University of Tasmania
PRE-2: Points of Distinction

The University of Tasmania achieved divestment from fossil fuel-exposed direct investments at the end of 2018. In October 2020, coinciding with Global Climate Change Week, the University announced a commitment to support the creation of a zero-carbon economy, including the delivery of a plan to divest from fossil fuel-exposed managed investment funds by the end of 2021. Effective immediately after the announcement, the University made no further investment in companies or funds with exposure to fossil fuels and completed full divestment in late 2021. In addition to the negative screening, the University's investment strategy includes positive screening that directs investing in companies that are working towards a zero-carbon economy and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The Climate Futures Research Group is a University of Tasmania Geography and Spatial Sciences project. Climate Futures brings world leading climate science expertise to the challenges of local planning and adaptation. It bridges the gap between fundamental climate science and the local adaptation needs of Australian industries, government agencies and communities.
The science of climate change is unequivocal. There is overwhelming scientific evidence that the earth is warming and that increased concentrations of greenhouse gases caused by human activity are contributing to our changing climate. Change is a feature of the 21st century global climate. The need to understand the consequences and impacts of climate change on Australia and to enable planning for adaptation and mitigation of climate change at a regional level is widely recognised across industry and government.
The group works in close consultation with industry and government agencies around Australia to develop targeted, fine-scale climate model projections to support operational decision making. Their clients include emergency services, hydroelectric companies, agricultural producers, alpine resort operators, forestry managers, wine makers and aquaculture producers. Their work draws on the collective expertise of world-leading climate scientists from across multiple agencies, including advisors to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Climate change will be a determining factor in the life of Australians for many years to come, influencing our prosperity to the tune of billions of dollars annually. The work of Climate Futures is helping to ensure that Australia is well prepared for the future.

One of the greatest challenges facing humanity and the natural world is the climate emergency and the required global response to keep warming below 1.5C through rapid decarbonisation of our economies, societies, communities, organisations, and individual lives.
The University of Tasmania has a lead role to play in these required responses at all levels. We achieved carbon neutral certification in 2016 and are one of only two certified carbon neutral universities in Australasia and a handful globally. We also achieved full divestment from fossil fuels in our direct and managed investment portfolios in 2021 coupled with a positive screen for investments that support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, the University has focused efforts on reducing emissions for over a decade, with specific actions in transport, energy, and waste. We are now taking the next step and presenting detailed actions across all our material emission sources in an Emissions Reduction Strategic Plan (ERSP).
As a foundation to developing the ERSP, a series of university community consultation sessions were conducted, resulting in 210 contributions and 177 unique ideas that were considered for inclusion in the ERSP. Sustainability Integration Program for Students (SIPS) internship projects exploring emissions reduction approaches, collecting data, and applying methodologies for emissions calculations have also supported development of this ERSP.
Target ranges have been set for each emission source that will support delivery of an overall gross emissions reduction target of a minimum 50% by 2030 from a 2015 baseline.
The actions identified in this ERSP require a whole of institution focus and support at all levels from individuals to Colleges and Divisions. Specific enablers in governance structures and implements, data and emission factors availability, an internal price on carbon, and effective engagement and outreach efforts support achieving our goals.