One year after the ‘Paris Agreement’ emerged from the United Nations Climate Change Conference, world-leading emissions reduction experts will meet in Brisbane next week to examine the action required to reach agreed targets.
Former Kiribati president, Anote Tong, will lead a list of distinguished speakers at the two-day event which starts at Griffith University’s South Bank campus on Monday, November 28.
Anote Tong has worked ceaselessly to build worldwide awareness of the potentially devastating impacts of climate change since first taking on the presidency of the small island nation in the Pacific, which remains at risk of disappearing if sea levels continue to rise.
Titled ‘Pathways to a sustainable economy’ the event has been organised by the Griffith Centre for Sustainable Enterprise and Griffith Climate Change Response Program.
Former federal leader of the Opposition, John Hewson; Deputy CEO of the Climate Institute, Erwin Jackson, CEO of the Investor Group on Climate Change, Emma Heard; and Mary Ritter from the EU Climate Knowledge Innovation will be among the speakers.
Solutions to challenges
Leading academics from Griffith University, led by Professor Brendan Mackey, an expert on the link between climate change responses and sustainable development, will also address the conference.
Professor Ian Lowe and Professor Susanne Becken will bring their expertise to bear on discussions.
“A key aim is to identify solutions to the challenges facing governments, businesses and civil society in meeting mitigation targets, particularly in countries in the Asia-Pacific region,” Dr Robert Hales, Program Director, Griffith Centre for Sustainable Enterprise, said.
“The people we are bringing together are involved at some level in developing and achieving mitigation targets in Australia and in the Asia-Pacific to help transition to a zero emissions sustainable economy.
Professor Ned Pankhurst, Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor, Griffith University, and Professor David Grant, Pro Vice Chancellor, Griffith Business School, will formally open the event at the Queensland College of Art, Gallery Lecture Theatre, at 9am on Monday.
WHERE: Griffith University, South Bank campus, QCA Art Gallery Theatre
WHEN: Monday and Tuesday, November 28 and 29. 9am start.