Climateworks Australia today announced the appointment of former Federal Environment Minister, Robert Hill AC and prominent business leader, Heather Ridout, to its board of directors.

Climateworks Australia’s Chairman, Professor John Thwaites said the new board members would bring a wealth of experience in business, the public sector and academia, adding a valuable dimension to the Board.  

“Robert Hill and Heather Ridout are well known and widely respected for their contribution to public policy in the areas of the environment, industry and economics,” he said.

 ‘Their skills and expertise will be invaluable as Climateworks continues to work with business, government and investors to help Australia reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a low carbon economy.  

“Climateworks has specialised in demonstrating practical things business can do to reduce emissions through its Low Carbon Growth Plan for Australia and research on energy efficiency opportunities for commercial buildings and industry.”  

Professor John Thwaites

Robert Hill is currently Adjunct Professor in Sustainability at the US Studies Centre and Chancellor of the University of Adelaide.

He is a former chairman of the Australian Carbon Trust and was the Federal Minister for the Environment for a lengthy time from 1996 until 2002. He was also a Liberal Senator for nearly 25 years from 1981 to 2006. 

Mr Hill was also Australia’s Ambassador to the United Nations between 2006P2009.

In June this year, Mr Hill was named a Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to the Parliament of Australia, particularly through the development of policy reform in the environment portfolio.

Heather Ridout is a Board member of the Reserve Bank of Australia and the recently retired Chief Executive of the Australian Industry Group.  She is also a member of the Business Roundtable on Climate Change, the Prime Minister’s  Manufacturing Taskforce, the Prime Minister’s Business Taskforce on Flood Recovery, the National Workplace Consultative Committee, Infrastructure Australia and Skills Australia.

A member of the Henry Tax Review, Ms Ridout is also a chair of the Productivity and Prosperity Advisory Panel of the Population Strategy Taskforce.