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Energy for Change Annual Report 2017–2018 Imagine a World Where Our Strategy Forests, Rivers, People, Oceans and Wildlife Change the Story Stories Matter

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Energy for Change Annual Report 2017–2018 Imagine a World Where Our Strategy Forests, Rivers, People, Oceans and Wildlife Change the Story Stories Matter Energy for change Annual report 2017–2018 Imagine a world where Our strategy forests, rivers, people, oceans and wildlife Change the story Stories matter. They shape what people see thrive. This is the world as possible. That’s why we’re disrupting the old story that destruction is inevitable. We we can see. This is the are seeding new stories of hope, courage and world we are creating. connection to inspire people to act. Who are we? Build people power We are building a wave of people who care We are Australia’s national environment and act into powerful, organised communities. organisation. We are more than half a million Together, we’re holding decision makers to people who speak out, show up and act for a account, pushing for real change and creating a world where all life thrives. We are proudly better world. independent, non-partisan and funded by donations from Australians. Fix the system We can’t fix the pollution and extinction crisis one spot fire at a time. That’s why we’re taking on the big structural challenges – laws, institutions and decisions – so we can keep enjoying life in this beautiful country. Cover. Green Turtle, Great Barrier Reef. Annual report 2017–2018 Left. Helmeted Honeyeater. Photo. Aaron Stevenson Contents Message from the President and CEO ............................................................................................................... 3 Our Board ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Our Council ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Our impact .............................................................................................................................................................................................7 In focus: Hands off our charities ............................................................................................................................... 9 Fixing the system ...................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Clean energy, not pollution ................................................................................................................................................................ 10 Laws to protect life .................................................................................................................................................................................. 12 Economy for life ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 13 Our beautiful places .................................................................................................................................................................................14 Changing the story .................................................................................................................................................................... 18 Our impact: shifting the story on Adani ..................................................................................................................................... 19 Building people power ........................................................................................................................................................ 20 Meet Liz ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 22 Looking forward .......................................................................................................................................................................... 24 Thank you ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 25 Patron ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 26 Honorary Life Members ....................................................................................................................................................................... 26 Nature’s champions ............................................................................................................................................................................... 28 ACF’s living legacy community ....................................................................................................................................................... 30 Pro bono and partner support .......................................................................................................................................................... 33 Workplace giving .................................................................................................................................................................................... 33 Volunteers, fellows and interns ....................................................................................................................................................... 34 ACF sustainability report ................................................................................................................................................... 36 The 60L Green Building story ............................................................................................................................................................ 36 Environmental performance ............................................................................................................................................................. 37 Social performance and organisational culture ................................................................................ 38 ACF financial position summary ............................................................................................................................ 40 We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this country and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay respect to their Elders past and present and to the pivotal role that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to play in caring for country across Australia. 1 Below. Mara Bún (President) and Kelly O’Shanassy (CEO). Photo. James Thomas Today, the ACF community is over 550,000 people strong 2 Annual report 2017–2018 Message from the President and CEO Australia’s future may seem uncertain, Australia’s failure to list any critical habitat since but that uncertainty is our opportunity. environmental laws were enacted. And we helped The future is not set, it is shaped by those instigate a Senate inquiry into the Great Barrier that take action today. And we’re taking Reef Foundation, which received half a billion action like never before. dollars for reef protection despite it not addressing the reef’s biggest threat; climate change. Energy and climate policy has once again disrupted federal politics. Despite calls from None of this is possible without our incredible farmers, bankers, energy companies, environmental people – from our volunteers and supporters, to groups, state and territory governments and many ACF staff, Board and Council. Our people are our Australians, our national government is failing greatest advantage and this year we were honoured to end climate damage. And the stakes are high to receive a global award for transforming as the drought wreaks havoc and an angry ACF’s culture. We were equally thrilled that summer approaches. the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons was awarded the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize. While a national energy policy seems a dim light Our very own Dave Sweeney founded ICAN with on the horizon, your energy is lighting up our a few others in a Carlton lounge room in 2007. lives. You are calling your MPs and holding them to account. You are part of a million conversations Speaking of incredible people, in November we bid to make the next federal election the climate farewell to Geoff Cousins who has been a powerful election. You are signing petitions, writing letters, force for nature as ACF’s President. And in late rallying, donating and speaking out. We think you 2018, we will farewell our two Vice Presidents are pretty amazing. Nadia McLaren and Piers Verstegen, and long-time Councillors Jonathan King and Christian Bell. We Today, the ACF community is over 550,000 people thank them for their incredible contributions. strong, blowing our goal of 400,000 people out of the water. And we now have 22 ACF Community Change is renewal and we look forward to Groups working across 21 electorates to build welcoming new Board members and Councillors people power and it's working. in November. And, personally, we are thrilled that your new President joins with your CEO to form After months of advocacy, the Queensland an all-female leadership team, which is rare in government finally vetoed public funding for our movement. the Adani coal mine. After a lighting
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