Climate-KIC Australia inspires and enables climate action by catalysing systems change. We work with our collaboration network, drawing on our Systems Innovation Framework, to accelerate Australia’s response to climate change.
Climate-KIC Australia orchestrates collaborative efforts to deliver connected and coordinated climate action. We work across multiple levers of change, including technology, business models, markets, finance and investment, policy and regulation, knowledge and skills, organisational culture and ways of working.
Climate-KIC Australia inspires and enables climate action by catalysing systems change. We work with our collaboration network, drawing on our Systems Innovation Framework, to accelerate Australia’s response to climate change.
Climate-KIC Australia was established in 2017 to catalyse climate action through systems innovation.
Recognising that no single organisation or individual can change systems and solve the climate challenge on their own, Climate-KIC works with a broad network of organisations to develop and deliver systems innovation activities. We often play an orchestrating role, leveraging our collaboration network, bringing systems change intent and agency, working with diverse stakeholders using a broad range of skills, capabilities and knowledge that increases the effectiveness and scale of our impact.
Climate-KIC Australia works within the UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures and collaborates with EIT Climate-KIC – Europe’s leading climate innovation initiative.
Climate-KIC Australia leverages the networks, research acumen and reputation of the University of Technology Sydney’s Institute for Sustainable Futures.
The Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) is an independent research institute within the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). They conduct transdisciplinary, project-based research in line with our vision of creating positive change towards sustainable futures.
UTS-ISF shares Climate-KIC Australia’s focus on systems-wide transformations. ISF’s applied expertise in systems thinking, participatory governance and capacity building allows them to support clients in navigating and facilitating change within a complex and uncertain context.
Our sister organisation EIT Climate-KIC, established in 2010 and funded by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), is the European Union’s largest climate innovation initiative and a strong voice for transformative systems innovation within Europe and beyond. Climate-KIC Australia leverages the Systems Innovation Framework pioneered by EIT Climate- KIC and adapts it to our local, Australian context.
In EIT’s recent review of EIT Climate-KIC’s Systems Innovation approach, it found the “process design qualities appear to be among the best, if not the best practice in EU” and the frameworks are an “ambitious attempt to address a fundamental ‘reflexivity failure’ at the core of most of the policy ambitions aiming at addressing societal challenges”.
Climate-KIC Australia Ltd is a public company limited by guarantee, registered in November 2016 under the Australian Corporations Act. The company is registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for- profits Commission and is on the Register of Environmental Organisations, providing Deductible Gift Recipient status for the Climate-KIC Australia Gift Fund.
Climate-KIC Australia merged with UTS Insititute for Sustainable Futures in January 2024.
Climate-KIC Australia will continue to have a Board to oversee our transition into UTS. We will be establishing an Advisory Board to provide strategic guidance into our next phase of growth and impact. Our leadership team is made up of a diverse mix of influential climate leaders with national and international experience across Government, industry and research.
Climate-KIC Australia’s Board and leadership team is made up of a diverse mix of influential climate leaders with national and international experience across Government, industry and research.
Climate-KIC Australia Ltd is a public company limited by guarantee, registered in November 2016 under the Australian Corporations Act. The company is registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for- profits Commission and is on the Register of Environmental Organisations, providing Deductible Gift Recipient status for the Climate-KIC Australia Gift Fund.
Christopher Lee is the CEO of Climate-KIC Australia and played a key role its establishment. Chris has extensive climate change experience and from 2009 to 2017 led the development and implementation of Climate Change Adaptation programs for the NSW Government. He has degrees in Economics and Environmental Management, and has experience across, public, private and university sectors.
As Director of Strategic Projects, Belinda brings her global experience in accounting, marketing, strategy and innovation for financial services to develop strategies to build greater resilience for Climate-KIC Australia.
As Director of Strategic Projects, Jason develops and leads multi-stakeholder system transition initiatives, leveraging his experience in Europe over the past decade working with large scale demonstrations and innovation ecosystem building initiatives for industry and cities.
As Climate-KIC Australia’s Director of Systems Innovation Meredith brings her experience in strategy, design, innovation and facilitation to shape and deliver projects and portfolios for systemic impact. She leverages her experience in consulting, financial services, corporate innovation and a start up to help people and organisations tackle the complexity of climate action.
As Director of the Business Renewables Centre Australia (BRC-A), Jackie manages this national membership platform and corporate education initiative to accelerate corporate transition to renewable energy. Jackie brings rich experience in renewable energy procurement and carbon management to the BRC-A to expand corporate renewable energy support to an even wider group of organisations nationally.
We work with a broad network of organisations and stakeholders to develop activities aligned with our mission and vision. Together, we have the desire and agency for systems change, as well as the skills, capabilities and knowledge needed to deliver impactful system interventions.
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