Monash at COP26

Net Zero Universities Initiative

Monash’s commitment to net zero is much more than a pledge. It’s about action. The magnitude of this challenge requires collaboration and the university sector is poised to tackle it.

We're contributing to COP26 goals

Goal 1: secure global net zero

Green Ammonia: new production methods that can be powered by renewable energy View

Decarbonisation Futures: a seminal report from our ClimateWorks Australia team View

Monash Microgrid: precinct and utility-scale renewable energy View

Goal 2: adapt to protect communities and natural habitats

Revitalising Informal Settlements and their Environments (RISE) View

Fire to Flourish: community-led models for long-term resilience and wellbeing View

Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF) View

Monash University to lead global collaboration to secure Antarctica’s future

SAEF will be directed by Professor Steven Chown, from Monash University’s School of Biological Sciences.

The Federal Government has awarded $36 million to a Monash-led research program, Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF). The funding announced today by Education Minister Dan Tehan will be awarded under the Australian Research Council’s Special Research Initiative for Excellence in Antarctic Science.

Change in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean is occurring rapidly, with significant implications for its landscapes, resources and influence on Australia.

In response, the SAEF program will deliver world-leading research that will forecast environmental change across the Antarctic, deploy effective environmental stewardship strategies, and secure Antarctica as a natural reserve devoted to peace and science.

SAEF will be directed by Professor Steven Chown, from Monash University’s School of Biological Sciences. Professor Chown is also the President of the international Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research and Program Lead for Sustainable Development at Monash.

“This is a critical investment in the future of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean,” Professor Chown said.

“In a world of rapidly changing environments and geopolitical realities our work will be transformational in the insights and advantages it provides.

“SAEF will ensure Australia’s global leadership in the Antarctic, delivering unprecedented current and future research capability for securing the Antarctic.”

SAEF is a joint program with the Queensland University of Technology, University of Wollongong, University of New South Wales, James Cook University, University of Adelaide, the Western Australian Museum, and the South Australian Museum, and with government agencies, notably the Australian Antarctic Division, and Geoscience Australia, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, and the Bureau of Meteorology.

SAEF’s collaboration extends to 30 organisations in Australia and abroad, including links with the Antarctic national programs of Chile, Norway, South Africa and the UK, and with the Department of Conservation in New Zealand.

Monash University President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Gardner AC welcomed the announcement.

“As experts in research on the Antarctic region, Monash is delighted to be leading this initiative,” Professor Gardner said.

“We are in a remarkable position to make a positive change to the future of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, to the benefit of Australia and the world.

"Our world-class research and key collaborations are already making an impact, in an Antarctic Treaty setting and through international agreements to secure better lives for people across the globe.”

Monash University Provost and Senior Vice-President Professor Marc Parlange said the SAEF program demonstrated the University's endeavour to pioneer unique research that benefits communities worldwide.

“Monash is uniquely placed and motivated to mobilise communities to adopt sustainable practice, as articulated by the Sustainable Development Goals," Professor Parlange said.

"This wonderful outcome confirms the University's position as a pioneer in addressing the most significant environmental, social and geopolitical challenges of our time."

Media enquiries:
Silvia Dropulich
Marketing, Media & Communications Manager, Monash Science
T: +61 3 9902 4513 M: +61 435 138 743
Email: silvia.dropulich@monash.edu

Goal 3: mobilise finance

Australian Climate Transition Index (ACT Index) View

Monash University Climate Bond: funding campus sustainability View

Monash University raises over $200 million in US market to tackle climate change

In a world first, Monash University has raised A$218 million through a climate bond issued in the US private placement market to fund further sustainable development projects across its campus network.

Monash is the first university in the world to raise funds by issuing a climate bond.

The University’s historic achievement in raising development funds in this way follows its success in 2014 when it became the first Australian tertiary institution to raise debt capital in the US private placement market. The proceeds from the University’s issue were used to construct award-winning student residential buildings at the Clayton Campus.

The climate bond was certified by the 'Climate Bond Initiative' (CBI) and a Green Bond assessment [accreditation] from Moody's Investor Services. The University structured the bond to provide the market with investment options in US and Australian dollars over 15 years, 17.5 years or 20 years.

The President and Vice-Chancellor of Monash University, Professor Margaret Gardner AO said the University’s long-term debt raising initiatives, approved by the Treasurer of the State of Victoria, have provided Monash with secure and cost effective access to development capital.

Professor Gardner said the success of the Climate Bond Initiative reflects Monash as a global University. The funds would add to the university’s transition to net zero emissions.

“As a truly international university, Monash has a responsibility to provide strong and visionary leadership on sustainable development. We want our campus network to be exemplars of environmental, social and economic best practice,” Professor Gardner said.

Monash University has an annual operating revenue of more than $2 billion and its total assets are valued at $3.7 billion.

David Pitt, Monash’s Chief Financial Officer said the University was delighted with the outcome of the financing.

“The Monash issue was very well received by the investor community reflecting the University’s high credit quality based on its standing in international markets. This was a great collaborative effort with Commonwealth Bank Australia receiving in excess of A$900 million of investor bids for the issue,” Mr Pitt said.

Professor Gardner said Monash’s investment in sustainable development had been prioritised in the University’s new environmental, social and governance policy statement.

“Monash has a sustainability plan that will include a target date for net zero emissions to be announced next year,” Professor Gardner said.

Over the next two years, Monash University will allocate capital raised through the Climate Bond to a portfolio of projects that achieve certification in accordance with the standards of the Global Climate Bond Initiative.

Development projects at Monash to benefit from the climate bond funding will include:

A major new learning and teaching building targeting 5 Star Green Star Certification at the Clayton campus $180 million
Caulfield campus library redevelopment $43.4 million
Solar panel installation $6.6 million
External LED lighting project $3.5 million.

A requirement for issuing Climate Bonds is the capital raised must be spent on projects that achieve measurable sustainability outcomes in line with the global Net Zero Emissions by 2050 target.

The University will outline progress on the Climate Bond projects in its annual report.

Monash was advised on the financing by DTW Capital Solutions.

For more information, contact Monash Media & Communications + 61 3 9903 4840 or media@monash.edu