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Activists bury John Howard's head in coal to demonstrate his government's inaction on climate change.
Enlarge imageAustralia has a complex political system. Decisions affecting the environment are made at all levels of government, federal, state and local. Greenpeace works across all these levels.
We also work with Pacific Island governments and Pacific regional and intergovernmental bodies.
When the government blocks positive environmental change, such as ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, Greenpeace targets the decision-makers who can make a difference. We pressure politicians to take action and legislate on climate change, overfishing, deep sea destruction, deforestation, whaling, nuclear power and genetic engineering.
An important part of Greenpeace’s role is to ensure that governments live up to their promises and responsibilities, and expose them when they do not.
And much of our political pressure comes from you, the voter. A big part of our political work is making sure that concerned citizens like you know who they should express their concerns to, and how to do it effectively.
The team maintains links with parliamentarians across the Pacific, including ministers and backbenchers, advisers and departmental staff.
With a presence in Canberra and Suva, we monitor political developments and identify new government policies and initiatives on the environment.
This ensures that Greenpeace, our supporters and the public are aware of political changes that impact on the environment.
We also work with Pacific Island governments and Pacific regional and intergovernmental bodies.
When the government blocks positive environmental change, such as ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, Greenpeace targets the decision-makers who can make a difference. We pressure politicians to take action and legislate on climate change, overfishing, deep sea destruction, deforestation, whaling, nuclear power and genetic engineering.
An important part of Greenpeace’s role is to ensure that governments live up to their promises and responsibilities, and expose them when they do not.
And much of our political pressure comes from you, the voter. A big part of our political work is making sure that concerned citizens like you know who they should express their concerns to, and how to do it effectively.
Our political team
As well as the very public work that Greenpeace does to expose issues of environmental concern, we also do a lot of background work to ensure the environment is prominent on the political agenda. This is a key role of the Greenpeace political team.The team maintains links with parliamentarians across the Pacific, including ministers and backbenchers, advisers and departmental staff.
With a presence in Canberra and Suva, we monitor political developments and identify new government policies and initiatives on the environment.
This ensures that Greenpeace, our supporters and the public are aware of political changes that impact on the environment.
Not aligned to any party
Greenpeace is not aligned to any political party. Our political work involves communication with a wide range of politicians, from cabinet ministers and backbenchers to members of the opposition, independents and minor parties, both in Canberra and in state governments.How Greenpeace makes a difference
- We communicate with policy makers to ensure they hear our position on climate change and energy, genetic engineering and management of our oceans and forests.
- We liaise directly with parliamentarians and departmental staff on policy.
- We critique policy announcements and initiatives announced by government and opposition parties, to assist public understanding.
- We encourage adequate government resourcing of environmental protection and research on safer and cleaner ways to live for the future.
- We prepare written and oral submissions to parliamentary committees and inquiries.
- We work with other environment groups and activists on common issues, to share information and to create a stronger voice for the environment.
