G'day COP31!
G'day COP31 is a podcast for those who want to know more about the ‘COP31’ (almost) being hosted in Australia in 2026.
Your hosts are Heidi Dumesich and Jack Whelan.
Jack is a boomer and started his career in sustainability before it was considered 'cool'. His experience stretches from the earliest COPs - across business and industry, government, development agencies, NGOs, and the UN. He worked with the International Chamber of Commerce and World Business Council on Sustainable Development, in the AsiaPac region with the Pacific Region Infrastructure Facility and the major donor agencies like the Asian Development Bank and World Bank. Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade nominated him to the design team which established the IRIS initiative to promote climate and disaster resilient infrastructure in the Small Island Developing States..
Heidi Dumesich is a millennial with a degree in Environmental Science focusing on implementing practical solutions. Heidi is the seasoned podcaster with her sustainability focused podcast called Life on Planet A. She is currently working as a Sustainability Manager at Ventia, leading a road project’s Infrastructure Sustainability Council rating.
The aim of this podcast is to dive into the ins and outs of what really happens at a COP — from all of the different stakeholders and planning to the politics, people, and purpose behind it all. Through candid conversations with stakeholders across government, industry, civil society, and community groups, we unpack how everyone is impacted, involved, and inspired by climate diplomacy at this scale.
Whether you're a policymaker, business leader, activist, or just COP-curious, this is your space to learn how to get the most out of any COP — wherever it’s held.
Tune in, get engaged, and say G’day COP31!
G'day COP31!
Episode 'G' for Gold Coast: Inside the Investor Group on Climate Change Summit 2025
Join Jack and Heidi as they take you behind the scenes at the Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC) Summit 2025 in Sydney. G’day COP31 was invited to the two-day event to uncover where the investment community sees capital flowing in climate-related opportunities — and how policy and COP31 can act as catalysts for scaling up climate investment.
The IGCC Summit is where Australia’s leading investors, policymakers, and sustainability experts come together to unpack a wave of climate-related announcements shaping risk, returns, and fiduciary responsibility. With Australia facing one of the fastest-evolving climate policy environments in the world — and trillions in retirement savings at stake — the summit focuses on turning today’s climate challenges into tomorrow’s investment opportunities.
In this episode, you’ll hear exclusive recordings from keynote and panel sessions featuring:
- Al Gore, Founding Partner and Chairman, Generation Investment Management
- Deidre Willmott, Strategic Advisor, Global Sustainability and External Affairs, Fortescue
- Michael Bartlett, Acting Branch Head, DCCEEW
- Kate Donnelly, Impact and Unlisted Investment Manager, Future Group
- Richie Merzian, CEO Clean Energy Investor Group
- And finally, we wrap up with closing insights from Rebecca Mikula-Wright, CEO of IGCC.
Time Stamps:
0:00 - Introduction and Jack's feelings
3:17 - Introduction to IGCC and the importance of it
7:37 - Al Gore
10:49 - Deidre Willmot and Michael Bartlett
13:40 - Kate Donnelly
15:08 - Richie Merzian
17:44 - Rebecca Mikula-Wright
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