About Switch to Green
The Switch to Green Expo & Conference 2009 – Australia’s premier climate change event is brought to you by seven prominent co-hosts, including:
United Nations Association Australia (UNAA ACT)
The role of the United Nations has been central to forging an international consensus on mandatory targets for greenhouse gas emissions as agreed in the Kyoto Protocol. In response, the UN Association of Australia (ACT) initiated the Switch to Green Expo and Conference as a way to increase understanding of the implications of climate change for our region and to showcase practical ways we can reduce our carbon emissions and avoid dangerous climate change. We are pleased to work with the ACT Government and other community and business organisations to build momentum towards a carbon neutral Canberra and do our bit to protect our kids’ future.
More: www.unaa.org.au
ACT Government, Department of the Environment, Climate Change , Energy and Water
The ACT Government is pleased to contribute to the Switch to Green Expo & Conference as part of their commitment to addressing climate change. Understanding that climate change is without question one of the greatest environmental challenges faced today the ACT Government recently released, Weathering the Change - the ACT Climate Change Strategy.
Governments cannot solve the climate change problem themselves. So very much of the solution rests with the way that people think, the decisions they make each day and the actions they commit. Community involvement is a key element of the Strategy. Participating in the ‘Switch to Green Expo’ will allow the ACT Government to communicate and demonstrate to the community actions currently being undertaken.
More: www.act.gov.au / www.environment.act.gov.au
ANU Climate Change Institute
Climate Change is rapidly becoming the defining challenge for humanity in the 21st century. Dealing with climate change demands new types of knowledge – every bit as rigorous as traditional academic knowledge but more integrated and connected, and more closely linked to the practitioners searching for solutions to the climate change challenge.
The Australian National University has exceptional strength in climate change research from fundamental climate science to economics, population health, governance and law. The ANU Climate Change Institute (CCI) was established in June 2008 as a new agile, virtual institute engaging with a broad range of researchers and teachers working in climate change across the ANU campus. Coordinating, facilitating and maintaining a cohesive, interactive community of researchers and teachers is integral to the success of the Institute. The CCI regularly interfaces with local, national and international governments, institutions and agencies.
More: www.anu.edu.au/climatechange
Canberra Business Council
The Canberra Business Council (CBC) promotes the role of Canberra both as the National Capital and a business centre. It promotes and supports local business across all industry sectors. It also has a focus upon strategic and global issues.
The CBC acknowledges the vibrant community of Canberra, its culture, national icons, education and research, and great natural environment. These are qualities too rich to place in jeopardy.
The CBC sees business as a vital part of the solution in addressing climate change. Being part of the solution to this matter of global concern also brings an opportunity to make a significant contribution to the local economy. Therefore the CBC is pleased to be able to support this event
More: www.canberrabusinesscouncil.com.au
The Conservation Council of the South East Region and Canberra
The Conservation Council has been protecting the environmental interests of Canberra and South East Region since 1979. As the peak community environment organisation, our mission is to achieve the highest quality environment for the Canberra region. We represent the interests of community conservation organisations in the region as well as the broader environmental interests of all Canberrans. The Conservation Council is responsible for organising the Walk Against Warming events in Canberra, which is Australia’s largest community day of action on climate change. In 2007 in Canberra the walk was incredibly successful with over 9000 people attending.
Through the Switch to Green Expo and Conference, the Conservation Council would like to inform, inspire and empower Australians to turn their thoughts on climate change into action.
More: www.consact.org.au
Property Council of Australia
The Property Council of Australia is the national representative of the property industry. Our members help shape, build and finance our cities and have a long term interest in the future of our urban areas. Locally, Property Council members include property owners and developers who invest directly in the infrastructure that underpins Canberra, and therefore play a key role in sustaining the future growth and sustainability of our city. Property is a key business sector and driver of the ACT economy, and an important partner with government in delivering well thought out and sustainable initiatives and policies.
The Property Council is pleased to support Switch to Green 2009 and to contributing to ideas on what we can all do to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and reduce our carbon footprint.
More: www.propertyoz.com.au
SEE-Change
SEE-Change is a community, not-for-profit group that supports and inspires people to join together and act in a sustainable way. Its activities are practical, and based on local Canberra realities. In addition, its aim is to create workable project models to be picked up by other community groups Australia-wide.
SEE-Change aims to nurture and develop skills in communities so that people can inform themselves and act to express their voices effectively.
A special feature of SEE-Change activities will be inputs by local school and tertiary students whose future is at stake. They are participating along with older volunteers in planning SEE-Change activities.
Serious sessions are likely to be interspersed with social activities, dances, folk music, jazz and sausage sizzles.
More: www.see-change.org.au