Four new members have joined the ACT Climate Change Council to guide the ACT’s nation-leading work on climate action, announced Shane Rattenbury, ACT Minister for Emissions Reduction.

Dr Arnagretta Hunter, Dr Aparna Lal, Dr Thomas Longden, and Ms Mia Swainson are the council’s four new faces, broadening its expertise to inform and empower climate action in Canberra.

Dr Hunter is a cardiologist, physician, and the Human Futures Fellow for the Australian National University (ANU) College of Health and Medicine. She has a longstanding commitment to health and climate change research and advocacy.

Dr Longden is an environmental economist and Fellow at the Crawford School of Public Policy at the ANU.

Dr Lal is a Senior Lecturer at the ANU Research School of Population Health in the College of Health and Medicine. Her work focuses on environmental impacts on health outcomes for communities.

Ms Swainson is President of the Canberra Environment Centre, Chair of Zero Waste Revolution, and leader of an environmentally and socially responsible consultancy business.

The new Council members will work alongside continuing members Professor Mark Howden, Dr Paul Bannister, Dr Cris Brack, Ms Sophia Hamblin Wang, and Mr Ben Ponton.

The Council was established in 2011 to advise the ACT Government on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build community resilience to climate change.

Mr Rattenbury congratulated the four new members on their appointment, and officially welcomed them to the ACT Climate Change Council.

He thanked outgoing member Karen Jesson for her significant contribution to the Council’s work over the past five years.

“Canberrans are proud to live in a territory that takes climate action seriously,” Mr Rattenbury said. “We are demonstrating to other jurisdictions across Australia, and even around the world, how we can cut emissions and build resilience to the impacts of climate change.

“While the progress we have made has been significant, we still have big climate aspirations as we work towards being a net zero emissions city by 2045.

“The advice we receive from the ACT Climate Change Council will guide us as we undertake the next steps on our path towards net zero emissions. The four new members bring a wealth of experience and diverse perspectives, contributing to the vital role the Council plays in informing government decision making on matters relating to climate change in the Territory.”

More information on the ACT Climate Change Council and its members can be found on the EPSDD website.