New Post-Carbon Research Centre launched

New Post-Carbon Research Centre launched

RMIT’s new Post-Carbon Research Centre will tackle the complex challenges of decarbonising the built environment and infrastructures to transition to a sustainable, equitable and resilient future.

A joint initiative of the University’s College of Design and Social Context and STEM College, the Centre brings together multi-disciplinary research capabilities across the built environment and infrastructure sectors, together with expertise from design, architecture, planning, engineering, construction, computer and geospatial science, and the social sciences.  ​

The Centre’s official launch event ‘Creating Australian Built Environments for the Post-Fossil Fuel Era’ featured a keynote address by Alison Scotland, CEO of the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council, on the role of research and collaboration for positive change.

29 October 2024

Share

Alison Scotland at lectern in front of PowerPoint slideAlison Scotland spoke about the role of research and collaboration for positive change.

Scotland addressed recent regulation regarding mandatory climate related financial disclosure and how it will encourage more private companies to seriously consider their environmental impact.

“Over the next three years, the number of companies and businesses that are going to have to report on their impact on the climate, and what they're going to do to fix it, is going to be more and more,” Scotland said. 

“Their climate impact becomes a financial risk. It's something that a company board is going to need to look at. The need for companies to understand their impact and their place in our built environment is becoming imminent.”

Professor Priya Rajagopalan, Director of the Centre, said that it would work alongside industry to co-produce impactful research. 

“We want to co-produce research with industry and societal stakeholders to imagine, design, deliver and manage built environments free of intensive carbon emissions, preparing for the post-fossil fuel era,” Rajagopalan said. 

“Our aspiration for regenerative futures is to enhance liveability for everyone. We believe that digital technologies have the potential to change the way we plan, build and use the built environment.” 

Group photo of leaders from industry and RMITFrom left to right: Damien Crough, Alison Scotland, Ralph Horne, Priya Rajagopalan, Stefano Scalzo, and Andrew Maher.

Professor Tim Marshall, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Design and Social Context and Vice-President, said the Centre will play an important role in responding to the climate crisis.

“The Post-Carbon Research Centre will play a leading role in our work to contribute knowledge, capacity and support for society to respond to the climate crisis through inclusive decarbonisation and planetary regeneration,” Marshall said. 

 “It’s this multi-disciplinary network that positions the Centre so strongly to address the complex challenges of decarbonising infrastructure and the built environment and to support the transition to a sustainable, equitable and resilient future.” 

The Centre’s work is organised around three research themes: 

  • transition; 
  • design; and 
  • production.

Using a whole life cycle approach, the Centre strives for innovation across full life cycle, value and supply chain within the built environment.

Learn more about the Post-Carbon Research Centre. 

 

Story: Nick Adams

Return to RMIT News
29 October 2024

Share

  • DSC Research
  • Environment
  • Sustainability
  • DSC
Engage

Related News

Designing regenerative futures: RMIT community leads the conversation at Melbourne Design Week 2026

RMIT returns to Melbourne Design Week 2026 as NGV’s ‘Futures Partner’, reaffirming the University’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of design practitioners, thinkers and leaders.

jakarta-1220x732.jpg

RMIT expands Southeast Asia presence with Indonesia creative industries partnership

RMIT has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indonesian government, during a visit that signals the University’s deepening presence and partnerships in the region.

sky_seagrass.jpg

Turning the tide: seagrass as critical natural infrastructure

Beneath shallow coastal waters from Western Australia’s southern coastline to the tropical lagoons of the Great Barrier Reef vast underwater meadows stretch quietly across the seafloor.

SAB-building-80-texture-1220x732.jpg

RMIT retains #1 in Australia for Architecture/Built Environment and Art and Design, as global rankings rise

For the third year in a row, RMIT has ranked 1st in Australia for both Architecture/Built Environment and Art and Design in the QS World University Rankings by Subject.

Show more
aboriginal flag float-starttorres strait flag float-start

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

More information