gci annual report 2015

GLOBAL CHANGE INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT

What is exciting about this challenge is that many solutions already exist, we just need to work out how to implement them.

And you can help. Climate change isn’t just a problem facing a select few – we will all be impacted by 2050.

Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Director, Global Change Institute

The University of Queensland has high standards ... I love the place, it’s fantastic.

Robyn Williams Science journalist and broadcaster, and Global Change Institute Board Member

Hollywood actor and climate change campaigner Leonardo DiCaprio helped publicise a global coral bleaching event first reported by GCI marine biologists in August publicised a coral bleaching event reported by GCI marine biologists in August.

1Annual Report 2015

CONTENTS 2 About the Global Change Institute

3 Vice-Chancellor and President’s Message

4 Advisory Board’s Message

6 Director’s Message

8 2015 Snapshot

10 Discovery 12 Clean Energy

14 Food Systems

16 Healthy Oceans

18 Sustainable Water

20 Learning 22 Multidisciplinary Learning Online

24 Engagement 26 Government Relations

27 Global Collaborations

28 Scientific Engagement – Seminars

30 Community Engagement – Events

32 Facility Tours

34 Our People and Supporting Information 36 Executive Members

38 Research Affiliates College of Experts

40 Our People

41 Financial Statement

42 Scientific Publications

44 Collaborators

About the Global Change Institute

2 Global Change Institute

The complexity of responding to global climate change can be simplified into a cycle designed to ‘inspire’, ‘involve’, ‘influence’ and ‘impact’.

The Global Change Institute (GCI) at The University of Queensland (UQ) is committed to having a positive impact through this cycle, whereby change is proactively sought and implemented.

Pathways to Change

Interactive Media

Industry/ Government

Forums

Alliances & Partnerships

Research Funding

Report Cards & Benchmarking

Policy Reform

Business Initiatives & Innovation

Change Practice

INSPIRE

IMPACT

INVOLVE

INFLUENCE

Research Papers

Online Training & Education

Public Profile

Media Links

Engage Thought Leaders

GCI MissionTo advance discovery, create solutions and influence decision-makers to position The University of Queensland as a global leader in addressing the challenges of a changing world.

GCI VisionTo foster discovery, learning and engagement by creating, applying and transferring knowledge for innovative and integrated solutions to the multitude of global challenges currently facing global society.

The University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor and President’s Message

The University of Queensland has a strong and clear mandate to create change.

At its core, the Global Change Institute is closely aligned to this imperative – addressing environmental issues, and increasing humanitarian efforts through its research and outreach. The Institute is not only identifying where change is necessary and how it can be achieved, but quite uniquely it is also engaging closely with those stakeholders responsible for addressing change.

The University established GCI as a flagship Institute for cross-disciplinary, collaborative research that does not always fit within a traditional academic framework. Such an approach has enabled ‘big picture’ thinking and I have been pleased to see academics from across the University undertake research through the Institute or participate in its engagement activities.

The Institute has generated $41.7m in research and research infrastructure funding over the past two years from both traditional and non-traditional funding sources. In 2015 GCI researchers:

• Launched the Gatton Solar Research Facility, which is already proving a valuable test bed for off-grid applications such as remote communities and mining settlements

• Progressed research into high performing plant varieties in Tanzania, allowing small-scale farmers to grow in-demand produce for small and medium-sized markets

• Undertook community workshops in Indonesia and the Philippines, linking marine health, sustainable livelihoods and community welfare

• Monitored and reported on only the third recorded global coral bleaching event in history, which began in Hawaii in August.

Applied research must be clearly articulated and communicated if it is to have successful and incisive outcomes. Through its strategic plan, GCI has committed to ‘inspire’, ‘involve’, ‘impact’ and ‘influence’. It has been impressive to watch the Institute’s researchers work towards these goals, with considerable success engaging political leaders, working with industry to solve practical research-related issues and informing the community. The latter has, in part, been achieved through The Conversation. Three of the University’s top 10 contributors hail from the Institute and to date their work has been read by over half a million people. The Institute is also taking an active role in educating young people, with its schools program demonstrating the value of environmental awareness to the next generation.

Increasingly the value of such a cross-disciplinary research institute is being realised on the international landscape. This year GCI has signed memoranda of understanding with Manila Water to improve water management in the Philippines and with the Sharjah Research Academy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to enhance research into marine ecosystems and food systems.

The Global Change Institute is indeed having a global impact. Importantly, researchers associated with GCI have demonstrated their willingness to inspire and influence, and the Institute has an active engagement program. It is this approach that has positioned the Institute to further create change across 2016 and beyond through partnerships, research and engagement.

I congratulate Ove and his team on a successful year, and I look forward to watching the Institute continue to create change well into the future.

Professor Peter Høj Vice-Chancellor and President The University of Queensland

3Annual Report 2015

Advisory Board Members


GCI Advisory Board’s Message Members of the Global Change Institute’s Advisory Board are delighted to be working with GCI as it undertakes a raft of projects that are increasingly positioning the Institute on the world stage.

In 2015 Anna Rose and Dr Beth Woods joined the Board, bringing valuable insights into environmental advocacy and government respectively. I feel privileged to have been asked to chair the Board at such an exciting time for the Institute.

GCI has undertaken considerable growth and development in 2015, not only developing high calibre research projects but also making considerable inroads on other ventures including increasing research breadth and a broader engagement strategy.

Of course, scientific discovery and advancement will always remain the cornerstone of any successful research institute. However, it is the way in which GCI researchers collaborate and, indeed, communicate their findings that sets them apart.

The Institute’s leadership has a unique way of viewing many of the world’s greatest challenges. They have an understanding that when a societal problem or issue is multi-faceted, so too the solution or answer must be interdisciplinary. Unless we as a society take a holistic approach to global challenges we will not be able to fully address the most pressing issues of our time.

This approach has positioned GCI as a leader in its field and enabled it to attract outstanding research talent. I have been pleased by the standing of recent appointees, who will no doubt rise to the challenge of conducting research outside of the traditional university framework.

The Board looks forward to continuing to work closely with the Institute’s Executive to ensure the ongoing translation of research into policy and, ultimately, into practice. I have no doubt that the Institute’s recent senior appointments will continue to ensure this approach into the future.

I would like to thank my fellow Board members for their on-going contribution to the Global Change Institute.

Hon. Professor Robert Hill AC Chair GCI Advisory Board

Honourable Professor Robert Hill AC – Chair BA, LLB (Adelaide), LLM (London), LLD honoris causa (Adelaide)

Robert was a member of the Australian Senate from 1981 to 2006 representing South

Australia. He was leader of the Government in the Senate (1996–2006), Minister for the Environment (1996–1998), Minister for the Environment and Heritage (1998–2001), and Minister for Defence (2001–2006). Robert was the Australian Ambassador to the United Nations (2006–2009) and in 2009 he was appointed Chair of the Australian Carbon Trust.

Robert served as the Chancellor of the University of Adelaide (2010–2014) and is an Adjunct Professor in Sustainability at the United States Study Centre at the University of Sydney. In 2012 he was named a Companion of the Order of Australia for service to the Parliament of Australia, particularly through the development of policy reform in the portfolios of environment and defence.

Margaret Brown BA, LLB (Hons) (Queensland)

Margaret is a previous partner and head of the Competition, Regulatory and Intellectual Property Group in the Brisbane office of Minter Ellison Lawyers. She was recognised as a

leading adviser and litigator across the resource, pharmacy, biotechnology, telecommunications and creative industry sectors, with extensive expertise in the development and commercialisation of technology. Margaret also advised on major transactions involving gas pipelines, rail, port, and electricity infrastructure and facilities. Margaret was the 2008 Queensland Woman Lawyer of the Year.

She is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law, a member of The University of Queensland Senate and a member of The University of Queensland Press Board of Management.

Ian Buchanan MA (Oxford), MBA (Pennsylvania)

Ian is a Senior Executive Advisor at Strategy&, part of the PwC network. He is an experienced strategy consultant, board member and senior advisor with more than 30 years of leadership

and advisory experience in setting and executing large-scale strategic change agendas. His experience includes consulting to major companies, state enterprises, and governments throughout Australia and the Asia-Pacific.

Ian joined Strategy& in south-east Asia in 1994 as lead partner and was subsequently elected to Chair. In this capacity he led the development and restructuring of several of the largest client accounts in the region across a range of countries and sectors. In 2005, Ian moved into an advisory role, and now has positions on Australian, Asian, and global boards and advisory councils.

Robyn Williams AM BSc (Hons) (London)

Robyn joined the ABC Science Unit in 1972 where, in 1975, he began hosting The Science Show, now one of the longest-running science programs in the world.

Robyn has served as president of the Australian Museum Trust, chair of the Commission for the Future and president of Australian Science Communicators. He is a National Living Treasure (1997) and he was the first journalist to be elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science (1993).

He has Honorary Doctorates of Science from the University of New South Wales, University of South Australia, Deakin University, University of Sydney and Macquarie University, and an Honorary Doctorate of Law from the Australian National University. Robyn has written more than 10 books, and has a star in the constellation Carina named after him.

Dr Beth Woods PhD (Oxford), FTSE

Beth is the Director-General of the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, where she leads development initiatives to deliver an

innovative, productive and sustainable agriculture and fisheries sector. Previously Beth was the Deputy Director-General, Agriculture and Deputy Director-General, Science in the former Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation. She was the foundation Director of UQ’s Rural Extension Centre and Professor of Agribusiness at UQ (1997–2004).

Beth has served on the CSIRO Board, the Gatton College Council and the Rural Adjustment Scheme Advisory Council. She has chaired the Rural Industries Research and Development (R&D) Corporation, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, the National Drought Policy Review and the International Rice Research Institute. She was a member of the Australian Rural R&D Council (2011–2012) and a member of the World Bank’s Agricultural Pull Mechanism expert panel. She is currently Chair of WorldFish (Penang, Malaysia) and part of the CGIAR network of independent research centres administered through the World Bank.

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Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg GCI Director BSci (Hons) (Sydney), PhD (UCLA)

Please see page 36.

Professor Max Lu BE, ME Northeastern (China), PhD (Queensland),

FAA, FTSE, FIChemE

Max commenced as UQ’s Provost and Senior Vice-President in 2014, and was formerly the Deputy Vice-Chancellor

(Research). He was the Foundation Director of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Functional Nanomaterials (2003–2009).

Max has served on numerous government committees and advisory groups including those under the Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering and Innovation Council and the ARC College of Experts. He is a past chair of the Institution of Chemical Engineers Australia board, and former director of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering board. He is also an Australian Academy of Science Fellow and a member of the International Scientific Advisory Committee for the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.

He is a Thomson Reuters Highly Cited Researcher in both materials science and chemistry; has received many prestigious awards including the China International Science and Technology Award, Orica Award and RK Murphy Medal; and was named a Queensland Great in 2013.

