The importance of ethical climate action
ADA academics took part in a Global Ethical Stocktake Dialogue in preparation for COP30 and COP31
Published on the 17 October 2025
"The Dialogue was a vital event in recognition that global warming is the greatest moral, social and economic challenge of our time," says Jane Sloane, Director of UNSW's Global Policy Initiative. Illustration: UNSW Sydney
As the world prepares for COP30 in Brazil this November, academics from the Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture are helping shape the global climate conversation—bringing together voices from science, civil society, Indigenous communities and youth in a powerful call for ethical climate action.
A global call for climate justice
The Global Ethical Stocktake Dialogue is an initiative co-launched by the COP30 Presidency and UN Secretary-General António Guterres. It aims to elevate the moral and ethical dimensions of climate change and ensure that diverse voices guide the path to COP30 and beyond.
The official Oceania Dialogue was held in Sydney on 15 September, co-led by Mr Anote Tong, former President of Kiribati and Chair of Pacific Elders’ Voice, and Brazil’s Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Marina Silva. UNSW’s Jane Sloane, Inaugural Director of the Global Policy Initiative, was honoured to attend.
“The Dialogue was a vital event in recognition that global warming is the greatest moral, social and economic challenge of our time. Of course, with it comes opportunities to reimagine society and to collectively make the commitments needed and then to act,” she said.
UNSW’s Dialogue: amplifying civil society voices
In the same week, UNSW hosted a Global Ethical Stocktake Dialogue in partnership with the Brazilian Ministry of Environment. Co-hosted by the Global Policy Initiative, UNSW Industry & Innovation, and the Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture, the event aligned with the official UNFCCC Oceania Global Stocktake and focused on amplifying regional civil society contributions to climate action.
Participants included UNSW climate experts, First Nations and Pacific community members, civil society organisations, industry leaders and youth advocates. Together, they explored key questions:
1. How can we ensure that both scientific evidence and traditional Knowledge form the foundation of climate strategies and decision-making?
2. Considering the need for diversity in climate action, how can we mobilise more people, leaders, corporations, and nations to support just and ethical transitions? What ideas and values could inspire this mission?
3. What can be done to ensure that wealthy countries — major producers and consumers of fossil fuels — accelerate their transitions and contribute financing to support vulnerable nations?
We need to talk to people who are not really committed to climate change, who are sympathetic but have different priorities and help them to understand how positive climate action will benefit them.
Associate Professor Deborah Barros Leal Farias from ADA’s School of Social Sciences, was a keynote speaker at the event and spoke about countering climate misinformation and harnessing active hope.
A/Prof. Barros Leal Farrias stressed the need to include diverse voices in the dialogue. “We need to talk to people who are not really committed to climate change, who are sympathetic but have different priorities and help them to understand how positive climate action will benefit them and encourage them to vote accordingly,” she said.
Liz Tierney, CFO of the Gujaga Foundation stressed the importance of working in true partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities moving from transactional to transformative relationships in incorporating Indigenous Knowledge in climate adaptation and justice.
Associate Professor Fengshi Wu, also from ADA’s School of Social Sciences, spoke about the potential Australia has to be a leader in global climate action.
“As a fossil-fuel rich democracy we need transform Australia from a climate lagger to a climate champion; to help and welcome people deeply affected by climate change, to learn from COP30 to think big. There is huge potential for Australia to take leadership in global climate action,” she said.
Looking Ahead to COP31
UNSW is committed to fostering inclusive dialogue, strengthening global partnerships in climate diplomacy, and contributing meaningfully to international climate governance—especially in the lead-up to COP30 and the preparation for COP31. This dialogue marked an important step in building our community and capturing the insights, advice and contributions of diverse voices on climate science, adaptation and justice. If the Pacific and Australia are successful in securing the right to host COP31 next November, UNSW will continue to build on this foundation, using the dialogue as a roadmap for engagement and action.