ACT Climate Change Council

The ACT Climate Change Council provides advice to the Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change.

The ACT Climate Change Council advises the Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water on matters relating to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, building resilience and adapting to climate change. The ACT Government established the Council in 2011 under the Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act 2010. Find out more about the Council’s functions and membership in the Terms of Reference [239.1 KB].

The Council meets at least 4 times each year and produces an annual report of its activities that includes advice given to the Minister.

Meet your council

  • Dr Arnagretta Hunter – (Chair)
  • Dean Spaccavento (General Member)
  • Professor Jacki Schirmer (General Member)
  • Madison (Casey) Barancewicz (General Member)
  • Associate Professor Rebecca Colvin (General Member)
  • Dr Rosemary McFarlane (General Member)
  • Dr Heinz Schandl (General Member)
  • Stephen Mudford (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander member)

Council Observers

PMs Roslyn Brown is a Ngunnawal woman. Among numerous cultural advisory roles, Ms Brown is co-founder and serves as co-chairperson of the United Ngunnawal Elders Council, and founder and co-chair of the Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm. Ms Brown has a strong Cultural commitment to reconciliation and improving the status and capacity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the ACT region. She advocates for the awareness and continuance of Aboriginal cultural practice and protocols. Through her various roles she has advocated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on issues such as housing, justice, caring, disability and health and successfully lobbied to establish holistic health care, training opportunities and support structures for Indigenous people in the ACT. Ms Brown is employed as Elder in Residence at the University of Canberra, a member of the CIT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory committee and was an inaugural elected member of the ACT Indigenous Elected Body (ACTIEB). As a representative and advocate for many in the community, she has demonstrated her commitment to the Ngunnawal Land, Culture and the spirit of the People.

Council publications

Contact the Council

Council members are keen to engage with the ACT community.

The Council’s Community Engagement Strategy 2023 – 2026 sets out the Council’s approach to engaging with business and community, so their views can be reflected in the advice provided to the Minister. Implementation of this strategy includes an annual public online forum.

You can also raise an issue, invite us to attend a local event, or tell us about recent climate change news or research. Get in touch with us at:

You can write to us at:
ACT Climate Change Council
City and Environment Directorate
ACT Government
GPO Box 158
Canberra ACT 2601

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dedicated positions

The Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Membership) Amendment Bill 2024 provides for the membership of the ACT Climate Change Council of at least two Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

  • Recruitment for the second dedicated Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander position continues, and the ACT Government will work closely with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to ensure this position is appointed in accordance with our legislative obligations. If you would like further information about this process, please email ClimateChangeCouncilSecretariat@act.gov.au
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Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.