Greening up our act

18 July 2007

Paul Barton, Manager, OHSE, Dr Alan Finkel, Green Office coordinator Kat Lavers, and CEO Interface Asia Pacific, Rob Coombs.

We're reducing energy use by 20 per cent by 2010.

Staff and students across all Victorian campuses have been set a challenge.

We are being encouraged to actively reduce our energy use by 20 percent over the next three years.

Vice-Chancellor Richard Larkins says it is the largest energy reduction plan sought by any of Australia's universities and an extremely ambitious challenge but he is confident we can achieve it.

"Our plan places Monash at the forefront of Australian Universities as a leader in the global commitment to addressing climate change," he said.

"The target has two components; a 10 percent reduction to be achieved through infrastructural improvements and a further 10 percent reduction from cultural change. We are encouraging everyone to be more aware of how their office and environment uses energy and to help reduce this, while the University will continue to pursue greener alternatives and improve infrastructure. Combined, this will help us achieve our target to reduce energy by a fifth in three years," Professor Larkins said.

Professor Larkins officially launched the Energy at Monash guide last week at the Clayton Campus Staff Club. The proceedings were telecast live to Caulfield, Berwick, Gippsland and Peninsula campuses. The telecast promoted the University's challenge by reducing the amount of energy used for transporting staff to one central location.

Keynote speaker for the launch was Rob Coombs, President and Chief Executive Officer, Interface Asia Pacific, a leading proponent of sustainable business development.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Richard Larkins is confident we can reduce our energy use significantly over the next three years.

In his address, Mr Coombs explained how the global manufacturer of carpets has evolved to become a company with a vision to become fully sustainable and restorative by the year 2020.

"We have a vision. Over the next 13 years, we expect to have achieved 'mission zero'. That is, to have zero impact on the planet. Our vision has advanced our company not just environmentally but by taking the lead on such a big issue, we have also been able to increase our company's growth four-fold," he said.

Kat Lavers, Green Office Coordinator and author of the Energy at Monash guide said the booklet provides information on 'how to' reduce energy consumption within offices and teaching areas.

"The guide outlines easy steps you can take to reduce your energy use including how to more efficiently use your lighting, computers, air conditioning, office equipment and transport," Ms Lavers said.

Monash is already leading the way in reducing our environmental footprint.

The University has recently been listed in the AUQA Good Practice Database under the title 'Environmental Sustainability' in recognition of our progress in areas such as purchasing, water, energy and cultural change.

Other environmental achievements include winning Save Water Awards and a Community Leadership Environment award from Monash Council for the second year running. The recent signing of the Talloires Declaration reinforced Monash's commitment to incorporate environmental sustainability into research, teaching and operations.

The Green Office Program has seen the use of recycled content office paper move from 1 percent in 2001 to over 72 per cent in 2006, as well as reducing the overall number of reams purchased from 212 000 in 2004, to 170 000 in 2006.

For more information or to receive a copy of the Energy at Monash guide, please contact OHSE or visit the Greening up our act website.