TRACK CHANGES - chats with climate change and sustainability experts

Powering past consensus: Climate lawyer Harj Narulla

If you like Track Changes, please rate us and review us on your pod platform, so more people hear about our show!  In this episode, leading international climate barrister Harj Narulla calls UN climate summits a "big, messy jamboree", and talks about why we need them, and why they aren't enough. Harj - who represented the Solomon Islands in a landmark climate change case before the International Court of Justice - chats about: the importance of smaller groups of industries or governments that are prepared to be more ambitious.  how the international Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty initiative is 'shifting the conversation'.   key climate litigation trends to watch. why the International Court of Justice opinion didn't get pulled into the COP30 climate summit negotiating bubble. and why climate reparations is an important, emerging concept.  Whether you're a climate summit newbie or a summit wonk, if you're interested in what it takes to achieve stronger international climate change action then there's plenty in this chat to enjoy!

What is heavy industry doing to cut emissions? What more can it do?

We've got some real heavyweights talking about cutting CO2 and methane emissions from heavy industry - Margi Johnson (Australian Aluminium Council), Ben McGarry (Aurecon), and Trent Hawkins (ERM). They're a very talented crew, each with hands-on experience, and each with a deep knowledge of 'big picture' factors that influence business decision-making on cutting emissions that cause climate change. And they cover some fascinating ground - sometimes agreeing and sometimes disagreeing. What are big emitters doing to decarbonise, and what needs to happen for them to do more? What should emerge from the Safeguard review (Australia's main policy for cutting emissions from heavy industry)? Tune in to find out! And if you enjoy this episode, please rate us and share the episode with colleagues!

State and territory climate and sustainability developments in 2026

An update on what to expect from Australian states and territories on the climate change, sustainability, and waste management front in 2026. Which state has an approach to climate change and sustainability that would make great fodder for a standalone true crime podcast? Which one has an approach that would make for a great wellness podcast?  Which state isn't reviewing its framework environment law, even through its Auditor-General has said it is necessary? How many coordinator-generals does it take to decarbonise an economy? And where did hosts Dr Franziska Curran and Murray Griffin respectively spend their holidays? You'll hear a reference in this episode to the novel 'I want everything' by Dominic Rivera. Check it out!  And you'll also hear a reference to the 1960s pop song 'Una Lacrima Sul Viso', by 1960s Italian hearthrob crooner Bobby Solo. Check out the video version on YouTube! Enjoy!  

Net zero or real zero? Which climate pollution target is best? An open mic episode!

Net zero or real zero? This 'open mic' episode features short audio clips from a range of people, giving their views. Then podcast hosts Dr Franziska Curran and Murray Griffin weigh in with their views. Is one concept a misguided fantasy, and the other our best hope? Or are both concepts useful? Tune in to find out!  If you like this episode, don't forget to rate it on your favourite pod platform and share it with friends/colleagues! 

What we got from the COP30 climate summit, what we need from COP31

Featuring a chat with Carbon Pulse North America editor Allison Gacad, and Carbon Pulse Asia Pacific editor Mark Tilly. Allison and Mark discuss the highs and lows of the COP30 climate summit in Brazil, and chat about what they'd like to see from the Turkiye-Australia-Pacific COP31. Can next year's TAPCOP stare down the fossil fuel interests that managed to keep a fossil phasedown out of the COP30 formal outcomes document?  Allison also talks about the billions of dollars raised for the Tropical Forests Forever Facility, and Mark chats about one of the best acronyms to come out of the UNFCCC in quite a while - BAM - the Belem Action Mechanism. Enjoy!