Explaining climate politics in Australia and the forces shaping climate action

Forces shaping climate policy and action in Australia were the key focus at the Explaining Climate Politics in Australia workshop hosted at the School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet). 

Led by Professor Christian Downie, Dr Ellie Martus and Dr Bill Kakenmaster, with support from Veve Fry, the APSA funded workshop explored Australia’s changing approach to climate change – from implementing a carbon price in 2012 and repealing it two years later, to being one of the world’s largest coal and gas exporters while also committing in 2025 to phase out fossil fuels. 

Across seven sessions, participants examined the history of climate politics in Australia, the actors and interests involved, the political activities used to influence climate debates and the interaction between politics, policy and industry. 

The first day explored the history of climate politics in Australia, including the so-called “climate wars”, the role of political parties and interest groups and the influence of international climate negotiations on domestic policy debates. Participants then examined the actors and interests shaping climate policy, as well as the political activities used to influence climate debates, from lobbying and campaigning to community organising. The final session of the day considered the interaction between politics, policy and industry in shaping Australia’s climate governance.  

Day two focused on the role of media and misinformation in Australian climate politics, before a practitioner roundtable brought researchers into conversation with policymakers. The discussion covered the practical challenges of advancing climate and energy policy, strategies for influencing policy and navigating political institutions and opportunities for collaboration between researchers and practitioners. The workshop concluded with a discussion of climate obstruction in Australia and opportunities for future collaboration. 

Reflecting on the workshop, Professor Downie said: “With climate change seemingly falling off the international agenda and to some extent the national agenda as well – it seems more important than ever that as scholars we continue to focus our research efforts on ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat the devastating impacts of climate change”. 

For Dr Kakenmaster, the workshop offered an opportunity to better understand how pathways to climate action might emerge.: "We're at a moment in world politics where climate change has never been more important, and countries around the world, including Australia, can and must do more to lower their emissions and adapt to escalating climate impacts. This workshop marks an important opportunity for understanding how pathways for doing so might arise." 

The discussions highlighted the value of creating opportunities for researchers and practitioners to share perspectives and explore future areas for collaboration.