Our Research
The Institute of Environmental Studies initiates and consults on multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary research problems of sustainable development in Australia and around the world. Sustainable development at IES is broadly defined by environmental, social justice and economic outcomes.
Showing all projects
Program: Mitigating Global Climate Change with Sustainable Energy
Lead Researchers: Associate Professor Mark Diesendorf
Overview: IES, in collaboration with other groups, is engaged in interdisciplinary research to assist Australia to transition to an ecologically sustainable energy system with almost zero greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible.
The role of cooperatives and not-for-profit organizations in fostering community renewable energy projects
PhD Research: Franziska Mey, Associate Professor Mark Diesendorf, Associate Professor Iain McGill, Adjunct A/Prof. Monica Oliphant
Partners: Low Carbon Living CRC
Overview: This project, which commenced in February 2013, will investigate how community-based, medium-scale, renewable energy projects can be developed, with particular attention to the roles of cooperatives and not-for-profit organisations.
Social, cultural and institutional changes needed for rapid climate mitigation in Australia
PhD Research: Laurence Delina, Associate Professor Mark Diesendorf, Associate Professor John Merson
Overview: Led by IES, an interdisciplinary core of academics and members of community-based NGOs are developing strategies to transition Australia rapidly to almost zero greenhouse gas emissions.
Simulation modeling of 100% renewable energy in the Australian national electricity market
PhD Research: Ben Elliston, Associate Professor Mark Diesendorf, Associate Professor Iain McGill
Overview: A simulation model of 100% renewable electricity in the National Electricity Market (NEM) region was developed by PhD student Ben Elliston, supervised jointly by A/Prof Iain MacGill from the Centre for Energy and Environmental Markets (CEEM) and A/Prof Mark Diesendorf from IES.
Best practices in community consultation to establish sustainable development of infrastructure
Lead Researchers: Professor John Black, Professor Graciela Isabel Metternicht
Overview: The New South Wales Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) provided a research grant to the Institute of Environmental Studies, UNSW, to report on methodologies for world’s best practice in community consultation to establish sustainable development of infrastructure and social inclusion.