Topics / Advocacy & Politics / Policymaking

Policymaking

Reports
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Analysis
A Climate-First Foreign Policy For Australia
Climate disruption demands urgent reorientation of Australian foreign and security policy priorities.
Impacts Politics Policymaking Human Security
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Analysis
Collision Course
With the planet already effectively at 1.5°C of warming, and no sign of emissions peaking, the world is now on a dangerous trajectory toward 3°C.
Energy Solar Reflection Economics Mobilisation Climate Science Climate Extremes Ice Melt Policymaking Tipping Points
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Analysis
Australian Climate & Security Risk Assessment
Proposal to establish an urgent, independent Australian climate and security risk assessment framework.
Risk Analysis Policymaking Human Security
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Analysis
Fatal Calculations
Climate economics has consistently downplayed future climate damage and risk.
Economics Finance Risk Analysis Future Warming Policymaking Food & Water
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Analysis
Climate Emergency Defined
A focused assessment of whether climate risks now justify an emergency response.
Economics Mobilisation Risk Analysis Policymaking
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Analysis
What Lies Beneath
Mainstream climate assessments downplay extreme risks—this report calls for urgent, large-scale, emergency-level climate action.
Climate Science Risk Analysis Scientific Reticence Ice Melt Policymaking Tipping Points
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Analysis
Climate Code Red
This urgent call for immediate climate action reshaped global approaches and framed climate change as an emergency.
Decarbonisation Drawdown Solar Reflection Mobilisation Scientific Reticence Sea Levels Targets Policymaking Tipping Points
Papers
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Analysis
Climate disruption, not China, is the key security threat facing Australia
This submission argues climate disruption, not military rivalry, represents Australia’s greatest security risk, demanding a major rethink of AUKUS-era spending priorities.
Impacts & Risks Politics Policymaking Human Security
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Analysis
The Climate Disinformation War
Climate disinformation threatens democracy, demanding urgent national response.
Advocacy Politics Policymaking Dis/information
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Analysis
Understanding Climate Risk
Policymakers and scientific institutions like the IPCC place too much emphasis on middle-of-the-road probability estimates rather than plausible worst-case outcomes.
Economics Risk Analysis Policymaking Tipping Points
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Analysis
Is Scientific Reticence Hindering Climate Understanding?
Climate impacts are happening faster than predicted, yet scientific caution and underestimation of risks are slowing public understanding and policymaking.
Climate Science Risk Analysis Scientific Reticence Politics Policymaking
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Analysis
Reclaiming “Climate Emergency”
How should the term “climate emergency” be understood?
Decarbonisation Economics Mobilisation Risk Analysis Advocacy Targets Politics Policymaking
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Analysis
Net Zero 2050: A Dangerous Illusion
Net zero 2050 plans risk locking in fossil fuel use for many decades, leading to dangerous warming and economic instability.
Economics Climate Science Targets Policymaking
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Analysis
Carbon Budgets For 1.5 & 2°C
Current carbon budgets underestimate warming by ignoring feedbacks and risky assumptions about climate system behavior.
Climate Science Risk Analysis Targets Policymaking
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Analysis
COVID-19 Climate Lessons
COVID-19 revealed global unpreparedness; climate disruption demands urgent, science-based leadership and coordinated risk management action.
Mobilisation Risk Analysis Politics Policymaking
Articles
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Insights
Disordered & delusionary thinking
Australia's expanding fossil fuel exports are undermining renewable energy progress and national security.
Energy Economics Politics Policymaking
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - MAY 13: Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers addresses the National Press Club in The Great Hall on May 13, 2026 in Canberra, Australia. The Labor government’s 2026-27 Federal Budget handed down on May 12, 2026 focuses on cost-of-living relief, housing affordability, and defence spending, as Treasurer Jim Chalmers faces pressure to deliver economic stability ahead of a federal election cycle. (Photo by Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty Images)
Insights
Budgeting For Denial
Australia’s budget ignores escalating climate risks, deepening future national vulnerability.
Economics Climate Science Climate Extremes Politics Policymaking
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Canadian Press/Shutterstock (16830184a) Prime Minister Mark Carney delivers a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. Cda-Finland-Five-Things, Davos, Switzerland - 20 Jan 2026
Insights
Authoritarianism is Undermining Climate Action
Authoritarianism is stalking nations and global institutions, and climate barely rated a mention at Davos this year.
Economics Politics Policymaking
Rescuers evacuate residents from their flooded homes in Bekasi on February 19, 2021, as heavy rain inundated the city on the outskirts of Jakarta. (Photo by Rezas / AFP) (Photo by REZAS/AFP via Getty Images)
Insights
Drowning in Distraction
Any sane security policy would put climate risks, not China, at centre stage.
Politics Policymaking Human Security
"Out of order" signs cover fuel pumps at a petrol station in Sydney, Australia, March 19, 2026. REUTERS/Hollie Adams TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Insights
Energy Security is a Climate Issue, Too
Energy, human and climate security are all converging into one story.
Energy Economics Policymaking Dis/information
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 08: A person walks past a sale signage reading 'Handle Heat' in a heatwave conditions on George Street on January 08, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by George Chan/Getty Images)
Insights
Climate Policy-Making off the Rails?
A one-sided emphasis on adaptation distracts from decarbonisation focus.
Adaptation Future Warming Policymaking
Popular MELBOURNE, VICTORIA STATE, AUSTRALIA - 2025/01/04: People enjoy the sunny day at Geelong Beach, with temperatures expected to soar into the high 30s on Sunday. Geelong Beach heats up on Saturday with temperatures nearing 40°C, as locals and visitors flock to the ocean to beat the summer heat before conditions peak on Sunday. (Photo by Ye Myo Khant/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Insights
Climate Hot Takes for 2025
Evidence this year shows 1.5°C has effectively been reached, 3°C is looming under current policies, and geoengineering is moving into the mainstream conversation.
Impacts Future Warming Policymaking Tipping Points
Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong tour the flight deck of HMAS Canberra ahead of the arrival of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, at Fleet Base East, in Sydney, Wednesday, November 12, 2025. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) NO ARCHIVING
Insights
Sleepwalking Down a Runway to Climate Disaster
Australia's defence an foreign policy ignores climate threat to focus on smaller risks.
Politics Policymaking Human Security
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Insights
Another Year, Another Record
2024 broke temperature records amid deadly climate disasters, failing policies, and accelerating risks from ocean and tech impacts.
Economics Climate Science Impacts Policymaking
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Insights
Policy on Collision Course
Climate policy is failing to address rapid warming, risking extreme impacts and societal collapse.
Future Warming Policymaking Tipping Points Ecosystem Collapse
NATIONAL HARBOR, MARYLAND - FEBRUARY 24: Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump hugs an American flag as he arrives at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort Hotel And Convention Center on February 24, 2024 in National Harbor, Maryland. Attendees descended upon the hotel outside of Washington DC to participate in the four-day annual conference and hear from conservative speakers from around the world who range from journalists, U.S. lawmakers, international leaders and businessmen. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Insights
America First, Earth Last
Climate policy is failing to address rapid warming, risking extreme impacts and societal collapse.
Politics Policymaking Human Security
Popular AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 03: A load of coal is loaded onto a ship berthed at the Port of Newcastle in Australia, on Monday, Sept. 3, 2007. Coal prices rose to a record for a third straight week at Australia's Newcastle port, a benchmark for Asia, as snowstorms in China cut exports, adding to supply disruptions in Australia and South Africa. (Photo by Andy Shaw/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Insights
The Net-Zero Myth
Leading economists warn net-zero scenarios are based on flawed models unfit for guiding urgent, risk-aware climate policy.
Economics Climate Science Policymaking
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Insights
Climate Politics in the Age of Emergency
Call for Australia to go onto a ‘war’ footing on climate change.
Mobilisation Advocacy Politics Policymaking
LISMORE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 31: A father and his young daughter inspect a flooded street on March 31, 2022 in Lismore, Australia. Evacuation orders have been issued for towns across the NSW Northern Rivers region, with flash flooding expected as heavy rainfall continues. It is the second major flood event for the region this month. (Photo by Dan Peled/Getty Images)
Insights
Maximum Protection
Humanity has failed to prevent dangerous climate change; urgent restoration is needed.
Advocacy Targets Policymaking
Media
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Australia should join the global effort to cool the planet and fulfill its Antarctic responsibilities
Calls on the Australian Government to help lead a global mission to restore safe climate conditions, including urgent research into safe short-term planetary cooling.
11 July 2025
Decarbonisation Drawdown Solar Reflection Policymaking
Media
Labor goes cold on hot climate threats
Promised domestic climate risk assessment missing in action as new report warns of 3°C warming catastrophe.
3 December 2024
Impacts & Risks Risk Analysis Politics Policymaking Human Security
Media
Financial sector risks repeating Global Financial Crisis mistakes on climate change
Can the banking system survive climate warming of 3°C
16 August 2021
Economics Finance Impacts & Risks Politics Policymaking Human Security
Press
Senator Peter Whish-Wilson
Media
‘Denial machine’: climate misinformation is fuelling conflict in Australian communities, inquiry finds
A systemic failure, one that is already distorting public debate, undermining trust in institutions, and delaying urgent policy action.
25 March 2026
Advocacy Politics Policymaking Dis/information
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Media
Net-zero emissions by 2050: leadership or climate colonialism?
How fast does Australia need to reduce greenhouse emissions to play its fair part in responding to the global climate emergency?
20 September 2023
Decarbonisation Impacts & Risks Politics Policymaking Human Security
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Media
Betting against worst-case climate scenarios is risky business
By downplaying high-risk possibilities, policymakers are conducting a dangerously unprecedented experiment.
4 September 2023
Advocacy Politics Policymaking Dis/information
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Media
Climate crisis: Australia must ready for ‘devastating’ regional disruption, MPs told
Failed states, a rise in authoritarian politics and heightened risks of conflict among potential threats outlined in thinktank’s assessment
22 August 2023
Advocacy Politics Policymaking Dis/information
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Media
MPs warned of “devastating” climate-fuelled disruption across Asia-Pacific
Federal politicians are being warned that Australia must prepare for “devastating” climate-fuelled disruption in the Asia Pacific region.
3 August 2023
Impacts Climate Extremes Politics Policymaking
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Media
Net zero emissions must be reached before 2030 for 2°C target, new analysis says
Calculations of global carbon budgets have underestimated potential increases in global temperatures.
12 April 2021
Impacts & Risks Targets Policymaking
Peter Garrett and Michael E. Mann. Photo Julian Meehan
Media
First National Climate Emergency Summit gathers the big names along with anger, hope and mobilisation
A star-studded lineup in Melbourne mobilised support for putting the climate emergency wheels into motion.
20 February 2020
Transition & Solutions Mobilisation Advocacy Politics Policymaking
Photograph Mick Tsikas AAP
Media
We must mobilise for the climate emergency like we do in wartime. Where is the climate minister?
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/commentisfree/2019/jun/03/we-must-mobilise-for-the-climate-emergency-like-we-do-in-war-time-where-is-the-climate-minister
3 March 2019
Mobilisation Advocacy Politics Policymaking
Appeals
Stock image showing a woman’s hand using a touch screen monitor. The monitor displays data, images & moving graphics associated with climate change & the woman’s hand swipes images to change them.
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Research & Analysis
Support rigorous climate research and analysis that drives informed advocacy and action.
Transition & Solutions Impacts & Risks Advocacy & Politics Policymaking
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 20: A Kookaburra sits on a lamp post as the sun rises over Parliament House on January 20, 2003 in Canberra, Australia. Four people were killed and 368 homes destroyed when the fires being fought on five fronts swept through suburbs in the nation's capital. (Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)
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Policy Advocacy
Support the policy advocacy needed to move debate beyond incremental climate action.
Advocacy & Politics Policymaking
Contributors
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Adrian Hindes

