Amanda McKenzie

Amanda McKenzie is the CEO of the Climate Council, and at 32 she was the youngest CEO of the Climate Council, and is a multi-award winner (see below). She created her first Not for Profit company aged 20, the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, and was National Director for four years.[2][3]

Amanda McKenzie
Alma materMonash University
University of Melbourne
Known forClimate change advocacy
Scientific career
InstitutionsClimate Council
ThesisDesigning an Australian emissions trading scheme that is compatible with the global carbon market[1]

Early life and career

McKenzie was raised in the suburbs of Melbourne. She earned an Arts degree at Melbourne University, followed by a Law degree (Honours) at Monash University. She initially planned to be a human rights lawyer, until she learned about climate change, which she says she realized was going to be ‘a human catastrophe as much as an environmental catastrophe’.[4]

In 2006 McKenzie founded the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, which became “one of Australia's largest climate change advocacy groups, with more than 100,000 members.”[5][3] She is on the board of the Centre for Australian Progress and on the board of Plan International Australia.

In 2011 she joined the Climate Commission in the position of Senior Communications Advisor. When the Climate Commission was disbanded, McKenzie initiated and led a communications training program designed for climate scientists. The Abbott Government dismantled the Climate Commission in 2013, and then Mackenzie co-ordinated and led the largest crowd-funding campaign in Australia to date. This led to $1 million of funding received in the first few days,[3] $1.3 million in funding within 10 days from a pool of 16,000 people was received. This funding then allowed the commission to re-launch as the Climate Council, a not for profit organisation.[3] The Climate Council is now able to generate more than $12 million per year.

Climate change and renewables advocacy

McKenzie works with the Cities Power Partnership, which links local councils working towards renewable energy, and provides information on climate policy and research to support the councils.[6] She reported in 2019 that Australian's would be shocked at the cover ups by the Federal Government. The Climate Council report “Climate Cuts, Cover Ups and Censorship” provided evidence that the federal government of Australia had reduced climate change funding, ‘rejected advice from climate bodies’ as well as ‘weakened capabilities by cutting jobs at CSIRO’.

"I think most Australians would be outraged if they knew the full story," Ms McKenzie said.[7]

"The Coalition Government has slashed climate science funding, censored important information and repeatedly made false claims."[8][9][9]

Media

SBS covered the Climate Council's report in the weeks before the 2019 federal election.

“Heatwaves have become hotter and last longer, while droughts, intense rainfall and bushfire conditions have become more severe,” Ms McKenzie said. “As Australians experience escalating consequences into the future, they are likely to view this period of missed opportunities and failed leadership with deep dismay." [9]

She has also written on the period when the federal government releases their carbon emissions figures, during Christmas when the public is distracted, and how Australia's carbon emissions have risen over the years 2014-2019.[10][11] Her work on climate change and renewable energy, has been described by the Huffington Post,[12] the ABC,[13] and other media [14][15][16] In 2019 she was a speaker for the Smart Energy and Climate Emergency webinar.[17]

Awards and recognition
  • 2020 — Invited Keynote Celebrating Women in Conservation Breakfast.[18]
  • 2017 — Invited Keynote MLC woman of influence.[19]
  • 2014 — Australian Financial Review (AFR) woman of influence.[20]
  • 2011 — TEDx Melbourne speaker.[21]
  • 2010 — Monash University Distinguished Alumni.[22]
  • 2010 — attended the Multi-Party Climate Change Committee Round Table. Led the Australian youth delegations to the United Nations Climate Change Conferences in Bali, Poznan and Copenhagen.[23]
  • 2009 — Young environmentalist of the year.[24]
  • 2009 — Rotary Young Achiever of the year.[25]
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References
  1. McKenzie, Amanda (Amanda Elizabeth); Monash University. Faculty of Law (2007), Designing an Australian emissions trading scheme that is compatible with the global carbon market
  2. "Amanda-McKenzie-CEO-Climate-Council | Eco News". Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  3. "Acclimatising to the Top Job | PBA". Pro Bono Australia. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  4. "Pro Bono Australia".
  5. "ABC".
  6. "About Us". Cities Power Partnership. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  7. don (8 May 2019). "Coalition climate inaction slammed by Climate Council". Energy Matters. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  8. "Fed govt accused of 'false' climate claims". The Land. 30 April 2019. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  9. "Government accused of hiding full extent of climate change". SBS News. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  10. "Carbon emissions increase for fifth year running". NewsComAu. 30 August 2019. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  11. "Climate change to wipe $571 bln off real estate by 2030, report warns". ABC Radio. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  12. McKenzie, Amanda (31 August 2015). "Australia Can Become A Renewable Powerhouse". Huffington Post. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  13. "Climate change to wipe $571 bln off real estate by 2030, report warns". ABC Radio. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  14. "Cost of climate change". Blue Mountains Gazette. 13 May 2019. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  15. "Coalition's energy package 'misses the point': CEC, Climate Council | EcoGeneration". www.ecogeneration.com.au. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  16. "Amanda McKenzie". ABC News. 20 August 2010. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  17. "Smart Energy and the Climate Emergency Webinar - Smart Energy Council". www.smartenergy.org.au. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  18. "Celebrating Women in Conservation Breakfast 2020". Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  19. "MLC news".
  20. "Alumni Archive". AFR Women of Influence. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  21. TEDxMelbourne - Amanda McKenzie - Empowering Youth to Act on Climate Change, retrieved 16 September 2019
  22. Amanda McKenzie - Distinguished Young Alumni Award 2010, retrieved 16 September 2019
  23. "Amanda McKenzie". Q&A. 20 December 2018. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  24. "The Environment Minister's Young Environmentalist of the Year". Banksia Foundation. 19 April 2015. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  25. "Amanda McKenzie". The Wheeler Centre. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
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