Emma Rachel Whittlesea

A provocative sustainability strategist, with over 20 years’ experience gained in the public, private and academic sectors in the UK, Europe and Australia. My professional and research focus has been in sustainable development and climate change, leading on a range of policies, projects and programs with the tourism and transport sectors.
I have an industry funded PhD which examined the opportunities and challenges of a low-carbon tourism economy in Southwest England and have developed strategic and practical sustainability tools and guidance for tourism businesses, destinations and tourism boards, and co-convened the European Research Network for Sustainable Tourism across 14 European regions.
I have worked as a Principal Policy Officer for the Queensland Government in the Climate Change and Sustainable Futures Branch and now work for Griffith University in Australia on a range of collaborative projects with industry and governments. Projects I have managed include a $1.7M program to help Great Barrier Reef islands to reduce emissions and increase climate resilience and development of the Queensland Tourism Climate Change Response Plan.