doctor and feral species island eradication enthusiast, Jamie Doube Dinner joined us for dinner at the Mercure KI Lodge. Jamie and his family own Western River Refuge, the conservation estate fenced by Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) to prevent cat predation on the KI dunnart, a Sunday site visit. 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  Sunday 4 August

  Jess Marsh, Invertebrates Australia, joined us for breakfast and shared background on the impressively named, but imperilled KI Assassin Spider.  The small number known to survive live in the leaf litter of one unburned creek line in the island’s west. Despite being Critically Endangered under the EPBC Act and the IUCN Red List, the assassin spider doesn’t enjoy the iconic status of the glossies (and related funded). More field research is needed along with awareness raising to prevent landholders conducting controlled burns, removing the leaf litter and potentially adding another species to Australia’s extinction record.   

  We were later heartened to hear more about the extraordinary efforts to protect the threatened Kangaroo Island dunnart with a 369 ha safe haven at the Western River Refuge. The small carnivorous marsupials’ habitat is also restricted to the west of the island, an area largely ravaged by the fires. When the AWC heard that dunnarts were being sighted after the fires, they mobilised, conducting ecological surveys and developing a feral predator management plan in collaboration with KI Land for Wildlife and the Doube family. AWC staff Pat Hodgens and John Massingham explained the rapid establishment of the 8.8 km fence and ongoing cat control. A great example of the agile funding possible through philanthropy and the NGO sector. 

  Further west, and one of the first properties listed on the KI Land for Wildlife program when the initiative began in 2018, is the De Tong Buddhist Stupa. What a grounding, precious place and unburned in the fires. So many landholders were less fortunate. Heidi Groffen (KI Land for Wildlife) and Caroline Paterson (Birdlife Australia, Bushfire Recovery) work closely with landholders burned out on western KI, monitoring species, managing threats (including feral species) and restoring habitat. These stewardship programs also connect landholders with each other and with recovering native species on their land. It’s important work both socially and ecologically.  

  Sabrina Davis and her husband lost their farm, fences, livestock, house and sheds and are now part of Heidi’s LFW program. Claire O’Rourke interviewed Sabrina following the fires and her story, developing Humans of KI, features in Claire’s book Together We Can. They’d only spoken online so the site visit to the Davis’ was serendipitous. We followed Heidi through the regenerating bushland to a KI dunnart burrow. The entrance was smaller than a golf ball but the wildlife monitoring camera at the entrance was the giveaway. Hope and endurance from the ashes.  

  No trip to KI is complete without sea lions and we delighted in the welcome party on the walkway, the playful teen on the beach and dune lay-abouts. The impacts of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) on KI’s birds and endangered sea lions if/when it arrives is a future we don’t want to imagine.  

  Back at American River in Samphire Restaurant, we enjoyed a delicious meal and conversation with Daniel Clarke, SA journalist of the year and Walkley Award winner. Stories have played an important role in post-fire recovery. Making sense of things; community building; telling others.  

  Dan has generously provided us with access to his recent award-winning production: Lost in the Woods (on the corporate fiasco, community outrage and ecological disaster of blue gum plantations on KI). Dan has also developed a trailer for a documentary The Wild Man of Oz (seeking funding) on SA conservationist John Wamsley, of feral cat hat and Earth Sanctuaries fame.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  Monday 5 August

  Over breakfast we submerged ourselves with The Nature Conservancy’s Anita Thomas. TNC is leading Reef Builder, a program to restore critically endangered shellfish reefs around the country including off KI’s Nepean Bay and near Adelaide’s Glenelg Beach. Local limestone is built up and seeded with locally sourced Australian Flat Oysters increasing biodiversity, fish abundance and water quality. Plus there’s the broader benefits of economic and social recovery. 

  The ocean features large for island communities and KI/Victor Harbour Dolphin Watch enables citizen scientists to monitor and report dolphins and whales. Tony and Phyll Bartram (who also joined us for brekkie) founded the program in 2005 and since then have been collecting baseline data to better understand the species and behaviours, and to inform ocean management. They’re also the Mission Blue Hope Spot champions, seeking protection of KI’s northern waters. 

  After packing up and checking out, former mayor and KI champion, Jayne Bates led us around the 1.5 km KI Sculpture Trail in the heart of Penneshaw on the northeast of the island. Wandering through the dunes and woodlands, Jayne shared the labour of love behind the installations, and the heart wrenching stories. From giant native orchids to mosaics of KI’s endemic birds, footprints in stones collected by KI students from every beach around the island and a memorial tree in tribute to Sarah Strong-Law, an adored KI mother and community leader.   

  In a somewhat truncated lunch conversation before dashing to the ferry, we reflected on the trip highlights agreeing that KI is Australia’s Galapagos. 

  As incoming AEGN CEO, Claire expressed her gratitude for the deep dive into nature conservation summing up, ‘In addition to the pleasure of having time with funders there was a real sense of hope, nourished by the community champions we met and the stories they told – stories of loss, of slow recovery, of the emerging connection to nature of the next generation. I was impressed by the technologies being used in monitoring and management and heartened that relationships ultimately underpin the success of conservation and community programs.  Very inspiring to hear that so much important work has been enabled by philanthropy (including by funders on the field trip and many other AEGN members) but of course, there’s so much more to do.’ 

