Introduction

The just transition to a clean energy future recognises that there are social as well as economic and environmental goals to consider. Our Solar Gardens project with the Community Power Agency showed how low-income households and tenants can benefit from the rooftop solar revolution.

The just transition to a clean energy future recognises that there are social as well as economic and environmental goals to consider.

ISF research supported by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency on how to increase fairness for supply and demand investment by electricity networks was instrumental in persuading the Australian Energy Regulator to adopt the Demand Management Incentive Scheme, and influenced network businesses to support this initiative. The scheme has resulted in a $200m per year allowance for network businesses to invest in non-capital demand management options over five years.

In 2018 the institute was awarded four significant grants to further the work of our international development team on water, sanitation and hygiene and gender. Funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Water for Women program, this work aims to support improved health, equality and wellbeing in Asian and Pacific communities through socially inclusive WASH projects.

The One Earth Climate Model, a plan to keep the temperature increase from human-induced climate change to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius, was published as a major contribution to the global debate on responses to the threat of climate change. Funded by the Leonard DiCaprio Foundation, this work was the culmination of an exhaustive effort led by the institute in collaboration with the German aerospace agency DLR and the University of Melbourne.

Throughout the year we continued to champion the goal of a circular economy through partnerships and research for state governments. This included findings being incorporated into the NSW circular economy policy to support improved product design, procurement and innovative reuse.

Our researchers also edited a second book on transdisciplinary research, highlighting case studies from UTS across Australia and internationally.

Our people are leaders in their field and many were recognised as such in 2018. Professor Juliet Willetts was named in the Australian Financial Review’s 100 Women of Influence, Dr Helen Lewis received the Waste Management Association of Australia’s Women in the Environment Award and Professor Cynthia Mitchell was recognised as a Legend of Water by the Australia Water Association. Her academic contribution was also acknowledged with the title of Distinguished Professor.

The institute continued to pioneer applied research, with colleagues in the Faculty of Engineering and IT, in the area of smart cities, by deploying Internet of Things solutions for urban livability, as well as responsive passenger information systems for the urban train network to reduce platform congestion. The UTS 2027 Strategy was launched in 2018, and has strong resonance with the Institute’s work and achievements, including the key objectives ‘delivering excellent research with impact’, ‘working in partnership’ and of course ‘building a sustainable future’.

In 2019, we will be building on our achievements, deepening and extending our partnerships and maximising the generation and communication of our research impact.

Professor Stuart White
Director
Institute for Sustainable Futures