A new coalition of grassroots climate organisations, representing tens of thousands of people, is setting out to transform how Australia tackles the climate crisis.
With support from Australian Communities Foundation’s Impact Fund and other seed funders, the Climate Justice Coalition (CJC) is working to shift the narrative on climate and centre justice in the conversation.
“Our Coalition represents national organisations with thousands of committed volunteers building power in their communities to end fossil fuels fast, fair and forever,” says Kelly Albion, CJC Convenor.
“Right now, communities across the world are feeling the impacts of the climate crisis, but not equally,” says Kelly. “First Nations peoples and communities in the Pacific are taking the lead and calling for the scale of transformation required. It’s up to us as a movement to join their calls and fight for climate justice together.”
Formed ahead of Australia and the Pacific’s likely hosting of the United Nations climate summit COP31 next year, the Coalition has laid out bold plans to build momentum for the summit to mark a national commitment to phasing out fossil fuels.
We recently spoke with Kelly about the Coalition’s vision, the road to COP31, and how collective giving through the ACF Impact Fund is helping power a new era of climate action.
What opportunities and responsibilities does hosting COP31 present for our region?
COP31 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Australia and the Pacific to lead on climate action. With the world watching, we have a chance to set a new standard for climate ambition – one that reflects what our brothers and sisters in the Pacific are calling for to protect their islands: a fast and fair phase-out of coal and gas exports by 2035. Australia is the second-largest exporter of coal and gas globally, behind Russia. That means we have a responsibility to reduce our contribution to the crisis. The global spotlight from hosting COP31 will put Australia’s climate performance on the national and international agenda.
We have bold and ambitious plans to make ending coal and gas the commonsense solution to the climate crisis
How does the Coalition aim to shift the narrative and action on climate?
We have bold and ambitious plans to make ending coal and gas the commonsense solution to the climate crisis, both with the public and politicians. We’ll do that through a distributed network model where we’ll support leaders to build power in their communities.
Before COP31, we’ll have 200,000 conversations across the country – helping people connect the dots between their everyday lives, the impacts of climate change, and the role of fossil fuels. Through these conversations, we’ll support people to find their own pathways into collective action. We’ll put our call to end fossil fuels on the national stage and organise historic mobilisations for hundreds of thousands of people to join us for a better world.
How did early seed funding from the ACF Impact Fund help bring the Coalition to life?
ACF’s Impact Fund has been crucial for the establishment of the Coalition. It has enabled us to set up the strategy, structure and culture of the Coalition through a co-design process, as well as testing some of our ideas in the field. We have also been working with broader movement partners to shape our approach for COP31.
What did that early backing enable you to do that might not have been possible otherwise?
Without this seed funding, the Coalition would not have been able to get off the ground with a plan that is now launched and ready to welcome new members. We launched at a recent climate movement conference, with huge interest from other groups to join our coalition and hit the ground running with conversations and power-building in communities. It also allowed us to invest in a website and brand to grow our movement and our recognition in the space.
Every contribution helps build powerful coalitions and movements that can influence policy and create resilient communities in the face of a changing climate
How can collective giving – and collective action – work together for climate justice?
To change everything, we need everyone. That includes people who want to give as their way of empowering and growing our movement. Every contribution helps build powerful coalitions and movements that can influence policy, keep fossil fuels in the ground, and create resilient communities in the face of a changing climate.
What’s next for the Coalition – and how can people stay involved or support your work?
Next, we’re taking the Coalition to the international stage. Representatives from all member organisations will be in Belém, Brazil for COP30 to launch the Coalition globally and learn from the activists on the ground.
Here in Australia, we are launching our grassroots network through local events in Brisbane, Illawarra, Canberra and Sydney, with big roadshow events in February next year to fire people up about our vision and mission.
Learn more and get involved: climatejusticecoalition.org.au
The Climate Justice Coalition is made up of organisations with a track record of building social movements, including 350 Australia, Tipping Point, Australian Youth Climate Coalition, Seed Indigenous Youth Climate Network and 350 Pacific.