  For more information on the organisations and programs introduced on the KI field trip, opportunities to fund KI initiatives, AEGN’s Nature Funding Framework or to join the KI funders mailing group, contact Margie Jenkin, Program Manager – Nature on margie@aegn.org.au  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

• New AEGN CEO announced

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  ^{Pictured: Claire O’Rourke, photo by Sarah Tedder}

  I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Claire O’Rourke as Amanda Martin’s successor as CEO.

  Claire has deep experience and knowledge in climate change as a leader and an advocate. Through her leadership roles at The Sunrise Project Australia and Solar Citizens she has demonstrated that she can bring together diverse groups around common goals to make an impact. Claire is passionate about nature and deeply understands the connection between biodiversity conservation and restoration and mitigating climate impacts. She has deep experience working with philanthropy to achieve impact and understands the power of philanthropy as catalytic and long-term funders. Claire’s role as Head of Communications and External Affairs at Amnesty International gave her experience in bringing a social justice lens to her work — an important complementary attribute for working with the AEGN.

  
  

  In 2022, Claire published her first book, Together We Can: Everyday Australians doing amazing things to give our planet a future (Allen & Unwin). Claire is a member of Groundswell Giving’s Major Giving Circle advisory group, in 2023 was an advisor to participants in Startmate’s Climate Tech Fellowship and is a mentor in Small Giants’ 2024 Climate Leadership Accelerator program. She has strong and relevant local and international networks.

  The Board believes Claire’s authentic leadership, focus on impact and communications skillset makes her the ideal CEO for the AEGN’s next stage of growth and influence.

  “I’m deeply honoured and enormously excited to step in to lead the AEGN at this pivotal moment. I have big shoes to fill, and I thank Amanda Martin for her leadership and vision as the organisation has developed.

  We are all part of a global ecosystem, and the changes we are making now in Australia really matter: our children, our communities and the planet depend on us. I am committed to playing a small part to ensure Australians, guided by First Nations people, are supported to do what it takes to create a thriving environment, economy and society.

  I hope to deploy my experience, knowledge, relationships and boundless energy for a better world to take this critical organisation to its next level of growth and impact. I can’t wait to connect and collaborate with you all!”

  — Claire O’Rourke

  It is the mark of an outstanding leader that an organisation grows and develops to a point where it has a strong foundation and is ready for a new phase. Amanda Martin OAM has been the AEGN’s Founding CEO and has worked with the Board and members for over 16 years to grow the organisation from a small group of philanthropists with a passion for environmental protection to a dynamic network of more than 200 members, including individual philanthropists and structured philanthropy (foundations and trusts). This is truly an amazing achievement.

  Amanda’s contribution will be honoured at farewell events on the evening of 17 July in Melbourne and the evening of 24 July in Sydney. Join us to farewell and celebrate Amanda’s contributions to the AEGN and environmental philanthropy, and meet and welcome Claire as the incoming CEO.

  Claire will commence on 2 September 2024 and will spend some time in July doing a deep dive with Amanda to ensure a smooth transition. Amanda will leave us on 2 August and the AEGN’s Head of Operations, Charmaine Smith, and Head of Programs, Kate Allsopp, will be Acting Co-CEOs in August.

  “I am thrilled that Claire will be my successor as CEO of the AEGN. Claire has the skills, energy, talent and experience to pick up leading the AEGN in a way that will ensure the organisation and our members are as effective as possible in this critical decade. I look forward to joining members, staff and partners in welcoming Claire, and handing over the leadership reins.”

  — Amanda Martin

  The AEGN Board understands the challenges that lie before us as we seek to support a fast and fair climate transition and protect Australia’s unique biodiversity through strategic philanthropy. Increasingly using our influence and collaborative funding initiatives will be part of this future.

  Prof Catherine Brown OAM
  AEGN Chair
  
  Media enquiries: Charmaine Smith, mobile 0408 976 074

• Environment and climate change giving trends 2024

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  In this critical decade for action, we must continue to strengthen climate and environmental philanthropy commensurate with the scale and urgency of the challenges we face.

  This report offers a comprehensive assessment of national and global philanthropic giving to climate and environment, summarising the megatrends influencing best practices in climate and environmental philanthropy.

  Its findings show a pivotal shift towards greater climate and environmental giving in recent years, prompted by a global awakening to the urgency of the climate and biodiversity crises. This growing philanthropic focus is observed in global and local giving trends, with public and private donors becoming increasingly committed to funding a more just, sustainable and resilient future.

  While this is a promising development, there are signs that funding growth is plateauing despite the quantum of philanthropy directed toward climate and environment remaining small compared to other funding areas.

  Headline findings

  • Global foundation giving to climate change mitigation has tripled in recent years, growing from US$900 million in 2015 to more than
    US$3 billion in 2021, before plateauing from 2021 to 2022.
  • Global individual and foundation giving to climate change mitigation still represents less than 2 per cent of overall philanthropic giving. This will need to scale rapidly to meet the urgency of the climate crisis.
  • In Australia, private ancillary fund (PAF) and public ancillary fund (PuAF) climate and environmental giving has increased at ten times the rate of overall giving; PuAF giving soared from $1.2 million in 2018 to $33 million in 2021.
  • Australian donations and bequests to charities have also surged in recent years and giving to charities working on climate and environment grew 82 per cent (around $122 million) from 2018 to 2021.

  Download the full report (pdf)