Creating Systems Change to Support Nature Sydney - Citizen COP 2026

Creating Systems Change for Nature

How can we move beyond individual actions and create the systems change needed to support nature?

This interactive workshop will introduce practical frameworks and approaches to help you understand the deeper drivers of environmental challenges and develop actions that can create lasting, nature-positive change.

You’ll explore and apply:

• 🌿 Eco-centrism — putting nature’s intrinsic value at the centre, rather than treating nature simply as a resource.

• 🔭 Three Horizons — applying the framework to a nature-positive transition, from managing the decline of current systems (H1), to supporting emerging innovations (H2) and building towards transformative futures (H3).

• 🔎 Causal Layered Analysis — looking beneath the surface to explore the deeper structures, narratives and assumptions driving environmental challenges.

• 💭 Mindset and culture as leverage points — exploring the power of language, narratives and everyday practices, while learning to hold grief and hope together.

• 🤝 Pathways to action — discovering organisations and networks working across eco-economics, Rights of Nature, Australian conservation and the WCC Women Leading Climate Network.

• 🚀 From insight to action — translating what you learn into practical actions that can contribute to lasting change for nature.

The workshop will be facilitated by Dr Michelle Maloney from EALA and Dr Leila Alem from WCC.

Come ready to think differently, explore new possibilities and identify where you can contribute to the transition towards a more nature-positive future.

This is a public session by AELA and Women's Climate Congress in collaboration with People For Nature.

For any questions or support, please contact:
Leila Alem | leila.alem@uts.edu.au

About AELA

AELA's Bioregional Governance program aims to show how 'bioregioning' and bioregional governance offers important pathways to create Earth-centred societies. 'Bioregioning' is a Western term that urges us to see human societies and culture as part of nature, and proposes that modern human societies can be more sustainable, successful and meaningful, if our governance, political, cultural and economic systems are organised within natural boundaries such as bioregions and catchments (watersheds). The practice of bioregional governance is ancient. First Nations' Peoples around the world often developed complex bio-cultural societies that lived in harmony with non-human nature, and used the living world as a guide to inform how human societies could be safe, secure and successful.

About Citizen COP Australia

Citizen COP Australia is a decentralised, people-powered movement running alongside the global COPs in 2026. Enabled by People For Nature, but intentionally independent and distributed, Citizen COP invites communities, organisations, schools, businesses, artists, and local groups across Australia to host their own events during the COP period. Rather than a single central event, Citizen COP is a nationwide network of conversations, workshops, and actions that bring global climate and nature discussions into local communities. It connects people to science, solutions, and each other, strengthening civic engagement and ensuring citizen voices contribute to Australia’s climate and nature conversations.

https://www.peoplefornature.org.au/citizen-cop

About People For Nature

People For Nature is a volunteer-powered environmental charity empowering communities through climate and biodiversity education, citizen conservation, and science. We believe that when Australians understand and connect with nature, they’re more likely to protect it — safeguarding our climate, ecosystems, and well-being.

Your tax-deductible donation helps us bring initiatives like Citizen COP Australia to life and inspire real change for the planet. https://www.peoplefornature.org.au/donate