These conditions gave birth to “The Australian Climate Consensus Forum 2020”. The Forum was the brainchild of
- Professor Steven Robson, past president of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Gynaecologists;
- Professor Penny D Sackett, former Chief Scientist of Australia; and
- Mr David Templeman, President of the Public Health Association of Australia.
Shortly before COVID-19 bans on interstate travel were imposed, Robson, Sackett and Templeman convened a diverse group of Australian organisations including medical practitioners, farmers, economists, firefighters, scientists, indigenous groups, professionals, and community and religious groups from across Australia to attend the 'Australian Climate Consensus Forum' on 12 March 2020, at the Hyatt Hotel in Canberra. The aim of the Forum was to develop a 'Consensus Declaration' reflecting the participants’ views informed by the latest scientific data regarding climate change.
Fast forward six months, following a 'COVID-induced' hiatus, and the Consensus Declaration has been finalised. The declaration is a simple, scientific, apolitical statement of the urgent need for action on climate change, including concrete aims, and a commitment by individual organisations to develop their own climate action plans to reduce emissions.
Upon its formal release, the Consensus Declaration will be open for endorsement by Australian non-government, non-partisan organisations.
