About

Our energy target

Energy and the technology it powers are fundamental to our quality of life.

But if we keep doing things the way we’ve always done, we’re going to cause irreversible damage to our environment. It’s not sustainable, and it’s not fair to future generations.

That’s why we’re taking ambitious climate action at Monash University; to actively create a future in which our planet can thrive.

Our goal?

Net zero carbon emissions by 2030.

Path to Net Zero

Monash was the first Australian university to commit to an energy reduction target, and we're proud to be a leader in taking action on climate change.

Targets achieved

  • 2005 – 2017

    2005 - We set an energy reduction target of 20 per cent.

    2017 - Commit to zero.

  • 2020

    45,000 LED light upgrades delivered $2.5 million in energy avoidance.

    12,000 solar panels installed on our Australian campuses.

    We reduced our energy intensity by 24 per cent.

  • 2022

    Two Electric bus chargers installed at the Clayton campus bus loop.

    55 per cent of our electricity requirement is supplied by renewable energy.

  • 2023

    Replaced gas-fired heating in five major buildings on Clayton campus with a centralised electric thermal plant.

    Solar and wind energy generated 67 per cent of Monash University’s electricity use.

    Total Greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and 2) reduced 57 per cent below the 2015 baseline.

Current target

  • 2030

    All of the energy used on our campuses will be from renewable sources or have emissions offset, ensuring net zero emissions from our infrastructure and operations*.

*The University is reviewing the best means to achieve this energy transition.

 

Explore our current projects

Strategy

Jointly developed with ClimateWorks Australia, our strategy encompasses five key pillars: Energy efficiency measures, Campus electrification, Addressing our residual emissions through offsetting, Deployment of on-site and off-site renewable energy, A sustainable microgrid.

World-leading research

We want our next generations to power a sustainable world. That’s why we share the lessons we learn during our energy transformation to benefit other communities.

Net Zero precincts

Net Zero Precinct ARC Linkage project led by the Monash Sustainable Development Institute (MSDI) in collaboration with Monash Art, Design and Architecture, the Faculty of Information Technology, the Faculty of Arts and ENGIE Research. The project will help cities and urban regions reach net zero emissions by using design anthropology to engage with the precinct community. This new approach to transition management will be tested over the next four years through three ‘Living Lab’ experiments across energy, mobility and buildings in the Monash Technology Precinct.