In an unprecedented move that blends philanthropy with high-altitude advocacy, renewable energy investor Simon Holmes à Court has successfully bid for a unique prize: the chance to seat a leading climate scientist next to Australia's Environment Minister, Sussan Ley, on a commercial flight.
The extraordinary auction lot, offered by the Climate Council, saw Holmes à Court emerge victorious, securing the opportunity for Professor Lesley Hughes, a distinguished climate expert and former IPCC author, to join Minister Ley on a Qantas journey from Canberra to a major capital city.
A Sky-High Conversation on Climate
The winning bid guarantees Professor Hughes a seat in business class directly beside the Minister. This sets the stage for what promises to be a compelling and crucial in-flight discussion on Australia's environmental policies, emission reduction targets, and the pressing global climate crisis.
Professor Hughes stated she intends to use the opportunity for a 'robust and evidence-based conversation' about the government's approach to climate change, signalling a direct and polite but firm dialogue.
Philanthropy Meets Advocacy
The auction was conceived as a innovative fundraising effort for the Climate Council, an independent organisation dedicated to providing authoritative climate science to the public. The winning bid contributes significant funds to support the council's ongoing research and public communication work.
Simon Holmes à Court, a prominent figure in Australia's clean energy transition, framed his winning bid as an investment in 'ensuring the minister hears the best possible advice on the most pressing issue of our time.'
This unusual encounter underscores the creative lengths to which climate advocates are going to ensure their message is heard at the highest levels of government, turning a routine flight into a potential catalyst for policy discussion.
