Climate Change Services Conference 2017
 

Mark Stafford-Smith, CSIRO

Mark Stafford Smith coordinates climate adaptation research in CSIRO in Australia; in this role he has been oversighting a highly interdisciplinary program of research on many aspects of adapting to climate change, as well as regularly interacting with national and international policy issues. He has over 30 years experience in drylands systems ecology, management and policy, including senior roles such as CEO of the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre in the early 2000s, and Program Leader of CSIRO Centre for Arid Zone Research in Alice Springs in the late 1990s. His significant international roles include being past vice-chair of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme's Scientific Committee, and co-chair of the Planet Under Pressure: New Knowledge towards Solutions international global change conference in London in 2012 in the lead-up to Rio+20. In 2013 he was appointed chair of the inaugural Science Committee of the Future Earth platform for coordinating research on global environmental change. He continues to publish actively, adding to over 160 peer-reviewed contributions to science, as well as many presentations and publications for less-specialised audiences.

John O'Brien, Australian CleanTech



John is the founder and Managing Director of Australian CleanTech and has advised numerous organisations on securing or making cleantech investments. He facilitates the Australian CleanTech Network that provides opportunities for cleantech collaboration and publishes both the Australian Cleantech Index and the annual Australian Cleantech Review.

John spent nine years working in one of Australia's leading energy companies. After holding project management and operational roles, John spent six years in development roles working on development, strategy and M&A projects. During this time John gained extensive experience developing, analysing, investing in and securing many Cleantech projects. In addition to this industry experience, John has experience and an extensive network of contacts in investment providers in Australia, the UK and North Asia.

Nicole Halsey, URPS



Nicole is a founder of urban and regional planning consulting firm URPS, who has been instrumental in creating the majority of South Australia's regional adaptation plans - a world-leading approach that has been recognised internationally. Nicole has been a member of the Premier's Climate Change Council since 2011, and has been reappointed for a second three-year term. In 2012 Nicole was named South Australian and National Planner of the Year based on her work in creative engagement tools that enable children and young people to be active participants in decision making processes.

Rohan Hampden, Rohan Hamden and Associates




Rohan led the South Australia's climate change adaptation effort, working with community leaders, industries, researchers and government bodies across South Australia and the nation. This was a multi-award winning, and internationally recognised, program which transformed the way communities are preparing for the impact of the changing climate. Currently Director, Rohan Hamden and Associates, he has had held former roles as Director of Sustainability and Partnerships,  and Manager for Water and Climate in the South Australian Government.

Mark Siebentritt, SEED Consulting

Dr Mark Siebentritt is an experienced leader in environmental change. He has public and private sector experience in strategic planning, stakeholder engagement and policy development across areas such as climate change, water and natural resource management. Mark is an experienced climate change practitioner, having worked on over 50 climate change adaptation and mitigation projects over the past 3 years. He has a track record of delivering highly valued and award-winning climate change projects that have impact and lead to action. His experience includes developing and applying analytical and decision making frameworks with local Government and other sectors. Mark is Chairman and a Director of the non-profit Climate Change Services Australia, a Director of Seed Consulting Services and co-author of the User Guide for Applied Adaptation Pathways, a decision-making approach for responding to climate change.