Anna Rose LLB (Hons), Arts (Sydney)

Anna Rose is the National Manager for WWF-Australia’s Earth Hour and Australian Geographic’s Conservationist of the Year 2015. Through Earth Hour she is now

involved in supporting a network of farmers passionate about tackling climate change.

Anna previously co-founded the Australian Youth Climate Coalition and was a finalist in the ACT Australian of the Year awards. She is author of Madlands: A Journey to Change the Mind of a Climate Sceptic (MUP, 2012) and co-starred in the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) documentary, I Can Change Your Mind on Climate Change. Anna previously convened the Vice-Chancellor’s course in Leadership and Influence at the Australian National University. She is a former Churchill Fellow, has been named one of Sydney’s 100 most influential people and one of Cosmo Magazine’s Top 30 Women under 30.

Annual Report 2015


Food Systems researchers continued to lead on the development and integration of high performing food plant varieties in Africa, a project aimed at helping small-scale farmers to further understand and participate in local and regional markets. At the same time, GCI-associated researchers and students undertook biological and social science research at key study sites in Indonesia and the Philippines focused on understanding and solving challenges associated with the link between coastal ecosystem health, sustainable livelihoods and community welfare. Back at home, GCI researchers have continued to explore coastal issues with other universities, research groups and networks such as the Blue Carbon Cluster with CSIRO.

The Institute continues to lead the global assessment of coral reefs through the XL Catlin Seaview Survey. The team completed 62km of fine-scale study of reefs off the Maldives and mapped 46km in the Chagos Archipelago, the latter being the first ever large-scale survey of coral reefs in that highly protected region. The GCI Healthy Oceans program collaborated with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, United States of America (USA), to assess the effect of a series of underwater heatwaves in Hawaii. This work attracted considerable interest from the public as well as researchers and coastal management professionals.

GCI’s interest in deep water reef systems as ecological refuges continued – with national recognition for Dr Pim Bongaerts who was awarded an Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award. Pim has been one of GCI’s most outstanding young researchers over the past four years, and will continue his groundbreaking research on the biodiversity and ecology of deep water reefs and conservation management as part of this new grant.

The Institute has continued to pioneer teaching and learning with the release of its second Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) through online education provider edX on understanding climate change science (as well as denial of the same science). With a significant proportion of society stating that they don’t believe the science of climate change, GCI constructed a highly successful course that takes students on a journey to understand why science is sometimes denied in the case of controversial topics such as climate change. The course attracted more than 15,000 students accompanied by highly favourable reviews, including endorsement from the head of edX, Professor Anant Agarwal. This MOOC, together with Tropic 101x, is now running in self-paced mode and has attracted more than 5000 additional students.

A key aspect of actioning our ‘global change’ agenda is to communicate the research undertaken by GCI to communities beyond the gates of the University. In this regard, we take seriously our role to ‘inspire’, ‘influence’, ‘involve’ and ‘impact’ government leaders, industry groups and the community more broadly. In the first half of the year, GCI produced a major report for WWF International, which found the ocean has an asset value of more than $24 trillion and yields a dividend of at least $2.5 trillion

‘Global change’ is a dangerously simple phrase that is both a well-used cliché and a scientific vernacular. To the Global Change Institute, it is our rallying call for scholars and students to engage with often-gigantic problems that face society, with the mantra of finding solutions: in other words, effecting positive ‘change’. In a world that is changing more rapidly by the day, this is a thrilling enterprise in which to be involved.

There is little doubt that 2015 has been an exciting year for the Institute. Our research, teaching, advocacy and impact registered record progress and delivery this year, while our staff and infrastructure have undergone significant renewal and expansion. This is very pleasing to see at the end of the first year of our five-year plan.

In April we launched the Gatton Solar Research Facility, the largest experimental solar array in the Southern Hemisphere. The installation of some 3.275 megawatt (MW) of solar power at Gatton has thrown a spotlight on the University’s research leadership in technology, economics and public policy associated with solar power. This has happened at a time when Australia and the international community are facing a seismic shift in the move to renewables – a shift that was given a significant boost by the commitments made at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21) negotiations in Paris in November. These developments could not have placed the University and GCI in a better position. As we strive to work with the rest of the world to achieve sustainable development, ‘simple’ problems such as how one ‘plugs-in’ large-scale solar facilities into existing grid infrastructure, or how we incentivise change within the energy sector, have to be solved if we are to meet the challenge of rapidly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The University of Queensland Director’s Message

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annually in terms of goods and services that underpin food and livelihoods. Released in 50 nations, the report has been highly influential, addressing the lack of understanding and appreciation for these resources internationally.

In addition to international engagement, we have also worked with a wide range of political leaders on issues such as climate change. In October I was delighted to lead a delegation to Canberra that met with politicians across the spectrum of the three major parties. The delegation included 11 of Australia’s leading climate researchers with expertise from sea level rise to innovative economics. We were very pleased that the general conversation in Canberra has moved beyond whether or not there is sufficient evidence to act on climate change to the more meaty discussion of how we solve this very serious challenge for Australia and the world.

We had further high-level government engagement when we welcomed Australian Ambassador for the Environment Peter Woolcott to present the 2015 Challenge of Change Lecture. Ambassador Woolcott provided us with a rare and fascinating insight into the challenges of working with other countries to negotiate environmental agreements. The lecture was particularly relevant given it was just weeks ahead of COP21. As we know, the efforts of negotiators such as Ambassador Woolcott were instrumental in the highly successful Paris agreement.

The GCI-led UQ delegation to COP21 included six prominent researchers who were involved in seven panels. A particular highlight was our event at La Maison des Oceans, which showcased the latest science and risks to Australia’s greatest icon – the Great Barrier Reef – including a pre-screening of Sir David Attenborough’s latest series on the reef, featuring GCI and UQ researchers. In addition to the documentary, a panel featuring Sir David, entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson, marine biologist Dr Sylvia Earle and WWF Director General Marco Lambertini addressed the importance of securing a global climate change agreement for the on-going protection of the reef. The evening made international headlines and no doubt added to the many other voices in Paris for a strong climate agreement.

These and other activities are producing important opportunities for UQ-based researchers. The Institute’s international reach was further enhanced with the signing of two significant memoranda of understanding in 2015. GCI formalised its relationship with the Sharjah Research Academy, UAE, with an initial focus on marine ecosystems and food security. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Manila Water will lead to improved water management between industry and government in large cities.

Engagement and impact occurs at all levels and, in many ways, reaching those in the community who make a positive impact in their own environment can be equally as impactful and fulfilling as government and industry engagement. In 2015 we welcomed 789 schoolchildren through the GCI building as part of the UQ School Liaison program – a number I expect to increase in future years. More than 3000 people attended GCI-hosted or sponsored conferences, workshops and seminars across the year, and we have reached 2.5 million people through our communication and outreach program.

In keeping with our teaching and learning outreach, we held a highly successful celebration of 40 years of ABC Radio National’s The Science Show with Board member Robyn Williams. In a night celebrating science, luminaries including Cate Blanchett, John Doyle, Jonica Newby and John Clarke helped an audience of almost 200 invited guests remind us of the huge value and importance of science for Australia in tackling the global change challenge.

GCI’s social media reach continued to build throughout the year, peaking in August-September (coinciding with the GCI Photography Competition) and again in November-December (COP21). The Institute leveraged this upsurge of interest with a combined impact of more than 20,000 social media engagements per month across Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

In amongst the excitement of 2015, we were delighted to welcome new staff to the Institute. Some of these new additions replace previous appointees, while others are new stars that have joined the GCI team. We were particularly delighted to appoint Professor Karen Hussey as the Institute’s Deputy Director in September. Karen’s political science/economics background and interest in public policy relating to sustainable development nicely complement existing skills within the Institute. She has already assisted in better shaping the narrative of the Institute and I am looking forward to working with her in the coming years to build on GCI’s successes. In 2015 the Institute also announced the appointment of Professor Bill Bellotti as Food Systems Program Director. Bill has more than 30 years’ experience across agronomy, climate variability and change, farming systems and integrated approaches to food systems. His expertise and leadership will be immensely valuable to the Institute and University more broadly. We look forward to his start in January 2016.

In addition to welcoming new faces to the Institute, I also wish to acknowledge the tireless work of many who have been associated with the Institute in 2015. Our packed agenda would not be possible without the work ethic of Institute Manager Dr David Harris, and the talented and committed GCI team. We are also grateful for the generous financial support of our funders, the guidance provided by the Institute Board and the leadership offered by the University Executive. I wholeheartedly thank these generous individuals and their organisations for their contributions. I would particularly like to thank Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Høj, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Robyn Ward and GCI Board Chair Hon. Professor Robert Hill AC for their support.

These and many others have positioned GCI well for the future, especially in a post-COP21 world.

Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg Director Global Change Institute

Annual Report 2015

2015 Snapshot

INSPIRE

INVOLVE


ACTIVE MOUs SIGNED

FELLOW OF THE

AUSTRALIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE

ENTRANTSIN THE GCI IMAGE COMPETITION

INFORMATION SESSIONS HELD AT FEDERAL PARLIAMENT

EXTERNAL FUNDERS & COLLABORATORS

UQ RESEARCH AFFILIIATES

85+ 40++

x2 x1

8 REACHING 6 COUNTRIES

IMPACT

INFLUENCE

9Annual Report 2015

TOTAL ENERGY GENERATED 6,654,363kWh

CARS DISPLACED

1590

$698,708SAVED BY UQ

IN POWER GENERATION

380SCHOOL STUDENTS TOURED GCI

PEOPLE HAVE TOURED THE GATTON SOLAR RESEARCH FACILITY

PEOPLE TOURED THE GCI BUILDING 452789

10 HECTARES OF SOLAR ARRAY

POLITICAL LEADERS ENGAGED40+

LIKES ON FACEBOOK2,446

214 KM OF REEFS SURVEYED

1 ARC DECRA

REEF SITES VISITED134

2 MOOCs

PEOPLE REACHED THROUGH FACEBOOK155,777

PROGRAM60

1.7M 180

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In just five years the Global Change Institute has earned an enviable global reputation for conducting multidisciplinary research into the biggest sustainability challenges of our time.

GCI researchers are working to address the overwhelming challenges of change through four research programs:

• Clean Energy• Food Systems• Healthy Oceans• Sustainable Water.

DISCOVERY

Annual Report 2015

w

A little ray of sunshine… and significant academic know-how were the key ingredients to flicking the switch on what was Queensland’s largest solar array.

The Federal Industry and Science Minister in March 2015 Mr Ian Macfarlane opened the 10ha research facility at the UQ Gatton campus.

“One of the world’s great challenges is ensuring safe and sufficient access to sustainably sourced energy,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“This facility will not only benefit the University in terms of its own electricity supply, but the knowledge coming from the research will enable the global community to be better equipped in addressing energy security needs.”

The 3.275 MW Gatton Solar Research Facility comprises more than 37,000 thin-film photovoltaic (PV) panels and produces enough clean energy to power more than 450 average Queensland homes. The facility will displace the equivalent of 5600 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually (equivalent to removing 1590 cars from the road).

UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Høj said the installation was one of the most advanced research facilities of its kind in the world and brought the University’s total solar generation capacity to more than 5MW.

“This project is a great example of UQ working hand-in-hand with industry and government to ensure our excellent research and technology contribute to a viable clean energy future for the world,” Professor Høj said.

Industry partner First Solar managed the facility’s engineering and construction, and supplied the panels. In an Australian first, the site features multiple PV mounting technologies including fixed-tilt, single-axis and dual-axis tracker technologies operating side-by-side to inform electrical and economic performance.

“The facility’s capability and research potential is unrivalled almost anywhere in the world, so the lessons learned here will have a global impact,” First Solar Asia-Pacific Regional Manager Jack Curtis said.

Shining light on solar research

More than 450 government officials and industry representatives have toured the Gatton Solar Research Facility since it opened.

CLEAN ENERGY


Greens Co-Deputy Leader Senator Larissa Waters at the opening of the Gatton Solar Research Facility

The UQ Solar initiative, managed by GCI, seeks to better understand the cost efficiencies of solar technologies to improve the integration of solar energy into the electricity grid, paving the way for future large-scale solar systems to be connected.

UQ Solar and GCI Clean Energy Director Professor Paul Meredith said the facility would be a game-changer in renewables research.

“This research is about improving the way that we integrate solar into our overall energy mix. It also works towards establishing and proving the business model for solar generation in Australia at the megawatt scale,” Professor Meredith said.

The facility also includes battery storage to improve understanding of the value of short- and medium-term energy storage, its impact on the quality of power supply and the resulting economic benefits.

The Gatton project is a research collaboration between UQ, the University of New South Wales, First Solar and AGL PV Solar Holdings Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of AGL Ltd. The development was funded by a $40.7 million Federal Government Education Investment Fund program grant administered by the Department of Education.

The Gatton Solar Research Facility

In December the Clean Energy program co-hosted the Asia-Pacific Solar Research Conference, held annually by the Australian Photovoltaic Institute. The conference provides an opportunity for solar energy researchers to discuss advancements in the field across the year. Both Professor Paul Meredith and Craig Froome chaired panel discussions during the three-day event.

Renewable energy and solar feed-in pricing were the focus of a Queensland Productivity Commission Roundtable Discussion attended by Clean Energy Program Manager Craig Froome in October. Mr Froome discussed the policy issues of deploying commercial solar energy systems within Queensland. Subsequently the Institute prepared a submission entitled Solar Feed-In Pricing Queensland for the Commission’s consideration, with their report to be issued in February 2016.

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One of the world’s great challenges is ensuring safe and sufficient access to sustainably sourced energy.

Hon. Ian Macfarlane MP Then-Federal Minister for Industry and Science

The Hon. Ian Macfarlane MP (second from right) was joined by UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Høj, First Solar’s Jack Curtis and GCI’s Professor Paul Meredith when he ‘switched on’ the solar facility.

Annual Report 2015

FOOD SYSTEMS


New tomato varieties to improve productivityThe Demand-led Plant Variety Design for Emerging Markets in Africa project, managed by GCI, partnered with the largest educational institute in West Africa to train plant breeders to improve tomato production.

The West Africa Centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI) at the University of Ghana brought together officials, farmers, processors, traders, seed producers, food scientists, irrigation experts and economists from across Ghana’s tomato industry in June. They discussed the full value chain needs and identified how improved domestic production could better serve Ghanaian households.

About 90,000 smallholders grow tomatoes in Ghana to supplement their income. Tomatoes are an indispensable ingredient for many people, used either fresh or in sauces and soups at most meals. In all, tomatoes account for 40 per cent of household outlay on fruit and vegetables.

With current average yields of 6–7T/ha, demand outstrips supply, leading to almost 80,000T of puree and pastes being imported annually from China and the European Union. Therefore, improved tomato varieties, reliable supply and fully operational processing plants would enable Ghana to produce most of its own puree.

The workshop participants formed a Tomato Consortium to address the challenges facing the industry. Workshop lessons and the network created will now shape detailed market research to design improved varieties for Ghanaian smallholders and their tomato value chains.

A sustainable food system should be good for our health, environmentally clean and fair for producers, processors and consumers. GCI is committed to developing healthy, sustainable and ethical food systems.

The workshop brought together stakeholders from across the tomato industry in Ghana.

FOOD SYSTEM ACTIVITIES IN AUSTRALIA

FOOD SYSTEM OUTCOMES

PROCESSORS

PRODUCERS

RETAILERS

CONSUMERS

HEALTHY DIETS

REDUCED ENVIRONMENTAL

IMPACTS

EQUITY AND

ETHICS

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Putting a value on coral reefs for local communitiesResearchers have developed a food web model to determine the influence of coral reef structure and health on community dynamics. The model will enable researchers to estimate the productivity and carrying capacity of reef fisheries at two pilot sites in the Philippines, allowing researchers to measure variability in primary productivity, reef structure and health.

Part of the broader Capturing Coral Reef and Related Ecosystem Services (CCRES) Project, the food web model has been created by UQ’s Dr Alice Rogers who previously developed a similar model in the Caribbean. This latest project, which commenced in May, involves refining the model; data collection and experimentation; model testing; and, ultimately, scaling up the model for larger sites.

Countries causing greatest climate harm won’t suffer the mostCountries that will be most impacted by climate change are not those with the highest carbon emissions.

The findings, published in Global Change Biology (2015), compared the projected impacts of greenhouse gas emissions on the world’s coral reefs with the contribution each country made to the problem. It highlighted Australia and the USA as large polluters, but found some of the greatest impacts of these countries’ emissions would be felt in smaller coastal nations, including Timor-Leste and Tuvalu.

“We are global citizens and our individual emissions will have far-reaching and often unfair impacts,” said UQ marine ecologist Nicholas Wolff.

Report co-author and CCRES Chief Scientist Professor Peter Mumby said hundreds of millions of people who relied on coral reefs for food, livelihood and protection were affected by climate change.

“Previous research has found that heavily damaged reefs provide only one-third the number of fish that are found on healthy reefs,” UQ marine ecologist Nicholas Wolff said.

The researchers said their findings supported a case for developing countries to be given preferential access to resources from the Green Climate Fund, established to support climate change adaptation and mitigation practices.

CCRES researchers are working to ensure the long term sustainability of coastal ecosystems through improved planning and new income streams for people reliant on these ecosystems.

Annual Report 2015


HEALTHY OCEANS

As responsible shareholders, we cannot seriously expect to keep recklessly extracting the ocean’s valuable assets without investing in its future.

WWF International Director General, Marco Lambertini

Ocean of despairIt covers more than 70 per cent of the Earth’s surface – and now a WWF report has valued the ocean as one of the world’s biggest economies.

The report, Reviving the Ocean Economy: The case for action – 2015, values key ocean assets conservatively to be at least US$24 trillion. If compared to the world’s top national economies, the ocean would rank seventh with an annual value of goods and services of at least US$2.5 trillion.

WWF International Director General Marco Lambertini said the ocean rivals the wealth of the world’s richest countries, but it was being allowed to sink to the depths of a failed economy.

“As responsible shareholders, we cannot seriously expect to keep recklessly extracting the ocean’s valuable assets without investing in its future,” he said.

Lead author and GCI Director Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg said goods and services ranging from fisheries to coastal storm protection made the ocean an economic powerhouse – but he identified threats moving it towards collapse.

“We are pulling out too many fish, dumping in too many pollutants, and warming and acidifying the ocean to a point that essential natural systems will simply stop functioning,” he said.

According to the report, more than two-thirds of the annual value of the ocean relies on healthy conditions to maintain its annual economic output.

Reviving the Ocean Economy identified eight ways to limit ocean decline including deeper emissions cuts; protection and management of 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas by 2020 (increasing to 30 per cent by 2030); and revised policies around over-exploitation of fisheries.

UNITEDSTATES

OF AMERICA$17.4tn

CHINA$10.4tn

JAPAN$4.8tn

GERMANY$3.8tn

FRANCE$2.9tn

UNITEDKINGDOM

$2.9tn

THE OCEAN$2.5 trillion

BRAZIL$2.2tn

ITALY$2.1tn

RUSSIA$2.1tn

INDIA$2.0tn

CANADA$1.8tn

AUSTRALIA$1.6tn

SOUTHKOREA

$1.4tn

All GPDs are shown in US Dollars

The ocean is the world’s 7th largest economy.

Credit: XL Catlin Seaview Survey

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Rising seas to drown mangrove forestsEven with relatively low sea-level rise, many mangrove forests in the Indo-Pacific region could be submerged by 2070. That’s the grim outlook from GCI and UQ School of Biological Sciences ecologist Professor Catherine Lovelock.

“Intertidal mangrove forests occur on tropical and subtropical shorelines, such as in parts of Thailand, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. They provide a wide range of ecosystem services – to fisheries, in coastal protection and in carbon sequestration – with an estimated value of US$194,000 per hectare per year,” Professor Lovelock said.

“The Indo-Pacific region holds most of the world’s mangrove forests, but sediment delivery in this region is declining, due to activities such as dam construction.”

Professor Lovelock’s research, published in Nature in October, predicted better outcomes in other parts of the world.

“Our modelling shows mangroves are likely to persist in east Africa, the Bay of Bengal, eastern Borneo and north-western Australia – areas where there are relatively large tidal ranges and/or higher sediment supply,” she said.

Professor Lovelock identified reversing forest degradation; moving vulnerable mangrove forests to higher elevations; and maintaining sediment supply in river systems as vital for the survival of mangroves.

Diving deep into researchDr Pim Bongaerts has been awarded a prestigious ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DECRA) to commence in June 2016. The three-year $368,000 grant will allow him to delve deep into coral reef ecosystems, to improve understanding and management of these environments.

The project, Understanding the reef’s hidden biodiversity, focuses on “mesophotic coral ecosystems” or tropical reefs that occur 30–150m deep and usually as extensions of reef slopes or submerged banks.

“I have been particularly interested in the ability of deep reefs to provide a refuge against major disturbances common on shallow reefs, such as storm events and warm-water bleaching,” Dr Bongaerts said.

The DECRA will enable him to evaluate the vulnerability of deep-water ecosystems to disturbances and environmental change. It will deliver the evidence (e.g. genetic vulnerability, thermal susceptibility, interconnectivity) required to develop an effective deep reef management strategy, in order to promote their resilience and persistence into the future.

Surveying reefs globallyThe Indian and Pacific Oceans were the focus regions for the XL Catlin Seaview Survey in 2015, with a total of four missions.

The team travelled to the Maldives in April to survey 62km of shallow (10m) and deep (30m) reefs. A large-scale 46km survey was undertaken in the Chagos Archipelgo in February. Extensive surveys were also undertaken during two missions to Hawaii. The second deployment was in response to the third mass global coral bleaching event. The team captured the bleaching event near its peak, with many sites exhibiting extensive bleaching.

