Australian third sector actors’ theories of change for climate justice: real and apparent barriers and obscured root causes

As climate action remains insufficient, societal actors are demanding climate justice. Self-defined climate advocates working within non-governmental and not-for-profit organisations – collectively known as third sector organisations (TSO) – are one set of such actors working towards their subjective vision of climate justice in Australia. I critically examine Australian TSO actors’ theories of change for climate justice. Although diverse, I identify a spectrum of climate justice visions from social solidarity with Indigenous Peoples to, although less prevalent, eco-centric, bordering on anti-human. Most TSO actors’ theories of change were underpinned by assumptions about the effectiveness of incremental change without necessarily challenging the existing power structures premised, as they are in Australia, on colonial capitalism. Some diagnosed barriers to change but struggled to articulate a theory of change to transcend them. When giving up is not an option, critical reflection on the root causes of climate injustice and barriers to change is necessary.