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- 2 Link Road
- Macquarie University NSW 2109
- E: sustainability@mq.edu.au
Master and Concept Plans
Our framework to guide future development of our campus
Read about our plansResource efficiency trends
See our energy, emissions, water and waste reduction targets
Sustainability progressOur plan to reduce carbon emissions
For any institution, the pathway towards a carbon neutral position presents a challenge that can ideally be achieved by a combination of direct and indirect activities.
Overall Carbon Emissions
Total emissions for Macquarie University in the FY2022 Reporting year:
- Scope 1 = 3,193 tonnes CO2e
- Scope 2 = 1,410 tonnes CO2e
TOTAL SCOPE 1 + SCOPE 2 = 4,603 tonnes CO2e
National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme (NGERS)
2022 Corporation Group Report (includes all entities in the corporate group structure)
- Scope 1 = 3,191 tonnes CO2e
- Scope 2 = 36,753 tonnes CO2e*
- Total Scope 1 + Scope 2 = 39,944 tonnes CO2e
- Total energy consumed = 232 terrajoules
* Electricity supplied from renewable sources, however total emissions required to be recorded for NGERs reporting purposes
Direct and indirect activities
Direct activities are usually on-site, for example investing in:
- buildings and infrastructure that improve energy efficiency
- on-site renewable energy supplies.
These activities have operational, functional and financial benefits to the University. However, they will only take us part of the way.
The balance of the journey is typically an annual financial exercise. Indirect alternatives include:
- purchasing commercially available renewable energy
- entering into carbon offset schemes.
In this challenging economic climate, Macquarie University continues to invest in direct, on-site activities that reduce our ecological footprint.
Solar power
Solar power is widely used across campus. It allows us to:
- reduce maximum energy demand levels
- abate carbon emissions
Rooftop arrays contribute to base building power load, whilst other uses include
- solar street lighting
- solar hot water
Energy efficiency measures
Energy efficiency means using less energy to achieve the same outcomes. A variety of initiatives across campus include:
- Microgrids where several buildings are linked together to share electricity supply and load
- Heating and cooling thermal precincts
- Off-peak thermal storage tanks which chill water overnight and store for distribution the following day. Chilling water overnight when temperatures are lower, means we can take advantage of cheaper energy prices and operate at greater efficiencies.
Carbon emissions reduction
Our continued focus on efficiency, self-generating where appropriate, and seeking out sustainable alternative renewable options are critical to working toward a carbon neutral model. Since 2009, this approach has yielded a 40 per cent reduction in carbon emissions intensity.
On 1 July 2020, Macquarie University switched to a 100 per cent renewable energy source for its North Ryde campus through an energy contract with Red Energy. This move will see the University’s total greenhouse gas emissions cut by a further 90 per cent with Snowy Hydro supplying electricity to our campus.
While the impact of the Red Energy contract is extremely positive, it does not put us in a carbon neutral position. To do this would require the annual purchase of offsets to negate the balance of emissions.