UNSW Institute for Climate Risk & Response 2026 Industry Forum
About this Event
Join the UNSW Institute for Climate Risk & Response (ICRR) for our annual Industry Forum, bringing together leaders and experts from research, government, finance and industry to share perspectives, challenge thinking and explore practical responses to climate risk.
Previous ICRR Industry Forums have sparked new ideas, partnerships and projects across sectors. This year, we're creating even more opportunities for exchange and collaboration, with new formats designed to bring different perspectives into conversation.
What to expect
Across keynotes, expert panels and interactive discussions, we'll explore:
- Climate risk, security and institutional response, with an opening keynote from Admiral Chris Barrie (Retd.)
- Making sense of systemic and cascading risk
- Behavioural responses to climate risk: What do we need to know, and why?
- Climate litigation: Current trends and future directions
- COP31: Implications for Australia, the Pacific and organisational decision-making
- AI's Janus climate question: Can its benefits ever outweigh its costs?
There will also be opportunities throughout the day for audience discussion, networking and connection across sectors.
More speakers will be announced as the program is confirmed.
We hope you'll join us in October.
UNSW Institute for Climate Risk & Response
Our sponsors:
Agenda
🕑: 09:10 AM - 09:20 AM
Welcome address
Host: Prof. Atilla Brungs
🕑: 09:20 AM - 09:50 AM
Keynote: Climate risk, security and institutional response
Host: Admiral Chris Barrie (Retd.)
🕑: 09:55 AM - 10:50 AM
Making sense of systemic and cascading risk
Host: Penny Joseph
Info: Hosted by Dr ned haughton. Discussion on cascading climate risk across financial institutions, insurance, infrastructure and communities, including practical use of climate risk analytics and evidence-based decision-making.
🕑: 10:50 AM - 11:20 AM
Morning Tea
🕑: 11:20 AM - 12:15 PM
Behavioural Responses to Climate Risk: What do we need to know and why?
Host: Anna Collyer
Info: Hosted by Professor Ben Newell. Panel discussion covering updates from the 2025 National Climate Action Survey on what the Australian public think about climate change; the importance of distinguishing objective and subjective assessments of (climate) risk, and how these flow through to behavioural implications for transition risks in the energy sector.
🕑: 12:20 PM - 01:20 PM
AI's Janus climate question: Can its benefits ever outweigh its costs?
Host: Prof Gab Abramowitz
Info: Host by Prof Cameron Holley. Advanced AI tools and models could transform how we respond to climate risk, but they come at a price. This session will cover the potential benefits of AI-enabled analysis and decision-support tools, alongside the tech's social and environmental risks and costs. It will also examine the regulation that could shape what happens next
🕑: 01:20 PM - 02:20 PM
Lunch
🕑: 02:20 PM - 03:15 PM
Climate Litigation: Current Trends and Future Directions’
Host: Elaine Johnson
Info: Hosted by Dr Riona Moodley. A Panel discussion on strategic climate litigation, directors’ duties, access to justice, corporate regulatory risk and how recent litigation trends are shaping organisational response.
🕑: 03:15 PM - 03:45 PM
Afternoon Tea
🕑: 03:45 PM - 04:40 PM
COP31 implications for Australia, the Pacific and org. decision-making
Host: Thom Woodroofe
Info: Hosted by Dr Wesley Morgan. Standalone session connecting international climate diplomacy with practical implications for government, industry, finance, adaptation and research.
🕑: 04:40 PM - 05:00 PM
Closing Synthesis
Host: Prof Kristle Romero Cortes
🕑: 05:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Networking reception
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
AUD 125.00
