Turning the tide: Building support for a net zero emissions future in regional Queensland
Despite what the polls might say, there is strong and growing support across regional Queensland for an economy sustained by action that reduces and absorbs emissions across all sectors of the economy. The Next Economy has directly engaged over 450 Queenslanders in a series of community forums since the last Federal election to gather ideas on economic stimulus ideas that will also accelerate the transition to zero emissions. In this presentation, Dr Amanda Cahill will present the findings of this consultation and the range of existing and emerging economic opportunities being explored by regional areas. She will also reflect on the processes of engagement used to build inclusive, productive and safe spaces for collaboration between industry, government, workers and communities and offer some suggestions on how the findings from this work can support economic recovery efforts in the era of COVID-19.
Amanda is the CEO of The Next Economy. She has spent over two decades working with inspiring people across Australia, Asia and the Pacific to create positive change on issues as diverse as economic development, public health, gender equality, and climate adaptation. The focus of her work at The Next Economy is to support communities, government, industry and others to develop a more resilient, just and regenerative economy. Most of this work involves supporting regional communities in Australia to strengthen their economies by embracing the transition to zero emissions. Amanda completed her PhD at the Australian National University on participatory action research approaches to economic development in the Philippines. She is an Adjunct Lecturer at The University of Queensland, an Industry Fellow at the Sydney Policy Lab at the University of Sydney, and a 2020 Churchill Fellow.