An initiative pioneered by The University of Queensland Student Energy Network (UQ SEN) 2016 President Emmanuel Sadewater and Liaison Officer Yasmin Morgan. In June 2016, the Queensland Government sought responses to questions regarding a policy paper ‘Making the transition to a low carbon future’, which highlighted possible actions and opportunities Queensland should pursue to help shape our strategy across a range of sectors. UQ SEN took this as an opportunity to lead a collaborative and multidisciplinary group of students to create an extensive response to these questions in order to express our views and perspectives on the transition to a low carbon future. - Achieved approximately 100 student responses to professional online surveys. - Analysed and compiled qualitative and quantitative data. - A 20-page report submitted to the Department of Environmental and Heritage Protection. - Hosted innovative, student-run forum to showcase results of our investigation into student perspectives.

1. Advancing Queensland Climate
A Student Perspective
2016

2. What should Queensland look like in 10 years time in a low
carbon global economy?
For full results see Appendix E

3. Cli-mate
Past, Present and Future
As we shifted over to a new millennium, with the industrial revolution behind us, the first world was thriving on technological
advances and the oil merchants were reaping enormous profits. This gradually developed framework catalyzed consumerism
and production, with mining and resources, alongside energy and electricity securing revenue for Australia. Populations
increased which required agricultural yields to increase, putting pressure on governments to consider appropriate waste
management and recycling measures. Jumping over to 2016, due to an amalgamation of issues and lack of action from our
own foresight, our climate is predicted to rise 2°C+, pending introduction and implementation of sustainable measures.
In Australia, the Queensland Government is seeking responses to questions with regard to ‘Making the transition to a low
carbon future’, highlighting possible actions and opportunities Queensland should pursue to help shape our strategy across a
range of sectors. The University of Queensland Student Energy Network (UQ SEN) took this as an opportunity to lead a
collaborative and multidisciplinary group of students to create an extensive response (via this document and planned Cli­Mate
Forum) to these questions in order to express our views and perspectives on the transition to a low carbon future.
The surveys were written by a committee from different faculties. The surveys were written online and distributed and
advertised through Facebook and word of mouth.
The surveys were advertised on the Student Energy Network’s Facebook group as well as the UQ Environmental Collective
and through word of mouth to other environmentally minded students as well as some more conservative students.

4. Contents Page
The Cli­Mate Committee
Energy and Electricity
Housing and Town Planning
Waste Management and Recycling
Mining in Climate Change
Plans to Mitigate Climate Change
Appendices

5. The Cli-Mate Committee
This initiative was pioneered by UQ SEN 2016 President Emmanuel Sadewater and Liaison Officer Yasmin Morgan.
Help from the rest of the hand picked committee was received for promoting the survey and upcoming forum. The Cli­Mate
Committee consists of SEN members and the wider UQ student base, studying fields in engineering, business, economics, arts,
and sustainability. UQ SEN aims to develop leadership, communication, and collaboration. At UQ SEN we explore pressing
issues within the Energy Industry, giving the chance to learn from Research Experts, connect with Industry Professionals and
various faculties to discover the bigger picture. We strive to foster the following: skills development, networking, and energy
education.
During UQ Sustainability Week, UQ SEN will host an innovative, student­run seminar where we will frame and present our
responses and highlight the importance for every single discipline and industry to consciously engage and understand the
impacts of climate change. This event is designed to be a well­balanced discussion on these issues that is not divided by
discipline. A forum to not only challenge conventional views but engage in critical thinking on the actions and opportunities
of the future. Formulation of the response paper and subsequent live delivery created the opportunity for students to
actively discuss climate change and highlight what perspectives and beliefs the student body had. From analyzing
composting options to go­card levies, the future of mining and by encouraging practical discussions, fantastic data has
been collected which the student community at UQ believe can assist the Queensland Government in securing a clean,
sustainable future for all!

