Some of Australia’s most influential women climate leaders gathered in Sydney on Tuesday to discuss how women can use our collective power to drive climate action.
Hosted by founder of the Women’s Climate Congress Janet Salisbury, the panel was held as part of Climate Action Week 2025. It featured founder of 1 Million Women Natalie Isaacs, film director Liz Courtney and Leadership Programs Director at Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia Carli Leimbach.
Below, we’ve covered some key takeaways from each of the women.
Janet Salisbury, Women’s Climate Congress
As the founder of the Women’s Climate Congress, Janet Salisbury spoke about the power that women can create by working together to build consensus and drive action in the climate space.
“Being part of the Women’s Climate Congress or women’s movement in general, provides a framework for building our collective thinking, our collective muscle, if you like, as well as a central place to send reports and feedback, to increase our database of women thought, to build solidarity together and to inform political advocacy and other decision making,” Salisbury told the audience.
“Because I sometimes think women have been so busy in existing systems that they haven’t had time to rethink about what their agenda could be if they were able to come in their authentic fullness.
“As we feel confidence and security innumbers, other actions will follow, including meeting politicians, running events, taking up a position on the WCC, or one of the other organisations here.”
Natalie Isaacs, 1 Million Women
Founder of 1 Million Women, Natalie Isaacs spoke about taking 23 women from all walks of life to meet with federal politicians from across the aisle to speak about their lived experience with the cost-of-living and the electrification of their homes.
She explained that 1 Million Women is focused on advocating for electrification of one million homes across Australia.
“We had women tell their stories that their energy bill has been slashed because of what’s happened in their homes through electrification,” Isaacs said.
“And our focus is multi-partisan support, and we think that all politicians, no matter what side you’re on, can get behind this. We need solutions now, and solar and batteries, support for renters, the support for social housing is all needed, and it’s needed now.”
Isaacs said thousands of women have told 1 Million Women they want to electrify their homes but face hurdles such as being renters, living in regional or rural areas, or not being able to afford the upfront costs.
“They want to get their homes off gas. They want solar, they want batteries, but those upfront costs really prevent us from doing it,” she said.
Carli Leimbach, Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia
Leadership Programs Director at Women’s Environmental Leadership Australia, Carli Leimbach said climate change is the defining issue of our time. We need to start centring it in all of our conversations, she said.
“The temperature is rising and women are mobilising, and I need to be clear, I’m not condoning violence, but when our rights are being stripped away, we deserve to be angry. We should be furious at the lack of leadership on climate,” she said.
“This should be the defining challenge of our time, and yet most people still ask, well, ‘what can I do?’ I’ve worked as a design thinker and innovation strategist. I’ve also taught here at UTS for 15 years, and it baffles me that this question is still being asked. Why isn’t it being asked in every boardroom, every family kitchen, every school assembly hall, every sports stadium and every Netflix writers room.
“And more importantly, why aren’t we more excited to be solving this problem? This is a chance to create new ways of living, new ways of leading, new ways of thriving on this planet. Solving the climate crisis is difficult, but it’s not impossible.
“Data tells us that you impact nearly 1000 people through your social and work circles. Imagine what influence you have when you choose to act. Use your influence.”
Liz Courtney, film director
Film director Liz Courtney spoke about her experience directing films about climate change and noted it’s worth perservering with an idea if you believe it can make a difference.
“Sometimes people say no to us. I think people say no a lot. It’s more convenient. And I think as women, we just have that extra push in us to say, ‘let’s look at what that obstacle is. Let’s look at what we can do. Let’s look at how we can change this conversation’,” Courtney said.
“I really encourage us all as women, because we are also multifaceted and multi task orientated to try and find those moments where you can actually find out all of who you are, because there’s so much to who we are.
“I think as women, we’re very fearless, because many of us have to protect your children or protect family and we’re very fearless about that, and we feel this internally, and I think that we have a great opportunity to drive that narrative on climate change.”