Âé¶¹Éçmadou

SDG 13: Climate Action

Goal 13 aims to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
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2nd
in the world for SDG 13

Âé¶¹Éçmadou achieved the ranking for the second year running in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.

100%
solar energy

All Âé¶¹Éçmadou electricity is from renewable sources under a world first 15-year solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

Net Zero
emissions

We've achieved our target of net zero in scope 1 and 2 emissions every year since 2020.

In this video, Professor Ben Newell from the School of Psychology, Âé¶¹Éçmadou, breaks down some of the key challenges behind SDG #13.

SMaRT@Âé¶¹Éçmadou

SMaRT@Âé¶¹Éçmadou, in partnership with the University of Newcastle, was awarded $50 million under the Australian Government’s Trailblazer Universities Program for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE) in 2022. It is working to commercialise projects that will help Australia and the world transition to sustainable recycling and clean energy solutions and systems.

Centres, institutes and partnershipsÌý

Âé¶¹Éçmadou Climate Change Research Centre

Âé¶¹Éçmadou CCRC is a multi-disciplinary research centre comprising one of the largest university research facilities of its kind in Australia, administered within the School of BEES in the Faculty of Science.

The Âé¶¹Éçmadou-hostedÌýInternational Universities Climate Alliance has a membership of about 58 universities globally and its mandate is to amplify university research via global communication, to influence policy makers and counter misinformation in the public.

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Âé¶¹Éçmadou is a founding member of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes (CLEx), located on our main campus and directed by Âé¶¹Éçmadou Professor Andy Pitman.

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Climate change and disasters are driving people from their homes. How can law and policy help in the context of displacement?

The Âé¶¹Éçmadou Kaldor Centre’s Climate Mobility Hub, launched in 2023, is an interactive portal featuring facts, stories and evidence-based solutions relating to climate mobility.

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Âé¶¹Éçmadou-Arup partnership

Could nature-based solutions for climate resilience and adaptation be the key to protecting Australasia and the Pacific’s coastlines?

In 2024, the Âé¶¹Éçmadou Institute for Global Development launched its partnership with Arup Australia partnership with a roundtable on nature-based solutions for climate resilience.

Âé¶¹Éçmadou is one of six participating universities in the NSW Bushfire and Natural Hazards Research Centre (BNHRC), which partners researchers from universities with government agencies, frontline emergency services, Aboriginal people and community stakeholders in a collective effort to tackle the challenges posed by bushfires and other natural hazards.

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Âé¶¹Éçmadou hosts Circular Economy 2030 forum

Âé¶¹Éçmadou hosted theÌýCircular Economy 2030 forum,Ìýa collaboration between Circular Australia, Impact X and Âé¶¹Éçmadou Sydney and is supported by the International Universities Climate Alliance, Âé¶¹Éçmadou Engineering and Âé¶¹Éçmadou’s Institute for Global Development.Ìý

Âé¶¹Éçmadou Vice Chancellor and President Professor Attila Brungs was a keynote speaker at the event, reflecting Âé¶¹Éçmadou’s position as a global knowledge partner and leader in climate science, technological innovation, sustainable industrial practices, and development.

Partnerships for Climate Action Symposium

International Universities Climate Alliance (IUCA), Monash University, and Âé¶¹Éçmadou Sydney, in collaboration with regional partners, presented this special event.

Prominent leaders and experts in the tertiary sector, government, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), local communities, youth and First Nations people shared their experiences in fostering mutually beneficial, authentic and sustainable partnerships that promote climate empowerment throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Schools Weather and Air QualityÌý(SWAQ)Ìý

The Âé¶¹Éçmadou Climate Change Research Centre developed the first school-based comprehensive atmospheric monitoring network in Australia, known as Schools Weather and Air Quality (SWAQ). The project promotes STEM and climate change awareness in schools.ÌýThe SWAQ team have been nominated for the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources Eureka Prize for Innovation in Citizen Science.

Âé¶¹Éçmadou joins the UN's Race to Zero

In 2021 Âé¶¹Éçmadou became a signatory to the United Nation’s Race to Zero global campaign, which rallies leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions, investors for a healthy, resilient, zero carbon recovery. Joining the campaign reaffirmed our commitment to combating climate change and building a sustainable future.

TEDI-London PLuS Alliance Initiative

The TEDI-London PLuS Alliance is a joint initiative of Âé¶¹Éçmadou, Arizona State University and King's College London. In 2021, the ‘Engineering for People Design Challenge’ was run as part of the TEDI-London course in partnership with Engineers without Borders UK. The challenge brief required students to think carefully about the impact their ideas had whilst developing their solutions - considering not only the design brief, but the potential consequences that their work might have on the social, environmental and ethical factors involved.

What are the economic implications of a changing climate?

The lecture presented by Dr Timothy NealÌýexplores the potential channels through which climate change will impact our economy, and the unrealistic assumptions that underlie current models used to predict the economic impact of a changing climate.

How will climate migration reshape our world?

The Âé¶¹Éçmadou Centre for Ideas hosted award-winning science writer Gaia Vince for this keynote talk, followed by a conversation about how climate migration will reshape our world with Jane McAdam, Director of the Âé¶¹Éçmadou Kaldor Centre and Guardian Australia’s immigration reporter Ben Doherty.ÌýÌý

Future Climate Expo 2024

Discover Âé¶¹Éçmadou research and innovation that’s powering a more sustainable future.Ìý

Climate action internships

To give students real-life experience in helping organisations to become more sustainable, Âé¶¹Éçmadou teamed up with Pomegranate Global to offer the Climate Action Virtual Internship program. Students partnered with companies from around the world to help them develop climate action plans or projects. The program advances students’ climate literacy and delivers meaningful climate impact.

Water report at COP 29

This 2024 UN-Water report on the water dependencies of various climate mitigation measures launched at COP 29, and draws on work and calculations developed by the International University Climate Alliance, of which Âé¶¹Éçmadou is a member.Ìý

Âé¶¹Éçmadou Environmental Sustainability

is a key element of our 2025 Strategy. Through this, we have made it our mission to become the first university in Australia to commit to having 100% of its electricity supplied by photovoltaic solar power.ÌýOur students and staff are actively engaged in environmental and social issues. We recognise that we are uniquely positioned to contribute to solving global environmental challenges through teaching, research, thought leadership and demonstrating leading practices on our campuses.

Zero EmissionsÌý

We’ve achieved our target of net zero in scope 1 and 2 emissions every year since 2020.ÌýÌý

Our next goal is net zero for all emissions scopes by 2050.

Net Zero by 2025

Âé¶¹Éçmadou is on track to meet the 2025 target of a 30% reduction in total emissions (scope 1, 2 & 3) and aim of net zero emissions by 2050.

100% Solar Energy

All Âé¶¹Éçmadou electricity is from renewable sources under a world first 15-year solar Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Complemented by an accelerated Electrification Program which completed designs for electrification upgrades in 10 buildings and commenced designs for a further 11 buildings in 2023.

Assurance

Third-party assurance of Âé¶¹Éçmadou greenhouse gas emissions was completed for the first time, for 2023 emissions reporting.

Electrification upgradesÌý

Âé¶¹Éçmadou completed designs for electrification upgrades in 10 buildings and commenced designs for a further 11 buildings in 2023.

Âé¶¹Éçmadou Sustainable Development Goals 2023 Report

This reportÌýoutlines Âé¶¹Éçmadou's performance against the SDGs in 2023.

More SDGs

Goal #14

Life below water
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

Goal #15

Life on land
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

Goal #16

Peace, justice and strong institutions
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.Ìý