RMIT commits to state climate change initiative

Designed and delivered by Sustainability Victoria, the TAKE2 initiative will assist businesses, local government, communities, schools and individuals across the State to be part of Victoria’s pathway to net zero emissions by 2050.

It is the first State Government-led climate change pledging initiative in Australia, and one of the most comprehensive climate change pledging program in the world. TAKE2 refers to the actions required to keep the global temperature rise under two degrees.

Professor Paul Gough, Chair of RMIT’s Sustainability Committee, said the initiative is a natural fit for RMIT, which has already proven its leadership on climate change.

“The campaign aligns with the work RMIT is doing with the Sustainable Urban Precincts Program, the biggest program of its kind in the southern hemisphere,” Gough said.

This $98 million program will reduce the University’s electricity usage over eight years by an estimated 263 million kilowatt hours, leading to a 32,000-tonne reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Water usage will be cut by an estimated 53 million litres.

“Beyond RMIT’s considerable infrastructure and operational activities to reduce carbon emissions, the University’s strong research and educational capabilities in sustainability and climate change will ensure that TAKE2’s partnership commitments can be achieved,” Gough said.

RMIT has sustainability embedded in many of its courses, including architecture and design, social science, project management, fashion, business and engineering, to ensure our students are ready to shape a greener future.

As well, the University has made sustainable operations an intrinsic part of campus life so that even those students not directly studying environmental subjects will take a sustainable mindset with them after graduation.

Jobs of the future will evolve directly and indirectly from the move towards a low carbon economy. Victoria’s universities and TAFE system play a crucial role in preparing Victorians to meet the demand for skills and knowledge a clean energy future will create.

“As a leading global university, RMIT is happy to recognise this by becoming a TAKE2 founding partner and helping keep the temperature rise under two degrees,” Gough said.

TAKE2 partnership commitments include:

• an active contribution to Victoria’s leadership on climate change
• contributing to the first Victorian state-wide interim target to 2020
• driving innovation and technology to address climate change
• showcasing how the University is making a difference and inspiring others to do the same

Sustainability Victoria is undertaking a consultation process to ensure the TAKE2 initiative is robust, meaningful and relevant to all sectors. As a founding partner, RMIT will participate in a series of workshops to help shape the voluntary multi-sector climate change initiative.

Story: Pauline Charleston