Michael Li
Research Strategy Lead
Michael leads the Research, Analysis and Modelling team that provides strategic direction on research practice at Climateworks Centre. He provides independent and objective advice on how to develop, interpret and translate analytical outputs to deliver strategic outcomes. He also leads Climateworks’ modelling advisory projects with partners including CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency.
In 2017–18, Michael managed the Built to Perform initiative in collaboration with industry and government. This resulted in a once-in-a-decade reform of Australian building energy regulations, and his recognition as Young Energy Efficiency Professional of the Year at the 2018 National Energy Efficiency Awards.
Michael led a multidisciplinary team to deliver the Climateworks Centre Decarbonisation Scenarios 2023, currently the preeminent non-government evidence base cited by the Australian public and private sectors for setting climate targets in line with the Paris Agreement.
For seven months over 2024–25, Michael acted as Head of Strategy on Climateworks’ executive leadership team. Before joining Climateworks in 2017, Michael worked as a sustainability consultant at global engineering consultancy AECOM.
Michael holds Bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering (with honours) and applied mathematics from the University of Melbourne and a Master’s degree in sustainable development from the University of Cambridge. He is currently studying an online Master of Business Administration specialising in digital transformation at RMIT University (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology).
