CLIMATE 200

Frequently Asked Questions

What does C200 do?

Climate 200 is a community crowd-funded initiative that supports independent political candidates committed to:

  • A science-based response to the climate crisis;
  • Restoring integrity to politics; and
  • Advancing the respect and safety of women.
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What do you spend your money on?

Climate 200 supports pro-climate community-backed independents with a leg up to help them compete. 

We do this through: 

  • Strategic communications to help amplify the voice of independent candidates and the power of the community independent movement
  • Providing access to the tools expertise, data and research needed to run competitive, professional campaigns.
  • Matched funding to candidates and campaigns with the best chances of success or highest strategic impact.

Every dollar that comes in through our website goes toward supporting independent community campaigns and their candidates.

Climate 200's administrative costs are covered by a small group of donors who have expressed specific interest in supporting our small team.

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How do you disclose what you spend your money on?

There are different disclosure obligations in each jurisdiction. Currently at the federal level, donations above $15,200 must be disclosed to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). At the recent Victorian (2022) and New South Wales (2023) state elections, donations above the disclosure thresholds of $1,080 and $1,000 respectively needed to be disclosed to the respective state electoral commissions.

As a Significant Third Party, Climate 200 is required to submit annual disclosure returns detailing our total receipts, donors over the disclosure threshold, debts, and expenditure for the financial year, which are then published on the AEC website in the case of a federal election, or on state electoral commission websites in the case of state elections. 

For people who come in through our website and social media advertising, we guarantee that every cent given will go to the community campaigns we support, without us taking anything out of that income stream for admin. Our other activities are funded by donors who have engaged directly with our fundraising team.

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Does C200 choose candidates?

C200 does not choose candidates. We offer support to independent political candidates who are chosen by community groups. To receive support from us, candidates must be independent, supported by a local community group (such as a ‘Voices of’ group), have a viable pathway to success, and demonstrate that they are committed to advancing:

  • a science-based response to the climate crisis;
  • integrity to politics; and
  • respect and safety of women

They must also complete a vetting process and prove that they have the right team and leadership abilities needed to run a successful campaign.

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How does C200 support candidates?

Running as an independent candidate is not easy. Major parties have huge resources, brand recognition and well-oiled party machines.

C200 supports pro-climate community-backed independents with a leg up to help them compete. 

We do this through: 

  • Strategic communications to help amplify the voice of independent candidates and the power of the community independent movement
  • Providing access to the tools expertise, data and research needed to run competitive, professional campaigns.
  • Matched funding to candidates and campaigns with the best chances of success or highest strategic impact.

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How can I start an independent campaign group?

We have featured some of the best resources written by the people who have established and run successful community campaigns. Have a look at campaign support page.

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Who are your donors?

11,200 individuals have donated to C200, and thousands more have donated directly to the independent campaigns we have supported. These donors come from all over the country, and one third are from rural and regional areas.

The national, Victorian and NSW electoral commissions list the names of donors who have donated above the donation threshold in different jurisdictions. Our website also lists donors who opted to be listed on our website (70% of donors have chosen to have their names published).

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Is Climate 200 a party?

Climate 200 is not a party. We do not start campaigns, select candidates, speak for candidates, dictate policies, or have members. We simply give strong community campaigns a leg up with funding and support.

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Is Climate 200 funded by Simon Holmes à Court?

Simon Holmes à Court founded Climate 200 in the lead up to the 2019 federal election, in an effort to support community-backed independent candidates who would champion action on climate change. Simon contributes his time to Climate 200 on a voluntary basis and receives no salary. His contribution to the organisation represents 2% of the total funds received from about 11,200 unique donors.

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How do I cancel or modify my recurring donation

Donations are managed through email receipts, which are sent to your email address every time a donation is processed. In these receipts there is a “manage my donations” button, which will take you to our donation platform Raisely. From there, please click the “settings” icon and select “payment method”. This is where you can change your card details, as well as pause, alter, or cancel your recurring donation.

Receipts sometimes end up in spam or junk folders, so please check there if you have trouble finding your receipt!

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Climate 200 is a community crowd-funded initiative that supports political candidates committed to:

  • a science-based response to the climate crisis;
  • restoring integrity to politics; and
  • advancing respect and safety for women.
Climate 200 was established in the lead up to the 2019 federal election by a group of concerned Australians who realised we cannot stand on the sidelines and let climate science denial and vested interests delay meaningful action on climate change.
Our vision is for every government in Australia to adopt a science-based response to the climate crisis.
Climate 200 is not a party. It does not start campaigns, select candidates, speak for candidates, dictate policies, or have members. We simply give strong community campaigns a leg up with funding and support.
If you run a community-backed campaign whose values align with those of our donors then we’d love to hear from you.
Photo by
James Wiltshire
Photo by
the AAP

What we do

1. Strategic communications to support community independents and position them as an effective, credible and desirable solution to breaking the deadlock in Australian politics.

2. Analytics to identify the best values-aligned campaigns in the most strategic electorates, and support them with the data and research they need to run effective and efficient campaigns.

