About Us

About Us

Australia has an enormous solar and wind energy potential – in fact, some scientists argue that we could meet the global renewable energy demand 100 times over.

Western Australia alone could be a global renewable energy super-power. Our unique geography and natural resources make us a potential world leader for producing every type of renewable energy – but of total energy generated in WA only 17% is from renewables, compared to 32% nationally.

The Better Climate program aims to facilitate WA’s transition to a low-carbon economy and create massive job opportunities. Between 2015-2019, employment in the renewables industry increased by 63% in WA, and it could grow much faster if we can grab hold of the opportunities and overcome the challenges of decarbonising WA. Shifting Western Australia’s main electricity grid to 90 per cent renewables by 2030 is not only technically and economically feasible but would generate 5,000 jobs a year on average.

And decarbonising WA also means a safer, fairer, cleaner home for us all!

That’s why Better Climate was set up – as CCWA’s climate action initiative advocating for green jobs and a green economy for Western Australia.

Through community partnerships and engagement, we embrace opportunities to build awareness and support local communities as they strive for a fairer, safer place to live, learn and work.

Better Climate is an initiative from the Conservation Council of WA

CCWA is Western Australia’s foremost not-for-profit, non-government conservation and environment organisation. We have been a prominent and forthright voice for conservation for more than 50 years working directly with communities, government, Traditional Owners, industry, and media to promote a more sustainable WA and to protect our natural environment.

Our Story

Clean State was established in 2018 as a climate program of the Conservation Council of WA
Since then, we’ve made a big impact - generating a volume of valuable research into WA’s potential as a clean energy powerhouse.
Our Clean State Jobs Plan was a success.
Our seminal 2020 Jobs Plan delivered 26 fully costed, fully viable recommendations for the WA government to create 200,000 clean jobs and kickstart WA’s transition to net-zero carbon emissions.
15 of these recommendations have now been actioned or implemented.
Including $60 million for renewable energy and battery projects around the state, $60 million for conservation projects in regional areas, $17 million for batteries and solar in the Kimberley, including in First Nations communities, and $15 million to boost emergency services and fire brigades who are dealing with the impacts of climate change.
From 2018-2022, Clean State built up a support base of over 20,000 everyday Western Australians.
We also consulted with a broad range of local institutions on building a clean economy. During that time, we continued community organising and campaigning for climate action at a grassroots level.
As of 2023, Clean State became Better Climate.
We are driving evidence-based solutions to diversify our economy and create thousands of jobs within new, sustainable industries through collaboration, research and policy recommendations. We continue to build awareness around climate impacts and support local communities - for a fairer and safer place to live, learn and work.

Our Team

Sarah English

Matt Berry

Communications and Community Engagement Manager

Partnerships and Advocacy Manager

Sarah has led campaigns and communications in environmental, human rights, and political organisations for around fifteen years, including CCWA, Amnesty International, and GetUp, and is currently Acting Chair of the Australian Conservation Foundation. 

Matt has a background leading design and innovation projects to shift some of our most complex social issues, and is now bringing his expertise in facilitation, collaboration, and systems change to the climate space.