Institute’s sustainability mission towards a net-zero future

A new institute at the University of Adelaide, launched today, Monday 22 August, will focus on coordinating efforts towards achieving a net-zero emissions future. The Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Resources (ISER) is the brand champion of the University’s sustainability research initiatives.

“The Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Resources is the key portal of research capabilities within sustainability, energy and resources, wherever they may be anchored in our faculties and institutes,” said the University of Adelaide’s Professor Michael Goodsite, Director, ISER.

“There isn’t one answer to achieving a sustainable future. We’re going to have to bring together and integrate expertise and innovation in every facet of our activity.

“We have to solve problems like finding enough copper for the clean-energy technology required to reach net-zero carbon emissions, without further damaging what we are trying to protect.”

ISER will build on the existing excellent research conducted by the University’s institutes and faculties, including the Environment Institute.

South Australia is positioned as one of the most important sources of critical minerals and sustainable use of these resources is critical to a net-zero emissions future.

ISER will help coordinate the University’s forthcoming FAME Sustainability Research Strategy and will lead large-scale collaborative research efforts across our academic ecosystem. The University of Adelaide is the bid sponsor for the national Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Copper For Tomorrow and Scaling Green Hydrogen, as it was for the established Heavy Industry Low-carbon Transition (HiLT) CRC.

The Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Resources will build greater scale and focus in the University’s research within sustainability, energy and resources and do so in partnership with external parties to accelerate our path to a low emissions future,” said Professor Peter Høj AC, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Adelaide.

“The Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Resources is the key portal of research capabilities within sustainability, energy and resources, wherever they may be anchored in our faculties and institutes."Professor Michael Goodsite, Director of The Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Resources (ISER), the University of Adelaide.

“ISER will strengthen our reputation for high-quality partnered research with positive impact.

“It will enhance partnerships with key stakeholders including in government and industry to help create new industries and enhance sovereign capability.”

Clean energy and associated technologies are crucial to overcoming multiple challenges: decarbonising utilities, transport, heavy industry and mining; reducing air pollution and its health and environmental impacts; expanding developing countries’ and remote communities’ access to reliable energy sources.

Professor Caroline McMillen is Chief Scientist for South Australia.

“Achieving our net-zero targets needs the best ideas and solutions from many fields to drive the innovation and technology required to meet a tough challenge,” she said.

“This new Institute is key to meeting our targets- delivering a cleaner future for SA and the world.”

The ISER is located at the University of Adelaide’s North Terrace campus and will work with researchers there and at its Waite and Roseworthy campuses. Further information: www.adelaide.edu.au/iser/