FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fossil Free UNSW congratulates uni for solar power plan

SYDNEY: January 15,  2018:   Fossil Free UNSW, a staff and student campus group at the University of NSW, has congratulated the university and thousands of students and staff who have taken action for a #FossilFree UNSW, for its plan to become fully solar powered.

“This move to have 100% of power on campus sourced from Maoneng’s solar plant under construction at Sunraysia, with back up from Origin Energy, is a positive step by the university,” said Pip Louey, co-convenor of Fossil Free UNSW. “This move comes after more than four years of campaigning by staff and students to encourage UNSW to fully divest from fossil fuels.”

“As a UNSW student I’m proud to see my university taking leadership on climate change but the only way UNSW can become a true climate leader is to fully divest its holdings from all coal, oil and gas companies. Unless it does so, it risks undermining the great example it is attempting to set by going 100% solar powered, as well as Vice Chancellor Ian Jacobs’ climate legacy of going 100% carbon neutral by 2020.”

“UNSW still holds investments in Santos, a gas and oil company which maintains that a 4 degrees global temperature increase is an acceptable business model. And until UNSW pulls its funding from Santos, and other coal, oil and gas businesses, the thousands of students, staff and alumni behind the Fossil Free UNSW movement will continue to campaign for necessary climate leadership and fossil fuel divestment.”

UNSW’s announcement comes after a number of universities across the country said they were also looking to becoming 100% carbon neutral, and following five universities, including La Trobe and QUT, committing to divest from fossil fuel companies. It shows a welcome trend that Australian universities, like other public and private institutions, are stepping up to combat climate change and a transition away from carbon intensive economy is inevitable. We encourage universities, city councils and other local institutions to continue to champion necessary climate leadership by divesting from fossil fuels.

For interviews:

Glen Klatovsky 350.org Australia Deputy CEO on 0410 482 243

Pip Louey available to interview on request

More info at www.gofossilfree.org/australianunis

Media contact:  

Lou Fraser 0438 993 068