Across the year more than 117,000 images were captured for analysis, leading to improved monitoring and management of the world’s reefs.

In four years the XL Catlin Seaview Survey has mapped 1000km of reef scape across 21 countries and collected more than 500,000 images for scientific analysis.

Annual Report 2015

SUSTAINABLE WATER


Sustainable Food-Water Management

(South America and China)

Themes: Water for Productive Economies and Water for the Environment

Centre for Energy-Water-Food Nexus Futures

(Australia)

Theme: Water for Cities

Water for Wellbeing and Equality Joint Collaboration

(Asia-Pacific)

Theme: Water Resilient Communities

The Sustainable Water Program has three strategic areas of cross-disciplinary water research. These areas benefit from cross-disciplinary collaboration, have the opportunity for science impact and have existing collaborative funding potential.

Generating knowledge to increase water security in the Asia-Pacific The Asian Water Development Outlook (AWDO) was initiated by the Asian Development Bank and the Asia-Pacific Water Forum to highlight important water management issues in the Asia-Pacific region.

GCI’s Sustainable Water Program, through the International Water Centre, was commissioned by the Asian Development Bank to refine the analytical framework and associated indicators to provide a detailed analysis of water security. This will, in turn, lead to greater confidence in water security assessments.

The second AWDO in 2013 provided the first quantitative and comprehensive view of water security in countries in Asia and the Pacific. It has a guiding vision that societies can enjoy water security when they successfully manage their water resources and services to:

• Satisfy household water and sanitation needs inall communities

• Support productive economies in agriculture and industry

• Develop vibrant, liveable cities and towns

• Restore healthy rivers and ecosystems

• Build resilient communities that can adapt to change.

The current analysis is being undertaken by Sustainable Water Program Director Associate Professor Eva Abal, along with Dr Steve Kenway and Kris Fox from UQ’s School of Chemical Engineering. It will form part of AWDO2016.

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Information flows at water forumIn keeping with the Institute’s mandate to encourage cross-University research, GCI hosted the UQ Water Forum in August. The forum provided UQ researchers the opportunity to showcase emerging initiatives and knowledge on water management; behaviour and knowledge around water consumption; and critical needs for water sanitation and hygiene.

Queensland Chief Scientist Dr Geoff Garrett featured on a discussion panel considering the future of water in Queensland. He was joined by SEQWater Board Member Adjunct Professor Leith Boully, and Chair of the Great Barrier Reef Foundation and Healthy Waterways Professor Paul Greenfield. The panel outlined the importance of communicating with non-scientists, the power of partnerships and the importance of a ‘whole of system’ understanding of water resources for a water secure future.

More than 100 researchers from 13 UQ schools, nine UQ Centres, four other universities and 13 external organisations attended the forum.

Water-Energy-Food nexus takes shapeThe ‘Water-Energy-Food Nexus’ aims to develop a program of collaborative research, pilot demonstration trials and an international water-energy conference series through a newly developed program on food and water security through energy productivity. The program will:

• Develop a clear understanding of the connectivity between water, energy and food in terms of resource intensity, price, cost-dynamics and overall efficiency

• Strengthen the capacity and partnering across the water and energy sectors for integrated planning and management

• Address the Queensland Science and Research Priority to ‘ensure sustainable water use and delivering quality water security in a variable climate and a resources-intensive economy’.

Towards this goal, GCI used its unique positioning as an enabling agent at the University to engage key

stakeholders including the Queensland Department for Energy and Water Supply and the Queensland

Government’s Expert Water Panel, and facilitated two inter-university workshops to

create a broader University proposal.

Annual Report 2015

Online learning has enabled the Global Change Institute to create a worldwide classroom.

Students from 180 countries have enrolled in the Institute’s two virtual courses so far, enabling GCI to inform those communities most impacted by change.

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LEARNING

Annual Report 2015

GCI Massive Open Online Course Project Coordinator Tanya Dodgen prepares for an interview.

By: John Cook, Denial 101x Course Leader

There is a significant gap between public understanding of climate change and the scientific consensus on human-induced global warming, often caused by misinformation. Recent research has shown misinformation decreases understanding of climate change and, critically, erodes public support for climate action.

Misconception-based learning is a powerful method of increasing climate literacy and neutralising the influence of misinformation. This approach explains a scientific concept, then introduces a myth about that science, followed by an explanation of the technique that the myth employs to distort the science. Research has shown that explicitly tackling misconceptions achieves greater and longer-lasting learning gains than simply teaching the science.


Multidisciplinary learning online

I can now say that I am far better equipped in understanding the details of climate change and forming counter arguments in a productive manner. MOOC participant

Tropic 101x:

1

2

3

4

5

As a college instructor myself, I fully intend to use a number of the videos in several classes I teach. MOOC participant

PURCHASED BY STUDENTS AT US$100 EACH

In Denial 101x Making Sense of Climate Science Denial we adopted a misconception-based learning approach – teaching the science of climate change while debunking 50 of the most common climate myths. Students learnt the basics of global warming, the greenhouse effect, the carbon cycle and the impacts of climate change while at the same time discovered the techniques of science denial.

The course took a multidisciplinary approach, stepping beyond physical science and examining the psychology of climate change. We looked at the psychological drivers of climate attitudes as well as the social science research into how to effectively debunk misinformation. Students were able to develop a richer understanding of climate change, the critical thinking skills to perceive the techniques of science denial, and the confidence to respond to misinformation in an effective, evidence-based manner.

Feedback from the 20,000 students from 160 countries who enrolled in Denial 101X has been very positive, with the psychological research into how to practically communicate climate change a highlight for many. One of the most exciting outcomes was a number of high school and university educators, reporting that they were adopting course content for their own classes. Future plans involve deepening the impact of the course by further developing the adoption of course videos in high schools and universities.

Denial 101x is the second MOOC coordinated by GCI. The first course, Tropic 101x Tropical Coastal Ecosystems, was launched in 2014.

I teach a course at California State University. I am going to rearrange my entire course around Denial 101x.

MOOC participant

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Denial 101x

Annual Report 2015

ENGAGEMENT


The Global Change Institute has a responsibility to influence government leaders, impact policy reform, inspire community action and involve community leaders.

In 2015 GCI engaged political leaders both in Australia and abroad, cemented research partnerships internationally, held a stimulating lecture series and hosted high profile community events.

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Sir David Attenborough (right, with Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg) was guest of honour at an event to help save coral reefs, which was co-hosted by GCI at the COP21 negotiations in Paris.

Annual Report 2015

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Government RelationsChanging climate in CanberraAt the request of Federal Environment Minister the Hon. Greg Hunt, GCI Director Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg led a delegation of researchers from eight Australian universities to Canberra in late October to brief politicians in the lead up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris.

In private briefings with Minister Hunt, Opposition Leader the Hon. Bill Shorten, Shadow Environment Minister the Hon. Mark Butler, and Greens Co-Deputy Leader and Environment Spokesperson the Hon. Larissa Waters, researchers discussed the various climate scenarios likely from COP21 negotiations, GCI’s solar research facility at Gatton and the potential impact of coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef.

During an information session open to all Parliamentarians the delegation updated politicians and their advisors on the latest climate science; possible mitigation measures and adaptation options; and Australia’s role in improving environmental protection.

Across the three-day visit, researchers met with almost 40 elected representatives and their advisors.

Heat on for negotiators at climate change conferenceGCI Director Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg led a small team of UQ researchers who attended COP21 in November / December.

COP21 negotiated the Paris Agreement, in which almost 200 governments agreed to seek to limit an increase in global temperatures to ‘well below 2°C above preindustrial levels’. It also provided mechanisms to review reduction targets every five years.

During the negotiations, the six-person team participated in seven panel discussions.

In addition, GCI co-hosted the screening of Sir David Attenborough’s new film on the Great Barrier Reef at La Maison des Oceans. The evening included a panel discussion with Professor Hoegh-Guldberg, marine biologist Dr Sylvia Earle, entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson and WWF International’s Marco Lambertini on how to protect the reef for future generations.

The evening was attended by Australian Environment Minister the Hon. Greg Hunt, Greens Co-Deputy Leader the Hon. Larissa Waters and Queensland Environment Minister the Hon. Steven Miles, who were involved in the broader negotiations.

Professor Hoegh-Guldberg said the Paris Agreement had reached a promising result for the environment.

“For the first time, you’ve got the science lining up with the agreement that’s struck,” he said.

“Success will rely on the road being travelled in a spirit of cooperation between the public, private and community sectors.”

UQ’s Associate Professor Matt McDonald, who was at the negotiations, said that although the final agreement ruled out liability or compensation arising from loss and damage, the fact that these two elements were included as part of the agreement was still significant.

“It is the first time loss and damage have appeared in an international climate agreement, and is ultimately recognition of the inevitability of climate impacts and their disproportionate effects on the world’s poorest,” Dr McDonald said.

Opposition Leader the Hon. Bill Shorten was one of almost 40 elected representatives briefed by the delegation.

Federal Environment Minister the Hon. Greg Hunt spoke at a GCI co-hosted event at COP21.

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Global Collaborations

Strengthening ties with the Middle EastMarine ecosystem management and food security will be the initial focus for an MOU signed between the Sharjah Research Academy and the Institute in November.

GCI Director Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg said, “Despite our geographic distance, Australia and the UAE are facing many of the same environmental challenges.”

Sharjah Research Academy Director General Professor Amr Abdel-Hamid said the agreement would enable research staff and graduate student exchanges as well as research collaboration.

“Students represent the next generation, so it is only appropriate that educational opportunities and exchanges are at the core of this collaborative effort,” Professor Abdel-Hamid said.

Professor Hoegh-Guldberg also visited Abu Dhabi, UAE, where he discussed further opportunities for broader collaborations.

CCRES names partners in IndonesiaIn September the Capturing Coral Reef and Related Ecosystem project announced government, scientific and university partners in Indonesia.

The Indonesian Ministry for Marine Affairs and Fisheries, BPSPL Makassar and DINAS Marine and Fisheries will join three academic institutions in collaborating on the project.

“The success of CCRES depends in no small part on the relationships we have with our partners in the Philippines and Indonesia. Partners and collaborators are the cornerstones of our in-country activity,” CCRES Senior Advisor Melanie King said.

Benefits flow from water agreementGCI will help improve water management in the Philippines, after the Institute signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Manila Water in September.

Sustainable Water Director Associate Professor Eva Abal said the MOU provided for the use of market-based instruments and improved monitoring systems for better water management in large cities.

“Manila Water has already demonstrated what can be achieved in a developing country with a large centre of population so we are eager to explore how UQ expertise can leverage such an innovative program across the Asia-Pacific,” Associate Professor Abal said.

Professor Hoegh-Guldberg (right) met with Matar Hamed Al Neyadi, Undersecretary for the Ministry of Energy, UAE.

Virgilio ‘Perry’ Rivera Jr, Manila Water (left) and Bill Capati, Gold Coast Water (right) joined Associate Professor Eva Abal at GCI to sign an MOU.