6. Energy and Electricity
Students tended to respond in a very similar
manner when posed questions on energy
sourcing and usage within Queensland. A
high percentage of students believed that
the current highest barrier to implementing
clean energy solutions in Queensland were
a lack of infrastructure and funding (56% of
student responses) and a lack of
knowledge/education (34% of student
responses). See Figure 1.
Furthermore, when asked how satisfied the
students were with the government’s current
efforts in transitioning to a cleaner energy
future, 40% of students ranked their
satisfaction in the 20­30 range out of a
possible 100, with the average response
being 36.
Solar was found to be the most popular source of clean energy in
Queensland. Other suggested solutions (noted as other) were given as
Nuclear, Biofuels and implementing Carbon Capture and Storage (See
figure 2).
What are the barriers (in your opinion) to
implementing clean energy sources in QLD?
Figure 1

7. Student written responses/comments on this topic ranged greatly, however, with answers covering
marketing/subsidization of green energy to education and demand reduction. One student strongly stated that
‘greater emphasis needs to be placed on renewable energy from primary school and greater funding invested at a
tertiary level to promote research in the area’,
while another believed;
‘[with the] low PPA offered for renewable generations, uncertain policies seem unattractive for renewable investments.
With carbon tax abolishment, it acts as another hurdle for renewables’.
People generally don’t have a complete solution to how they want the government to tackle the issue and are generally
split between choosing between large­scale solar farms and rooftop solar as shown above.
What methods/sources of clean energy should we focus
on, in order to transition into a cleaner future?
Figure 2

8. Figure ...
People commonly stated the biggest challenges to their
local communities for transition to a more climate
friendly future was costs and lack of public transport.
Lack of public transport was attributed to either lack of
population or distance from a major city.
Please rank the incentives that would
encourage you to take public transport or be
less reliant on private vehicle transportation?
For increasing reliance on public transport and
decreasing reliance on private vehicles, the most
popular responses were ‘Cheaper ride sharing
(Taxi/Uber)’, ‘Cheaper go­card fares’ and ‘increasing
the price of parking’. Students also voted for the option
to carbon offset their trip on public transport as a
voluntary opt­in (donating to plant a tree ­ e.g. 50c extra
every so often).
The less favoured options were:
­ Clean ride­sharing options (electric or emissions free
Uber/taxi)
­ More extensive bike pathways
­ More expensive fuel costs as a result of emissions
taxation
­ A cleaner public transportation system but with a
higher use cost (More expensive go­card fees)
Housing, Building and Town Planning
Figure 3

9. Would you opt­in to a voluntary carbon offset levy on your go­card
(e.g. 20c per zone)?
(Can be updated at go­card top up machines. Offset would be done by planting a tree.)
While some of the respondents thought a
‘green­levy’ on go­cards to subsidize
planting trees to offset carbon was a great
idea, those who didn’t rank it as the top
idea were against the idea and would opt
out.
Respondents felt that green building restrictions were important, however they should be less strict
on housing built for low income families due to increased costs that could impact these families.
The average response out of 100 was 54, with a maximum vote of 75 and a minimum of 11, showing
a large range of responses for this question.
How strongly do you think that green building standards should be strict on new
projects aimed at low­income individuals, with potentially higher costs of living for
this demographic as a result? (Answers on a scale of 1 ­ 100)
Figure 4

10. Waste Management and Recycling
Students tended to give widely varied and unique
responses when posed questions on waste
management and recycling within Queensland. A
high percentage of students, when asked about
Queensland’s top priority concerning waste
management, agreed that it is important to ban
plastic bags (33%), followed by increased quantity of
bins (recycling, compost etc) available to the public
(22%), and improving recycling operations (22%).
(See figure 5)
The least voted for options were industrial waste,
improved education services and literacy on
recycling, and pesticide runoff.
Interestingly, when asked to rank how they felt about any food wastage issues in Brisbane (from
household food waste, supermarket wastage, commercial kitchen wastage etc) out of a possible
score of 100, the average response was 79.
What would you like to see as QLD's top priority
concerning waste management?
Figure 5

11. Nearly 80% of students agreed that they would
place fruit and vegetable scraps in a council­
retrieved waste bin and would be willing to join a
council composting system if initiatives or a simple
opt­in system were provided.
Out of the students who participated in this survey,
only 22% currently own a compost bin.
All students who responded to this survey agreed that they would be interested in
using green­waste bins if they were put in place in public areas.
One student voiced an opinion that if introduced to the public, these bins must be
sealed in such a way that they could not become a food source for local wildlife
populations.
Given the opportunity to place fruit
and vegetable scraps in a council­
retrieved waste bin, would you be
willing to join the council composting
system if initiatives or a simple opt­in
system were provided?
Figure 6

