Research to Reality Expo Perth

Addressing climate change through reducing carbon emissions is arguably the highest environmental, economic and social priority of our time, but do we know the facts and solutions for the future?

Over the past seven years the Cooperative Research Centre for Low Carbon Living (CRCLCL), has worked closely with Curtin University and four other universities across Australia to develop next-generation, low carbon materials, technologies and tools to support the transition towards sustainable cities and communities.

“We are on track to meet our founding target of a cumulative reduction in carbon emissions of 10 megatonnes by 2020 – a milestone we’ve achieved through the combined impact of all of our research projects,” said CRCLCL CEO, Professor Deo Prasad.

The CRCLCL – which officially closes at the end of June 2019 – has been staging a series of free nationwide events to celebrate seven years of continuous research with its university and industry partners.  WA will be the third expo to spread the word about the CRCLCL’s huge body of work.

Curtin University will host its free public expo on Wednesday 5 June from 11am – 5.15pm at City of Fremantle Town Hall, Fremantle. The expo includes a site tour of LandCorp’s White Gum Valley and East Village low carbon developments, all part of the CRCLCL’s Living Laboratories Program. Bookings are essential.

The Perth Expo will be hosted by Curtin University’s Dr Josh Byrne, CRCLCL Project Leader and WA presenter of ABCTV’s Gardening Australia, with other low-carbon living experts on hand to answer questions. Dr Byrne’s own home – Josh’s House is ‘energy and carbon positive’ and one of the CRCLCL’s 17 living laboratories.

With more than 140 research projects and 90 PhD students nationwide, the CRCLCL has produced an evidence base to help government and industry meet their carbon reduction and energy efficiency targets.

Professor Prasad said the CRCLCL is focused on mainstreaming its substantial body of research as it approaches the end of its government funding.

“It’s time to take our research to a broader audience we want Australians to see how it has progressed low carbon living across all aspects of urban life.

“Our research has contributed to changing the way we build our cities and manage them in the face of climate change, increased heatwaves and human demand on energy, waste and water,” concluded Professor Prasad.

Expo exhibits and topics to be discussed include:

• Low carbon homes, schools and tourism
• Renovate and retrofit guides
• Urban cooling
• Local government and urban development achievements
• Renewable energy and performance monitoring

Professor Peter Newman, John Curtin Distinguished Professor of Sustainability and WA Scientist of the year will close the day with a presentation on ‘the journey ahead’ for low carbon living.