Event Description

The SA Climate Leaders Awards are a key initiative of the Premier’s Climate Change Council, that provide individuals, organisations, communities, business and government the opportunity to showcase their actions and innovations to address climate change in South Australia.

Join us as we announce the winners of the SA Climate Leaders Awards on 1 August 2024.

Our winners will highlight the great work being done across South Australia to manage climate risks or support adaptation, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to promote awareness about climate change and to undertake research and education.

Hear from our keynote speakers Tiahni Adamson, 2024’s Young South Australian of the Year, and Tim Jarvis, the current Australian of the Year for South Australia sharing their experiences in supporting climate change solutions that help the people and environment of South Australia.

The Climate Leaders Awards will see the overall winner receive a $10,000 prize as a contribution to climate-related action.

Learn more about the 2024 SA Climate Leaders Awards.

Keynote Speakers

Tiahni Adamson is a Kaurareg woman and a passionate wildlife conservation biologist. She is a proponent for the participation of First Nations people and women in STEM careers and was recognised as one of Science and Technology Australia’s Superstars of STEM and an InDaily South Australian 40 Under 40 for 2023.

Tiahni has worked with the CSIRO on Indigenous education programs, trained under Al Gore as a Climate Reality Leader in 2019, works as a casual lecturer and tutor at the University of South Australia, is on the National Leadership Team for Seed Mob (Australia’s only First Nations-led youth climate justice group), and was a youth dialogue member for the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

Tiahni is currently working to mitigate agricultural methane through sustainable aquaculture production of a native seaweed in her role as the Lead Community Engagement Officer at CH4Global, finding ways to walk alongside Traditional Owners while Healing Country. She is also on the board of Green Adelaide, helping to create a cooler, greener and wilder greater Adelaide region.

Tiahni has received the Dr Kay Price AM Award for demonstrated excellence in and ambassadorship for STEM, and was also one of two students to be awarded the inaugural Indigenous Time at Sea Scholarship from CSIRO’s Marine National Facility. As a regular public speaker, she has spoken to over 1 million people about thought leadership and the intersection of First Nations and Climate Justice.

Tim Jarvis AM PhD (Hon) is an environmental scientist, author, adventurer and public speaker with Masters degrees in environmental science and environmental law. He is committed to finding pragmatic solutions to major environmental issues related to climate change and biodiversity loss. He uses his public speaking engagements, films and books about his expeditions/work to progress thinking in these areas.

He was conferred a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for services to environment, community and exploration in 2010; voted Australian Geographic Adventurer of the Year for 2013 & Conservationist of the Year for 2016 – the only person to have received both awards. He has several honorary roles including Vice-President - Fauna & Flora; Global Ambassador and Governor - WWF; Ambassador to Koala Life; & Board Director of the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife. He is current Australian of the Year for South Australia.