Eleven researchers

from eight universities

attended the Parliamentary

briefings.

Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg (2nd from left) addresses a COP21 panel discussion.

Annual Report 2015

Dr David Adamson School of Economics, The University of Queensland

Free trade agreements and regulations: Concerns for a net food exporting country

Dr Simon Albert School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland

Keeping food on the table and water from the door: Insights into declining fisheries and rising seas in the Solomon Islands

Dr Pam Blake Boeing Technology Strategy, USA

Boeing defense, space and security overview and hyperspectral remote sensing ventures initiative

Dr Toni Darbas CSIRO Land and Water Flagship, Brisbane

Historical trajectories and food security interventions in the borderlands of the Eastern Gangetic Plains

Dr Jonathan Fink Portland State University, USA

The role of urban universities in promoting urban sustainability

SeminarsThe Global Change Institute is committed to real-world research and analysis into the issues that impact us all. In 2015 the Insights Seminar Series enhanced its reputation for offering thought-provoking, relevant lectures on global issues.

Mike Foale School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland

The nutritional and functional food properties of coconut

Dr Tira Foran CSIRO Land and Water Flagship, Canberra, ACT

Tackling complexity in food systems: An interdisciplinary analysis

Mark Gallagher School of Social Science, The University of Queensland

Global finance and the takeover of African farming? The case of Tanzania

Estève Giraud Toulouse Business School, University in Toulouse, France

The ethics of the organic movement in the food security challenge

Murray Hall CSIRO Land and Water Flagship, Brisbane

The value of resource recovery from wastewater: Re-visiting the floating island of Laputa

Professor Quentin Hanich Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security, University of Wollongong, NSW

Equity and fairness in international fisheries: Taking the politics out of the science

Professor Robert Henry Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland

Genomics of food security


Dr TJ Higgins CSIRO Plant Industry, Canberra, ACT

Is gene technology paving the way for food security in developing countries?

Associate Professor Colin Kennard School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland

The Kimberley, future Asian food bowl – Is it sustainable?

Associate Professor Mateo López-Victoria Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Colombia

Bioeroding sponges vs stony corals in the Colombian Caribbean: What have we learned after 15 years?

Professor Andreas Löschel Center of Applied Economic Research Münster, University of Münster, Germany

Germany’s energy transition and implications for Australia

Amy MacMahon School of Social Science, The University of Queensland

Climate change and food security in Bangladesh: Salt, shrimp and seawalls

Dr Laurence McCook Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Brisbane

What are the effects of dredging on the Great Barrier Reef?

Professor Paul Meredith Global Change Institute, The University of Queensland

Energy express: The Gatton Solar Research Facility

Liz Minchin fromThe Conversation

29

Treaties and regulations for a net food exporting country

By: Dr Jane O’Sullivan, UQ School of Agriculture and Food Science, following a seminar presented by Dr David Adamson, UQ School of Economics.

In early 2015 the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) was thrust into the spotlight in the wake of a Hepatitis A outbreak linked to imported berries. There were immediate calls for improved food labelling that better identified country of origin on what we eat.

Under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, and subsequently the World Trade Organisation, trade diplomacy was focused on multilateral and regional agreements. As progress through these instruments slowed, activity has shifted to bilateral and plurilateral (small group of nations) agreements.

Dr Adamson questioned the benefit of Australia’s commitment to such agreements, arguing most of the major gains for free trade have already been made. He said recent trade agreements like the TPP are not about free trade; rather they are about small marginal concessions providing limited preferential treatment to the partners in an agreement. These agreements are more about “harmonising” – or lowering – regulations, which can essentially transfer risks and costs of adverse outcomes from companies to consumers.

For Australia, agriculture is and will remain the stumbling block for Free Trade Agreements. Seventy per cent of our agricultural value is derived from international markets, and those markets tend to be protected. Food safety is an important advantage for Australian agricultural exports, and depends on tight regulation of quarantine and production.

Imports are routinely tested for pathogens, banned chemicals, contaminants, adulteration, misbranding and food fraud to ensure products meet domestic standards. However, the recent incident of Hepatitis A from Chinese frozen berries illustrates the challenge.

The government has committed to signing the TPP. Once signed, trade agreements are difficult, but not impossible, to reverse. Dr Adamson stated the consequences of not signing were minimal – and suggested Australia would be better to focus negotiations on countries we don’t currently trade with.

Liz Minchin The Conversation, Brisbane

The value of translating and sharing your knowledge with the world

Dr Jane Muller Growcom, Brisbane

Climate risks in Australia’s fresh food system – are we cultivating climate change resilience?

Professor Jochen Mueller National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology, The University of Queensland

What our wastewater tells us about change in population behaviour

Professor Michel Pichon James Cook University, Townsville, QLD

The 1987 Calypso expedition: Early studies on the Great Barrier Reef

Dr Simon Reid Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland

Human, animal and ecosystem: Infectious outcomes of global changes

Virgilio ‘Perry’ Rivera Jr Manila Water Inc., Philippines

Resolving an urban water crisis through public-private sector reform: Lessons for Australia from the Philippines

Doug Yuille WWF-Australia, Brisbane

‘Mining food’ – Will fertiliser shortage limit world population?

Rare insight into Australia’s climate negotiations


The multilateral system will continue to be challenged by the growing diffusion of economic and political power, and by technological change. Peter Woolcott, Australian Ambassador for the Environment and Guest Speaker, 2015 GCI Challenge of Change Lecture

By: Graham Readfearn, Guardian Australia

You don’t get to hear from Peter Woolcott all that much in public, even though he is a pivotal character in Australia’s international climate change negotiations.

Mr Woolcott is Australia’s ambassador for the environment and for the past 14 months has led the country’s negotiating teams at UN climate talks.

The reason you don’t hear from him (and that perhaps you’ve never heard of him, full stop) is that as a civil servant working in the highly politicised and supercharged issue of climate change, public statements tend to come from politicians.

Requests for statements are routinely batted back to a ministerial office in Canberra, not necessarily because Woolcott doesn’t want to answer but because this is simply how it’s done.

Peter Woolcott talks with Penelope Wensley, who presented the inaugural GCI Challenge of Change Lecture in 2014.

Events

Woolcott has, in his words, “spent years in the multilateral trenches” and knows that it can be “a slow-moving and frustrating business”.

Just two weeks before he headed to the major international talks, COP21, in Paris, he delivered a rare speech where he set out in exhaustive detail what Australia wanted from the meeting.

In an hour-long presentation for GCI’s Challenge of Change Annual Lecture Series, the career diplomat gave a fascinating insight into the changing world of the UN framework convention on climate change (UNFCC) – the umbrella agreement under which all the UN climate deals operate.

He explained how the system of multilateral talks was “struggling to cope” with the expectations and demands of a rapidly changing world.

In Paris, he said, Australia wanted a deal that would set the world on a pathway to keeping global warming below two degrees. The deal should not be seen as an end point, but as a “waypoint”.

Left unchecked, climate change will magnify existing problems and increase pressure on resources including land, water, energy, food and fish stocks. It has the potential to erode development gains, undermine economic growth and compound human security challenges, he said.

In terms of a collective global problem, “issues do not get any bigger” than climate change.

Celebrating 40 years of science communication in Australia

By: Melina Gillespie, EConnect Communication

GCI helped celebrate 40 exciting years of Robyn Williams presenting ABC Radio National’s The Science Show, with an entertaining evening at Customs House in October.

Host John Doyle was joined on stage by outgoing Chief Scientist of Australia Ian Chubb for a retrospective journey from Robyn’s early years on The Goodies to the success that he and The Science Show boasts today.

Revered globally by academics, celebrities and politicians, as well as millions of everyday Australians, The Science Show has covered a multitude of topics—some highly controversial including asbestos, lead in petrol and cigarettes, and more recently, climate change.

During the celebrations Robyn Williams addressed what many view as the most highly controversial topic of all — the so-called “war on science” and, in particular, the “war on climate science”.

“I learnt a lot from that kind of intrepid journalism where you’re accused of being a campaigner but you keep at it because you base your work on evidence,” he said.

“The Science Show is an opportunity to present gathering scientific evidence and influence changing societal views.”

Mr Williams, who is a GCI Board Member, described UQ’s Three Minute Thesis Competition as a revolution, where young people could articulate science like never before. He cited citizen science as another example of how research was entering the public psyche.

“This interaction between citizens and the real science is changing the world. That, it seems to me, is going to win the ‘war on science’ that we thought we were losing,” he said.

Described on the night as a “champion of science” by UQ Provost Professor Max Lu, the broadcaster delighted in video testimonials from those who couldn’t be there in person. Broadcaster Sir David Attenborough, Nature Editor-in-Chief Sir Philip Campbell, former Western Australian Chief Scientist Professor Lyn Beazley and actress Cate Blanchett were amongst internationally recognised scientists and entertainers who paid tribute.

The evening left you with a sense of optimism and pride in Australian science and scientists, and in dedicated science communicators like Robyn Williams who remain passionate about presenting research and making it accessible to everyone.

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John Doyle and Robyn Williams in conversation at The Science Show’s40th anniversary celebrations hosted by GCI.

Australian Chief Scientist Ian Chubb, GCI Board Member Margaret Brown, Penelope Wensley and actress Cate Blanchett helped Robyn Williams celebrate.

Annual Report 2015

The University’s School Liaison Team is responsible for providing both on and off campus engagement opportunities for Years 10–12 students.

The purpose of UQ’s engagement efforts is to expose students to the future study, career and research options available at The University of Queensland.

UQ welcomes almost 400 school groups to the St Lucia campus each year and provides students with interactive, hands-on activities. These experiences are offered by many of UQ’s faculties and research institutes, with a focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related education.

In 2015, GCI began offering tours and interactive, global-change focused information sessions and activities to school students.

The benefits of visiting GCI are immeasurable as students get to see a ‘Living Building’ and experience the facility first-hand. Students learn about the vertical garden, atrium pond, solar panel use and rainwater storage; all sustainable aspects of the GCI Building.

The interactive activities showcase how important coral reefs, pedal power, global food trends and the water life cycle is for the future of the planet.

Many schools combine a visit to GCI with other on-campus experiences including campus tours and visits to the Art Gallery, Antiquities Museum, archaeology dig site, Pathology Learning Centre and Pharmacy Centre of Excellence.

The UQ School Liaison Team is delighted to have GCI on-board to deliver student-focused tours and activities, as this adds to their overall experience.

The University’s surveys show that 80 per cent of students who attend an on-campus engagement experience would then consider future university study as their preferred tertiary option, upon leaving school.

Further feedback from schools has been very encouraging. Many schools are returning in 2016 for another GCI experience for students in younger grades.

Sustainability in practice – Facility tours

The benefits of visiting GCI are immeasurable as students get to see a ‘Living Building’ and experience the facility first-hand. Steve Forster, Director, UQ OPSSE


By: Steve Forster UQ Office of Prospective Students and Student Equity (OPSSE) Director

GCI proudly hosted French materials scientist and inventor of geopolymer chemistry Professor Joseph Davidovits, his son Ralph, and Tom Glasby and Russell Genrich from Toowoomba company Wagners, for a special tour of the building in October, 2015.

