University of Western Australia
Electricity supply agreements, on-site solar generation and carbon neutral events are just some of the programs and initiatives in place to transform UWA into an energy-neutral campus by 2025.
According to Energy and Sustainability Manager Geraldine Tan, the University is well on its way to achieving this milestone.
“We are looking at everything from emissions we can control such as gas and electricity use, to indirect and associated emissions which can be a little trickier.
Over the last couple of years, we've really looked at our energy consumption and made huge strides in reducing our carbon footprint.”
Geraldine Tan, Energy and Sustainability Manager
This work forms part of UWA’s carbon neutral strategy and aligns with Climate Active certification standards. Its broad scope classifies emissions into three categories: Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3.
“Scopes 1 and 2 form part of our 2025 goal, with Scope 3 forming part of our 2040 goal,” Geraldine said.
Scope 1 includes the greenhouse gas emissions from natural gas use, fleet vehicles and other non-energy sources, and Scope 2 includes the electricity used in its day-to-day operations.
Scope 3 emissions form part of UWA’s value chain. They include emissions associated with the running of UWA, and include things like business travel, waste generation, capital goods, and investments.
“Work is underway to comprehensively identify and quantify these emissions to reach our goals,” Geraldine said.
Some of these key Scope 1 and 2 initiatives include:
- LED lighting upgrades to the Bayliss, Agriculture (central and north-west) and Soil Science buildings
- solar panels being installed in 39 Fairway, Gingin and UniHall
- mechanical upgrades to the Bayliss, Anatomy and Human Movement buildings
- solar photovoltaics installed in the Human Movement, Business School, IOMRC and EZONE buildings with others planned for 2023.
In 2019, the University secured an electricity supply agreement with the supply of renewable energy certificates from energy generated by the Warradarge Wind Farm, located in Eneabba. This initiative will offset 40% of its carbon emissions from electricity consumption next year, 70% in 2024 and 100% by 2025.
“Electricity accounts for 80% of our energy use, so this agreement is a significant and exciting step forward because it means we will abate all our Scope 2 emissions by 2025,” Geraldine said.
“Further work is in progress to secure renewable energy supply beyond 2025.
“We’ve spent the last couple of years working on energy emissions identified under Scope 1 and 2. However, in the short-term, some carbon credits will need to be purchased to meet our goals."
Adjunct Professor Bill Grace from the School of Design is involved in assessing carbon offset projects for the University.
“We are looking at carbon credit projects that meet credible accreditation standards, have positive social and environmental impacts, and can be associated with research at UWA,” he said.
Carbon neutral events
The University is supporting carbon neutral events on campus with the introduction of a Carbon Neutral Events Guide. This Guide has been developed by Bec Perse, Project Assistant, Campus Management, with the assistance of Carbon Neutral and will be available online in early 2023.
This means you can quantify the emissions generated from your event, take steps to reduce these emissions, and finally offset the remaining emissions from a reserve of carbon credits held by the University.
“Staff and students are eligible to apply for these reserves to ensure their event is carbon neutral,” Bec said.