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 'H' for Hobart: Tegan Clark Empowering Youth at COP
In this episode, we chat with Tegan Clark, a PhD candidate at ANU and research assistant at the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, about her journey from growing up in Cairns to becoming a leading youth voice in climate action.
Tegan shares how her connection with nature shaped her decision to get involved in climate activism. She talks about her experience at COP29 with Plan International Australia’s Youth Activist Series, the importance of interdisciplinary science, and her work advocating for stronger youth engagement in global climate negotiations.
We also discuss Tegan’s submission to Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for COP31, which focuses on breaking down barriers to youth participation, and the role of initiatives like the Australian Pacific Youth Climate Dialogue in empowering young climate leaders. Tune in to hear Tegan’s vision for a COP where young people’s voices are not just present — they’re truly heard and valued.
Links:
The Australia Pacific Youth Climate Dialogue
COP31: A COP for Children and Young People
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Tegan Clark
03:39 Journey to Climate Activism
07:27 Experiences at COP29
11:17 Fossil fuel companies at COPs
13:04 Submission for COP31: A COP for Children and Young People
16:16 Australian Pacific Youth Climate Dialogue
19:10 Learning from Pacific Youth and First Nations Perspectives
20:19 Training Programs for Youth Engagement
23:15 Confidence for Youth at COPs
25:30 Overcoming Challenges in Diverse Backgrounds
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