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ACF Event Schedule

Explore our full program of events from 10-20 November. Click on each event for details, registration links, and speaker information.

Earth Warriors - First Nations women protecting sacred sites

Wednesday 12 November, 9:30 – 11:00 am | The Nature Hub Pavilion | Blue Zone 

The session begins with a powerful song by Josie Alec, ACF’s First Nations Lead, followed by a screening of Heart of Country, a short documentary exploring the profound spiritual connection that First Nations people hold with their ancestral lands and waters. A panel of First Nations women - Josie Alec, Polly Cutmore, Barbara Ubuai and Bianca McNair - will share stories of their connection to Mother Earth and how philanthropy can sustain our shared humanity. Facilitated by Christine Anderson, ACF’s Director of Fundraising with opening remarks by Johanna Featherstone of Oranges & Sardines Foundation. 

More info

World Climate Summit Closing Plenary 11B: From Belém to the World – Locking in the Legacy 

Friday 14 November, 4:30 – 5:10 pm | World Climate Summit | Assembléia Paraense, Av. Alm. Barroso, 4614 - Souza, Belém  

Gavan McFadzean, ACF’s Climate & Energy Program Manager, will join the World Climate Summit’s final plenary that asks how Belém will be remembered. The panel highlights how coalitions, finance vehicles and regional platforms can anchor delivery far beyond COP30. By embedding commitments into durable systems, this session ensures that Belém’s legacy is one of permanence and global influence as we look ahead to a possible COP31 in Australia-Pacific. 

Register for World Climate Summit 

Voices for Climate and Nature: From the Amazon to Australia

Saturday 15 November, 6:30 – 10 pm | By invitation only 

This private dinner will bring together Indigenous leaders, farmers, funders, and innovators to highlight tangible, cross-sector solutions that protect biodiversity, uphold First Nations rights, and accelerate the transition to nature-friendly renewable energy and agriculture. Highlighting voices from the Amazon to Australia, this evening of music, story, food and authentic dialogue, will cultivate an atmosphere of collaborative action and shared commitment as we look forward to COP31.  

In partnership with Food Tank, NOW Partners Foundation and Future Economy Forum, speakers include Josie Alec, ACF’s First Nations Lead, Gavan McFadzean, ACF’s Climate & Energy Program Manager, Heidi Douglas, Solar Citizens CEO, Architect and Anthropologist Dr Karla Nunes Penna, author and environmentalist Hunter Lovins, Hasmukh Chand, CANA Climate Strategist, and more being confirmed. Facilitated by Dani Nierenberg, President of Food Tank.

Request to join 

Harvesting Solutions: Agriculture’s Role in a Climate-Smart Future

Thursday 20 November, 12 pm | Australian Pavilion | Blue Zone 

Nat Pelle, ACF’s Business and Nature Campaigner, will join this session that highlights how Australian farmers—including First Nations leaders—are tackling climate challenges through emissions reduction, renewable energy, and nature-based solutions, reframing agriculture as a driver of climate action and resilient regional communities. 

More info 

Meet our delegation

Meet the people representing ACF and Australian nature on the global stage in Brazil, and connect with our team for collective action.

Josie Alec – First Nations Lead

Josie is a teacher, artist, singer-songwriter, and Traditional Owner of Murujuga on the Burrup Peninsula. She co-founded Save Our Songlines, which works to protect Songlines, rock art, water, air, and cultural heritage from industrial damage while passing on lore and culture. Josie focuses on First Nations action to protect Country and maintain the deep connection to place.

Two people smiling, standing outdoors. One holds a camera. Karratha, WA.

Gavan McFadzean – Climate & Energy Program Manager 

Gavan has been a social justice and environmental activist for 25 years, with high-profile roles in national climate and forest campaigns. He works on climate change, coal and gas mining, renewable energy, and the net zero transition. Gavan has campaigned across Australia on issues including Jabiluka, the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree, Cape York, and the Kimberley, and has been recognized as Wild Magazine’s Australian Conservationist of the Year. 

Man, Gavan McFadzean, ACF Program Manager, smiling, headshot.

Nathaniel Pelle – Business & Nature Campaigner 

Nat is ACF's Business and Nature Lead, guiding its work pushing the business sector to better measure and manage its impact on nature; he also leads ACF's food systems campaign. He is an expert in nature-related risks with a particular focus on food system impacts and dependencies on nature and opportunities to transition to nature-friendly farming. Nat authored ACF's influential The Nature-Based Economy report which estimated the Australian economy's dependence on nature. He knows about marine issues from his previous job leading Greenpeace Australia Pacific’s Oceans and Oil campaigns. Nat is also an IUCN Commission member and contributed to the IUCN guidance on 'nature positive' for business. 

Man in a suit, smiling, standing outdoors, trees in background, sunny day.

Liv Casben – Media Advisor

Liv has worked in the media across three decades, and is a former senior journalist/ presenter and now media advisor.  She has reported on major domestic and international stories, from Australia’s 2019-20 bushfires, natural disasters in New Zealand, the COVID pandemic and environmental stories.  Skilled across radio, television, and digital media, Liv is respected for her editorial leadership, journalism and mentorship.

Woman, Liv Casben, smiling, outdoors, wearing a hat, trees in background.

Christine Anderson CFRE FFIA – Director of Fundraising

Christine is Director of Fundraising at ACF, a graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors, and a Fellow of Fundraising Institute Australia (FFIA). Christine brings extensive expertise in philanthropic strategy, fundraising leadership, marketing and digital transformation.

Woman, Christine Anderson, smiling, headshot, blonde hair, professional attire.

About ACF – Australia’s national environment organisation 

For 60 years, ACF has protected the nature we love – our unique wildlife and our beautiful beaches and bush. Driven by the power of people, we won World Heritage listing for the Great Barrier Reef and Kakadu National Park and returned precious water to the rivers of the Murray-Darling. With over half a million supporters and deep national and regional networks, we have the credibility and reach to shape public sentiment and policy. We won’t give up until Australia’s nature is protected and regenerated. Nature needs us, now.