Australian university aims for ¡®below-zero¡¯ carbon emissions

The Australian National University (ANU) has set itself a?deadline to?reverse its greenhouse gas footprint, vowing to be ¡°taking more carbon out of 바카라사이트 atmosphere than we put?in¡± by 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트?decade.

The Canberra institution aims to be a?negative net emitter by?2030 after meeting an interim target of?zero net emissions by?2025.

The dates put flesh on 바카라사이트 bones of 바카라사이트 ANU Below Zero Initiative approved by 바카라사이트 university¡¯s council in February 2020, following Australia¡¯s catastrophic ¡°Black Summer¡± bushfires.

Vice-chancellor Brian Schmidt said 바카라사이트 university was ¡°walking 바카라사이트 walk¡± to tackle climate change by reducing emissions and offsetting those it could not avoid.

¡°Climate change is already here,¡± 바카라사이트 Nobel prizewinning physicist said. ¡°The past decade includes nine of 바카라사이트 10?hottest years on record around 바카라사이트 world, [and] 2019 was Australia¡¯s hottest year ever.¡±

Ecologist Mark Howden, who is leading 바카라사이트 initiative, said research and teaching would play a role in meeting 바카라사이트 targets. ¡°We will only use carbon offsets that have a research and teaching connection at 바카라사이트 university,¡± said Professor Howden, who directs 바카라사이트 ANU Institute for Climate, Energy and Disaster Solutions.

¡°By 2030, 바카라사이트 goal is for ANU to achieve below-zero emissions for energy, waste, business travel and direct on-campus greenhouse gas emissions,¡± he added.

A recent survey had found that more than 90?per cent of ANU staff and students were ¡°concerned or alarmed¡± about climate change, compared with 52?per cent of 바카라사이트 Australian population, he?said.

Meanwhile, 바카라사이트 University of Adelaide has officially launched a?solar and energy storage project at its Roseworthy campus 50km?north of 바카라사이트?city.

The project features a 3,200-panel solar farm, batteries and a digital micro-grid. It has been operating since April, generating some 42?per cent of 바카라사이트 campus¡¯ energy needs.

¡°The project will be a living laboratory, providing our researchers with opportunities¡­in areas including energy management, grid segregation, low-cost fault detection systems, system resilience and cybersecurity,¡± said Roseworthy dean Wayne Hein.

¡°There will also be¡­scope to incorporate different aspects of 바카라사이트 facility into university courses and projects for students studying everything from engineering, cybersecurity and space through to environmental science.¡±

john.ross@ws-2000.com