L-R: Stephen Dunne, Rick Walters, Ros McKay, Alison Ewings, John Thwaites, Rebecca Mikula-Wright. Credit: Melissa Hobbs Photography.
The Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC) has announced the winners of its annual Climate Leaders’ Awards, celebrating individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in driving climate-aligned investment and accelerating the transition to a net zero economy.
Presented at the IGCC Annual Climate Finance and Investment Summit, the awards highlight exceptional contributions from across the IGCC membership and broader climate finance community. Nominated by IGCC staff, the three workstream awards recognise excellence in:
- Contribution to Investor Practice
- Best in Corporate Engagement
- Driving the Policy Agenda
In addition, the IGCC Board confers the Chair’s Award, recognising an individual whose leadership over the past 12 months has made a significant impact on the climate ambitions of IGCC members. Unlike the workstream awards, this honour may go to any leader within the climate finance ecosystem, reflecting the broad and interconnected nature of climate action.
The winners of the 2025 IGCC Climate Leaders’ Awards are:
Contribution to Investor Practice
Rick Walters — Senior Manager — Responsible Ownership, Aware Super
Rick has shown exceptional initiative and leadership in advancing IGCC’s work on real assets, particularly around embodied carbon and physical risk assessments.
He helped establish — and chairs — the Investor Practice Working Group on Real Assets, creating a dedicated platform for members to deepen their investor practices within this asset class.
Over the past year, he has facilitated an exchange between IGCC’s members and MECLA on embodied carbon, and will contribute to the next phase of work developing a defensible methodology for assessing physical climate risks within infrastructure. Rick’s contributions have built momentum and expertise around real assets within IGCC and the wider investment.
Best in Corporate Engagement
Alison Ewings — General Manager — ESG, QIC
Alison has been an outstanding leader within Climate Action 100+ – the world’s largest corporate engagement program for climate. She’s on the global Steering Committee, leading engagement with one CA100+ focus company, and supporting engagement for another.
Over the past year, she has generously shared her expertise, providing invaluable advice and support to IGCC’s corporate engagement work, and consistently championing our mission both in Australia and among international peers. Her advocacy, insight and commitment have strengthened IGCC’s impact both across the region and globally.
Driving the Policy Agenda
Ros McKay — Head of Responsible Investment, Cbus Super
Ros has demonstrated multi-year leadership on most important climate policies for Australia’s future. She has played a pivotal role in shaping sectoral transition plans, driving momentum for a strong 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution, and championing the industry-first Climate Action Pays Off campaign. Her persistence, strategic insight, and ability to engage across government, industry and investors have helped position IGCC as a trusted voice in climate policy debates. This contribution has been central to ensuring investors’ perspectives influence national climate ambition and policy design.
IGCC Chair’s Award – Individuals Advancing the Cause of Climate Investment
Professor John Thwaites AM — Chair, Monash Sustainable Development Institute & Chair, Climateworks Centre
Professor John Thwaites AM is recognised globally for his leadership on sustainable development, climate and water policy. As Victoria’s first Minister for Climate Change, he laid important foundations for state-level action. Today, he continues to bridge research, industry and government as Chair of ClimateWorks Australia, advancing practical solutions to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Through his long-standing expertise and ability to convene stakeholders, John has been a driving force in shaping policies and pathways that accelerate Australia’s transition.
“This year’s Climate Leaders’ Award winners show how investors are not only navigating complexity, but turning it into action,” said Rebecca Mikula-Wright, CEO of IGCC.
“Their leadership reflects the spirit of the Summit’s theme, Decoding the Transition — translating climate signals into the strategies and momentum needed to advance climate-aligned investment.”
We congratulate our award winners and finalists for their exceptional contributions. Their work not only reflects the progress we’ve made, but also the momentum we need to carry forward into the decisive years ahead.
More information on the IGCC Summit 2025, including the full program and speaker line-up, is available here.
Media Contact
Fergus Pitt – Director of Media & Communications
+61 476 101 542
fergus.pitt@igcc.org.au