John Thwaites

John Thwaites is a distinguished public servant and sustainability expert who serves as Professorial Fellow at Monash University, where he chairs both the Monash Sustainable Development Institute and ClimateWorks Australia. His remarkable career spans government leadership, where he served as Victoria's Deputy Premier and first Minister for Climate Change from 1999 to 2007, to his current roles advancing global sustainability initiatives. As Co-Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network's Leadership Council, he provides expert guidance on implementing the SDGs, while also serving as Chair of Melbourne Water and Director of Fairtrade Australia New Zealand. His contributions to environmental policy and public service earned him appointment as Member of the Order of Australia in 2021. His expertise spans climate change, water management, and sustainable development, demonstrated through major reforms in Victorian water policy that achieved 40% water savings per capita. Currently serving on the Lancet Covid-19 Commission and as Interim Chair of the McKinnon Institute for Political Leadership, he continues to bridge research, policy, and action through his roles at Monash University, where he champions cross-sector collaboration for sustainable development and climate action. His academic background includes degrees in Science and Law (Honours) from Monash University, complementing his extensive practical experience in environmental policy and governance.