12. Mining in Climate Change
When students were asked questions about the mining industry and its effect, respondents were strongly divided.
41.66% were happy with mining due to keeping Australia ‘strong’ (See figure 7). In contrast, 58.33% of respondents
were unhappy about coal seam gas and coal mining with most being due to inefficiency, whilst 25% called for an
outright ban! (See figure 8). The contributing factors were the environmental and social concerns caused by some
closed mines being left for the government to clean up. Ineffective regulations have been of concern as there needs to
be stability and cohesion between States and beyond commodities.
Over the past 10 years, Australia has experienced a mining boom that has created economic growth and
strengthened our position in the international commodity markets. However, regulation and rehabilitation standards in
Australia have garnered public attention as the United Nations and international regulatory bodies have urged
governments to consider the long­term effects of unsustainable mining practices. With climate change effects being
increasingly integrated into technical, social and economic actions, companies, universities and the general public are
encouraged to partner with one another to ensure sustainable practices that will benefit our ecology as well as our
economic.

13. How do you feel about mining
in general in Australia?
How do you feel about Coal
Seam Gas mining in
Australia?
Figure 7
Figure 8

14. Mitigating Climate Change
A survey on Queensland's current plans for
mitigating climate change was put forward and
received 21 responses. The majority of
respondents stated that their most significant
incentive for action and investment in preventing
negative effects of climate change was to
minimize environmental degradation for future
generations.
What do you think is the
greatest economic benefit of
taking action against climate
change?
Figure 9

15. An overwhelming majority of respondents felt
Queensland must meet global and national
commitments to mitigating climate change and that
Queensland should sign the ‘Under 2 MOU’;
however only 15% of respondents felt Queensland
would actually meet these commitments showing a
lack of trust and confidence in the Government’s
ability and commitment to the issue (See figure 11).
When asked ‘What will Queensland look like in a
low carbon economy’ most answered that there
would be a larger renewables industry and more
value placed on sustainability. Others were more
cynical and voiced concerns over potential
recessions and a lack of financial sustainability due
to a transition to a low carbon economy.
Does Queensland have a responsibility to meet
global and national climate change
commitments?
Does QLD have any hope in meeting the
requirements of the 'Under 2 MOU'?
Figure 11
Figure 10

16. In conclusion, the surveys show that students are generally unhappy with the levels of work being done towards mitigating
climate change, in particular with the current government's efforts towards achieving established national and international
goals. Generally, the problem people acknowledge with a shift to a more climate­friendly future is the lack of investment, as
well as a lack of transparent, strong and effective decision making regarding building a low­carbon future.
Our respondents expressed a strong desire for the Queensland Government to show greater long­term commitment and
ambition in their objectives for the future of the state's sustainability. However, most students were un­optimistic about the
government achieving even current goals regarding climate change and conservation efforts.
Students are generally in favour of incentives for the households and councils to develop green waste management, increase
reliance on solar power and usage of public transport or ride sharing systems.
Our results also indicated a need for further investigations and investments into solar power for Queensland. The University of
Queensland Student Energy Network aims to increase knowledge about the potential economic use of solar power and
welcomes any government involvement and collaboration.
Conclusion

17. Appendix A
Question (1): Queensland has the potential to switch to cleaner forms of
energy. What methods/sources of clean energy should we focus on, in order
to transition into a cleaner future?
Survey: Energy and Electricity
Student Responses:
Concentrated solar thermal
Seems most doable
Whatever’s most economical
Battery, gas and lower energy usage
Nuclear Energy ­ It is education of what nuclear energy holds is what is keeping it
back. It is fundamentally safe with today's technology plus Australia has barely any
earthquakes to make it a problem.
It would be great if the different forms of energy have a brief explanation ­ lack of
education? Or too general?
Biofuels
Solar thermal and theorium nuclear
Coal CCS

18. Question (2): What are the barriers (in your opinion) to implementing clean
energy sources in QLD?
Student Responses:
Apathy, hostility and simply lack of knowledge among the politicians who are
responsible for creating our energy policy.
Lack of commitment and planning
Funding
Inability to leave the grid, lack of uptake of innovative energy control systems,
leveled electricity costs across the network.
Solar energy density in QLD is located far away from where the biggest demand for
energy is.
Capacity factor for renewables are poor so storing energy is the barrier.
All these are consistently barriers at all times in all technological fields. I'd stress the
'unsuitable' weather is a matter of if you're willing to make it suitable through ESS
methods and more constant power output generators, (such as solar thermal as
they can store energy as molten salt).
Lack of interest *smiles smugly*
Abundance of fossil fuel sources