GCI is the world’s first building to successfully use Professor Davidovits’ geopolymer precast concrete for structural purposes. Prior to this it had only been used for footpaths by local authorities as a test case. The production process for geopolymer precast concrete is considered environmentally friendly as it does not require heat, and as a result does not produce carbon dioxide. The four-storey GCI building comprises three suspended geopolymer concrete floors involving 33 precast panels. They are made from Earth Friendly Concrete (EFC), a Wagners brand name for their commercial form of geopolymer concrete.

It was a great honour to witness Professor Davidovits marvel at the GCI building and its world-first use of his invention. He spent the morning examining the concrete panels in the building, and explaining the science and history behind it to GCI staff.

Since opening its doors in late 2013, GCI’s ‘Living Building’ continues to attract strong interest from the public and research community alike. As the flagship sustainability project for The University of Queensland, the building’s unique design works with the natural environment, creating a zero-energy, zero-carbon workplace.

The building is a research tool and discussion point for innovative building systems. Public tours are conducted every Tuesday and on any given day, high school students, academics, or government officials from around the globe can be found inspecting the unique sustainability aspects of the building.

World First BuildingBy: Rachael Hazell, GCI Communications and Engagement Officer

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Awards2015 Australian Institute of Architects David Oppenheim Award for Sustainable Architecture

2015 Australian Institute of Architects National Award for Interior Architecture

2015 Australian Institute of Architects Queensland Chapter GHM Addison Award for Interior Architecture

2015 Australian Institute of Architects Queensland Chapter Harry Marks Award for Sustainable Architecture

2015 Australian Institute of Architects Queensland Chapter RG Suter Award for Educational Architecture

Professor Joseph Davidovits joined GCI’s Rachael Hazell for a building tour in October.

Annual Report 2015

Photos courtesy of Ralph Davidovits and Tom Glasby


OUR PEOPLE & SUPPORTING INFORMATION

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The Global Change Institute’s unique multidisciplinary approach requires a dedicated group of research and support staff that collaborate with researchers at The University of Queensland, around Australia and across the globe.

In 2015, GCI academics have realised a number of large research projects, resulting in more than $41m in funding, 50 research publications and collaborations with 30 areas across the University.

XL Catlin Seaview Survey researchers Dr Pim Bongaerts and Dr Kyra Hay.

Annual Report 2015

Associate Professor Eva Abal Director, Sustainable Water BSc, MSci (San Carlos), PhD (Queensland)

As the Director of Sustainable Water, Eva coordinates water research activities across UQ’s faculties, institutes and centres, to

enhance the University’s profile, funding and reputation in this multidisciplinary field of growing global importance.

Her scientific expertise and research interests include developing strategic research frameworks and road maps for eco-efficient water management; implementing ecosystem health report cards; and monitoring, evaluating, reporting and improving water management frameworks.

She is also the Chief Scientific Officer for the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, where she develops research projects to improve resilience of reef ecosystems adapting to climate change. Eva’s passion is the synthesis and effective communication of scientific information, making science relevant and useful to managers, and facilitating linkages between scientists, managers and other stakeholders.

Professor John Foster Institute Advisor BA (Hons) (Coventry), MA (Econ) (Manchester),

PhD (Manchester)

John has been a Professor of Economics at UQ since 1991, was Head of the School

of Economics (1999–2008), and leads the Energy Economics and Management Group. At GCI John provides strategic insights and advice, and has been instrumental in the development of the Institute and its continued success.

He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Social Sciences, Fellow of the Queensland Academy of Arts and Science, past president of the International Joseph A. Schumpeter Society and past vice-president of the Queensland Branch of the Economic Society of Australia. He was a Member of the ARC College of Experts (2005–2007) and was appointed by Senator Kim Carr to the panel reviewing the National Innovation System (2008).

His research interests include innovation strategies and policies to promote renewable energy; modelling the impacts of distributed energy generation systems; and modelling the impacts of carbon mitigation policies on the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity and the wider economy.


GCI Executive Members

Dr David Harris Institute Manager BEnvSci (Griffith), PDip Mar Sci, PhD (Queensland)

David has been actively involved in science management and operations for more than 20 years. His experience includes work at

the Australian Institute of Marine Science, Griffith University, UQ and in collaboration with multiple other national and international partners. At UQ he has held various management roles including at a University-level Institute, UQ centre, Faculty level and within Schools.

David has been responsible for the coordination of multiple large-scale national research projects (>$10 million) and represented the University at international forums on specific research-related topics. His expertise in the design, construction and management of large-scale infrastructure projects (>$30 million) has included the delivery of research support platforms and buildings.

Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg Institute Director Director, Healthy Oceanss BSc (Hons) (Sydney), PhD (UCLA)

Ove is the inaugural Director of GCI, where he has a key role in building links with the UQ

community and external stakeholders that enable the Institute to undertake cross-disciplinary research and thereby answer some of the serious challenges facing humanity. He also heads a large research laboratory that focuses on how global warming and ocean acidification are affecting coral reefs.

Ove has collaborated with organisations such as the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, the Royal Society of London and the World Bank, as well as advising government and business on climate change. He has published more than 250 articles and book chapters, and been recognised with a Thomson Reuters Citation Award in 2012 (most cited author in ecology), and highly cited awards in 2011, 2013 and 2014.

He has been awarded the Eureka Prize (1999), the Queensland Premier’s Fellow (2008–2013) and an Australian Research Council Laureate Fellowship (2012). Ove is an Australian Academy of Science Fellow and is the coordinating lead author of the Oceans chapter for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Fifth Assessment Report. He was also awarded the Prince Albert II of Monaco Climate Change Award in 2014.

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Professor Karen Hussey Institute Deputy Director BA (Econ&Pol) (Melbourne), MEcSci (Uni. College Dublin),

PhD (Melbourne)

Karen is GCI Deputy Director, a position she took up in September 2015. In this role she

is responsible for further developing the Institute’s research portfolio and managing research performance, as well as overseeing operational matters.

Trained as a political scientist and economist, Karen undertakes research in the field of public policy and governance, with a particular interest in public policy relating to sustainable development. Her recent research has focused on water and energy security; the role of the state in managing risks, particularly in relation to climate change mitigation and adaptation; the links between international trade and environmental regulation; and the peculiarities of public policy in federal systems.

Prior to taking up her position at UQ, Karen was Associate Professor in the Fenner School of Environment and Society at ANU, where she now holds an Honorary Professorship. From 2007–2010 Karen was based in Brussels as the ANU Vice-Chancellor’s Representative in Europe, with responsibility for developing the University’s research relationships and profile with European research teams and institutions.

Professor Paul Meredith Director, Clean Energy BSc (Wales), PhD (Heriot Watt, Edinburgh)

As the Director of the Clean Energy Program, Paul manages a portfolio of more than $50m of photovoltaic and concentrated

solar thermal research, spanning fundamental technology development, systems-level integration and policy issues. This portfolio includes the world-leading Education Investment Fund Research Infrastructure Project the Gatton Solar Research Facility.

Paul is a current member of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency Technical Advisory Board, the Australian Solar Thermal Initiative Strategic Advisory Board, and the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics Management Board; he is also Co-Director of the Centre for Organic Photonics and Electronics at UQ. He served on the Premier of Queensland’s Climate Change Council (2009–2011), and is internationally recognised for his contributions to the basic science of solar energy harvesting materials, systems-level integration of PV and concentrated solar thermal. In 2013 he was awarded the Queensland Premier’s Award at the Premier’s Sustainability Awards and in 2014 was appointed as a prestigious ARC Discovery Outstanding Researcher Award Fellow.

Annual Report 2015

Research AffiliatesThe Global Change Institute collaborates with researchers across The University of Queensland to meet the challenges of change.


College of Experts

College Chair Professor Geoffrey Lawrence (left) and College Advisory Board Member Associate Professor Joan Leach (fourth from left) at a Members’ event.

The College of Experts draws together leading researchers from across UQ in the areas of social science, business, environment and technical studies. It aims to generate multidisciplinary approaches that interpret and eventually solve some of the world’s most pressing problems.

Through a series of workshops and breakfasts, ideas are ‘incubated’ by the College and then developed as part of the overall GCI strategy. During 2015 the College:

• highlighted emerging issues and trends

• identified research opportunities

• moderated proposal assessments

• facilitated stakeholder engagement on behalfof the Institute.

Clean Energy

Sustainable Water

Dr Dani Barrington International Water Centre

Professor Jurg Keller Advanced Water Management Centre

Dr Steven Kenway School of Chemical Engineering

Professor Paul Lant School of Chemical Engineering

Dr Brian MacIntosh International Water Centre

Professor Neil MacIntyre Sustainable Minerals Institute

Professor Mark Moran Institute for Social Science Research Dr Jochen Mueller

National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology

Mr Mark Pascoe International Water Centre

Dr Jackie Robinson School of Economics

Dr Daniel Rodriguez Queensland Alliance for Agricultural and Food Innovation

Dr Simon Smart School of Chemical Engineering

Dr Laura Wendling School of Agricultural and Food Sciences

Dr Liam Wagner UQ Energy

Professor Simon Bartlett School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering

Professor John Foster School of Economics

Mr Shane Goodwin UQ Energy

Professor Chris Greig UQ Energy

Dr Zhiquang Guan School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering

Professor Hal Gurgenci School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering

Professor Ben Hankamer Institute for Molecular Bioscience

Dr Kamel Hooman School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering

Dr Ingo Jahn School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering

Mr Adrian Mengede UQ Properties and Facilities

Dr Andras Nagi School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering

Professor Tapan Saha School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering

Professor Tom BaldockSchool of Civil Engineering

Dr Jane O’Sullivan School of Agricultural and Food Science

Professor Helen Ross School of Agricultural and Food Sciences

Associate Professor Paul DarguschSchool of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management

Dr Tiffany MorrisonSchool of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management

Dr Stephan Tait Advanced Water Management Centre

Dr Joshua Larsen School of Geography, Planning and

Environmental Management

Dr Jackie Robinson School of Economics

Associate Professor Kelly Fielding Institute for Social Science Research

Associate Professor Kelly Fielding Institute for Social Science Research

Professor Brian Head Institute for Social Science Research Associate Professor Peter Hill

School of Public Health

Dr Sue Vink Sustainable Minerals Institute

Dr Peter Westoby School of Social Science

Dr Regina Souter International Water Centre

39

The College has provided an important avenue through which the Institute has been able to engage with researchers from across the University on multidisciplinary projects and activities.

In December 2015 Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Lawrence, stepped down from his role as the College of Experts’ Founding Chair.

“It was a privilege to have been involved with the College. I had the opportunity to encourage a number of researchers to work with others across often-rigid disciplinary boundaries. This has led to new framings of problems and issues – something that has helped generate new ideas for global change,” he said.

