August 2008
Universities Australia welcomed the opportunity to make a brief submission to the Senate Inquiry into the Effects of Climate Change on Training and Employment Needs. Universities Australia promotes the value and widespread benefits of higher education for the nation's 'triple bottom line': economic progress, social understanding and ecological sustainability.
Australia's university academics already play a leading role in Australia's engagement with the problem of climate change, whether as members of the International Panel on Climate Change; through 'expert ginger groups' such as the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists; as authors of reports such as the Garnaut Climate Change Review Draft Report (June 2008) addressing global warming; or undertaking research into viable geo-sequestration, renewable energy and the social and economic effects of climate change. In addition to such research and engagement contributions by universities, there are a number of aspects to university teaching programs too that are absolutely central to meeting future skills needs to address climate change. They include:
- specific degrees (particularly at the postgraduate coursework level) with a focus on climate changemitigation and/or adaptation
- course units and course material in wider degrees addressing climate change related subjects
- higher degree by research students undertaking their research training on topics concerned with climate change
- non-award teaching related to climate change, for example, professional development courses or public lectures.
To read Universities Australia's full submission, download the PDF below.
On 23 June 2009, the Senate Committee decided to discharge this inquiry given the large amount of work undertaken by the Senate in the area of climate change during 2008-2009. However, the committee reserves the right to reactivate an inquiry in this area should it be required.
