Atlassian’s Australian billionaire co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes is among a group of global business and political leaders set to attend the United Nations Climate Action Summit in New York.
Hosted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the major conference on Monday will see leaders from across 60 countries demonstrate “concrete” plans to reduce carbon emissions and help the world’s most vulnerable cope with the fallout from global warming.
Australian Mr Cannon-Brookes said he has headed to New York to attend the UN event “because we have a responsibly to act".
“The world is here to address a burning issue. We know that we have to do our bit to reduce our impact on the planet. If we don’t, we’re cooked," he said.
Mike Cannon-Brookes, chief executive officer of Atlassian. Source: Getty Images North America
His software company Atlassian is pledging to reduce its net emissions to zero by 2050 and have set targets aligned with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels.
It’s an ambitious plan and Atlassian will need to cut emissions by at least 4.2 per cent every year to meet its targets.
The global tech giant is the first major Australian company to join the Business Ambition for 1.5 Degrees.
“I hope many others - governments, businesses, individuals - can join us. It’s up to all of us. We’ve all got to show up with a plan and play our part. Our future demands it,” Mr Cannon-Brookes said.
“As a nation, we should be leading the charge on this. After all, by the end of this month, our entire capital city and parliament will be powered by renewable energy - the first outside Europe.
Students of all ages took part in the climate strikes in Australia last week. Source: SBS/Dina Gerolymou
"That’s an amazing story of opportunity for us to tell.
“That’s why we are here, with many others, to fly the Australian flag.”
Mr Cannon-Brookes, one of Australia’s richest businessmen, has long been a vocal supporter of climate action.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Source: AP
He was one of the 50,000 protesters who took to the streets in Sydney last Friday as part of huge youth-led protests worldwide to combat climate change.
“One of the Atlassian values is to be the change you seek.” Mr Cannon-Brookes said.
“In that spirit, we hear the UN call for stronger action on climate change. The Secretary-General’s message was clear, “Don’t bring a speech, bring a plan”. If Government won’t respond, we must.
“That's why as a company we are doing everything we can to avert this crisis, and hold ourselves to account by committing to net zero emissions.”
Last year the billionaire criticised Prime Minister Scott Morrison for his energy policies, saying Australians wanted greater support of renewable energy.
Students hold signs during a protest organized by the Youth Climate Strike outside of Miami Beach City Hall. Source: AP
“Having no policy framework is like having no compass in the desert - you’ve got Buckley's chance of finding your way,” he said.
