Environmental sustainability in action

In this article we look at one of the Foundation’s six core focus areas – Environmental Sustainability – focusing on water resource management, regulatory frameworks and climate solutions.

In June 2021, together with Riparian Capital Partners, the Foundation initiated a partnership with Peter Cullen Trust (PCT). Funds have been directed towards the PCT Leadership Program (Women) – a bespoke program designed by women, for women. The program recognises that women are under-represented at the leadership table, particularly across the STEM, policy and governance fields. Participants in the program are already established leaders from diverse backgrounds and careers, and this transformative leadership program empowers them to build positive influence and impact in their leadership journey.

PCT works to achieve transformative change and solve complex water and environmental challenges by helping to develop networked leaders. The leadership program takes place over three months, with a first group session typically in South-East Queensland, followed by a second session and formal graduation in Canberra. Each session involves an intensive face-to-face experience over the course of a week, coupled with pre-session reading, and follow on project-based activities. PCT works to cultivate trust and to create safe spaces for these leaders, beyond the initial Program experience.

In 2025, 14 women were identified through a competitive national application process to join PCT’s leadership network as part of the 2025 PCT Leadership Program (Women).

After two weeks of intensive sessions throughout the year, this exceptional group of leaders presented their report back to the Network and were welcomed into the growing PCT Fellows community, now numbering 350.  Their passion for contributing to a sustainable future, their connection and care for one another, and their eloquent plea for us all to respond as “the helpers” we need to be, was a salutary reminder of the intergenerational impact of our choices and our decisions.

As part of the Foundation’s support, each cohort of women also take part in a 12-month post-program reflection workshop (“Recharge”) in Canberra.

The PNI Foundation also support the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR), the only national foundation specifically focused on ensuring the social and economic strength of Australia’s remote, rural and regional communities.

The Foundation established a partnership with FRRR in FY22, with funding directed towards three programs: Future Drought Fund: Networks to Build Drought Resilience, Disaster Resilient: Future Ready, and Strengthening Rural Communities. All three programs align closely to the Foundation and Pinnacle’s interest in helping to drive sustainable social and environmental change, to secure and maintain the overall health and wellbeing of communities. This helps ensure that they can not only survive, but thrive in changing and challenging circumstances.

In FY25, the partnership with FRRR continued with funding directed to the Community-led Climate Solutions program. This program empowers regional, rural, and remote communities to develop and implement climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies tailored to their specific needs.

The Foundation’s current funding has been allocated to two grants in FRRR’s third round of Community Led Climate Solutions:

Regional Food Security Resilience Lab (Horsham, VIC)

Establishing a Regional Food Security Resilience Lab to consider climate risks and develop a framework for local action.

Environs Kimberley’s Climate and Conservation Frontlines (Broome, WA)

Supporting collaborative spatial mapping of the Kimberley to support place-based climate action and conservation leadership.

Through continued engagement, FRRR will help these communities enhance their resilience to climate-related challenges, reduce environmental impacts, and promote sustainability by enabling local, community-driven solutions.

 “Climate is already affecting rural communities with extreme temperatures, food insecurity and water insecurity. Many communities have solutions and we believe that investing in them to implement these local solutions will be one of the greatest ways of tackling climate in this country.”