People For Nature

Tag: Media release

  • Inaugural AlterCOP 30 Australia climate summit mobilises more than 1,400 people across 42 events nationwide

    Inaugural AlterCOP 30 Australia climate summit mobilises more than 1,400 people across 42 events nationwide

    Volunteer-powered, free & inclusive grassroots climate conference showcased local innovations and action

    Brisbane, 26 November 2025 – AlterCOP 30 Australia has concluded after four powerful days of community-led climate action, bringing together more than 1,400 registered participants across 42 events nationwide.

    Running in parallel to the UN COP30 summit in Brazil, AlterCOP 30 Australia offered a platform for inclusive, locally grounded conversations on climate change, biodiversity, sustainable cities, health, and community resilience, fostering hope, connection and tangible pathways to action. 

    AlterCOP 30 Australia key highlights include:

    • 42 events in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne & beyond
    • 1,400+ registered participants 
    • 100+ speakers nationally (85 in Brisbane alone for the main event)
    • A core team of 15 volunteers driving the program and organisation
    • 33 on-site volunteers in Brisbane, and 37+ more supporting events across the country 
    • Giant Climate Fresk reaching 200+ participants across 8 locations 
    • 49 organisations backing the movement, contributing to a vibrant ecosystem of climate action.

    Audrey Barucchi, CEO and Co-Founder of Australian charitable social enterprise, People For Nature, commented “AlterCOP 30 Australia has shown what’s possible when citizens are empowered to lead. 

    “This wasn’t just a climate conference, it was a nationwide movement demonstrating that climate action is happening now, led by everyday people who care deeply about the future of our planet.

    “The energy we witnessed in Brisbane and across our satellite events was extraordinary. From packed workshops to meaningful conversations and new collaborations, AlterCOP 30 Australia has strengthened Australia’s grassroots climate ecosystem and proven that people-powered solutions are essential to driving real change.

    “We know there were close to 500 Australian delegates at COP30 in Brazil, carryinga considerable logistical and carbon-footprint burden. On the flipside, our citizen-powered events brought together 1,400 people locally with near to no budget and a minimal environmental footprint. As a local extension of the Green Zone (without the heavy footprint), we enabled everyday Australians to engage with climate dialogue and innovation without having to travel across the world.”

    The AlterCOP movement continues to grow

    AlterCOP was co-founded in 2024 by The Matcha Initiative and The Transmutation Principle in Singapore, as an accessible alternative to the United Nations COP, making climate action discussions available to communities, professionals, and youth. This year, the summit expanded to 12 new countries, including Australia, highlighting the enthusiasm around the region for inclusive, locally grounded climate dialogue. 

    Anne Langourieux and Thibaut Meurgue-Guyard, co-founders of AlterCOP, commented: “It’s amazing and exciting to see AlterCOP grow. It proves that a global, community-led movement for climate action is not just possible, it’s thriving. We’re committed to our mission of making climate dialogue accessible to regional communities without air travel while raising awareness of the official COP summit. We look forward to growing the movement to be even bigger next year.”

    Audrey Barucchi concluded, “People For Nature is proud to have helped activate a community-powered space that builds engagement, showcases real solutions, and connects Australians to the global climate conversation.

    “Australia may have lost the opportunity to host COP31, but this hasn’t diminished our ambition. Instead, we’re planning to grow AlterCOP next year. Our vision is to include more cities, more local communities, and deeper citizen-led climate engagement across Australia.”

    What makes AlterCOP different

    AlterCOP stands on a set of non-negotiable values:

    • 🫂 Inclusive: ensuring First Nations perspectives and Youth voices were present on every panel.
    • 🙌 Citizen-powered: designed, led, and delivered entirely by volunteers.
    • 🌱 Sustainable by design: no flights, no waste, and only vegetarian catering 
    • 🆓 Free and independent: open to all, without corporate influence or paywalls.
    • 🎥 A local extension of the Green Zone: including live interviews and videos with delegates who are on the ground at COPs to share insights on the proceedings.
    • 💡 Positive and solutions-focused: grounded in science, driven by active hope, and inspired by community action. 

    For all media enquiries, please email Aye Verckens (aye@blog.peoplefornature.org.au). 

  • Grassroots climate summit, AlterCOP, coming to Australia from 17-20 November

    Grassroots climate summit, AlterCOP, coming to Australia from 17-20 November

    Local charitable social enterprise, People For Nature, is bringing the 4-day conference to Brisbane, with satellite events in Sydney, Melbourne and beyond.

    Brisbane, 5 November 2025 – While world leaders are getting ready to attend COP30 in Belèm, Brazil, Australian charitable social enterprise, People For Nature, is putting the spotlight on local climate actions and innovations with AlterCOP 30 Australia.

    AlterCOP is a volunteer-powered, free and inclusive grassroots climate summit, happening from 17-20 November in Brisbane, with satellite events in Sydney, Melbourne, and beyond. 

    It brings together diverse communities, scientists, First Nations voices, youth, businesses and innovators to explore and act on climate justice, decarbonisation, and resilience, offering an inclusive, science-based platform for localised climate action. 

