SDG 7: Affordable & Clean Energy
Our work
Climate change and clean energy panel
This panel discussion on climate change and clean energy was run as part of UNSW's inaugural SDG Showcase in September 2024.
The SDG Showcase was a free, all-day event open to all the community that presented the amazing work UNSW is doing to progress the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through transformative education, innovative research and partnerships with communities around the world.
Reviewing buildings for energy efficiency – UNSW Retro-Commissioning Program
Alongside the Electrification Program, the UNSW Retro-Commissioning Program is designed to deliver a comprehensive review of complex buildings, with a strong focus on mechanical and Building Management Systems (BMS). The primary objective is to ensure buildings operate in line with their original design intent while identifying opportunities for optimization and energy efficiency.
As part of this process:
- mechanical and BMS systems are thoroughly verified
- maintenance gaps are identified and addressed
- recommended adjustments are implemented
- each building enters a performance review period
- the monitoring phase tracks the effectiveness of changes and validates energy efficiency outcomes.
See also:
It is important to note that while many adjustments lead to measurable energy savings, this is not always the case. In some instances, systems may be operating below design capacity, or compliance requirements may limit the scope for further reductions.
The selection of buildings for retro-commissioning is closely aligned with the broader Electrification Program and is prioritized based on energy and water intensity.
The HVAC Optimisation Program focuses specifically on identifying and implementing opportunities within Building Management Systems (BMS) to reduce HVAC-related energy consumption. Each initiative is evaluated against cost-effectiveness criteria, with only those measures that demonstrate strong payback and minimal operational impact being implemented.
Supporting the transition to renewable energy
UNSW Sydney supports UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7): Affordable and Clean Energy through our operations, research and innovation, education, public engagement, policy expertise and partnerships.
Our work includes reducing fossil fuel use in our operations and sharing knowledge, technologies and practical solutions that support renewable and clean energy beyond our campuses.
Our commitment
Under Pillar 6 of the UNSW Strategy: Progress for All, we commit to accelerate the transition to a sustainable society and planet. This includes achieving net zero emissions by 2050, developing climate transition technologies and solutions, and working with industry, government and other partners.
Our Environmental Sustainability Plan, supports this direction through its Climate Action goal to achieve net zero emissions across our operations and value chain. Actions include transitioning to renewable electricity, electrifying our campuses, engaging key suppliers to reduce emissions and divesting from fossil fuel investment holdings.
UNSW is a signatory to the United Nations-backed Race to Zero campaign, joining organisations around the world in publicly committing to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
Renewable energy at UNSW
Our Australian operations use 100% renewable electricity, and we generate renewable energy onsite.
We are also progressively replacing natural gas with renewable electricity. In 2025, Stage 1 of our Electrification Program switched student accommodation, kitchens, childcare, sports and hospitality facilities from gas to fully electric systems.
The project prevents around 700 tonnes of carbon emissions each year. Once the program is complete, annual gas savings are projected to reach 155,000 gigajoules.
In August 2025, the project received the Outstanding Commercial Electrification Project award at the Australian Renewable Heat Awards.The program also improves energy efficiency. Electrified systems use less energy, while changes to commercial kitchens have improved air quality and cooking performance.
We also share our experience with industry. At Green Building Day Sydney 2025, UNSW Estate Management presented the University’s electrification roadmap, strategic approach and Stage 1 case studies to built-environment professionals.
Promoting renewable energy beyond UNSW
In 2025, UNSW promoted renewable and clean energy and shared related expertise beyond our operations through:
- Education and public engagement: The free public event Climate Warriors brought together renewable energy expert Saul Griffith, Solar Citizens CEO Heidi Lee Douglas, climate activist Grace Vegesana and journalist Craig Reucassel to explore grassroots action, climate innovation and community-driven change. The event attracted 930 registrations and 70 audience questions. The Future Is Electric gave 160 Western Sydney primary school students hands-on clean-energy education.
- Earth Day 2025: Under the Our Power, Our Planet theme, UNSW shared information about renewable electricity, onsite solar, energy efficiency and electrification and promoted opportunities for our community to learn about climate action.
- Practical tools and innovation: SunSPOT helps households make decisions about rooftop solar and clean-energy technologies. The TRaCE Technology Translation Squad works with businesses developing clean-energy technologies and practical applications.
- Policy and partnerships: Teams of UNSW researchers including the Indigenous Land and Justice Group and The Collaboration on Energy and Environmental Markets contribute expertise to renewable-energy policy and implementation in Australia and internationally and work with external partners and networks.
- Global partnerships: UNSW is a founding member of the International Universities Climate Alliance (IUCA) bringing leading climate research universities together to accelerate climate action through research, education and engagement with policymakers, industry and the public. UNSW hosted the Alliance Secretariat from 2020-2025 and continues as an active member. Read more about IUCA’s activities in the Universities Collaborating for Climate Impact 2020–2025 Report
Reporting and next steps
UNSW publicly reports on our environmental performance through annual sustainability reporting and our Annual Report. In 2025, we published our first Climate-related Financial Disclosures, providing information about climate-related risks and opportunities. UNSW also reports on its sustainability commitments through its participation in the United Nations Global Compact.
Strategy Pillar 6 sets out our next steps, including the UNSW Mission: Climate Transition. UNSW is developing a Climate Transition Plan to support delivery of our net zero commitment, with a focus on decarbonisation, climate resilience and value-chain emissions reduction.
The Future Is Electric helps Western Sydney students learn about clean energy
In 2025, Dr Rebecca Green from the UNSW School of Art & Design and social enterprise Be The Future piloted The Future Is Electric, a clean energy education program for 160 Stage 3 students at Toongabbie Public School in Western Sydney. The program builds on Dr Green’s ongoing Making Good Media project, which uses speculative design and UNSW research to communicate positive possibilities for a climate-friendly future. Co-created by UNSW and Be The Future, The Future Is Electric brings this approach into primary schools, translating complex ideas about renewable energy and electrification into accessible, hands-on learning.
