23 September 2025
UNSW Institute for Climate Risk & Response's annual Industry Forum
It was such a pleasure to host a panel on COP31 yesterday at UNSW Institute for Climate Risk & Response's annual Industry Forum.
We had a stellar line up, and unpacked questions facing Australia if we win the bid to host the 2026 UN climate talks with Pacific island countries.
I won't do our rich discussions justice, but in summary: The Hon. Matt Kean explained that hosting COP31 can build support for the energy transition and help Australia meet its 2035 emissions target, while Richie Merzian argued the summit will attract much-needed capital for clean energy infrastructure. ‘Alopi Latukefu suggested Australia and the Pacific can present a shared vision of a region rapidly shifting to renewable energy, but COP31 will need to centre indigenous voices (and Australia will need to get serious about addressing fossil fuel exports). Professor Elizabeth Thurbon argued COP31 is the moment to reset trade relations with economies in East Asia - and Australia can leverage green energy statecraft to develop supply chains for clean energy exports.
Universities have a key role to play convening public discussions that bring together academia, government, industry and civil society. That's how we will rise to the challenge of addressing climate change. I may be biased, but I think UNSW's Institute for Climate Risk and Response is leading the way.
PS. Look forward to seeing you at next year's Industry Forum.
By Wesley Morgan
3 September 2025
The case for an Australian clean commodities trading initiative
How can we leverage the energy transition to advance national security objectives? What are Australia's unique advantages in the realm of clean commodities? How can a Clean Commodities Trading Initiative (CCTI) deliver economic benefits while also accelerating decarbonisation?
Australia has the opportunity to become a global clean energy super power - if we embrace the production of value added clean commodities. Professor Elizabeth Thurbon (UNSW) and Oliver Yates (GAW Capital) join us for a discussion of a potential Australian CCTI. They will explore the geostrategic benefits of a CCTI, how it could shape Australia's relationships with countries like Japan and South Korea, and how their proposed CCTI would function.
Register now to learn more about how Australia can take advantage of this generational opportunity and become a global clean commodities leader.
3 September 2025
On September 3, Dr. Alexander M. Hynd delivered a presentation to a delegation that included four visiting National Assembly Members, as part of the Australia Political Exchange Council’s 9th Delegation from the Republic of Korea. His presentation focused on strengthening strategic cooperation between Australia and the Republic of Korea in key sectors of the clean energy transition.
- Presentation, Green Energy Statecraft and National Security: A Strategic Approach to Korea-Australia Energy Cooperation, University of Melbourne Asia Institute, 3 September 2025
16 July 2025
Expert Panel, Financing Approach for New Energy Technologies, State of Energy Research Conference (SOCR)
Elizabeth Thurbon joined an expert panel discussing the financial approaches needed for new energy technologies. Thurbon argued that the demand-side is the key challenge to Australia’s renewable superpower ambitions, offering a solution in the form of a Clean Commodities Trading Initiative (CCTI). Co-panellists included Matt Kean (Climate Change Authority), Monique Miller (Clean Energy Finance Corporation), Werther Esposito (Potentia Energy), and Stefan Trueck (Macquarie University).
8 July 2025
Expert Panel and Paper Launch, Unlocking Australia’s Potential as a Renewables Superpower, AP4D, Online.
Elizabeth Thurbon joined an expert panel on the historical context of Australia’s climate and energy policies, how they’ve been perceived in the region, and the security implications of a business-as-usual approach. Elizabeth Thurbon and Oliver Yates present the case for a Clean Commodities Trading Initiative (CCTI) as an example of green energy statecraft in action. Speakers included Elizabeth Thurbon (UNSW Sydney), James Bowen (ReMap Research), Oliver Yates (Gaw Capital), Yuki Tanabe (Japan Center for a Sustainable Environment and Society), Neil Greet (Australia Security Leaders Climate Group), Allan Behm (The Australia Institute), Phillie Julai Marai (Pacific-Australia Youth Association).
27 June 2025
Interview, Speeding Up Green Energy Transition, Shanghai Eye, International Channel Shanghai
Elizabeth Thurbon joined the China-based news provider, Shanghai Eye, for an interview on the Green Energy Statecraft Project.
24 June 2025
Expert Panel, Dialogue over Dinner: Geoeconomic Realities, World Economic Forum, Tianjin, China
Elizabeth Thurbon joined an expert panel discussing the geoeconomic realities of our time and the potential of treating the green energy transition as a national security imperative. Co-panellists included Jeffry Frieden (Columbia University), Diana Choyleva (Endo Economics), Da Wei (Tsinghua University), Qian Lu (Wusawa), Monica Duffy Toft (Tufts University), Sheikh Tanjeb Islam facilitator (WEF).
24 June 2025
Dialogue, An Honest Conversation on Climate, World Economic Forum, Tianjin, China.
