A Pioneer For Climate Justice

Under Amanda’s leadership, the Climate Council has become a powerful and trusted voice on climate action driving campaigns to change public opinion and national and state policy. She previously co-founded the Australian Youth Climate Coalition and has advised numerous governments and corporations on climate and energy. Amanda’s governance experience includes founding Chair of the Centre for Australian Progress and director roles at Plan International. Named one of Westpac’s 100 Women of Influence, she holds an Honours degree in Law from Monash University and an Arts degree from the University of Melbourne. Read on for our interview with Amanda!

Describe your career trajectory and how you got to your current position.

I’ve been invested in environmental issues from a young age. But reading The Change Makers by Tim Flannery, whilst hiking in Tasmania, was really the catalyst for me. I realised that climate change impacts everything and everyone and that it’s not just an environmental issue, it’s the biggest economic, health and social justice issue of our time.

After studying law at university, I co-founded the Australian Youth Climate Coalition and led youth delegations to UN climate summits. I later joined the Climate Commission as a Senior Communications Advisor providing expert advice to the Australian public on climate. The Abbott Government then abolished the Climate Commission as its first act of government in 2013, so we took a leap of faith and launched the Climate Council as an independent, community funded organisation, with Australia’s largest ever crowdfunding campaign at the time. We raised $1.3 million in a week and since then we’ve grown to become Australia’s most powerful climate communications and advocacy organisation.

What does this role mean to you?

It’s an incredible privilege. Leading the Climate Council means working every day on something that truly matters—protecting people, communities and nature from the accelerating impacts of climate change. It’s a fantastic opportunity to help shape a safer, fairer, more sustainable future.

I get to work alongside brilliant, passionate, values-driven individuals—from scientists and communicators to policy experts and community advocates—who show up every day determined to make a difference. We’re not just responding to the crisis; we’re building the solutions together. That’s what makes this work so fulfilling.

Take us through a typical day of work for you.

There’s no such thing as a typical day! Some days I’m talking to journalists about extreme weather or briefing leaders on the latest science. Other days I’m workshopping campaign strategies, giving a keynote speech, or chasing my kids off-screen during an important Zoom call!

I work closely with climate scientists, energy experts, and policy specialists—translating complex information into something the public and policymakers can engage with. There’s usually a lot of media, meetings, and juggling along the way.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?

When the government shut down the Climate Commission in 2013, that was a massive moment. But we were ready. I’d been quietly planning for months in case it happened. Within 24 hours we launched the Climate Council with an online campaign and raised $1.3 million in a week from 15,000 Australians in a week. That response from the public—it was just extraordinary, and reflecting back on this time, it still makes me feel hopeful every day.

That experience taught me a lot about courage and preparation. The old saying that You’re never really “ready” for these moments, but you can choose to be brave anyway. And if you’re getting criticism, it probably means you’re doing something worthwhile.

How do you stay motivated to work in this field?

My kids. I think about the world they’re growing up in, and what things will be like when they’re grown up. It keeps me going, even on the hard days.

But I’m also a big believer in hope as a muscle. The science is terrifying—there’s no sugar-coating that—but humans are capable of incredible change. Hope is how we keep showing up and pushing for more even when things feel hopeless or impossible.

How do you unwind after work?

My two little ones make me much more balanced – reading books, going to the park, or dancing in the living room with them.

I try to protect my energy too, limiting how much bad news and social media I consume.

I’m not always great at switching off from work, but I’m working on it…

What was the last thing you…

Watched: Definitely Bluey. It’s basically on loop in our house.

Read: I read a mix of The Guardian, the ABC, and international news each day. I always have a few new reports I love stories about people who’ve made big social change—people like Wangari Maathai or Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Listened to: We’ve been listening to musicals and my kids are loving Hamilton.