Monday 18 May 2020

Australian university to slash 30k tonnes of CO2 emissions with 100% renewable electricity

Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne has announced it will soon cover 100% of its electricity needs from renewable energy, slashing approximately 30,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

The Australian university has signed a contract with Infigen Energy to procure 100% renewable electricity from the Cherry Tree Wind Farm, which is located near the town of Seymour in Victoria’s Goulburn Valley.

It says this will drastically reduce Swinburne’s carbon footprint as emissions from its electricity represent more than 70% of its total emissions.

The university has also confirmed the continuation of existing sustainability initiatives like the 'responsible investment charter' which ensures environmental and social impacts are taken into account in its investment choices.

It has also announced it will invest in research focused on sustainability and will provide more courses relevant to the environment.

Linda Kristjanson, Vice-Chancellor and President, said: "This agreement is a significant milestone for us as we continue to demonstrate our resolve to ensure a sustainable future by significantly reducing our carbon footprint.

"This also brings us a step closer to our goal of being carbon-neutral by 2025."