Climate & energy

Our researchers are actively contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation solutions through innovative, interdisciplinary research and policy-relevant advice drawing on expertise across climate science, climate adaptation, energy, environmental monitoring and management, and sustainable development.

About

Our researchers are actively contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation solutions through innovative, interdisciplinary research and policy-relevant advice drawing on expertise across climate science, climate adaptation, energy, environmental monitoring and management, and sustainable development.

Groups

Two farmers setup irrigation hoses in a crop of plants in Africa.

Circular Food Systems (CFS) in Africa

This project aims to demonstrate that circular food systems can decouple growth in social and economic benefits from consumption of natural resources (particularly water and land) and production of greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture, as well as reducing urbanisation by creating local opportunities for women and youth.

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A group of researchers sit among large rocks and ferns outside a building.

Resilient Human And Planetary Systems

We are a research group at the Fenner School of Environment & Society, led by Dr Steven Lade. We research human and planetary systems using concepts such as resilience, social-ecological systems and Earth systems with applications in water resource management, sustainable finance and more.

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Projects

Conservation of freshwater ecosystems in the Murray-Darling Basin

This research looks at options for more effective conservation of freshwater ecosystems for the benefit of people and nature.

People

Developing machine learning algorithms to identify forest structural characteristics from earth observation data on a regional scale, Australia

Student intake

Open for Honours students

People

Marta Yebra

Fire management and innovation

The Fenner School has a number of projects that examine bushfires – how it behaves, its effects on the landscape and ecosystems, and how we can monitor and manage it in natural and built environments.

Student intake

Open for Bachelor, Honours, Masters, PhD students

People

Pumped Storage Hydropower Group

The pumped storage hydropower group collaborates with governments, civil society groups and NGOs, supporting transitions to zero/low carbon electricity grids. As part of this, a key objective is ensuring environmental and social governance issues are prioritised, including during grid-scale planning.

People

Dr. Dipak Gyawali (Nepal)
Dr. Sudhindra Sharma (Nepal)
Dr. Sarala Khaling (Sikkim State, India)
Ms. Abriti Moktan (Sikkim State, India)
Mr. Sonam Tshering (Bhutan)
Ms. Tashi Pem (Bhutan)
Dr. Daniel Gilfillan (Australia)
Dr. Helen Locher (Australia)
Mr. Martin Kennedy (Australia)

Regional drought resilience planning

Honours / Masters(Adv) project available analysing regional drought resilience plans in collaboration with CSIRO and the Australian Government.

Student intake

Open for Honours, Masters students

People

Steven Lade

Water, energy, and food trade-offs in southeast and east Asia

This research looks at the identifying the costs and benefits of different trade off options so that governments in particular, and societies more broadly, can take better informed decisions around water use in China & SE Asia.