A striking development has occurred in the world of corporate finance in 2020. Over the past months, a string of corporations have divested from thermal coal, starting with US investment giant BlackRock and extending to Japan's Mizuho and the Norwegian Government Pension Fund. But the world’s financiers haven't suddenly become climate activists overnight - instead it's economics that is driving this shift. 

With the Paris Agreement in place, coal is being dumped all over the world and no longer is seen a safe investment. 

In this instalment of the UTS 4 Climate podcast, Bob Carr sits down with Tim Buckley, Director of Energy Finance Studies, Australia/South Asia at IEEFA for a robust discussion on the transformation hitting the energy markets of Australia and Asia. 

The devastating effects of the 2019-2020 bushfires saw Australian communities ravaged by the impacts of climate change. Many viewed the tragedy as a long overdue wake-up call, and one that should spur rapid action to address the ecological challenges facing us. But as the ash settles, what will the next steps for climate policy look like in an Australia reeling from a catastrophic fire season? 

In this not to be missed conversation, hear from UTS industry professor Bob Carr who is joined by Independent MP for Warringah, Zali Steggall OAM, elected in 2019 on a platform of pursuing national climate action. Zali is joined by Martijn Wilder, a world leader in climate law and sustainable investing who believes Australia could lead the way in the race to decarbonise. 

Maybe the mention of our climate future makes you feel anxious, angry, scared or just detached. If so you’re not alone. 

Learning to talk about climate change and having meaningful conversations with those who agree and disagree with you on the subject is a powerful step we can take to get the action on climate we need. 

Hear from UTS Professor of Climate and Business Bob Carr in conversation with social researcher and author Dr Rebecca Huntley as they discuss her latest book How to Talk About Climate Change in a Way That Makes a Difference, and explore why we find it so hard to talk about climate.

In 2007 it looked like there was a political consensus to price carbon in Australia, in a move that would provide a transition to a post-carbon economy. So how did Australia's climate policy fall foul of a global political agenda? 

In this episode of UTS 4 Climate, Professor Bob Carr picks through forensic investigative journalist Marian Wilkinson’s book, The Carbon Club to discuss how big money and political power continued Australia’s decades of climate inaction. 

With oceans acidifying, the destruction of our coral reefs, the arctic ice sheets melting, droughts, floods and fires raging across the country; many of us are still looking for the right answer to what we can actually do to solve the issue of climate change. 

Hear from marine science student Erika Wagner as she guides us through UTS 4 Climate, a five-part podcast that creates a space to explore climate change from all angles. 

In each episode the Honourable Bob Carr, NSW’s longest-serving premier, former foreign minister of Australia and Industry Professor of Climate and Business at UTS, is joined in conversation with leading thinkers from politics, economics, science and journalism to discuss what it will take to achieve a sustainable future. 

This podcast was made by Impact Studios at UTS in collaboration with the Institute for Sustainable Futures.