Six workshops were delivered to 160 Stage 3 students at Toongabbie Public School. In each 100-minute workshop, students explored renewable energy and electrification through holograms, interactive floor projection games and short videos featuring UNSW energy transition research and First Nations and community-based innovations.
Students then worked in teams to imagine and build cardboard prototypes for a positive energy future. They finished by making a personal promise for the future on plantable seed paper to take home.
The program also introduces students to UNSW clean energy innovations, including solar cell technology and Sunswift solar vehicles. Through interactive activities and design, students explore the energy transition and consider how they can contribute to a more sustainable future.
Early evaluation showed a marked change in how students felt about the future of the planet. Before and after the 2025 workshops, students were asked, “How do you feel about the future of our planet?” The proportion expressing positive emotions increased from 15% to 93%.
“I’m feeling better that we can actually change this and turn it around.”
– Stage 3 student, Toongabbie Public School
The pilot was supported by the UNSW Digital Grid Futures Institute and the UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture Amplify Fund, helping bring UNSW clean energy research into a hands-on learning experience for local students.
After the successful pilot, the City of Parramatta sponsored the program’s expansion to Parramatta Public School, Epping West Public School and Rydalmere Public School in 2026.
Early evaluation of the expanded program indicates increased renewable energy knowledge. Across four sessions with 102 students at two schools, the proportion who reported knowing “a lot” about renewable energy increased from 11% to 81%.
UNSW Clean Energy Capability Portfolio
The Portfolio demonstrates how UNSW plays a critical role in working together with our local and international partners to address the most pressing global energy issues including reliability, affordability and sustainability through research. This includes outlining the research centres and facilities that focus on affordable and clean energy.
Tap into the largest and most diverse grouping of energy experts in Australia.
The centres and research groups that contribute to the portfolio include:
UNSW Digital Grid Futures Institute
The UNSW Digital Grid Futures Institute brings together UNSW's elite researchers and major partners across industry, government, research institutions and the community to advance the blueprint for future energy systems globally.
Tyree Energy Technologies Building
Real-Time Digital Simulation (RTDS) Laboratory
Particles and Catalysis Research Laboratory (PartCat)
Materials Energy Research Laboratory in Nanoscale (MERLin)
The Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre (MWAC)
The German-Australian Alliance for Electrochemical Technologies for the Storage of Renewable Energy
The Collaboration on Energy and Environmental Markets
Vanadium Redox Batteries
ARC Training Centre for Fire Retardant Materials
ARC Research Hub for Integrated Energy Storage Solutions
Climate Justice Project
Earth Hour & Energy Efficiency
UNSW Energy Institute
Over the last 30 years, UNSW has carved a formidable reputation as one of the world's leading research and technology hubs for energy innovation.
The Institute accelerates the role that energy plays in supporting a growing, zero-carbon economy and provides an independent, evidence-based, system-wide understanding of energy’s contribution to the economy, coordinates energy activities across UNSW and collaborates with industry, government, community stakeholders and other research institutions. This includes on-the-ground international energy developments, global IP partnerships leading solar PV technologies and the creation of a leading social entrepreneur alumni group.
World-first fusion device
The first-ever nuclear fusion device to be wholly designed, built and operated by students is being planned for UNSW Sydney.
The small-scale tokamak device is set to be housed at UNSW’s main Kensington campus. The program is part of the UNSW’s Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) scheme designed to engage undergraduate and postgraduate students in ambitious, long-term, multidisciplinary challenges.
The project is led by nuclear engineering expert Dr Patrick Burr and aims to have a working device operating within two to three years.
Sunswift electric car
UNSW Sydney’s Sunswift 7 solar-powered electric car has claimed a Guinness World Record, achieving the record of ‘Fastest EV over 1000km on a single charge’. The car, designed and built by students, posted a verified time of 11 hours 52.08 minutes, averaging almost 85km/h at the Australian Automotive Research Centre (AARC) in Wensleydale, Victoria.
Sunswift 7 is the latest in a long line of successful solar-powered cars from UNSW since the first vehicle was produced in 1996.
Environmental Sustainability Plan: SDG 7 targets
Our Environmental Sustainability Plan 2022-24 outlined a strategy to reduce total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net zero by 2050, divest from fossil fuel companies, reduce water and energy use by 5% (on track), and reduce general waste by 20%.
UNSW Environmental Sustainability Report
UNSW has a history of environmental stewardship across research, learning & teaching and campus operations across several decades. The Environmental Sustainability Report 2024 measures and outlines our achievements to date.
Future Clean Energy Expo 2024
Discover UNSW research and innovation that’s powering a more sustainable future.
Solar Industrial Research Facility (SIRF)
The UNSW Solar Industrial Research Facility (SIRF), part of the Torch Innovation Precinct at UNSW, hosts a world-class manufacturing facility that enables the development of UNSW's silicon solar cell technologies. Globally over 90% of all solar modules produced today are based on UNSW technology. UNSW also funds educational programs to develop solar systems in Fiji in partnership with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), and the University of the South Pacific (USP).
SunSPOT: Helping households and business understand renewable energy
The UNSW School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering developed the SunSPOT tool, designed to help households and business make decisions about investing in solar and batteries by modelling and assessing the impacts on their bills.
UNSWERV in Vanuatu
For over a decade, UNSW Engineering students and staff have helped address the basic communications and lighting needs for health and education in remote Vanuatu villages, using solar electricity.
UNSW Sustainable Development Goals 2024 Report
This report outlines UNSW's performance against the SDGs in 2024.
