We're pleased to present a breakfast briefing and discussion with The Hon Chris Bowen MP Minister for Climate Change and Energy

Climate Change, Australia’s Role as a Renewable Energy Superpower and the Role of Financial Markets in the Race to Net Zero

Tuesday 15 August 2023 - Breakfast - Sydney

followed by a panel featuring Guy Debelle (Fortescue Future Industries), Emma Herd (EY Oceania), Geoff Summerhayes (Zurich Australia and New Zealand, Pollination) in conversation with independent economist and Climate Councillor Nicki Hutley. Register and pay online here.

There is an increasing urgency to the climate transition that is creating immense risks and opportunities for the Australian economy and financial markets. This event will explore Australia’s rise as a renewable energy superpower and the role of financial markets in the race to net zero. The Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy will deliver a keynote address. A panel discussion will follow with Guy Debelle (Fortescue Future Industries), Emma Herd (EY Oceania), Geoff Summerhayes (Zurich Australia and New Zealand, Pollination). Independent economist and Climate Councillor Nicki Hutley will moderate and explore topics including:

Our speakers have agreed to take questions from the audience. 

Details

Time: 07:15 am - 09:30 am

Venue: KPMG Sydney, Level 38, Tower 3, 300 Barangaroo Avenue, Sydney

A light breakfast will be served.

Cost: $125 members, $145 non-members, $995 tables of 8 eight guests

Registration in advance is essential. Booking fees apply. Register and pay online here.

Enquiries: email info@abe.org.au or call 0419 256 339.

This event is generously sponsored by Deutsche Bank

Enquiries: mail to:info@abe.org.auinfo@abe.org.au or call 0419 256 339

If you're not a current member of ABE, join now and remain financial through until June 2024. Take advantage of free and discounted places at our events. Join online at the event registration page.

Australian Business Economists (ABE) aims to encourage greater understanding of economic issues by fostering debate in the financial markets, business and commercial sectors and across the community in general. Visit us at: abe.org.au

The Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy
Chris grew up in Smithfield in Western Sydney, attending Smithfield Public School and St Johns Park High School. He graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Economics. He has also a Master’s Degree in International Relations and a Diploma in Modern Languages (Bahasa Indonesia). He joined the Labor Party in 1988 and was elected to Fairfield Council in 1995, serving as Mayor of Fairfield for 1998 and 1999. He also served as President of the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils from 2000 to 2002. Chris entered Parliament in 2004 and has held a wide range of portfolios including serving as Treasurer, Minister for Human Services, Minister for Immigration, and Minister for Small Business. He is currently the Minister for Climate Change and Energy.

Nicki Hutley, Independent Economist
Nicki is a highly experienced economist, with broad-based expertise in both macroeconomics and microeconomic policy, gained over more than three decades in financial and investment markets and in economic consulting.
After many years in the corporate world, including most recently as a partner with Deloitte Access Economics, Nicki is now an independent economist, advising governments, business and not-for-profits. She is also a Councillor on the Climate Council. Nicki holds an Honours degree in Economics. In addition to serving on the ABE Committee, Nicki is President of the NSW Branch of the Economics Society of Australia. She is a frequent commentator in the media and is a regular guest on The Drum and The Project.

Dr Guy Debelle, Fortescue Future Industries
Dr Guy Debelle joined Fortescue Future Industries as Chief Financial Officer in June 2022 and then moved to become non-executive director of FFI Australia in December. He was the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia from September 2016 until March 2022, and prior to this was the Assistant Governor (Financial Markets) from 2007-2016. Guy was also Chair of the Australian Foreign Exchange Committee and Chair of the BIS Markets Committee, where he led the development of the Global Code of Conduct for the Foreign Exchange Market. Guy’s strong experience in international finance and economic policy played an integral role in Australia’s response to the global financial crisis. In addition, Guy was Chair of the Australian Council of Financial Regulators Working Group on the regulatory framework for climate finance. Dr. Debelle has previously held roles at the International Monetary Fund, Bank for International Settlements, and the Australian Treasury. He has also been a visiting Professor in Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).Guy graduated with a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) from the University of Adelaide and further gained a Ph.D. in Economics from MIT.

Emma Herd Partner, Climate Change & Sustainability, Ernst & Young
Emma is a Partner with EY’s Climate Change and Sustainability team and is a skilled professional with over 20 years’ experience in climate change, sustainable finance and sustainability practice. Prior to joining EY, Emma was Chief Executive Officer of the Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC) (2015-2021) and Environment Commissioner for the Greater Sydney Commission (2020-2021). Previously, Emma worked at Westpac for over 15 years across a range of sustainability, environment, sustainable finance, climate change, carbon trading and ESG risk management roles. Emma is a regular media contributor on climate change matters and a respected voice on climate transition implications for business.

Geoff Summerhayes – Chair, Zurich Australia and New Zealand
Geoff Summerhayes has a unique set of commercial and regulatory skills as former CEO and Board Member of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, in addition to being recognised as a global leader on climate change financial risk regulation. Geoff is Chair of Zurich Australia and New Zealand, Director of Heartland Group Holdings NZ, Senior Advisor at Pollination Group, and continues his leadership on sustainability as Chair of Beyond Zero Emissions and Chair of the Australian Institute of Company Directors Climate Governance Initiative. As an APRA Board Member, he led significant regulatory change on climate risk in Australia and globally. He was the inaugural chair of the Council of Financial Regulators Working Group on Climate Change and globally led the UN Environment Program’s and the global standard setter’s, insurance sector reforms.