8. Is this the start of something big?

Just a quick thought before the weekend. The news is out that Australia and Europe will link their emissions trading schemes. At first glance this can be viewed in a few ways. On the one hand this might just cause more problems and as the "devil is in the details", it is difficult to judge if this is a smart idea ... But on the other hand, this could be a very effective way for the Australian scheme to remain in place even if we see a change in government. As it will be rather difficult to ditch the scheme in Australia if it is closely connected into Europe, and perhaps the schemes of other countries too? It is on this point that perhaps something big just happened ... if Europe and Australia can join their schemes, then maybe others may jump on board too, like China, Japan and Korea ... and that would create real momentum and bring about global trading - something which has seemed a very remote possibility ... time wll tell, but let's hope from little things, big things grow!

7. Beyond Zero Emissions

This week I was able to meet with some people working for Beyond Zero Emissions (BZE), which is a community and volunteer-based climate and renewable energy think-tank with a small team of contracted coordinators who enable hundreds of volunteers to actively engage with the key objective of BZE to move Australia from a 19th century fossil fuel-based economy to a 21st century 100% renewable-powered clean tech economy. It’s a “noble” vision! Essentially, this group works on putting together technically-robust reports that show that establishing 100% renewable energy in Australia is feasible in a short timeframe. Such work is very important, since it provides a foundation for the work of many other environmental and community organisations, not to mention business involved in renewable energy technologies. The history of BZE is …

It was established in 2006 out of a concern that the stated climate change goals of other environmental organisations at the time contradicted the scientific literature. Policies these organisations were calling for if realised would see atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations continue to rise, thereby causing devastation from global warming. Luckily, this has now begun to change, with the grassroots climate action movement, made up of over 200 groups across Australia adopting a policy of 100% renewable energy for Australia by 2020, and recognising that the current science is explicit in saying that there is already to much carbon in the atmosphere. Some of the bigger environment groups are also moving in this direction. From its inception, the goal of BZE has been to help facilitate a timely transition to a zero carbon future where atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations are reduced to a safe threshold. The group focuses on the research, education and promulgation of scientifically-based policy and technology solutions in order to realise this transition.

So BZE provides a foundation, and shows what is possible from a technical-economic perspective. However, it is worth keeping in mind that the reports of BZE are only showing some possible futures. There are a huge diversity of renewable energy technologies available today and being developed. It is fair to say that the future will look very different to what we expect! Not only is it difficult to predict which technologies will become commercially viable, receive policy support and take-off, it is also extremely difficult to understand how technologies will integrate together. Synergies between technologies will no doubt play a significant role in future energy systems. If BZE sets the groundwork, the other side is “how” to shift towards 100% renewable energy. This demands a deep understanding of socio-technical transitions or transformations, and “where” niche or disruptive changes can start? It is these questions that demand critical attention and action …

Have a good weekend!

6. Time for UniverCities

In Lund, Sweden, which is a university town of about 100,000 people, the local municipality and Lund University have recently established a collaboration to explore how the city and university can better work together on climate change and sustainable development in the local urban context. It is in fact rather disturbing how little universities and cities actually collaborate. A fact that has been highlighted in several reports and research projects. But we do appear to be seeing a move towards closer partnerships between cities and universities around the world, as local municipalities grapple with the weight of expectations that they can transition or transform into low-carbon, resilient and liveable/attractive cities. At the same time, universities are becoming more open to engaging with key local stakeholders, such as cities, to bring about much needed change to respond to global and local challenges. I will embark on a small research project to look at what Melbourne is doing on this front. As a first step I met with key people at the City of Melbourne to learn about what is happening today, and what might happen in the near future. As a city with a critical mass of universities and high ambitions to be in the “top ten” of the most sustainable and liveable cities in the world, it is fair to say that much greater and more innovative collaboration is needed in Melbourne (and this is similar for other cities around the world). But it seems the time might be ripe for some new and more “radical” suggestions on how universities and cities can move towards UniverCities – in other words breaking down the signifcant boundaries between these organizations? An immediate idea would be to place researchers inside city administrations for short and medium stays, so that (among other things) organizational workings can become much clearer. ICLEI has started such a program. This works both ways of course. A further idea is engage large numbers of senior students at universities in visioning and engagement exercises within cities. Something that VEIL is doing. I will return to this theme later in the year!

5. Apocalypse now?

I read a great opinion piece on The Conversation yesterday. First to the article. It had a real go at the Australian debate on climate change. Essentially arguing that the discussion in political circles and the media is polarized between those proclaiming an impending apocalypse and others either in complete denial or committed to some idea that technology or  the market will simply save us from any major impacts (but without any policy or strategy to steer such developments). This leaves no room for constructive consideration of the science, forming responsible and innovative policy, and taking swift action to respond to climate change both in terms of mitigation and adaptation as well as developing new jobs, technologies and industries for a post-carbon world. The article also points out that many other countries are busy innovating and building new industries around renewable energy and environmental technologies. I know one these places very well – Sweden. The piece finishes with the suggestion that perhaps the lucky country better start focusing on being clever! Too right. And a second point. The Conversation is an impressive medium that brings together the academic world with journalistic flair (as it puts it). It has analysis, commentary and news from the university and research sector viewed by some 350,000 readers each month, based on work from more than 3,000 registered academics and researchers from 200 institutions. Perhaps a better debate might emerge here?