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| Staff directory | A-Z index | Site map |
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About UsThe Monash Sustainability Institute (MSI) delivers solutions to key sustainability challenges through research, education and action. For government, business and community organisations, MSI is a gateway to the extensive and varied expertise in sustainability research and practice across Monash’s faculties and research institutes. In the early 1970s, Monash University was among the first universities in Australia to begin research into environmental issues. Building on this history, MSI brings together sustainability researchers and practitioners from across Monash and beyond to work together to promote sustainable practice by individuals, organisations and communities. MSI is a multi-disciplinary, cross-faculty institute that coordinates, strategically guides and represents the wealth of sustainability expertise of Monash’s faculties and research centres. The three core functions of MSI are:
The global challenges we face pay no heed to the boundaries between academic disciplines, or between universities, government and the community. Meeting the sustainability challenges of the twenty-first century require new forms of collaboration and inquiry that encompass environmental, social and economic dimensions, and that engage all relevant stakeholders. MSI is committed to just such an approach. MSI is directed by Professor David Griggs. Professor Griggs previously led the secretariat for the Science Working Group of the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (which was the joint winner of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize), and was Director of the Met Office Hadley Centre, the UK government’s official centre for climate change research. MSI’s Chairman is John Thwaites, former Victorian Deputy Premier and Minister for Environment, Water and Climate Change.
Leadership in Sustainability ResearchMSI unites some of Australia’s – and the world’s – leading sustainability thinkers in the natural and social sciences. MSI’s research and education encompasses five key themes – climate, water, energy, biodiversity and transport – which together inform a holistic understanding of sustainability issues and the development of comprehensive and innovative responses. Drawing on its broad-range of expertise in basic and applied research, MSI offers independent and evidence-based approaches to the complex policy and management issues faced by government, business and the community. MSI is a flexible institution that is able to adapt its delivery mode to project requirements. We can carry out projects through contract research and policy advisory services, the development of partner projects and joint ventures, education and training and consulting on the upgrade of organisations’ hard and soft infrastructure. MSI’s research agenda consists of five themes, which work independently and in partnership to address key topics in sustainability research. All five areas are integral to securing the well-being and resilience of individuals and communities. ClimateMonash Climate is deepening our understanding of the drivers of long-term change in our climate, in the past and in the future. This work unites core strengths in scientific climate modelling and prediction with a complementary strength in policy and governance. Current research projects are producing insights into changing patterns of climate extremes such as drought and heat waves, the health impacts of climate warming in urban environments, and the long-term past and future patterns of rainfall in Australia and the Antarctic. Monash Climate is able to utilise super-high resolution modelling and forecasting technology to produce decision support systems that take into account the local variations in the effects of climate change.EnergyMonash’s program in energy research is developing the technologies that will allow a transition into a low-emissions future. Monash has core strength in research on reducing emissions from brown coal. Through research and development in advanced cycle power generation, techniques for CO2 capture and storage and high temperature materials, Monash researchers will make a central contribution to meeting the energy needs of future generations. Monash is also pioneering research into bio-fuels. Exciting new developments include techniques to produce bio-diesel from algae, and to generate high value chemicals and fuels through thermo-chemical treatments of cellulose-containing biomass. This research is in addition to Monash’s thriving program of research into solar energy, which is developing dye-sensitised solar cell technology of greater efficiency and practicality. Using novel polymer-based electrolytes, Monash has produced a new generation of fuel cells.WaterMonash is home to a critical mass of researchers working to sustain the future supply of our most precious resource. MSI is incubating outcomes-focused, cross-disciplinary research into the sustainable management of rural and urban water resources. An example is the innovative research program on ‘Cities as Water Supply Catchments’, which will combine MSI’s water and biodiversity expertise to develop new systems to harvest storm water, boosting water supplies while avoiding harm to aquatic ecosystems. Monash is also partnering with the University of Melbourne on UniWater, which will combine the universities’ resources to address Australia’s water crisis. TransportMonash Transport is a world leader in the design and evaluation of integrated transport solutions in the form of vehicles, transport infrastructure and systems, or transport policies. Monash’s research into transport weds expertise in engineering and science – for example, the design of safer and more efficient trams – with insights into the crucial economic and social aspects of moving people and freight. A major new project looks at disadvantaged populations’ access to transport systems, a key policy issue in an age of rising transport costs. An EcoDrive research initiative is allowing freight transport drivers to increase their efficiency – and reduce their emissions and fuel costs – through improved driving practices. Biodiversity and ecosystem processesResearch at Monash – centred in the Australian Centre for Biodiversity and the Water Science Centre – provides insights into the impacts of human activities on species persistence and ecosystem processes. Monash researchers from areas all areas of terrestrial and aquatic ecology interact among each-other and with other specialists (e.g. atmospheric scientists, decision scientists) to develop an understanding of the multiple pathways by which ecosystems and plants and animals are affected by human actions. These research outputs feed into modelling that provides options for decision-makers and managers to evaluate between and prioritize alternative policies at local and regional levels. A new investigation of ‘carbon farming’, for example, focuses on multiple benefits by which carbon sequestration (tree plantings) can be used to improve ecological and biodiversity outcomes. Delivering Sustainability SolutionsSustainability Education and Training MSI is a leader in the creation and management of sustainability training and outreach programs for graduates, undergraduates, industry, government and the community that draw upon the experience, expertise and research insights of MSI staff. For example, we are working with Sustainability Victoria to deliver its Resource Smart training package to over 270 government agencies across the state. Our Green Steps outreach program has trained multiple cohorts of students from all across Australia in sustainability practice. An offshoot Green Steps for Professionals program expands on this success into the corporate sector, complementing our existing sustainability consulting capacity. By educating students, workers and community members in sustainability practice, MSI enhances the capacity of business and the community to swiftly respond to the imperatives of climate change mitigation and other sustainability issues. Building Sustainable Organisations MSI has substantial experience in driving operational improvements in sustainability by advising organisations on better policies, procedures and practices. At Monash University, MSI has driven a raft of changes that have embedded sustainability into the core functions of the University. New environmental key performance indicators have enhanced the environmental performance across Monash, which is now committed to reducing its energy use by 20 per cent by 2010, and being carbon-neutral by 2011. Monash now sets the benchmarks for organisational sustainability in the higher education sector. In establishing Monash as a sustainability leader, MSI is blazing a trail that other organisations – in business, government and the community – can follow. For more information on how MSI’s expertise in sustainability research, education and action can assist your organisation and community, please contact: Professor David Griggs
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