The Campus Climate Challenge

“No institutions in modern society are better equipped to catalyze the necessary transition to a sustainable world than universities. They have access to the leaders of tomorrow and the leaders of today. They have buying and investment power. They are widely respected. Consequentially what they do matters to the wider public.” ~ David Orr

The Clean Energy on Campus Campaign, also known as the Campus Climate Challenge, is a nation-wide campaign being run by the Australian Student Environment Network (ASEN) that began in December 2004 and continues on campuses all over Australia.

1. Secure commitments from every Australian University to develop ambitious climate action plans with short and long-range targets and timetables for reducing climate pollution on campuses. By providing a central hub of guidance, trainings, resources and case studies, we will assist campuses in passing and implanting campus climate action plans. Successful implementation of these climate action plans will in itself result in significant greenhouse gas reductions and new renewable energy investments. These victories will also play an essential role in convincing the media, elected officials and the general public of the viability and attractiveness of global warming solutions and help catalyse greater efforts.

2. Educate, engage, empower and train a vast network of students to take ongoing action to stop climate change while in school and create a pipeline that guides students into summer internships, environmental careers and positive lifestyle choices upon graduation.

3. Target activities with the greatest potential to leverage broader political action and organise events and activities to impact the larger political debate. In the absence of action on climate change from the federal government, environment groups have increasingly realised that a focus on State governments will be much more productive in terms of switching Australia’s economy to clean energy. As campus projects get under way, students will publicise their campus work to the media and elected officials and insert themselves into the larger political debate.

Already, students have begun to lead major transformations in their Universities’ energy policies. Here are some examples:

- University of Melbourne in 2005 agreed to purchase 5% accredited GreenPower and conduct an energy audit after a concerted student campaign continuing this year
- Monash University agreed to purchase 10% accredited GreenPower, employing a full-time energy sustainability manager, and install on-site renewable energy, after a huge student campaign culminating in a campus referendum in 2005.
- University of Sydney agreed to spend $1 million on renewable energy research as the result of a student campaign in 2007, but continues to purchase 100% coal energy.
- University of Newcastle agreed to set up a clean energy working group consisting of students, staff, sustainability managers and University administration.
- University of Technology Sydney set up a Sustainability Task Force in 2007 with a paid, part-time coordinator, as a result of the student “Flick My Switch” campaign.