Climate Hack-tion brings together students from Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific and the EU to turn global climate priorities into practical, real-world solutions.
The event reflects the EU Delegation's ongoing cooperation with Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, and its priority of investing in shared climate action across the region.
It channels regional COP31 momentum into youth-led action, as Australia leads negotiations and the Pacific hosts the Pre-COP.
Hundreds of university and TAFE students from Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific and the European Union will take part in Climate Hack-tion, a 60-hour online hackathon challenging teams to build practical solutions to some of the world's biggest climate priorities, ahead of COP31 - the UN's annual climate summit.
The initiative is a first of its kind, developed by the European Union Delegation to Australia with its counterpart missions in New Zealand and Fiji.
With Australia serving as President of Negotiations for COP31, and the Pre-COP Leaders' event, being hosted in Fiji and Tuvalu from 5–8 October 2026, bringing global attention to the region’s climate priorities reflect the global cooperation that the EU spearheads regarding shared and urgent challenges.
"Climate change is the defining challenge of our time, and young people are at the heart of the solution. With Climate Hack-tion, the EU is bringing together bright minds from Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific, and the EU to turn ambition into action. This hackathon isn’t not just about ideas—it’s about real, scalable solutions that can drive progress ahead of COP31,” said EU Charge de Affairs Dr. Oliver Landwehr. “The EU is proud to stand with our partners in the region, investing in innovation and empowering the next generation to shape a sustainable future for all."
Running from 9am AEST Friday 2 October to 9pm AEDT Sunday 4 October 2026, Climate Hack-tion invites teams of three to five students to turn one of COP31's five priority areas - electrification, zero waste and methane reduction, resilient cities and buildings, green industrialisation, and climate awareness- — into a working prototype or realistic mockup.
Teams will be supported by a network of Australian professionals acting as mentors, hailing from academia, industry, energy transition and finance. Winners will be announced at a closing ceremony on Monday 12 October, with a total prize pool of over A$10,000.
The European Union is a genuine climate partner to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Climate Hack-tion reflects the EU's direct relationships and cooperation with countries across the region, investing in shared climate priorities and in the young people who share the challangees of the future.
Event details
- What: Climate Hack-tion - A hackathon to reimagine climate solutions in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
- When: 9am AEST Friday 2 October – 9pm AEDT Sunday 4 October 2026
- Who: University and TAFE students (18+) from Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific and the EU
- Where: Online, via the Junction platform
- Registration: Open now via
Contact details:
Victoria Kelly-Clark – EU Delegation to Australia
Ph: 0429 024 887
