Can Australia Become a Climate Champion?

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In this episode of Energy Insights, Energy Tracker Asia talks to Richie Merzian – the director of climate and energy at the Australia Institute. In today’s episode, Energy Tracker Asia and Richie discuss topics around Australia and climate change and its complicated relationship and history with one of the globe’s most critical issues.

Other topics include the recent federal election in Australia, the role fossil fuels and the fossil fuel industry plays in Australia, holes in Australia’s main environmental law, the recent victory seen by indigenous communities vs the Australian gas giant Santos, the outlook for renewable energy and supply chains in Australia with allied countries and Australia’s role at COP27.

Richie is a former Australian Government representative to the UNFCCC and worked at the Department of Climate Change and the Department of Foreign Affairs for almost a decade on both domestic and international climate and energy agendas.

While at the Australian Government, he was the lead negotiator on adaptation to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and helped coordinate the Green Climate Fund Board during Australia’s tenure as Chair. Richie helped co-found the Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) in 2006 and trained as a Climate Reality Leader in 2007 with former Vice President Al Gore.

Richie is currently on the Advisory Committee for the Climate Change Institute at the Australian National University (ANU). Richie has degrees in Law and Economics from Sydney University.

Twitter: @RichieMerzian | @TheAusInstitute
Facebook: The Australia Institute
LinkedIn: The Australia Institute