3. Campaign engagement to support community groups and their candidates have the tools, strategies, and expertise needed to win.

4. Direct funding to candidates with the best chances of success or highest strategic impact.

How we operate

Climate 200’s constitution makes clear that it is a not-for-profit proprietary limited company.
100% of the funds we raise through this website goes directly towards supporting local campaigns and candidates
Climate 200’s expenditure is disclosed publicly in line with federal and state electoral laws, and subject to an annual independent audit.

The Climate 200 team

We draw on the insights and wisdom of a highly experienced team of professionals who contribute deep expertise and complementary skills.
Simon Holmes à Court
Simon Holmes à Court
Convenor
Simon is a senior advisor to the Climate and Energy College at Melbourne University. Simon is also a cleantech investor, climate philanthropist and a director of the Smart Energy Council and the Australian Environmental Grant-makers Network.
Susie Bayes
Susie Bayes
Head of Community
Susie is a purpose-driven partnership specialist focussed on systemic change. She was formerly Guardian Australia’s Head of Philanthropy and Partnerships, funding investigative journalism for impact. She served on the board of the Banksia Foundation for sustainability from 2017-22 and is a purpose-driven mentor.
Byron Fay
Byron Fay
Executive Director
Byron is a climate strategist, former Paris Agreement negotiator and adviser to the Independent Senator Tim Storer. Byron worked for a Biden-aligned Political Action Committee during the 2020 US presidential election, holds a Masters of Public Policy from the University of Oxford, and is a proud descendant of the Dharug nation.
Alexandria Rantino
Alexandria Rantino
Chief Operating Officer
Alex has pursued climate action throughout her entire career, including as a Paris Agreement negotiator and a policy adviser at DFAT, the Climate Change Authority and United Nations Environment Programme. Alex is a qualified lawyer with honours degrees in law and media and communications at Melbourne University.
Alex Lamb
Alex Lamb
Head of Strategic Communications
Alex has worked in media, parliament, and the international development sector. Before joining Climate 200 she worked for Transparency International Australia, helping to coordinate a global campaign against corruption in the mining sector, and campaign for a national anti-corruption commission in Australia. Prior to that, she advocated for greater support for gender equality and reproductive rights in the Australian aid program
Will Coward
Will Coward
Community Outreach
Will has spent over 10 years in education, working as a teacher/trainer and running major institutions in both Australia and Cambodia. Will is passionate about the opportunities for personal and professional development provided through education and the privilege of being able to help people from all walks of life achieve their goals. He continues to teach English and engage in capacity building in the NGO sector. Will studied International Relations at ANU before continuing his qualifications in English language teaching through Cambridge.

Our Advisory Council

Anna Josephson
Anna Josephson
Advisory Council
Anna is a tech entrepreneur and climate philanthropist. Anna was on the Advisory Committee and in charge of fundraising for independent MP Zali Steggall in the 2019 federal election and is the co-founder of Warringah Independent (campaign entity supporting Zali Steggall).
John Hewson AM
John Hewson AM
Advisory Council
John was the Liberal Member for Wentworth 1987–1995, leader of the Liberal Party 1990–1994, followed by successful academic and corporate career.
Barry Jones AC
Barry Jones AC
Advisory Council
Barry was Labor Member for Lalor 1977–1998, former Minister for Science and National President of the Labor Party. Author, academic, and advocate for federal climate action since 1984.
Meg Lees AO
Meg Lees AO
Advisory Council
Meg was a Senator for SA from 1990 to 2005, including leader of the Australian Democrats from 1997 to 2001. She has also been a teacher, CEO and Paralegal. Meg has a lifelong commitment to a range of environmental issues and organisations.
Dr Kerryn Phelps AM
Dr Kerryn Phelps AM
Advisory Council
Kerryn was the independent member for the federal seat of Wentworth from 2018-19. She was Deputy Lord Mayor of Sydney in 2016-2017. Kerryn has an extensive background in medicine and public health. She was the first woman to be elected president of the Australian Medical Association (2000-2003), and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2011 for her service to medicine.
Tony Windsor
Tony Windsor
Advisory Council
Tony was the independent member for the federal seat of New England from 2001 to 2013. Prior to that, he was the independent member for the seat of Tamworth in the NSW Legislative Assembly. Tony is a farmer and an economist.
Rob Oakeshott
Rob Oakeshott
Advisory Council
Rob was the Independent MP for Lyne in the Australian Parliament from 2008-2013. Prior to this, he was NSW State MP for Port Macquarie from 1995-2008. He published a book on his experience: The Independent Member for Lyne. Rob now teaches environmental and business law and is studying medicine.
Kiera Peacock
Kiera Peacock
Advisory Council
Kiera is a Partner at Marque Lawyers with expertise in electoral and climate law. She ran the Court of Disputed Returns challenge following the 2019 federal election that clarified the law on misleading electoral advertising. Kiera provides legal services to Climate 200.

The 2022 federal election was just the beginning… Help us continue pushing for greater action on climate, integrity and gender equality.

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