SYDNEY – The German Embassy Canberra and the Embassy of France in Canberra, in collaboration with the Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA), have launched the first event in a new Climate Talks series, “The Path to Net Zero – Investing in Ambitious NDCs for Growth and Development.”
Expertly moderated by Beth Dowe, Executive Director of the Climate Leaders Coalition, the event examined how ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) can foster economic growth, equity, and sustainable investment. Drawing from the joint OECD and UNDP report “Investing in Climate for Growth and Development,” the panel highlighted to a capacity audience at AIIA New South Wales that ambitious NDCs could increase global GDP by up to three percent by 2050 and as much as thirteen percent by 2100.
Focusing on Australia’s opportunities, Eliza Murray, Deputy CEO of the Climate Change Authority, shared that shifting from fossil fuel exports to green hydrogen, iron, and ammonia could reduce global emissions by ten percent. Shaun Chau, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Cyan Ventures, noted the need for ultra-low-cost renewable energy and investor-friendly policies to make this transition viable. Dr Melanie Pill, Research Fellow at the Lowy Institute, emphasised the importance of close coordination with Southeast Asian partners through benefit-sharing arrangements, while Erin Ryan from Climate Action Network Australia added that aligning with international legal developments, including the recent International Court of Justice opinion, would be both prudent and beneficial for the Pacific region.
German Ambassador Beate Grzeski and French Ambassador Pierre-Andre Imbert delivered keynote addresses underscoring the embassies’ commitment to fostering ambitious climate action.
AIIA CEO Dr Bryce Wakefield, who opened the event, said the collaboration demonstrated how international partnerships can amplify climate ambition: “It is encouraging to see the AIIA working hand in hand with our French and German partners as climate becomes increasingly central to Australia’s diplomatic agenda. These talks show how diplomacy can help us build the ambition needed to deliver on global climate commitments as we approach COP31.”
This event marks the beginning of a series of Climate Talks that the AIIA and the German Embassy will hold across Australia and the South Pacific in the lead-up to COP31.
