Our success stories
For almost half a century, ACF has seen many great conservation successes. The ACF community has taken positive steps toward the permanent protection of Australia’s most special places.
Putting a price on pollution
The climate change debate has waxed and waned over many decades, but ACF has consistently advocated for action on global pollution. During the past decade, a consensus emerged that the most effective way to properly encourage businesses to stop polluting was to introduce a carbon permit trading scheme; a price on pollution.
National Heritage listing for West Kimberley
National Heritage listing was granted to the magnificent West Kimberley region in 2011, giving a formal layer of federal protection to its conservation and cultural values.
Support for Cape York
We have been working towards a land tenure reform process with the twin aims of delivering land justice to Indigenous Traditional Owners, and protection of high conservation value lands across the Cape York Peninsula, since 1975.
Conserving the Great Barrier
Perhaps our greatest success in protecting the Reef from fishing and trawling was influencing the expansion of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. In 2004, after many submissions to the Marine Park Authority, the area covered by environmental protection was increased from less than 5% to one third of its expanse.
Protecting Jabiluka from uranium mining
ACF has consistently acted to protect the natural and cultural values of Kakadu from the threats posed by uranium mining and as the push for increased mining in this unique region continues, so does the opposition to to this controversial and contaminating industry.
Mining prevented in Antarctica
ACF played a significant role in securing Antarctica’s conservation and protection. In 1989, the Hawke Government implemented a treaty – now known as the Madrid Protocol - which placed an indefinite ban on mining in Antarctica. It’s hard to believe that prior to 1989, Antarctica was still at risk of mining.
Formation of Australian Business Roundtable
The Australian Business Roundtable on Climate Change was formed to advance the understanding of business risks and opportunities associated with climate change and to help develop effective policy frameworks and market conditions for our low carbon future.
Australia's wet tropics gain World Heritage Listing
ACF campaigned for many years in the 1970s and 80s to have the Wet Tropics (Daintree) area given World Heritage status. The Daintree Rainforests gained World Heritage Listing of the area in 1990 – a move that now protects about 900,000 hectares.
Koongarra gains World Heritage Listing
In an important win, the Koongarra area within Kakadu National Park was inscribed onto the World Heritage List in June 2011. Koongarra has been threatened by mining for decades. ACF, with Traditional Owner Jeffrey Lee, has worked persistently for over 30 years to have this area recognised.
Collaboration and the Mittagong Forum
The Mittagong Forum was a trailblazing collaboration of Australian environment groups, set up to develop capability, generate strategic insights and work collaboratively to enhance the effectiveness of Australia’s environment movement.
Southern Cross Climate Coalition
A remarkable alliance of four organisations that joined forces to ensure climate policy is fairly implemented and maximises opportunities for jobs and investment in Australia. The Southern Cross Climate Coalition is an alliance of The Climate Institute (TCI), Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF), Australian Council of Social Service (ACSS), and Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU).
The formation of Landcare
ACF’s involvement with the Landcare programme may be one of our most quietly successful ventures. Landcare provided a vision for the transformation to ecological sustainability that was embraced by all major political parties.
