3 December 2024, Sydney – Climate-KIC Australia will today convene an important roundtable discussion as part of the European Union Climate Dialogues (EUCDs) Project.

This roundtable dialogue is being convened at a critical juncture following the Global Stocktake undertaken at the COP28 in 2023, which revealed that current NDCs are highly insufficient, potentially leading to 2.1-2.8°C of global warming.

With the deadline for post 2030 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) set for February 2025, and the Biannual Transparency Reports (BTR) by 31 December 2024, countries were encouraged to submit their plans, including their National Adaptation Plans (NAP) at COP29 in November 2024 to generate momentum for more ambitious action aligned with the 1.5°C target and the energy transition goals agreed in Dubai at COP28.

High-level talks to further Australia’s NDC

As part of a global series of events held by the EU around COP29, the EU Aus Roundtable brings together experts from Australia and the EU to share knowledge on the approach to developing a revised NDC that will support the sustainability transition and the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.

The roundtable, to be held at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and online, will be moderated by Professor Chris Turney, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Research UTS.

His Excellency Mr Gabriele Visentin, EU Ambassador to Australia and Kristin Tilley, Ambassador for Climate Change, Australia, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will set the context in an opening session.

Roundtable presenters include:

• Diana Acconcia, Director for International Affairs and Climate Finance, Directorate-General for Climate Action, European Commission
• Dr Sally Box, First Assistant Secretary, International Climate Negotiations Division, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
• Eliza Murray, General Manager – Strategy, Climate Change Authority

Panelists include:

• Tennant Reid, Director, Climate Change and Energy, Australia Industry Group
• Glen Klatovsky, CEO, Climate Action Network Australia
• Thomas Earl, Director, Modelling and Data Analysis, European Foundation for Transport and the Environment
• Nick Mabey, Founding Director and Co-CEO, E3G (Third Generation Environmentalism)

The roundtable will also be attended by around 25 high level delegates representing research, policy, finance and industry and civil society.

Discussion topics

 The roundtable will consider:

• the current state of play of Australia’s NDC and the process for developing a post-2030 NCD for submission in 2025.
• how will NDCs be economy-wide? Will they cover all GHGs, and include specific sectoral targets?
• how will the new NDC contribute to the global efforts called by the Global Stocktake decision, especially in relation to the energy transition?
• Which sectors will be prioritised (based on the national emissions profile)?
• What are the proposed policy settings to progress the post NDC considering those most efficient in the national context?
• What are the enabling conditions to achieve the implementation of the 2030 and post-2030 NDCs?

The EU Aus Roundtable will take place on Wednesday 4 December at 5.00pm -7.30pm AEDT / 7am – 9.30am CET