Jul 19, 2026 | Carbon markets, Clean Energy, Climate Policy, Electric vehicle, Lighter Footprints Events
Going electric improves exports and increases resilience Right now we are experiencing how vital it is for Australia to have a resilient energy system. Australia has world-beating renewables resources. Dr Monique Ryan MP along with financial analyst Tim Buckley,...
Feb 27, 2026 | Clean Energy, Climate Policy
Clean economy, expanding green exports Superpower 2026 with Simon Holmes à Court and Reuben Finighan Energy analyst and renewables expert Simon Holmes à Court outlined Australia’s progress in transitioning to renewable energy and green exports. Dr Reuben...
Feb 21, 2026 | Carbon offsets, Climate Policy, Environmental protection, Forests
What is really going on with Victoria’s forests? An update from veteran forests campaigner Luke Chamberlain In our recent webinar Why Forests Matter, Luke Chamberlain from Environmental Justice Australia gives us an inside view on what is really happening to...
Nov 13, 2025 | Clean Energy, Climate Policy, Economy, Environmental protection, Kooyong
Ambition, levers, supporting policy for a safer climate future For our last public meeting of 2025, Lighter Footprints asked the Federal member for Kooyong, Dr Monique Ryan MP, to speak about her climate priorities for her second term in Parliament, and her...
Oct 25, 2025 | Biodiversity, Climate Policy, Court action, Environmental protection, Forests
Trees are essential for our health, for biodiversity, and for protecting our climate. Forests Working Group The Forests Working Group highlights and supports forest conservation efforts, research, as well as informing the public what is really going on with forests –...
Oct 6, 2025 | Clean Energy, Climate Policy, Electrification, Forests
How do we effect change for a cleaner and safer environment? 2025 first preference votes suggest the major parties are struggling to represent the people of Australia. Background In a recent blog we explained why many Australians have felt seriously let down by...
Aug 11, 2025 | Biodiversity, Boroondara Council, Climate Policy, Environmental protection, Forests, Tree Canopy, Urban forests
We depend on trees! We all learnt so much more about the amazing benefits of our neighbourhood trees to our health and community, and what we can do to improve biodiversity. Watch Dr Greg Moore and Dr Judy Bush on our video highlights here and Chris Spencer and Amy...
May 21, 2025 | Chisholm, Climate Policy, Federal election, Kooyong
Voters chose solar over nuclear and gave a strong climate mandate in Melbourne’s inner east Late in 2024 we wondered when the election would be. Would they go before Christmas on the back of a rates cut? What about February? Then it was going to be March 8th...
May 14, 2025 | Biodiversity, Boroondara Council, Calendar of events, Carbon, Clean Energy, Climate change, Climate Policy, Energy, Energy Efficiency, Federal election, Forests, Gas, Nuclear, Volunteering
Labor was returned with a very large majority, and Greens hold the balance of power in the Senate. We have read through some expert responses and given you a comprehensive look looking at opportunities for climate action and potential challenges in what could be a...
Apr 28, 2025 | Climate Policy, Federal election, Menzies
An evening of democracy The Menzies Candidate Forum was an evening of real contrasts – with candidate statements varying from “We’ve already seen what 1.5 degrees looks like, Black Summer bushfires, forever floods and rising insurance premiums. What happens at...
Mar 7, 2025 | Clean Energy, Climate Policy, Lighter Footprints Events, Nuclear
Held for the first time in the Malvern Town Hall, the Lighter Footprints annual energy transition event featuring Simon Holmes à Court and Ric Brazzale was a big success. The 400 attendees were treated to an inviting array of community organisation stalls, an engaging...
Nov 18, 2024 | Climate change, Climate Policy, Communicating climate change, Federal election
Trump’s election and climate Although a major setback, climate impacts can be lessened if other countries stay the course Bill Hare, CEO of Climate Analytics writes “The energy transition is now well under way. The economics of renewable technologies are so...
Sep 4, 2024 | Clean Energy, Climate Policy, Energy, Gas, Nuclear
Energy Policy: Facts and Fiction with Dr Dylan McConnell In order to be strong advocates for the energy policy Australia needs to rapidly decarbonise the Lighter Footprints community seeks information from well credentialed experts. On Wednesday 21st August we were...
