The age of fossil fuels is ending – what will the exit look like for Australia?

"There isn't one country in the world that's said, 'you know what this fuel crisis reminds us, is we need more fossil fuels'."

— Hon. Chris Bowen, Climate Change and Energy Minister

The Australia Institute’s 2026 Climate Integrity Summit will bring together global political leaders, economists, advocates, artists, and musicians for a day of big ideas and bold conversations.

It will examine Australia’s conflicting economic and climate policies and provide a space where we can discuss a more rational way forward together.

The age of fossil fuels is coming to an end, and geopolitical shocks to the global fossil fuel supply chain seem set to continue.

Despite this, Australia’s Prime Minister has refused to tax gas exports, continuing to give 50% of our export gas away for free.

Chris Bowen, Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy, and the President of Negotiations for the next UN climate talks, tells us that Australia will find exporting fossil fuels increasingly difficult. At the same time, other government ministers continue to approve new gas and coal fields, tying Australia to an economic future that may not exist.

Meanwhile, our regional Pacific family’s demand for Australia to stop expanding gas and coal mines is intensifying, but is being largely ignored.

The summit will position Australia’s contradictory policies against the backdrop of a growing global push to phase out fossil fuels and a domestic political landscape that is rupturing.

SPEAKERS:

The Hon Dr Maina Vakafua Talia | Minister for Climate Change and Environment for the Government of Tuvalu
The Hon Senator Rosa Galvez | Canadian Senator for Québec (Bedford)
Dr Kate Wylie | GP & Executive Director, Doctors for the Environment Australia
Dr Kirsty Howey | Chief Executive Officer, The Wilderness Society
Alison Reeve | Energy and Climate Change Program Director, Grattan Institute
Mike Bowers | Photographer, Host of Talking Pictures on Insiders
Dr Kate Dooley | Senior Research Fellow, University of Melbourne (School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences)
Oscar Kaspi-Crutchett | Senior Research Organiser, Victorian Trades Hall Council
James Sherley | Senior Climate Justice Campaigner, Jubilee Australia Research Centre
Rowan Hanley | Ocean Campaigner & Activist, Surfrider Foundation Australia
Arielle Gamble | Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Groundswell Giving
Sue McKinnon | Director, McKinnon Family Foundation
Bruce Robertson | Energy Finance Analyst
Ruby Rodgers | Singer-songwriter & Climate Activist
Fiona Katauskas | Political Cartoonist, The Point
Ben Oquist | Director Climate and ESG, DPG Advisory Solutions
Louise Morris | Head of Fossil Fuel Transition, The Australia Institute
Isaac Nowroozi | Communications Director, The Australia Institute
Amy Remeikis | Chief Political Analyst, The Australia Institute
Noah Schultz-Byard | Strategy Director, The Australia Institute
Leanne Minshull | co-Chief Executive Officer, The Australia Institute
Dr Richard Denniss | co-Chief Executive Officer, The Australia Institute

The Australia Institute is one of Australia’s most influential public policy think tanks, conducting independent research that drives the public debate and secures policy outcomes for a more equitable Australia.

The 2026 Climate Integrity Summit will be deliberately provocative and genuinely uplifting, encouraging individuals and communities to stay engaged as we prepare for a fossil fuel phase-out.

Event information

Please include any dietary requirements during registration.

Photography, Video and Audio Recording

By attending this event, you acknowledge that photos, video, and audio recordings may be captured. The Australia Institute may use this material for event promotion, reporting, and future communications across digital and print channels. Event details including speakers, timing, content, and format may change without notice.

Expression of Interest

If you would like to attend the Climate Integrity Summit but require financial assistance to purchase a ticket, please email events@australiainstitute.org.au with a brief introduction about yourself and why you would like to attend the Summit.

Contact

Questions: events@australiainstitute.org.au

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Contact the host of Climate Integrity Summit 2026