Professor Lawrence has been a tireless supporter of the Institute from its inception. As the College of Experts Chair he provided enthusiasm and insights into how the GCI model could best complement existing University activities.

“In this role, Geoffrey initiated and helped coordinate activities across the College – assisting in the integration of the College members with the Global Change Institute,” GCI Director Professor Hoegh-Guldberg said.

“In those early days, and with such a new model for how we might develop multidisciplinary problem-based research collaborations, it was very important to us that we had people like Geoffrey who urged us to continue to develop the Global Change Institute. We are so grateful for his contribution to the College and GCI.”

Annual Report 2015

Food Systems

Healthy Oceans

Professor John Foster School of Economics Professor Tom Baldock

School of Civil Engineering

Dr Ricardo Soares Magalhaes School of Veterinary Sciences

Professor Kaye Basford School of Agricultural and Food Sciences

Dr Paul Belesky Institute for Social Science Research

Associate Professor Andrew Borrell Queensland Alliance for Agricultural and Food Innovation

Professor Wayne Bryden School of Agricultural and Food Sciences

Associate Professor Jim Cavaye School of Agricultural and Food Sciences

Professor Rob Cramb School of Agricultural and Food Sciences

Professor Paul Dennis School of Agricultural and Food Sciences

Dr Malcolm Duthie School of Social Sciences

Ms Rowan Eisner School of Agricultural and Food Sciences Dr Glen Fox

Queensland Alliance for Agricultural and Food Innovation

Dr Anthony Halog School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management

Dr Paul Jagals School of Population Health

Professor Dave Jordan Queensland Alliance for Agricultural and Food Innovation

Ms Melanie King School of Biological Sciences

Emeritus Professor Geoffrey Lawrence School of Social Sciences

Mrs Sarah Meibusch Queensland Alliance for Agricultural and Food Innovation

Dr Jane O’Sullivan School of Agricultural and Food Science

Professor Hugh Possingham School of Biological Sciences

Professor John Quiggin School of Economics

Professor Helen Ross School of Agricultural and Food Sciences

Associate Professor Susanne Schmidt School of Agricultural and Food Sciences

Dr Carl Smith School of Agricultural and Food Sciences

Dr Elisa Bayraktarov School of Biological Sciences

Dr Justine Bell School of Law

Dr Robert Canto School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management

Associate Professor Paul Dargusch School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management

Professor Sarah Derrington School of Law

Associate Professor Sophie Dove School of Biological Sciences

Professor Cath Lovelock School of Biological Sciences

Dr Morena Mills School of Biological Sciences

Dr Tiffany Morrison School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management Professor Peter Mumby

School of Biological Sciences

Professor Stuart Phinn School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management

Dr Chris Roelfsema School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management

Dr George Roff School of Biological Sciences

Dr Megan Saunders School of Biological Sciences

Dr Oscar Serrano School of Biological Sciences

Dr Ricardo Silva Tavares De Lemos School of Mathematics and Physics

Associate Professor Ian Tibbetts School of Biological Sciences

Mr Adrian Ward School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management

Professor Colin Woodroffe School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management


Our PeopleExecutiveProfessor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg GCI Director and Director, Healthy Oceans

Professor Karen Hussey GCI Deputy Director (from Sep)

Associate Professor Eva Abal Director, Sustainable Water

Professor John Foster Institute Advisor

Dr David Harris Institute Manager

Professor Paul Meredith Director, Clean Energy

Research StaffMd Jan-E- Alam Post-Doctoral Research Fellow (from Feb)

Vicki Bennion Research Assistant

Dr Pim Bongaerts Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Leighton Brough Research Technician (from Jan)

Gemma Clayton Research Assistant

John Cook Research Fellow

Norbert Englebert Research Assistant (from Dec)

Craig Froome Program Manager, Clean Energy

Shane Goodwin Project Coordinator (from Aug)

Dr Manuel Gonzalez Rivero Benthic Ecology Fellow

Dr Nina Hall Program Manager, Sustainable Water (from May)

Matthew Hayes Research Assistant (from May)

Dr Christine Hosking Research Assistant

Dr Paulina Kaniewska Research Assistant (from Nov)

Kathryn Markey Research Assistant (from Nov)

Matheus Mello Athayde Lab Technician

Lynette Molyneaux Research Officer

Dr Benjamin Neal Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Dr Jane O’Sullivan Research Officer (from April)

Dr Tyrone Ridgway Program Manager, Healthy Oceans (from Sep)

Erwin Rodriguez-Ramirez Image Analysis and Database Manager

Behnam Shabani Postdoctoral Research Fellow (from Feb)

Dr Ulrike Siebeck Senior Research Officer

Jozef Syktus Senior Research Fellow (from Aug)

Dr Phillip Wild Postdoctoral Research Fellow

Dr Ruifeng Yan Postdoctoral Research Fellow (from Mar)

Adjunct StaffDr Geoff Dews Adjunct Senior Lecturer

Professor Michael D’Occhio Adjunct Associate Professor

Associate Professor Sophie Dove Affiliate Associate Professor

Malcolm Duthie Adjunct Associate Professor

Andy Hooten Adjunct Professor

Dr Rob Lesslie Adjunct Associate Professor

Dr Paul Muir Adjunct Lecturer

Mags Quibilan Adjunct Fellow

Dr William Skirving Adjunct Senior Lecturer

John Tanzer Adjunct Professor

John Veron Adjunct Professor

Professor Cesar Villanoy Adjunct Associate Professor

Professional StaffJacki Boyce Communications Officer (to April)

Michelle Claxton Program Officer

Phoebe Coulon-Mcintosh Program Officer (from April)

Nicola Cutts Program Officer (from Nov)

Peter Dalton Project Officer

Nicola De Silva Executive Assistant to the Directors

Tanya Dodgen MOOC Administration Coordinator

Peter Fogarty Executive Assistant to the Directors

Vince Garrone Technical Operations Manager

Susie Green Project Officer

Adam Harper Communications and Engagement Manager (maternity cover to June)

Rachael Hazell Communications and Engagement Officer

Krystle Henry Engagement Officer

Ron Hohenhaus Communications Officer (from May)

Melanie King Senior Advisor

Anna Moloney Communications and Engagement Manager

Sara Naylor Project Manager

Dr Olga Pantos Professional Staff

Dr Suzanne Pillans Research Officer

Siobhan Power Senior Finance and HR Officer (from June)

Maria Reyes Nivia Research Assistant

Samantha Richards Senior Finance and HR Officer (to June)

Kristen Sampson Project Officer

Shari Stepanoff Project Officer

Abbie Taylor Project Officer

Carl Tidemann Research Technician (from Nov)

Jason White Finance and Operations Manager

Xin Zhao Receptionist (from Aug)

41

2015 Financial Statement

Income and ExpenditureREVENUE $

UQ - Strategic Operating Funds 2,772,415

UQ - Commonwealth Grant Subsidy (RBG) (4) 503,066

UQ - Internal Strategic Funded Schemes 944,688

Investments, Scholarships & Donations 199,008

Research Income 3,817,197

Other External Revenue (2) 213,771

Internal Allocations (3) 1,828,244

Tax on Core Operating (271,656)

TOTAL REVENUE 10,006,732

EXPENDITURE $

Salary Expenditure

Research Academic Salaries 1,521,827

Research Support Salaries 1,095,066

Professional Support Salaries 1,189,673

Non-Salary Expenditure

Other Employment Costs 269,329

Other Expenditure (6) 16,164,919

TOTAL EXPENDITURE 20,240,814

NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) (1) (10,234,082)

Core Operating ActivitiesREVENUE $

UQ - Strategic Funding Allocation 2,772,415

UQ - Commonwealth Grant Subsidy (RBG) (4) 503,066

Sales and Services Revenue 21,681

Recovery of Indirect Costs 38,375

Tax on Core Operating (271,656)

TOTAL REVENUE 3,063,881

EXPENDITURE $

Research Academic Salaries 298,599

Research Support Salaries 694,940

Professional Support Salaries 699,547

Other Salary Related Expenditure 161,783

Core Operating Expenditure (5) 362,013

Communications & Engagement Support 129,124

Research Program Support 589,408

Strategic Initiatives Support 91,229

TOTAL EXPENDITURE 3,026,643

NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) 37,238

(1) This figure includes expenditure of carried forward research funds mainly in relation to the AGL Solar Flagship EIF Project. (2) Includes consultancy fees, sales and service fees, sponsorships and reimbursements.(3) Includes AMP contribution to the AGL Solar Flagship EIF Project ($2.0m).(4) Allocation of Commonwealth Grant Subsidy is shown gross (i.e. before deduction of 54% tax on Core Operating).(5) Includes equipment, travel, hospitality, IT SLA, general administration and consumables.(6) The majority of this figure relates to expenditure on the AGL Solar Flagship EIF Project.

Specifically this is made up of collaborator payments, contractor payments, equipment and minor works.

DISTRIBUTION OF CORE OPERATING EXPENDITURE

23.11%Professional Support Salaries

5.35%Other Salary Related Expenditure

11.96%General Operating

Expenditure

4.27%Communications &

Engagement Support

19.47%Research Program

Support

3.01%Strategic Initiatives

Support 9.87%Research Academic Salaries

22.96%Research Support Salaries

OVERALL REVENUE ANALYSIS

17.79%Internal

Allocations

2.08%Other External

Revenue

37.14%Research

Income 1.94%Investments,

Scholarships & Donations

9.19%UQ – Internal Strategic Funded Schemes

4.89%UQ – Commonwealth Grant Subsidy (RBG)

26.97%UQ – Strategic Operating Funds

Annual Report 2015


PublicationsJournal Articles

Adams M, Saunders M, Maxwell P, Tuazon D, Roelfsema C, Callaghan D, et al (2015) Prioritizing localized management actions for seagrass conservation and restoration using a species distribution model. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. doi:10.1002/aqc.2573.

Ainsworth T, Krause L, Bridge T, Torda G, Raina J, Zakrzewski M, Bongaerts P, Hoegh-Guldberg O, et al (2015) The coral core microbiome identifies rare bacterial taxa as ubiquitous endosymbionts. The ISME Journal 9(10): 2261-2274.

Alam M, Muttaqi K, Sutanto D (2015) Alleviation of neutral-to-ground potential rise under unbalanced allocation of rooftop PV using distributed energy storage. IEEE Transactions on Sustainable Energy 6(3): 889-898.

Atwood T, Connolly R, Ritchie E, Lovelock C, Heithaus M, Hays G, et al (2015) Predators help protect carbon stocks in blue carbon ecosystems. Nature Climate Change 5(12): 1038-1045.

Beijbom O, Edmunds P, Roelfsema C, Smith J, Kline D, Neal B, et al (2015) Towards automated annotation of benthic survey images: variability of human experts and operational modes of automation. PLoS One 10(7).

