Support UOW's Commitment to Climate Action, Ensure a Sustainable Future

Support UOW's Commitment to Climate Action, Ensure a Sustainable Future

Started
17 August 2021
Petition to
Signatures: 3,761Next goal: 5,000
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Why this petition matters

Started by UOW UNCOY16 Project Team

‘Code Red’: It’s now or never: rising sea levels, longer fire seasons, and severe droughts are placing the environment in imminent danger, and human-induced global warming is to blame.  The August 9 IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report emphasised the urgent need for action.

As Wollongong students, we demand change.  

Take a stand against climate change to ensure a livable world for future generations. Endorse the University of Wollongong’s commitments to a sustainable future and demands for climate action on a local, national, and global scale. 

A team of students and staff working in collaboration with the University of Wollongong (UOW) are participating in the 16th Conference of Youth on Climate Change (COY16), which is the precursor to the UN 26th Conference of Parties (COP26). As part of the conference, our team has developed a Youth Climate Statement in consultation with students, academics, and members of Wollongong’s wider community. The statement establishes a set of climate change commitments of the University, as well as demands on a local, national, and global level. These commitments and demands will be presented as a part of COY’s statement to the UN Climate Change Conference of Parties in Glasgow on the 31st of October-12th November 2021.  


University Commitments
Following student, staff and community consultation, several commitments emerged. UOW has agreed to commit to the following: 

  • Work towards carbon neutrality by 2030. 
  • Support sustainable transport solutions.
  • Improve energy management.
  • Cultivate research excellence.
  • Educate the community.

These commitments ensure that UOW is held accountable for its climate emissions, creating a foundation for it to take a leading role in tackling climate change.  
 
Demands to the Local, National and Global Community
The COY16 team also made several individual, institutional, local, national, and global level demands for immediate climate action.  

  • Individuals need to make conscious behavioural and financial decisions to mitigate climate change. 
  • Institutions need to make a concerted effort to reduce their environmental footprint.  
  • Local governments need to take a leading role in addressing climate change by working in partnership with individuals and organisations in the community.  
  • The Australian Government needs a robust climate change strategy, with a commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050 and a de-carbonisation roadmap for every sector.  
  • The global community needs to prioritise climate action, engaging in climate financing to assist developing countries and fulfil their role as global citizens.  
     

For detailed descriptions of these commitments and demands, please refer to the complete UOW Youth Climate Statement (PDF)


To learn more about COY16 click here: https://ukcoy16.org/what-is-coy  
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Please be aware that all information you provide in this petition will be collected by Change.org in accordance with their relevant policies  

The University of Wollongong will be providing evidence of the number of signatures to the United Nations to confirm our status as ‘Climate Hero’. 
 
 

Support now
Signatures: 3,761Next goal: 5,000
Support now
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