Elizabeth Thurbon joined Adam Tooze (Colombia University) for an honest conversation on climate policy a decade after the Paris Agreement. Together they discussed the shifting narrative towards energy security, how governments and businesses communities are shifting, and what could change mean for industries that have been preparing for future green growth.
24 June 2025
Expert Panel, Checking In on the Energy Transition, World Economic Forum, Tianjin, China
Elizabeth Thurbon joined an expert panel discussing the outlook for the energy transition and the recipes of success for adopting clean, efficient, and accessible energy solutions. Speakers included John Defterios (United National Sustainable Energy For All), Mohammad Abunayyan (ACWA Power), Pang Xiaogang (State Grid Corporation of China), Rania Al-Mashat (Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation of Egypt), Li Zhenguo (Green Energy Technology Co.).
15 May 2025
Expert Panel, Tariffs, Trade & the Clean Tech Domino: Who Wins in a Fragmented World?, UNSW, Sydney.
Elizabeth Thurbon joined an expert panel facilitated by the UNSW Energy Institute and UNSW Founders ‘Disrupted’ Series. The panel discussed questions such as: How are trade shocks reshaping the clean energy economy, and who stands to gain? What is Australia’s role as a supplier of lithium, nickel, and rare earths, and can we move up the value chain? How are startups across Sydney, Singapore, and the broader Indo-Pacific capitalising on fractured trade dynamics? And will geopolitics kill global innovation, or fuel a wave of regionally driven breakthroughs? Co-panellists included David Leitch (ITK Services Australia, Renew Economy) and Mac Thompson (Fugu Energy), moderated by Dani Alexander (UNSW Energy Institute).
April 2 2025
Inaugural Speaker on Green Energy Statecraft, Roundtable: Political Economy of the Green Transition in the Global South.
Elizabeth Thurbon was the inaugural speaker at the online monthly roundtable series, "Political Economy of the Green Transition in the Global South." This invitation-only series brings together policymakers, experts, and practitioners from across the Global South to engage in thought-provoking discussions on the critical challenges and opportunities surrounding green transitions today. The roundtables are jointly convened by: Adam Tooze (Colombia University) Jayati Ghosh (University of Massachusetts Amherst) Nimrod Zalk (University of Cape Town) Navroz Dubash (Centre for Policy Research on Energy and Environment at SPIA, Princeton University) Tim Sahay (Net-Zero Industrial Policy Lab at Johns Hopkins University) and Jörg Haas (Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung).
February 2025
Keynote Speaker, Australian International Political Economy Network (AIPEN) Conference, Adelaide.
10 April 2025
Speaker, Book Launch Series: East Asia’s Green Energy Transition, University of Johannesburg College of Business and Economics, Webinar.
Elizabeth Thurbon speaks at the book launch for her book Developmental Environmentalism, facilitated by the South African Reacher Chair in Industrial Development (SARCh-ID), Professor Elis Avenyo.
March 2025
Expert Panel, Green Industrial Policy in the Global South, Boston University
Elizabeth Thurbon joined an expert panel on green industrial policy in the Global South featuring scholars, practitioners, and policymakers from around the world. The even was co-sponsored by the Boston University Global Development Policy Center and the Boston University Pardee School of Global Studies. The discussion answered questions such as: What are the crucial ingredients for a structural transformation powered through green industrial policy? How can the macroeconomic, trade and financial constraints, at the national and international levels, be relaxed? What political conflicts and trade-offs could hinder implementation? And what opportunities are there for enhanced, and even unprecedented, international cooperation?
Co-panellist included Rob Davies (Former Minister of Trade, South Africa), Marcos Chiliatto (World Bank, Brazil), Julia Tijaja (ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute), Fiona Tregenna (University of Johannesburg), Kevin P. Gallagher (Boston University).
March 2025
Expert Panel, Future Climate Governance Forum,
With key policy officials (CEFC and Net Zero Commission) and academic leaders – University of Sydney / Australian Centre for Climate and Environmental Law.
March 2025
Speaker, Environmental Developmentalism Book Launch, Gleebooks
Liz delivered a speech at a book launch event at Gleebooks about role of the state in the green energy shift, the speech was also recorded for an upcoming episode of the ABC Big Ideas show.
2 December 2024
Expert Panel, Paper Launch: Green Energy Statecraft, Webinar, AP4D
Elizabeth Thurbon joins fellow authors to launch a paper titled ‘Green Energy Statecraft for Comprehensive National Security’. The event was held by the Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy, & Defence Dialogue (AP4D) as part of their ‘Studies in Statecraft Series’. Co-panellists included Alexander M. Hynd (University of Melbourne), Hao Tan (Nottingham University Business School China), Susan Park (University of Sydney), and Andrew Walter (University of Melbourne). The authors spoke about how a Green Energy Statecraft approach can help policymakers better develop ambitious, strategic and effective green energy policy.