Earth Systems Analyst and Researcher

Studies SRM, CDR, tipping points, risks, ethics, governance and impacts.

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David King

Climate Policy Analyst and Scientific Advisor

Former chief scientist advising governments on emissions, innovation and global climate governance.

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Peter Garrett

Environmentalist, Activist, Former Government Minister

Environmental campaigner, musician and policymaker advancing conservation and climate action nationally.

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Saul Griffith

Decarbonisation Engineer and Systems Innovator

Engineer designing electrification pathways accelerating energy transition and emissions reduction globally.

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Alia Armistead

Climate and Energy Research Specialist

Researcher analysing emissions trends, policy impacts and sustainable energy systems development.

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Hans Joachim Schellnhuber

Climate Physicist and Policy Advisor

Leading scientist modelling Earth systems, tipping points and planetary boundaries and informing policy.

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Anastasia Kapetas

Geopolitical Analyst and Communications Strategist

Expert analysing disinformation, security dynamics and technology impacts on democratic resilience.

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Sherri Goodman

National Security and Climate Risk Leader

Pioneer linking defence planning, environmental change, geopolitical stability and security frameworks.

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Philip Sutton

Climate Strategist and Environmental Advocate (1951-2022)

Thought leader advancing safe climate frameworks, restoration goals and mobilisation strategies.

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Chris Barrie

Former Defence Chief and Security Advocate

Ex-ADF leader highlighting climate threats, national security risks and policy urgency.

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