Don Butler

Don Butler is a Professor at the ANU College of Law, Governance and Policy within the ANU Law School. He holds a BSc (hons 1) and PhD from the University of Queensland. His research focuses on climate change mitigation, carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and environmental policy. He leads projects addressing carbon offset integrity, forest regeneration, and policy reform. His work spans savanna ecosystems, forest management, and the impacts of climate policy on land-use practices.

Education: BSc (hons 1) and PhD (University of Queensland).

Research Interests: Climate Change, Carbon Offsets, Biodiversity Conservation, Environmental Policy, Vegetation Dynamics, and Sustainable Agriculture. Collaborations include analyses of carbon projects in Australia, policy evaluations for the Clean Energy Regulator, and studies on groundwater-vegetation interactions.

Projects: Includes developing improved carbon accounting methods for native regrowth, analyzing the National Stewardship Trading Platform, and investigating maladaptation risks in savanna carbon projects. His work emphasizes policy integrity and ecological outcomes.

Advocacy and Grants: Focuses on policy reforms to enhance carbon market integrity and biodiversity co-benefits. Engages with government agencies and NGOs to shape climate and land management policies.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with the ANU Climate Change Institute and interdisciplinary teams on carbon offset methodologies and environmental governance.