Aug 12, 2024 | Clean Energy, Climate Policy, Energy, Nuclear
After all these years of numerous detours, blind alleys or failed energy plans, coupled with Peter Dutton’s nuclear challenge, it’s time for a clear-eyed look at some energy supply facts. What about nuclear, and what is the likely impact of the Liberal policy? What...
Jun 11, 2023 | Clean Energy, Climate change, Climate Policy, Electrification, Sustainable Building
Sustainable Architecture: Passivhaus (Passive House) vs Passive Solar Buildings This article relates to alterations, renovations and new builds. It attempts to clarify the differences between the passive solar design and Passivhaus design approaches. Many people...
May 8, 2023 | Carbon, Carbon credits, Carbon offsets, Climate Damage, Climate Policy, Safeguard Mechanism
An informative and enjoyable event On Wednesday 26 April, Lighter Footprints hosted an informative meeting on Reducing Australia’s Emissions in Kew, Melbourne. It was good to meet face-to-face over drinks and nibbles and to be updated on the Dirty Dozen campaign...
Apr 14, 2023 | Biodiversity, Carbon, Climate Policy, Communicating climate change, IPCC
IPCC Webinars Lighter Footprints is pleased to share two recordings of recent webinars on the latest IPCC Synthesis Report and Summary for Policymakers released 20 March 2023. This is perhaps the most important synthesis report in the IPCC cycle because the next one...
Aug 26, 2022 | Biodiversity, Boroondara Council, Climate Policy, Planning
Canopy tree and climate change in Boroondara. Why should we be concerned? Benefits of Canopy Trees Whether in public spaces or on private land, trees enhance our sense of well-being, help reduce the urban heat island effect and support biodiversity. Canopy trees cool...
Aug 9, 2022 | Carbon credits, Clean Energy, Climate Policy, Economics, Electric vehicle
Overview Labor’s climate bill passes the lower house Amended by Greens and independents to make 43% by 2030 a floor, not a ceiling, Labor’s climate bill passes the lower house, and heads to a Senate inquiry which is due to report by the end of August. The...
Jul 3, 2022 | Clean Energy, Climate Policy, Lighter Footprints Events, Offshore wind
Lighter Footprints: June 29th on Offshore Wind We were fortunate to have Naomi Campbell, the Development Director of Star of the South and Pat Simons, Yes2Renewables Coordinator speaking at our June 29th event on offshore wind. You can listen to our speakers again on...
May 1, 2022 | Climate change, Climate Policy, Federal election, Lighter Footprints Forum
On Wednesday 27 April, a packed hall of around 500 people (plus 200 more on Facebook Live) heard from candidates Dr Peter Lynch (Labor), Mr Piers Mitchem (Greens) and Dr Monique Ryan (Independent) how they would represent the voters of Kooyong with a particular focus...
Mar 2, 2022 | Clean Energy, Climate change, Climate Policy, EV, Lighter Footprints Events
Australia is so well positioned to transition rapidly to clean energy, with vast potential to rapidly clean up our manufacturing and value add clean energy in decarbonised exports. Our energy system is becoming more resilient and distributed, and households are likely...
Feb 16, 2022 | Carbon, Climate change, Climate Policy, Economy, Vote Climate
HERE ARE FOUR A strong economy needs a healthy climate Climate change is a serious health issue Climate change is a security issue Life on Earth depends upon a healthy climate CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE ECONOMY Good management of the economy requires good management of...
Dec 8, 2021 | Carbon, Climate Policy, Gas, No category
Victoria is due to release its Gas Substitution Roadmap by the end of the year. A number of climate focused organisations, including Lighter Footprints, have issued a Joint Statement on Victoria Getting Off Fossil Gas. The Lighter Footprints MP engagement group is...
Nov 16, 2021 | Clean Energy, Climate Policy, National campaigns, Vote Climate
Australia has been awarded yet another Colossal Fossil, this time at Glasgow, for “appalling performance” on climate. Although moving away from fossil fuels was mentioned in a COP statement for the first time, Australia has helped to water down the text,...
