Griffith University and the Queensland Government united to share insight and expertise in tackling current and future climate risks at the Queensland Government Climate Action Symposium, held at the State Library.

Almost 100 representatives from across Queensland Government departments attended the one-day event, which included presentations from Dr John Hewson AM, senior State Government officials and leaders from Griffith Climate Change Response Program (GCCRP) and Griffith Policy Innovation Hub (PIH).

The Symposium was the kick-off event for the Queensland Climate Ready program (QCR), a two-year program in which Griffith University will be working in collaboration with the Queensland Government to strengthen institutional framework for managing current and future climate risks.

In opening the event, then Acting Queensland Public Service Commission Chief Executive Sonia Cooper said “the QCR program not only demonstrates Queensland Government’s commitment to addressing climate risks, but more broadly, the need for new and innovative ways of developing and implementing the public policy solutions required to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future”.

The QCR program partnership utilises relationships with Department of the Premier and Cabinet and the Public Service Commission established under an existing PIH Queensland Government agreement. It brings together academics and professionals from across Griffith University who specialise in public policy analysis and climate change adaptation and mitigation.

The Griffith Champion for the QCR Program Sam Mackay said that “the QCR program approach will be one of collaboration with the government, where Griffith will support departments to shape how they believe climate risks can be best managed at both a whole-of-government and departmental level”.

Notable speakers (in order of appearance) at the symposium included:

  • Sonia Cooper, then Acting Chief Executive, Queensland Public Service Commission: The policy innovation agenda evolving in the Queensland Public Service.
  • Professor Brendan Mackey, Director Griffith Climate Change Response Program: Introduction to the IPCC Climate Risk Assessment Framework.
  • Georgine Roodenrys, Executive Director Climate Change Policy Department of Environment & Science: Update on the Queensland Government’s Climate Change Response (QCCR).
  • Dr John Hewson AM, Professor Crawford School of Public Policy; Australian National University; Griffith University: Perspectives on the risk climate change poses to public sector administration, including delivery of core government and public good services.
  • Professor Anne Tiernan,Dean (Engagement) Griffith Business School: Insights into the design and implementation of innovative policy when addressing complex risks.

If you would like further information on the symposium or the QCR program, please contact Madeleine McGann on [email protected].