We are Climate KIC Australia, systems change practitioners and independent conveners based at the University of Technology Sydney’s Institute for Sustainable Futures. We design and deliver climate initiatives that help bridge the gap between reality and ambition. We apply a variety of systems innovation tools, frameworks and methods to enable people to redesign the systems they work within. We bring people together across value chains, sectors and places to work as part of a global network, partnering with industry, government, finance, research and civil society.
Meeting Australia’s climate goals demands transformative change across all sectors of the economy and society. We need approaches that accelerate emissions reductions, enhance carbon removal and prepare us for the unavoidable impacts of a warmer world.
To bridge the gap between our current state and the future we want to create, there needs to be coordinated action and joined-up responses. This requires multiple organisations – industry, government, research, civil society and other groups – working together, with each bringing unique resources, interests, capabilities and beliefs to the table.
That’s where Climate KIC Australia comes in. We bring people, organisations and institutions together to address the climate challenges they can’t solve alone.
We don’t just talk about systems change – we deliver it. We offer:
We catalyse systems change by bringing people together.
Our capabilities include project design and delivery; collaboration networks; convening and facilitation; capability and capacity-building and stakeholder and system insights.
We work across a broad range of value chains and sectors, including: industry and regions; climate resilience and planetary health; energy and the built environment and innovation and knowledge systems.
Our vision is a net zero, resilient, healthy and thriving future for all.
Climate KIC Australia was founded in 2017 with an ambition: to catalyse climate action in Australia through collaborative innovation. In 2024 we merged with the University of Technology Sydney’s Institute for Sustainable Futures (UTS-ISF) to deepen our capability and capacity and enhance our ability to drive systems change.
We are always seeking to build new partnerships with leading global organisations.
Climate KIC Australia leverages the networks, research acumen and reputation of UTS-ISF.
The ISF is an independent research institute within 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.
Climate KIC, established in 2010, was launched as one of the first three Knowledge Innovation Communities (KICs) of the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT).
In 2025, Climate KIC relaunched as a not-for-profit foundation and signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with EIT, solidifying its continued collaboration to boost climate innovation in Europe and beyond.
We collaborate deeply with Climate KIC, Europe’s leading climate innovation initiative and community. KIC stands for knowledge, innovation and community and is at the heart of what both organisations do.
Chris 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 – Strategic Initiatives at Climate KIC Australia, Belinda brings her global experience in accounting, marketing, strategy and innovation for financial services to develop strategies to build greater resilience.
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 Director – Strategic Initiatives at Climate KIC Australia, 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 a Director – Strategic Initiatives at Climate KIC Australia, and Director of the Business Renewables Centre Australia (BRC-A), Jackie manages a 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.
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.
We can help you develop: