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ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY STAKEHOLDER/REFERENCE COMMITTEEMINUTES OF MEETING 1/2015

Meeting 1/2015 of the Environmental Sustainability Stakeholder/Reference Committee was held at 10.00 am on 3 March in Room G21, 15 Innovation Walk at the Clayton campus of Monash University

1. PROCEDURAL MATTERSDocuments &

Action

1.1APOLOGIES

Zachary Dorner Ellen Lenczner

1.2PRESENT

Those present were:Paul Barton (Chair) Gujji MuthuswamyBelinda Allison Catherine NadelNav Brah Meg Ralph(Secretary)Tony Hudson Damon RapkeSue Kennewell Jemma SouthgateGavin Mudd Brett Walters

In attendance: Karen Williams, Rob Brimblecombe, Jessica Van Gent

1.3WELCOME

Paul Barton (Chair) welcomed all members to the 2015 meetings of the Environmental Sustainability Stakeholder/Reference Committee. All members introduced themselves. Members were reminded that the meeting would be recorded to ensure that the minutes were accurate.

The Chair provided an overview of the scope and purpose of the committee, explaining that the committee acted as a sounding board for the University’s environmental programs, providing perspectives internally from students and staff and externally from other universities and organisations. The committee is an open forum with themes for each meeting to generate discussion as well as two standing items, the quarterly University environmental performance indicators and current environmental legislation.

1.4CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

The minutes of meeting 4/2014 of the Environmental Sustainability Stakeholder/Reference Committee meeting held on Tuesday 28 October were confirmed.

1/2015Confirmed minutes to

be posted at the Environmental

Sustainability web site

2. ENGAGING COMMUNITIES

2.1LIVING LABORATORY: ENGAGING WITH STUDENTS

The Chair reviewed the environmental sustainability interactions of Facilities and Services staff with students, including involvement in teaching and projects. He explained that universities are unique organisations as they can act to improve environmental sustainability performance through infrastructural improvements, by teaching students and by undertaking research. Monash links these activities by using the campus as a ‘living laboratory’ integrating it into the teaching and research programs. The Chair described a number of ways that Monash connects the campus to the students:

2.1.1 Formal education programsCurrently, environmental sustainability staff from Facilities and Services engage with 4

document.doc AUTHOR: Business Support, Facilities and Services Date: 3/02/2015

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faculties to engage students with the campus by: Giving formal lectures that are assessableThe Chair provided an example of these lectures where several staff have contributed to a course in Mechanical Engineering to provide lectures on carbon, energy and sustainable energy design, together with campus walking tours which showcase examples discussed in lectures. Providing significant content for a unitDr Rob Brimblecombe, Sustainable Asset Development Planner from Planning in Facilities and Services outlined the lecture content that he offered in the Energy and Environment, unit in the Faculty of Engineering. Rob explained that students get the opportunity to assess the energy needs of campus buildings and develop ways to make the buildings energy neutral using renewable energy and energy efficiency techniques. Supervising student projectsFinal year engineering students undertake projects supervised by Dr Brimblecombe to assist in solving the energy challenges of the University. As an example, in 2014 students developed a 10 year energy efficiency plan to reduce energy demand by 60%, followed by the use of 100% renewable energy from on-site solar together with a wind power purchase agreement to supply the remaining energy required. This plan would deliver significant financial savings to the University. Guest lectures that are not specifically assessed

2.1.2 Co-curricular programsThe Chair discussed the Green Steps program as an example of a co-curricular program, where approximately 30 students each year undertake an intensive training course in sustainability and change management with Monash Sustainability Institute (MSI). Environmental Sustainability staff in Facilities and Services supervise projects undertaken by the students, involving them in campus environmental sustainability programs. To a question from Belinda Allison, the Chair replied that the findings and recommendations from these projects were used to improve current programs wherever practicable.

2.1.3 General engagement in activities and eventsTo be able to engage with more students and staff than the 2-300 that are involved in the lecture and co-curricular programs, the Chair explained that Environmental Sustainability staff use sustainability messages regarding transport, resource use, waste management, food choices and engagement with the campus, e.g. the community farm. The focus for this messaging is the first year students where staff members engage one on one with the students during enrolment and orientation. Students are encouraged to link to the Environmental Sustainability Facebook page at these times, which provides an avenue for a continuing conversation during the year. The Environmental Sustainability Facebook page has received close to 10, 000 likes this year and is the second most liked Facebook page at Monash.

Belinda Allison suggested that Environmental Sustainability staff could contribute to postgraduate induction sessions and the Chair agreed that most communications concentrated on undergraduate students.

Nav Brah enquired whether the University had dedicated staff resources for engagement. The Chair replied that two staff developed initiatives, ran events and monitored Facebook conversations; one working with staff and one working with students.

The Chair then described the events that Environmental Sustainability staff run to engage with staff and students on a specific subject, such as Ride to Uni day (3-400 participants), the Race for Sustainability (20-30 participants, with many more following on Facebook), and an Orientation scavenger hunt to win a bike (800-1200 following on Facebook).

Comments from committee members included: Nav Brah considered that due to lack of resourcing the University of Sydney did not

have as many programs as described by Monash. Their Sustainability Officers support programs in the faculties of Architecture and Engineering similarly to Monash but could develop this further into a program like Green Steps. The University also runs events and has a Sustainability Workplace Group of staff members, which will soon be opened to student groups focusing on behavioural change. A competition is being considered for the design of an ‘end-of-trip’ facility. The University of Sydney is also


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considering employing a consultant to assist with behavioural change programs. Gavin Mudd thought that, as his students were environmental engineers, they were

already engaged in the topic. He considered social media was an important way to communicate with students and that Rob's work was important as it engaged students with the technical aspects of environmental sustainability.

Gujji Muthuswamy explained that Environmental Sustainability staff also lecture into his course ‘Carbon Pricing’, which is primarily for students with banking//finance backgrounds, and also assist with information for group projects.

Catherine Nadel commented as an undergraduate student from less-involved faculties, where students were often unaware of the work being undertaken by Environmental Sustainability staff. She thought that social media could be used to provide opportunities for students to participate in University programs and to provide input on a broader perspective than currently.

Belinda Allison confirmed that Facebook was the preferred social media for students.

Gujji Muthuswamy added that the Faculty of Business and Economics had a Star laboratory that is available to students who want to simulate emissions trading and auctions.

3. MONITORING AND REVIEW

3.1ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

The Chair reviewed the University's environmental performance indicators for 2014, starting by describing the format of the report that will be presented at each meeting.

The key performance indicators on the summary page (Page 1) showed: Energy consumption remaining relatively flat since 2010; Annual increases in water consumption; Waste to landfill decreasing with increased waste recycled for four years to

2013, with increased waste to landfill occurring in 2014. The Chair explained that the detail behind these summaries was provided on subsequent pages of the environmental performance indicators, together with information on renewable energy, paper use and transport. The Chair added that the 2014 findings demonstrated that University measures had been successful in keeping carbon emissions and energy consumption steady even though the University was growing, but that water consumption and waste production required new initiatives to continue to improve.

Tony Hudson asked whether changes in emission factors were taken into account when calculating carbon emissions. The Chair replied that they were and, therefore, it is important to measure both carbon and energy (electricity and gas) to ascertain the basis of the changes observed.

3.22014 AWARDS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Chair provided a summary of the environmental sustainability awards received by the University in 2014. The Monash Green Program for departments won the 'Skills for Sustainability'

Green Gown award given by Australian Campuses Towards Sustainability. Monash was a finalist in two categories of the Banksia Awards in 2014:

MSI 's partnership program with the Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation brought together Monash University research with indigenous leaders to study how the deep knowledge of Victoria's Yorta Yorta people could be used to help strengthen the community's participation in the decision-making processes governing their traditional lands in the Barmah-Millewa, and to respond to climate change.

Monash University's sustainability plan to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and to progress towards an economically viable transition to 100% renewable energy through the development of energy neutral buildings and holistic asset replacement plans that achieve deep energy savings was also recognised.

Belinda Allison and the Chair noted that the University does not have internal awards as the University has not sponsored an environmental sustainability award.

2/2015


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4. LEGISLATIVE IMPACTSThe Chair noted a range of legislative changes, which included:

4.1EMISSIONS REDUCTION FUND

Legislation to implement the Emissions Reduction Fund came into effect on 13 December 2014.

The Clean Energy Regulator has progressively been releasing methods to participate in the Emissions Reduction Fund. Methods include commercial building energy efficiency, alternative waste treatment, landfill gas, coal mine waste gas, land and sea transport and aviation, avoided clearing of native regrowth.

The first auction will take place on 15 – 16 April 2015.

4.2BUILDING ENERGY EFFICIENCY DISCLOSURE AMENDMENTS

The Federal parliament passed the Building Energy Efficiency Disclosure Amendment Bill 2014 on 12 February 2015, part of a package of amendments to streamline the administration of the Commercial Building Disclosure program.

4.3REVIEW OF AUSTRALIA’S EMISSIONS REDUCTION GOALS

The Climate Change Authority is reviewing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals as part of a special review requested by Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt. Comment will be sought on its draft recommendations in April 2015, ahead of its 30 June 2015 deadline.

Gujji Muthuswarmy noted that the renewable energy target was also being reviewed. Sue Kennewell enquired whether Monash had looked into participating in the

Emissions Reduction Fund. The Chair replied that technical issues would make it difficult for the University to participate, as has been found by other members of the Go8. The requirement to use NABERS energy ratings, which are not designed for rating educational buildings, together with a low expected return means that Universities are unable to participate. The Chair suggested that the Group of Eight (Go8) universities might discuss ways to influence the government to be able to access finance for building emission reductions.

Gujji added that Universities could develop their own methodology to participate. Belinda Allison agreed that a Go8 proposal would be powerful. Sue Kennewell added that the minimum emission reduction target of 2,000 tonnes CO2

per annum would be a stretch target for the University of Sydney, and at a reverse auction price of approximately $20/tonne, the savings would only be $40,000 pa, which is a minor contribution to the business case for initiatives.

5. OTHER BUSINESSThe Chair asked participants to provide topics to Meg that they would like to showcase and explore in meetings. Belinda Allison suggested the topics of green leases and canopy cover on campus.

6. NEXT MEETING

The remainder of the meetings for 2015 would be held at: 10 – 11.30 am on Tuesday, 12 May 10 – 11.30 am on Tuesday, 4 August 10 – 11.30 am on Tuesday, 20 October

The meetings will be held in Room G21, 15 Innovation Walk at the Clayton campus of Monash University and video conferenced to a number of participants.


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Distribution List:

Paul Barton (Chair) Director, Environmental Sustainability, Facilities and Services, Monash UniversityBelinda Allison Education for Sustainability Program Manager, Monash Sustainability Institute, Monash UniversityNav Brah Engineering & Sustainability Manager, Campus Infrastructure & Services,The University of SydneyZachary Dorner Postgraduate student representative, Monash UniversityDr Tony Hudson Environmental Sustainability Manager, CSIROSue Kennewell Sustainability Officer, Campus Infrastructure & Services, The University of SydneyEllen Lenczner Sustainability Advisor, Telstra CorporationJoanne Ly Engineering Support Officer, Facilities and Services, Monash UniversityDr Gavin Mudd Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Monash UniversityGujji Muthuswamy Industry Fellow, Faculty of Business and Economics, Monash UniversityCatherine Nadel Environment and Social Justice Collective representative, Monash Student AssociationMeg Ralph (Secretary) Project Manager, Business Support, Facilities and Services, Monash UniversityDamon Rapke Category Manager, Travel and Fleet, Strategic Procurement, Monash UniversityJemma Southgate Environmental Manager, Westpac Banking CorporationJessica Van Gent Monash Postgraduate Association, Monash UniversityBrett Walters Manager, Engineering and Sustainability, Planning, Facilities and Services, Monash UniversityKaren Williams Building Performance Analyst, Planning, Facilities and Services, Monash University


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