Bell W, Wild P, Foster J, Hewson M. (2015) Wind speed and electricity demand correlation analysis in the Australian National Electricity Market: determining wind turbine generators’ ability to meet electricity demand without energy storage. Economic Analysis and Policy.

Bender D, Champ C, Kline D, Diaz-Pulido G, Dove S (2015) Effects of “reduced” and “business-as-usual” CO2 emission scenarios on the algal territories of the damselfish Pomacentrus wardi (Pomacentridae). PLoS One 10(6): 1-18.

Benestad R, Nuccitelli D, Lewandowsky S, Hayhoe K, Hygen H, van Dorland R, Cook J, et al (2015) Learning from mistakes in climate research. Theoretical and Applied Climatology 1-5.

Bongaerts P, Frade P, Hay K, Englebert N, Latijnhouwers K, Bak R, et al (2015) Deep down on a Caribbean reef: lower mesophotic depths harbor a specialized coral-endosymbiont community. Scientific Reports 5 (Art No.: 7652).

Brown C, White C, Beger M, Grantham H, Halpern B, Klein C, et al (2015) Fisheries and biodiversity benefits of using static versus dynamic models for designing marine reserve networks. Ecosphere 6(10).

Cabaitan P, Yap H, Gomez E (2015) Performance of single versus mixed coral species for transplantation to restore degraded reefs. Restoration Ecology 23(4): 349-356.

Callaghan D, Leon J, Saunders M (2015) Wave modelling as a proxy for seagrass ecological modelling: comparing fetch and process-based predictions for a bay and reef lagoon. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 153: 108-120.

Crouzeilles R, Beyer H, Mills M, Grelle C, Possingham H (2015) Incorporating habitat availability into systematic planning for restoration: A species-specific approach for Atlantic Forest mammals. Diversity and Distributions 21(9): 1027-1037.

Doropoulos C, Ward S, Roff G, Gonzalez-Rivero M, Mumby P (2015) Linking demographic processes of juvenile corals to benthic recovery trajectories in two common reef habitats. PLoS ONE 10(5): e0128535.1-e0128535.23.

Duarte C, Fulweiler R, Lovelock C, Martinetto P, Saunders M, Pandolfi J, et al (2015) Reconsidering ocean calamities. BioScience 65(2): 130-139.

Eckes M, Dove S, Siebeck U, Grutter A (2015) Fish mucus versus parasitic gnathiid isopods as sources of energy and sunscreens for a cleaner fish. Coral Reefs 34(3): 823-833.

Englebert N, Bongaerts P, Muir P, Hay K, Hoegh-Guldberg O (2015) Deepest zooxanthellate corals of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Marine Biodiversity 45(1): 1-2.

Ganase A, Bongaerts P, Visser P, Dove S (2015) The effect of seasonal temperature extremes on sediment rejection in three scleractinian coral species. Coral Reefs. doi:10.1007/s00338-015-1359-y

Gattuso J, Magnan A, Bille R, Cheung W, Howes E, Joos F, Hoegh-Guldberg O, et al (2015) Contrasting futures for ocean and society from different anthropogenic CO2 emissions scenarios. Science 349(6243): 45-50.

Georgiou L, Falter J, Trotter J, Kline D, Holcomb M, Dove S, et al (2015) PH homeostasis during coral calcification in a free ocean CO2 enrichment (FOCE) experiment, Heron Island reef flat, Great Barrier Reef. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 112(43): 13219-13224.

Giakoumi S, Brown C, Katsanevakis S, Saunders M, Possingham H (2015) Using threat maps for cost-effective prioritization of actions to conserve coastal habitats. Marine Policy 61: 95-102.

Foster J (2015) The Australian growth miracle: an evolutionary macroeconomic explanation. Cambridge Journal of Economics. Published online 3 June 2015 doi:10.1093/cje/bev027

Hammill E, Atwood T, Corvalan P, Srivastava D (2015) Behavioural responses to predation may explain shifts in community structure. Freshwater Biology 60(1): 125-135.

Hammill E, Atwood T, Srivastava D (2015) Predation threat alters composition and functioning of bromeliad ecosystems. Ecosystems 18(5): 857-866.

Hoeksema B, Bongaerts P (2015) Mobility and self-righting by a free-living mushroom coral through pulsed inflation. Marine Biodiversity. doi:10.1007/s12526-015-0384-y

This list includes publications that were included in the Higher Education Research Data Collection (HERDC) or were yet to be classified at the end of 2015. For a full list of publications, search for individual researchers at www.espace.library.uq.edu.au

43

Kaniewska P, Alon S, Karako-Lampert S, Hoegh-Guldberg O, Levy O. (2015) Signaling cascades and the importance of moonlight in coral broadcast mass spawning. eLife 4(e09991).

Kaniewska, P, Chan C, Kline D, Ling E, Rosic N, Edwards D, Hoegh-Guldberg O, Dove S, et al (2015) Transcriptomic changes in coral holobionts provide insights into physiological challenges of future climate and ocean change. PLoS One 10(10): 1-30.

Kline D, Teneva L, Hauri C, Schneider K, Miard T, Chai A, et al (2015) Six month in situ high-resolution carbonate chemistry and temperature study on a coral reef flat reveals asynchronous pH and temperature anomalies. PLoS One 10(6): e0127648-e0127648.

Krueger T, Fisher P, Becker S, Pontasch S, Dove S, Hoegh-Guldberg O, et al (2015) Transcriptomic characterization of the enzymatic antioxidants FeSOD, MnSOD, APX and KatG in the dinoflagellate genus Symbiodinium. BMC Evolutionary Biology 15(1): 48.1-48.20.

Krueger T, Hawkins T, Becker S, Pontasch S, Dove S, Hoegh-Guldberg O, et al (2015) Differential coral bleaching—contrasting the activity and response of enzymatic antioxidants in symbiotic partners under thermal stress. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular and Integrative Physiology 190: 15-25.

Lane J, Smart S, Schmeda-Lopez D, Hoegh-Guldberg O, Garnett A, Greig C, et al (2015) Understanding constraints to the transformation rate of global energy infrastructure. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment. doi:10.1002/wene.177

Lavy A, Eyal G, Neal B, Keren R, Loya Y, Ilan M (2015) A quick, easy and non-intrusive method for underwater volume and surface area evaluation of benthic organisms by 3D computer modelling. Methods in Ecology and Evolution 6(5): 521-531.

Lawrence S, Davy J, Wilson W, Hoegh-Guldberg O, Davy S (2015) Porites white patch syndrome: associated viruses and disease physiology. Coral Reefs 34(1): 249-257.

Leon J, Roelfsema C, Saunders M, Phinn S (2015) Measuring coral reef terrain roughness using ‘Structure-from-Motion’ close-range photogrammetry. Geomorphology 242: 21-28.

Lovelock C, Cahoon D, Friess D, Guntenspergen G, Krauss K, Reef R, et al (2015) The vulnerability of Indo-Pacific mangrove forests to sea-level rise. Nature 526(7574): 559-563.

MacMahon A, Smith K, Lawrence G (2015) Connecting Resilience, Food Security and Climate Change: Lessons from Flooding in Queensland, Australia. Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences 5 3 : 378-391.

Mills M, Weeks R, Pressey R, Gleason M, Eisma-Osorio R, Lombard A, et al (2015) Real-world progress in overcoming the challenges of adaptive spatial planning in marine protected areas. Biological Conservation 181: 54-63.

Muir P, Wallace C, Bridge T, Bongaerts P (2015) Diverse staghorn coral fauna on the mesophotic reefs of north-east Australia. PLoS One 10(2).

Neal B, Lin T, Winter R, Treibitz T, Beijbom O, Kriegman D, et al (2015) Methods and measurement variance for field estimations of coral colony planar area using underwater photographs and semi-automated image segmentation. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 187(8): 496.1-496.11.

O’Connor M, Holding J, Kappel C, Duarte C, Brander K, Brown C, et al (2015) Strengthening confidence in climate change impact science. Global Ecology and Biogeography 24(1): 64-76.

Pantos O, Bongaerts P, Dennis P, Tyson G, Hoegh-Guldberg O (2015) Habitat-specific environmental conditions primarily control the microbiomes of the coral Seriatopora hystrix. The ISME Journal 1-12.

ReFuGe 2020 Consortium: Voolstra C, Miller D, Ragan M, Hoffmann A, Hoegh-Guldberg O, et al (2015) The ReFuGe 2020 Consortium—using “omics” approaches to explore the adaptability and resilience of coral holobionts to environmental change. Frontiers in Marine Science 2 (Art No.: 68).

Rogers A, Harborne A, Brown C, Bozec Y, Castro C, Chollett I, et al (2015) Anticipative management for coral reef ecosystem services in the 21st century. Global Change Biology 21(2): 504-514.

Ross H, Shaw S, Rissik D, Cliffe N, Chapman S, Hounsell V, et al (2015) A participatory systems approach to understanding climate adaptation needs. Climatic Change 129(1-2): 27-42.

Saunders M, Albert S, Roelfsema C, Leon J, Woodroffe C, Phinn S, et al (2015) Tectonic subsidence provides insight into possible coral reef futures under rapid sea-level rise. Coral Reefs 1-13.

Saunders M, Bayraktarov E, Roelfsema C, Leon J, Samper-Villarreal J, Phinn S, et al (2015) Spatial and temporal variability of seagrass at Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef. Botanica Marina 58(1): 35-49.

Treibitz T, Neal B, Kline D, Beijbom O, Roberts P, Mitchell B, et al (2015) Wide field-of-view fluorescence imaging of coral reefs. Scientific Reports 5: 7694.1-7694.9.

Wild P, Bell W, Foster J (2015) Impact of Carbon Prices on Wholesale Electricity Prices and Carbon Pass-Through Rates in the Australian National Electricity Market. The Energy Journal 36 3, 2015: doi:10.5547/01956574.36.3.51

Book Chapter

Lawrence G, Sippel S, Burch D (2015) The financialisation of food and farming. In Guy Robinson, Doris Carson (Eds.) Handbook on the globalization of agriculture (pp. 309-327). Cheltenham, United Kingdom: Edward Elgar.

Conference Paper

Oliver E, Martin D, Krause O, Bartlett S, Froome C (2015) How is climate change likely to affect Queensland electricity infrastructure into the future? In IEEE PES Asia-Pacific Power and Energy Engineering Conference (APPEEC). IEEE PES Asia-Pacific Power and Energy Engineering Conference (APPEEC), Brisbane, Australia. 15-18 November 2015.

Annual Report 2015


CollaboratorsTackling global change issues requires an inter-disciplinary approach and a multi-institutional effort to deliver real impact. GCI would like to thank the following organisations:

45Annual Report 2015

Global Change Institute

The University of Queensland St Lucia | QLD 4072 | Australia

T +61 7 3443 3100 E [email protected] W gci.uq.edu.au

Front cover: Featuring a green wall, solar panels and rainwater storage, the GCI ‘Living Building’ is self-sustainable.

gci annual report 2015

Documents