UN looks to UniSA for sustainability
When sustainability is mentioned these days, many people’s thoughts automatically turn to climate change. However, that is just one aspect of this bigger issue.
UniSA Adjunct Senior Research Fellow from the Institute for Sustainable Systems and Technologies, Dr David Ness, can certainly attest to this. He is working with the United Nations (UN) on eco projects that focus on broad sustainability issues.
"Sustainability is not just about climate change," he said. "Poor and disadvantaged communities, for example, contribute little to emissions, and sustainability for them is about affordable access to energy, clean water, sanitation and transport.
"In this regard, locally distributed infrastructure rather than
large scale central infrastructure can deliver a range of community
benefits.
"For example in India, introducing solar lanterns to provide light has led to educational benefits like students being able to study at night; there have been less health issues with kerosene lamps no longer being used; the solar lights are non-polluting; and it has also created employment and business skills through establishing a local solar lantern industry.
"This is the kind of approach I am advocating which has been discussed at the UN."
His methodological framework for introducing eco-efficiency in urban infrastructure development has been accepted by the UN and will be applied to a significant UN project that spans many cities in Asia and Latin America.
"Most gains in eco-efficiency can be made by finding integrated solutions by looking at the wider system level such as through connections and synergies between transport, housing, water, waste and energy, involving coordinated planning between various infrastructure departments, agencies and sectors.
"In this way, infrastructure can deliver multiple benefits such as greater liveability, wellbeing, equity and environmental quality, coupled with reduced resource use, waste, emissions and less cost.
"I am interested in infrastructure systems where a range of benefits and services can be provided – doing more with less – including less resource use and less cost but with more affordability."
Dr Ness’s sustainability work has earned him a place at many UN meetings and workshops, including chairing sessions. But that’s not the only hat he wears. He is Executive Chair of Ecological Development Union International, a China-based not-for-profit foundation that promotes the development of a clean, resource efficient and recycling economy, coupled with social development. He is also about to take up a role as senior advisor to the Chinese Government, focusing on its ‘Circular Economy’ policy which is central to its sustainable development, covering the whole of China.
Through these roles, he fosters cooperation between SA and China, evidenced by a recent visit by the financial adviser to the Chinese Government to introduce SA renewable energy and water treatment technologies to China; linking UniSA and Renmin University in Beijing; as well as student exchanges and collaborative research.
Dr Ness’s initial connections with the UN and China originated from Dr Barbara Hardy AO, a Fellow of UniSA and prestigious environment campaigner.
"It all began when Dr Hardy organised an international meeting of the Asia Pacific Forum for Environment and Development (APFED) in Adelaide in 2004," he said. "I am very much indebted to her, and it is a pleasure to meet regularly at her house with a local APFED group."
Dr Ness recently returned from a UN ‘Green Growth’ training workshop for policy makers from all ASEAN member countries that was held near Bangkok. There were around four representatives from each ASEAN member country and Dr Ness attended in his role as UN Consultant and represented UniSA, focusing on his area of expertise – sustainable infrastructure systems for poor communities.