Future Earth Australia (FEA) connects top Australian sustainability research organisations, and is uniquely placed as an independent, cross-sector, transdisciplinary platform.  

Our strength is in research impact and science diplomacy.  

Our Impact 

• National engagement and influence 

• International engagement and collaborations 

• Supporting Early Career Researchers and Professionals (ECRPs) 

 

“This is a critical decade for action on climate change and there is no comparable network, organisation, or research centre in this country which pursues sustainable, just, and regenerative futures in the manner of Future Earth Australia.” - Wendy Steele and Jemma Purandare. 

 

FEA demonstrates national engagement and influence through our three national strategies. These strategies elevate the importance of transdisciplinary work in meeting Australia’s challenges.  

Our access to the Belmont Forum as the current Australian member supports our international influence and research impact. We support Future Earth in their vision to build and mobilise networks that facilitate international collaboration and turn knowledge into action.  

FEA’s Early Career Researcher and Professional (ECRP) Program focuses on advancing emerging perspectives in sustainability. We provide a point of difference from university early-career researcher networks by bridging academic, government, and private sectors for mentorships, collaborations, and recruitment opportunities.  

We are a key knowledge broker and trusted source of expertise for the Australian Academy of Science. 

 

How our work contributes to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

Goal 10 - Reduced Inequalities: Reduce inequality within and among countries.

Future Earth Australia's purpose is to help Australia transition to an equitable and sustainable nation.

Our National Strategy for Just Adaptation launched in 2022 aims to create a blueprint for how decision makers, local, state and federal governments, community leaders, Indigenous community and cultural organisations, non-government organisations and political leaders can embed a justice framework in their climate change work. 

Future Earth Australia focuses on elevating First Nations Australian perspectives and knowledges in all aspects of our work. 

 

Goal 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

Future Earth Australia developed a Sustainable Cities and Regions National Strategy in 2019, and has since updated the Strategy in 2024 to account for compounding urban and environmental pressures. 

Delivery of the Sustainable Cities and Regions ECRP Co-Lab with the RMIT Urban Futures Enabling Impact Platform.

Policy submissions to the draft National Urban Policy, utilising recommendations from Future Earth Australia's Sustainable Cities and Regions National Strategy: 2024 Update. 

 

Goal 13 - Climate Action: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

Future Earth Australia's purpose is to be a knowledge brokering platform that advances national transitions toward equity and sustainability. 

Our Just Adaptation National Strategy supports fair, fast and inclusive climate adaptations. 

Policy advice on climate action, such as emissions reduction, intergenerational climate equity and national adaptation plans.

 

Goal 14 - Life Below Water: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. 

Future Earth Australia's Sustainable Oceans and Coasts National Strategy 2021-2030 provides a cross-sectoral plan for achieving sustainable oceans and coasts across Australia. The Oceans and Coasts National Strategy helped inform the draft Sustainable Oceans Plan.

Delivery of the Sustainable Oceans and Coasts ECRP Co-Lab co-hosted by Griffith University and University of the Sunshine Coast. 

Policy advice on oceans and coasts action such as plastic pollution and ocean and coastal health.

 

Goal 15 - Life on Land: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss. 

Future Earth Australia supports caring for Country, including the protection and regeneration of biodiversity and ecosystems.

We champion sustainable environment transitions through knowledge brokering between government and critical research areas. 

 

 

Goal 17 - Partnerships for the Goals: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.

We are the Australian national committee for the Future Earth global program. Future Earth Australia's membership to the Belmont Forum expands our network of expertise towards multi-lateral collaborations.

Future Earth Australia is a key partner of the International Science Council Regional Focal Point for Asia and the Pacific's Asia flagship program. Membership in the Future Earth Asia Regional Committee strengthens our ties with regional partners.  

Engaging at key national and international platforms including the 2023 Transformations Conference (Sydney), 2023 Adaptation Futures (Montreal), and Sustainability Research + Innovation Congress (2021-onwards).

Future Earth Australia conducts national engagement and influence through our national strategies. They combine a wide range of environmental research and co-create knowledge to address Australia’s upcoming challenges.  

We put our strategies forward to government and industry sectors to drive change. This includes Academy submissions to national policies, plans, and legislation, as well as global research priorities and inputs through Future Earth and the International Science Council. 

Our facilitation has produced three national strategies.  

See the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan for more information about our direction.  

 

National Strategy for Just Adaptation 

The National Strategy for Just Adaptation is a part of our Reimaging Climate Change Adaptation Initiative. The strategy creates a blueprint for how decision makers, governments and communities can embed a justice framework in their work towards environmental wellbeing. Just Adaptation is key to ensure that groups are not further marginalised under the global climate crisis. This contributes to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and social security.  

 

Sustainable Oceans and Coasts Strategy 

Australian oceans and coasts are threatened by fragmented management of ecological and social services. Future Earth Australia’s strategy proposes an Ocean and Coastal Systems Transformation 10-year strategy, outlining clear, actionable strategies for achieving healthy and resilient marine environments.  

 

Sustainable Cities and Regions Strategy 

The Sustainable Cities and Regions 10-Year Strategy was published in 2019 as a cross-sectoral, national plan for achieving sustainable cities and communities across Australia. The Strategy has since undergone a major 2024 Update to account for the ongoing effects of COVID-19 and extreme weather events in urban spaces. The update utilised the original city and regional based workshops conducted across 2018-19, enhanced by a fresh round of consultation across 2023-24.