Public Relations Unit Tel:+61 3 8344 4123 / Corporate Affairs Unit Tel: + 61 3 8344 6158
How green do the Gardens grow? Students measure
carbon emissions from Royal Botanic Gardens
A group of University of Melbourne students will measure the carbon footprint of
Melbourne’s iconic gardens as part of the first Melbourne Business Practicum.
The four local and international students from the Graduate School of Business and
Economics at the University of Melbourne will take part in the project, with the aim of
producing a tool that could be applied to gardens across the world to establish their carbon
footprint.
Associate Professor Brad Potter from the Graduate School of Business and Economics will
oversee the team, and says students will draw on international best-practice to develop an
enduring model which accommodates the various areas of a public garden, from the
buildings and the paths to the plants and trees.
“The students will calculate the Gardens’ carbon footprint by creating an Environmental
Accounting model. This model will combine cutting-edge science, accounting and
environmental management practice.”
The University has partnered with the Committee for Melbourne to create the specialized
subject, taking students beyond the classroom. The Committee for Melbourne’s Higher
Education Taskforce developed the concept and has been instrumental in locating
appropriate enterprises requiring high-level research. The practicum projects allow both
local and international graduate students to polish their skills working on real projects in
conjunction with local businesses.
“The students will also be able to draw on the extensive archives at the Royal Botanic
Gardens and the considerable expertise of Gardens’ staff in creating the accounting
architecture,” says Associate Professor Potter.
MEDIA RELEASE
EMBARGO: Midnight Sunday February 14
Attention: Newsdesk/News editor
Issued: Monday, 15 February 2010
Public Relations Unit Tel:+61 3 8344 4123 / Corporate Affairs Unit Tel: + 61 3 8344 6158
“Plants and trees provide the greatest challenge - all plants have different carbon absorption
characteristics and efficiencies depending on their age, as a young tree is much more
efficient in carbon off-set than an established tree.”
The next practicum to commence in 2010 will be an examination of the regulation, taxation,
cost frameworks and other incentives facing commercial and housing developers in
Australia’s cities. Hosted by the Grattan Institute, the students’ findings will be used to make
policy recommendations on how market design can encourage commercial and housing
development that matches housing and employment needs.
The Graduate School of Business and Economics and the Committee for Melbourne
will officially launch the Melbourne Business Practicum at 11am on Monday 15
February at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Mueller Hall (cnr Birdwood Ave and Dallas
Brooks Drive). Contact below for more details.
For more information:
David Scott (Media Unit): T: +613 8344 0561 M: 0409024230 E: dascott@unimelb.edu.au
Danielle Roller (Business & Economics): T: +613 8344 0006 E: droller@unimelb.edu.au
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