Australian Environment Foundation

The Australian Environment Foundation (AEF) is an Australian not-for-profit advocacy organisation founded in 2005. It positions itself as an alternative environmental group that seeks to protect the environment while preserving the rule of law, property rights, and individual freedoms. However, it is known for disputing some mainstream environmental views and scientific consensus, often challenging evidence supporting widely accepted environmental policies[1][2].

History

The AEF was established following the Eureka Forum meeting in December 2004, organised by the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) and various resource user groups concerned about what they termed "environmental fundamentalism." The forum focused on defending the access and rights of farmers, foresters, fishermen, miners, and other users of natural resources against restrictive environmental policies. The AEF was formally launched on World Environment Day, 5 June 2005, in Tenterfield, northern New South Wales[1][2].

Founding directors included figures with affiliations to the IPA, such as Mike Nahan and Jennifer Marohasy, the latter known for climate science denial views. The organisation's registered office was originally the same address as the IPA, although today it is registered at a private residence. Both the IPA and AEF deny formal links between the two groups despite overlapping personnel and shared origins[1][2].

Positions and Advocacy

The AEF advocates positions that frequently contrast with mainstream environmental organisations. Its stated focus is on making decisions based on science, balancing environmental protection with economic and individual rights. However, the group is widely criticised for its stance on several issues:

• The AEF denies human-driven climate change and opposes wind energy development.
• It supports logging activities and large-scale agricultural irrigation projects.
• The organisation has lobbied against conservation measures such as the Murray-Darling Basin plan and the protection of Tasmania's World Heritage old-growth forests.
• It promotes property rights and individual freedoms, particularly opposing what it views as environmental overreach[1][2].

The group’s campaigns extend to advocating improved fire management practices, emphasizing lessons from past catastrophic bushfires and promoting increased funding for bushfire mitigation, including prescribed burning and fuel management programs[3].

Controversy and Criticism

The Australian Environment Foundation has been described by some environmental advocates as a "fake environmental group" and a front for lobbying by industries such as forestry, irrigation, and genetically modified crops. Critics highlight its connections with corporate interests and its challenges to scientific consensus on climate change and renewable energy[1][2].

Governance

Notable former personnel include:

• Barry Cohen, inaugural chairman and former Australian Labor Party federal environment minister.
• Jennifer Marohasy, former director, known for climate skepticism.
• Don Burke, former chairman, gardener, author, and television presenter[1].

Activities

The AEF's activities are primarily focused on public advocacy and campaigning. It engages in media communications, lobbying, and public policy debates aiming to influence environmental regulation in Australia. The organisation promotes its mission as protecting the natural environment while preserving legal and property rights and individual freedoms, often emphasizing economic and social dimensions of environmental policy[1][3][4].

The Australian Environment Foundation remains a contentious player in Australian environmental discourse, representing a viewpoint that challenges traditional environmental advocacy through a libertarian and industry-friendly lens.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Environment_Foundation [2] https://www.desmog.com/australian-environment-foundation/ [3] https://www.australianenvironment.org [4] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/c8746c8a-38af-e811-a962-000d3ad24a0d [5] https://www.acf.org.au