Get to know your local parliamentarian

A simple first action when you join the Women’s Climate Congress is to write to your local, state, and/or federal representatives to introduce yourself and say that you have joined the WCC (with a link to this website). This can be a very simple few lines of introduction or you can personalise a longer message to reflect the issues that matter most to you, ensuring your representative understands your concerns and commitment to action. If it feels right, feel free to request a meeting. It’s often helpful to write letters with friends—this can be a great way to engage in meaningful discussions. If you need assistance, our core group is happy to help craft your letter.

Please forward a copy of your letter and any replies to womensclimatecongress@gmail.com. This will help us to collaborate with you, follow up and build our collective impact.

Form a local circle in three easy steps

  • Gather and invite

    Begin by inviting women from various backgrounds in your community. Reach out to family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors, ensuring the group reflects diverse perspectives.

    In Canberra, members have held regular ‘Coffee and convo’ meet ups - and lately have been inviting women from other women’s organisations to share ideas and create momentum in for climate action in the women’s movement.

    Share your passion for climate action and encourage others to get involved in the movement.

  • Host discussions

    Organise regular meetings where you can discuss climate issues, share personal experiences, and talk about the WCC’s Vision and Values.

    Use the Charter for Change to guide these conversations and ensure they are in line with WCC’s goals.

    These discussions can help build a sense of solidarity among members and deepen understanding of the issues at hand. Encourage participants to share their concerns, thoughts, and possible solutions for local and national action.

  • Track progress

    Use our Harvest Template to document the key takeaways and insights shared by the group. This will help you track your circle’s impact and contribute to the broader movement. Send the recorded insights and any ideas to womensclimatecongress@gmail.com, allowing the WCC to stay updated on your progress.

    This information will elevate your conversations from ‘just another conversation’ to be part of a designated campaign to build a national network of engaged women ready to make a difference in their communities.

    We will collate all the ‘woman thought’ received this way to inform our advocacy and measure our impact.

Our collaborative strategies for climate advocacy

A unified national plan for climate action

The Women’s Climate Congress envisions women leading the creation of a unified national plan to address climate risks through a diverse, multistakeholder dialogue process (Action 3 of the WCC Charter for Change). With assistance from mediator Rhian Williams, a proposal was first submitted in 2020 and updated for the current Albanese Government. The plan emphasises nonpartisan collaboration to address climate risks effectively. More details, including the full proposal and related resources, are available on the Resources page.

Women’s groups in government

The Women's Climate Congress advocates for multiparty women’s groups to foster collaboration across political lines, bringing a women-focused perspective to policymaking, especially on climate action. Drawing inspiration from international examples, they have initiated events like roundtables and discussions in Australian federal and state parliaments, emphasising inclusive governance and collaborative leadership. Despite challenges in attendance and timing, these efforts highlight the potential for women leaders to champion climate initiatives and promote just transitions for community well-being.

Neighbourly conversations

The Women's Climate Congress launched the "Neighbourly Conversations" initiative to encourage cross-party dialogue among MPs from neighboring electorates. These facilitated conversations aim to bridge political divides, build relationships, and open pathways for collaborative climate action. The first session, held on September 13, 2024, brought together two Perth MPs and Congress members from three states in a Zoom meeting. This initiative seeks to promote a new, inclusive style of public discourse focused on finding common ground on climate change solutions.

Gender-inclusive UNFCC COPs

Highlights include:

  • Collaborating with the international organisation She Changes Climate to promote equal representation of women and multistakeholder dialogue at COPs.

  • Advocacy with Australia's Department of Climate Change for gender parity and inclusion at COPs.

  • Supporting youth representative Angelica Mantikas to attend COP28.

  • In 2024, WCC Founder, Janet Salisbury, was a signatory to letters from international women leaders protesting the announcement of the COP29 Presidency Organising Committee with NO women representatives; and urging more ambitious action to phase-out fossil fuels.

  • Participation in Climate Action Network Australia COP31 planning workshops.

  • Working with a consortium of Australian and international women’s organisations to plan for increased women’s representation at COPs 30/31.

Professor Anne Poelina
(Traditional Owner, Martuwarra Fitzroy River, Kimberley region, WA)

“We must dream, and we must send the dream out. And we must actualise it. … Mother Earth needs us we must stop the misogyny to Mother Earth, we must stop it now … We are rising. Let's dream big because we must bring our brothers, our sons, our husbands with us … And I believe the leadership of women is rising across the planet across the nation. And we are doing good work.”

Mary Robinson
(Former president of Ireland, Chair of The Elders)

"Climate change is not gender-neutral. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by climate change, yet they are vital leaders in developing solutions. Addressing climate change without addressing gender inequality would be both unjust and ineffective."