Peter Newman is the Professor of Sustainability at Curtin University.

Peter has written 23 books and over 400 papers on sustainable cities and decarbonization policy.

He created the term automobile dependence in the 1980’s which is now standard terminology in urban planning and his book with Jeff Kenworthy has been called ‘one of the most influential planning books of all time’.

Peter has worked to deliver his ideas in all levels of government having been an elected councillor, seconded to advise three Premiers in Western Australia (1986, 1989, 2001-3) and on the Board of Infrastructure Australia 2008-14.

He has been involved in IPCC for twelve years and is presently the Co-ordinating Lead Author for the IPCC on Transport.

In 2014 he was awarded an Order of Australia for his contributions to urban design and sustainable transport. In 2018/19 he was the Western Australian Scientist of the Year.

His latest national research project with Josh Byrne and CRC RACE is Net Zero Precincts.