19 November 2024
Expert Panel, ACITI Annual Conference, Canberra
Elizabeth Thurbon joined an expert panel titled ‘Sources of Australia’s International Competitiveness in the Energy Transition. Co-panellists included Tony Wood (Grattan Institute) and Erwin Jackson (Investor Group on Climate Change).
The event was organised by the Australian Centre for International Trade and Investment (AICTI) and formed part of their Annual Conference which was themed on ‘A Future Made in Australia – Australia’s International Economic Competitiveness in a Time of Structural Change’. It was held at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra.
23 September 2024
Keynote and Expert Panel, UNSW Energy Institute Annual Town Hall, UNSW SDG Showcase
Elizabeth Thurbon delivers a keynote speech on building green energy statecraft. The speech was followed by an expert panel which included Renate Egan (Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics), John Fletcher (UNSW Digital Grid Futures Institute), Rahman Daiyan (NSW Powerfuels), Bill Lilley (Race for 2030), and Tahlia Nolan (Iberdrola Australia).
The event, held by the UNSW Energy Institute, was in partnership with the UNSW Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Showcase.
10 September 2024
Presenter and Expert Panel, Better Futures Forum Australia, Canberra
Elizabeth Thurbon delivered a speech on Green Energy Statecraft and joined am expert panel at the Beter Futures Forum held at the National Film and South Archive, Canberra. The panel was titled ‘Clean Industries, Manufacturing & Exports’. The panel included Monica Richter (World Wide Fund for Nature), Baethan Mullen (The Superpower Institute), Jorrit Gosens (Australian National University), Warren Flentje (CSIRO), Emma Aisbett (Australian National University).
18 July 2024
Speaker, GEOFEST Welcoming Dinner, Sydney
Elizbeth Thurbon delivers a speech about the strategic role of Government and capital market dynamics in the rise and transformation of East Asia’s developmental states, with a focus on the green energy shift. The event was organised by the Australian Geoscience Council (AGC) and the Indonesia Geosparks Network (IGN).
15 May 2024
Speaker and Expert Panel, Decarbonising Steel, Sydney Climate Week
Elizabeth Thurbon delivered a presentation on Green Energy Statecragy and joined an expert panel organised by Greenhouse and WWF for Climate Action Week Sydney. The panel was titled ‘Decarbonising Steel - An East Asian regional challenge and an Australian opportunity. Co-panellist included Tim Buckely, James Choi (former Australian Ambassador to South Korea) and Richard Andrews (former Australia ambassador to Japan and Chair of Australia-Japan Business Co-Operation Committee).
June 2024
Expert Panel, Industrial Policy for the Geen Transition, Harvard Kennedy School
Elizabeth Thurbon joined an expert panel discussing the need for industrial policy, highlighting the role of Green Energy Statecraft (GES). The panel was held by the Reimaging the Economy Program at the Malcolm Weiener Center for Social Policy, Harvard University. Co-panellists included Abishek Jain (Council on Energy, Environment, and Water CEEW), Charles Sabel (Columbia Law School), Alessio Terzi (Sciences Po and European Commission). The panel was moderated by Ricardo Hausmann (Harvard Kennedy School).
28 November 2023
Expert Panel, Book Launch and Energy Policy Networking Event, UNSW Digital Grid Futures and UNSW Energy Institute
Elizabeth Thurbon joined her co-authors and special guests at the launch of the book Environmental Developmentalism. The event was launched by Nicholas Fisk (UNSW) and Oliver Yates (Gaw Capital). The panel of authors included Sung-Young Kim (Macquarie University), Hao Tan (University of Newcastle), John Mathews (Macquarie University).
The event was jointly held by the UNSW Digital Grid Futures and UNSW Energy Institute at the UNSW Kensington Campus. It was followed by professional networking in the energy policy space.
22 November 2023
Book Launch, Canberra Economic Security Network, Australian National University
Elizabeth Thurbon joins her co-authors Sung-Young Kim (Macquarie University), Hao Tan (University of Newcastle), John Mathews (Macquarie University) to launch the book Environmental Developmentalism. The event was facilitated by the Canberra Economic Security Network at the Australian National University.
14 November 2023
Expert Panel, Australia-East Asia – Towards a Green Future, Asia Society Australia, Melbourne.
Elizabeth Thurbon joins an expert panel on how Australia can leverage and develop its energy ties with Japan, South Korea and China. Co-panellists included Tatsuya Terazawa (Institute of Energy Economics, Japan), Katerina Aleksoska (Australian Hydrogen Council). The event was organised by the Asia Society Australia and was held in collaboration with the State Government of Victoria and Australia Japan Business Council of Victoria (AJBVC).