19. Question (4): Would you like to elaborate on your ranking from the previous
question?
Student Responses:
Initiatives have been taken, for example the DHP's Advancing Queensland Climate
project, however there is a lack of coherency, support and publication of business
innovations and best practices already available to facilitate this transition.
Low PPA offered for renewable generations, uncertain policies seem unattractive
for renewable investments. With carbon tax abolishment, it acts as another hurdle
for renewables.
The solar subsidies were good but not much is being done in my opinion
Whilst our current solar subsidies are a step in the right direction, the government
needs to implement more funding for wind power and, most importantly, stop all
subsidies and support for coal mining and fracking.
Stop building small test sites and commit to concentrated solar thermal on a large
and useful scale. Why waste money on tests when the technology is proven?
No
The levelised electricity cost gives justification for heavy investment in expensive
grid networks to support peak loading and thus higher electricity prices. Demand
reduction is the most important action the government should be taking!
Im not very happy with their efforts towards any changes made by either party in the
past 4+ years.

20. Question (4): Would you like to elaborate on your ranking from the previous
question? (cont.)
Student Responses:
While there is an obvious push towards solar power it is poorly marketed and
subsidised. Greater emphasis needs to be placed on renewable energy from
primary school and greater funding invested at a tertiary level to promote research
in the area.
There should be more funding and support for research and developing in this
sector.Government as the leader of the clean energy to encourage people to
motivate more for our future.
I don't have time for an essay rant on how Australia is falling behind on the worlds'
renewable technologies.
Would like to see a bigger focus on renewable energies from the state government.
More effort is needed to be done in effectively promoting clean energy to people.
Its good.
There should be more education about clean energy by the government.
Given the severity of the consequences of climate change, this transition needs to
be pursued aggressively by government.
I'd say the electorate tends to focus on what they can see happening rather then
technical areas behind the scenes. People in Brisbane, for example, focus on
household solar when, if you want a clean energy grid, you need large, aggregated
and smoothed power output.

21. Question (6): What degree are you currently enrolled in?
Student Responses:
Bachelor of Engineering ­ 7
Bachelor of Business Management / Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Mechanical engineering ­ 2
Bachelor of Mining Engineering / Bachelor of Finance
Doctor of Medicine
Bachelor or Eectrical Engineering ­ 3
Bachelor of Engineering / Bachelor of Economics ­ 2
Social work
Bachelor of Psychological Science (Hon)
Bachelor of Health Science ­ 2
BSc ­ Physics Major
Physiotherapy
Bachelor of Law
Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) / Master of Engineering ­ Chemical
B Business Management / B Economics

22. Appendix B
Question (1): Queensland has the potential to switch to cleaner forms of
energy. What methods/sources of clean energy should we focus on, in order
to transition into a cleaner future?
Survey: Energy and Electricity
Student Responses:
Concentrated solar thermal
Seems most doable
Whatever’s most economical
Battery, gas and lower energy usage
Nuclear Energy ­ It is education of what nuclear energy holds is what is keeping it
back. It is fundamentally safe with today's technology plus Australia has barely any
earthquakes to make it a problem.
It would be great if the different forms of energy have a brief explanation ­ lack of
education? Or too general?
Biofuels
Solar thermal and theorium nuclear
Coal CCS

23. Question (2): What are the barriers (in your opinion) to implementing clean
energy sources in QLD?
Student Responses:
Apathy, hostility and simply lack of knowledge amongst the politicians who are
responsible for creating our energy policy.
Lack of commitment and planning
Funding
Inability to leave the grid, lack of uptake of innovative energy control systems,
leveled electricity costs across the network.
Solar energy density in QLD is located far away from where the biggest demand for
energy is.
Capacity factor for renewables are poor so storing energy is the barrier.
All these are consistently barriers at all times in all technological fields. I'd stress the
'unsuitable' weather is a matter of if you're willing to make it suitable through ESS
methods and more constant power output generators, (such as solar thermal as
they can store energy as molten salt).
Lack of interest *smiles smugly*
Abundance of fossil fuel sources

