Disinformation is everywhere: AI-based material was even used to generate some of false claims in submissions to the inquiry into misinformation.
- Professor of Political Science, School of Regulation and Global Governance, Australian National University
New research finds about 20 groups dominate climate policy in Australia, from firms to industry advocates and NGOs to thinktanks.
More fossil fuel lobbyists are coming to global climate talks to try to get favourable outcomes. Now their role is in the spotlight.
This week, Australian policymakers heard about the real and growing problem of climate misinformation. Stopping it would mean regulating the PR industry.
Billions of dollars in renewables investment once destined for the US could soon be looking for a new home. The Albanese government must capitalise.
What will a Trump Presidency mean for climate policy, in the US, Australia and elsewhere? Buckle up, it’s not pretty.
Banning public funding for overseas fossil fuel projects will boost Australia’s climate leadership. But can it take the next step and do it domestically?
Los investigadores han analizado una década de gastos políticos de la industria del petróleo y el gas y de otros sectores implicados en la política climática. Si el dinero habla, una de las partes tiene un megáfono gigante.
Researchers looked at a decade of political spending by the oil and gas industry and others engaged in climate policy. If money talks, one side had a giant megaphone.
Almost 35 years after the US Senate was first warned about climate change, it has passed a bill. Here’s what it means for Australia.
Until now, export credit agencies - publicly-owned banks - have gone under the radar on fossil fuel financing. That’s about to change.
By the end of the summit, we’ll know how far nations are willing to go to address humanity’s biggest challenge. But while international politics matter, domestic politics are what counts.
Japan, South Korea and China are all moving away from overseas coal financing. For Australia, the writing is on the wall – the clean energy transition is inevitable.
If we’re to avert a climate disaster, we must not underestimate the power of climate misinformation campaigns to undermine this week’s IPCC findings.
The opportunity won’t last forever. Countries that move first will gain an advantage in new industries, technologies and export markets. Those that wait may never catch up.
It’s said the best predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour. Let’s hope that’s not the case with Mathias Cormann’s climate stance when he joins the OECD.
Under a Biden administration, fireside chats in the White House will come with new expectations that Australia significantly increases its ambitions under the Paris agreement.
The oil deal is a side-show. Australian energy diplomacy instead must grapple with the rapid deployment of renewables.
Despite voting to remain a member of an Australian coal lobby group, there are growing divisions between fossil fuel extractors and the larger energy industry.
The G20’s power comes from its members, but also vital is its informal structure and close working relationship with other international organisations.
Climate policy is clearly a threat to the job security of Australian prime ministers, but it could upend our international diplomacy as well, with a string of key summits looming in coming months.
Donald Trump has fulfilled his pledge to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement struck in 2015, leaving China and Europe with the job of preventing other nations from following suit.
If Donald Trump turns away from climate action as George W. Bush did, Europe and China can respond by forming an alliance that will turn the United States from a climate leader into a follower.
Australia had the first government body dedicated to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Next week, Brisbane hosts the final meeting of the G20 Energy Sustainability Working Group before the main G20 summit in November. Government officials and energy experts from 20 of the most powerful countries…
Contact Christian for
- General
- Media request
- Speaking request
- Consulting / Advising
- Research collaboration
- Research supervision
- Location: Canberra, Australia
- Website
- BlueSky: @christiandownie.bsky.social
- X (formerly Twitter): @DownieChristian
- Article Feed
- ORCID
- Joined