    Extending the green zone beyond Brazil 

    As a remote alternative to COP30 and a local extension of the Green Zone, AlterCOP enables Australians to engage with climate dialogue and innovation without travelling across the world. 

    Audrey Barucchi, CEO and Co-Founder of People For Nature, commented, “As Australia prepares to potentially host COP31, we wanted to give all Australians a voice in the climate and biodiversity conversation. 

    “Climate change doesn’t belong to politicians or business leaders; it belongs to everyday Australians who are already dealing with the impact – from floods to fires, extreme storms to droughts. 

    “AlterCOP is a unique opportunity to open up climate dialogue to everyone and show that local actions to mitigate and adapt to climate change are already happening across the country.”

    Globally Connected, Locally Grounded

    AlterCOP was co-founded in 2024 by The Matcha Initiative and The Transmutation Principle in Singapore. Last year it attracted more than 2,000 participants, with over 250 speakers across 130 sessions. This year, the summit has expanded to more than 10 new countries, one of which is Australia. 

    Anne Langourieux and Thibaut Meurgue-Guyard, co-founders of AlterCOP, commented: “We’re excited that People For Nature is bringing AlterCOP 30 to Australia. We’re continuing our mission of making climate dialogue accessible to regional communities without air travel while raising awareness of the official COP summit. 

    “The theme for this year is ‘Cultivating hope, driving impact’. Even if reaching global climate targets is out of reach, every cent of degree matters. That’s why AlterCOP 30 highlights alternative models and local initiatives that are creating an impact and inspiring change.

    “We’re also excited about the possibility of Australia hosting COP31 as we know this will help accelerate the climate transition in APAC, benefiting all of us in the region.”

    A local lens on global action

    Running alongside COP30, AlterCOP brings the climate conversation home, showcasing how Australian communities are leading with practical, place-based solutions. In total, more than 35 different sessions are scheduled featuring close to 100 local speakers and facilitators. 

    The agenda aligns with the official UN COP agenda and covers the following topics:

    Day 1: Climate Change, Social Impact & Resilience

    Day 2: Sustainable Cities

    Day 3: Biodiversity, Bio-economy & Nature-based solutions

    Day 4: Generation Now: Youth Leading the Climate Shift + Thriving Together: Health in a Changing Climate 

    The main event is held at The Precinct in Brisbane, with satellite events happening in Sydney, Melbourne, Newcastle, Wollongong, Bright, Huon Valley, and Narara, with some online sessions as well.  

    A climate platform for everyone

    True to its values, AlterCOP 30 Australia is:

    ✅ 100% volunteer-driven: Organised by a dedicated group of volunteers supported by community and corporate supporters. 

    ✅ Free & inclusive:  Sessions are free to attend, ensuring accessibility for all and amplifying voices often excluded from formal negotiations.

    ✅ Sustainable by design: A no-flight, zero-waste and vegetarian event that integrates sustainability practices into every aspect of the event.

    Audrey Barucchi concluded, “AlterCOP celebrates collaboration, practical solutions, and the power of collective effort. It’s a space for positive change, where every voice matters and everyone can contribute to building a healthier planet – together.

    “People For Nature is proud to help activate a community-powered space that builds engagement, showcases real solutions, and connects Australians to the global climate conversation.

    “We are grateful to our ecosystem of collaborations for their support, and thankful to our passionate volunteers, without whom this event could not have come together.”

    AlterCOP 30 Australia would not be possible without the generous support of its partners: 

    – SAP, our Blue Partner; Queensland Decarbonisation Hub, Mott MacDonald and CO2 Australia, our Green Partners; Green Socials and Greenscope Productions, our Activation Partners.

    – Advance Queensland, hosting us at The Precinct and serving as our Brisbane Venue Partner. 

    – UTS, Canva, City of Melbourne, Ecomind, Narara Ecovillage, Protect Our Winters, Psychology for a Safe Climate and Susgain, our other Venue and Satellite Event Partners. 

    More details about the program and speaker line-up are on the AlterCOP 30 Australia website. Tickets are free and can be booked via Humanitix.  

    For all media enquiries, please email Aye Verckens (aye@blog.peoplefornature.org.au). 

    About AlterCOP 

    AlterCOP is an independent, volunteer-led conference designed as an accessible alternative to the United Nations COP, making climate action discussions available to communities, professionals, and youth across Asia. Since its inception, AlterCOP has grown into a unique knowledge-sharing platform where regional voices, grassroots solutions, and cross-sector collaboration converge to accelerate sustainability action and raise awareness on COPs. More info: altercop.com and altercop.com/australia 

    About People For Nature

    People For Nature is a Queensland-based charitable social enterprise empowering citizen-led action for nature across Australia. Co-founded by three French-Australian women, the registered charity helps individuals reconnect with the natural world and take meaningful action to protect it. 

    People for Nature turns complex science into engaging, accessible learning experiences that inspire people to care and act. Through a simple train-the-trainer model, it equips ambassadors nationwide to share knowledge on climate, biodiversity, and the circular economy — driving local citizen-led conservation and science initiatives while creating meaningful opportunities for those transitioning into purpose-driven work. More info: https://www.blog.peoplefornature.org.au/