24. Question (4): Would you like to elaborate on your ranking from the previous
question?
Student Responses:
Initiatives have been taken, for example the DHP's Advancing Queensland Climate project, however there is a
lack of coherency, support and publication of business innovations and best practices already available to
facilitate this transition.
Low PPA offered for renewable generations, uncertain policies seem unattractive for renewable investments.
With carbon tax abolishment, it acts as another hurdle for renewables.
The solar subsidies were good but not much is being done in my opinion
Whilst our current solar subsidies are a step in the right direction, the government needs to implement more
funding for wind power and, most importantly, stop all subsidies and support for coal mining and fracking.
Stop building small test sites and commit to concentrated solar thermal on a large and useful scale. Why waste
money on tests when the technology is proven?
No
The levelised electricity cost gives justification for heavy investment in expensive grid networks to support peak
loading and thus higher electricity prices. Demand reduction is the most important action the government should
be taking!
Im not very happy with their efforts towards any changes made by either party in the past 4+ years.
While there is an obvious push towards solar power it is poorly marketed and subsidised. Greater emphasis
needs to be placed on renewable energy from primary school and greater funding invested at a tertiary level to
promote research in the area.

25. Question (4): Would you like to elaborate on your ranking from the previous
question?
Student Responses (Cont.)
Money needs to be placed on to government initiatives such as solar towers etc.
There should be more funding and support for research and developing in this sector.Government as the leader
of the clean energy to encourage people to motivate more for our future.
I don't have time for an essay rant on how Australia is falling behind on the worlds' renewable technologies.
Would like to see a bigger focus on renewable energies from the state government.
More effort is needed to be done in effectively promoting clean energy to people.
Its good.
I think we should be transitioning to 100% clean energy right now. I think if the government weren't supporting
mining corporations we would already have become 100% renewable.
There should be more education about clean energy by the government.
Given the severity of the consequences of climate change, this transition needs to be pursued aggressively by
government. Private solar PV should be subsidised, but should not be the sole focus.
I'd say the electorate tends to focus on what they can see happening rather then technical areas behind the
scenes. People in Brisbane, for example, focus on household solar when, if you want a clean energy grid, you
need large, aggregated and smoothed power output.
Global warmings a myth

26. Appendix C
Question (2): What barriers does your local community face in transitioning to
a climate­friendly/greener future?
Survey: Housing, Building and Town Planning
Student Responses:
Industry investment and planning
overpopulation/mass immigration
Cost of private PV solar arrays
Cost to residents
I live in Bellbowrie so it’s super far from everything
Distance from central city ­ job, Uni as it is too costly and time consuming to use
public transport and bikes etc compared to a car
Knowledge, communication and engagement (especially with sceptics)
Low income neighbourhood, lack of public transport, lack of awareness and
understanding

27. Appendix D
Question (3): Do you have any comments on how mining operations are
conducted in Australia?
Survey: Mining in Climate Change
Student Responses:
Issues with cleanup of closed mines, lack of responsibility from mining / resource
companies
Low prices puts pressure on efficiency and costs. Cheaper and cheaper renewable
options will be uptaken if they have a shorter payback period and investment
support.
Regulation is ineffective and disjointed. Cohesion between the states and some
stability is needed beyond the commodity prices.
Yeah, pretty good.
Vested interests are a big problem ­ donations to political parties from fossil fuel
companies should be banned.
The environmental and social impact of mining must be given much more
consideration, economics should not outweigh these issues.

28. Student Responses (cont.):
Mining is the backbone of Australia's economy.
While we should continue to regulate mining to ensure the environmental standards
are upheld the industry is doing an excellent job of moving forward and partnering
with local communities to make sure everyone's needs are met and to make a
healthy profit margin which the government can tax for the good of the Australian
people.

29. Appendix E
Describe in 5 words or less, what should Queensland look like in 10 years
time in a low carbon global economy?
Student Responses:
Green, sustainable and accessible
Driven by sharing economy, Brisbane and rural areas communicating about needs of various stakeholders
renewable energy and recycled products
100% renewable
Renewables + electric cars
Sustainable
Not in a recession
Progressive invested innovative
Sustainable replacement to existing infrastructure
Remaining a tourist hotspot
All inclusive, unbiased education
Solar wind innovation green efficient
A forerunner in sustainable energy
Green solar community
Nuclear energy
Solar panels on every roof
Ecoomically ineficient
50% renewable energy
Beautiful
Healthier and greener