Emissions and energy
The University of Melbourne is reducing emissions and transforming how we use energy and through projects both on and off campus.
With more than 90,000 students and staff across seven campuses, the University has significant energy needs to support teaching, research and operations. We are reducing energy use and emissions through improved efficiency and increased use of renewable energy.
Our greenhouse gas footprint
The University is taking action to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions through initiatives across its operations and value chain, while using its research, teaching and partnerships to accelerate climate solutions beyond its campuses.
- Committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050,
- Driving emissions reductions through an interim 2030 emissions reduction target
- Partnering with suppliers to reduce emissions across the value chain
- Engaging and upskilling staff and students on lower-carbon travel options
- Leveraging research, education and collaboration to advance climate action beyond the University’s footprint
How we power our campuses
The University has reduced its energy-related carbon emissions through projects on and off campus — delivering reductions and operational efficiencies.
- Reducing energy consumption through demand management and energy efficiency on campus
- Generating renewable energy on campus, including via more than 11,000 solar panels across 55 buildings across our seven campuses
- Sourcing renewable energy through off-campus projects
- Achieved 100 per cent renewable electricity (scope 2) in 2025
- Electrification of natural gas and energy efficiency to reduce scope 1 emissions
Learn more about our progress in our annual Sustainability Report
Transitioning to renewable energy
Reducing energy-related emissions is a key part of the University's pathway to net zero. In 2025, the University achieved 100% renewable electricity, eliminating emissions from purchased electricity (scope 2 emissions) across all campuses.
The next focus is reducing emissions from natural gas used for heating and hot water. Through building electrification, energy efficiency improvements and investment in low-carbon technologies, the University is working to further reduce its operational emissions and progress towards its net zero target.
Explore our energy and emissions performance through our annual Sustainability Report, the University’s electricity metering data platform (Clariti), and our Solar Panel map, which provide insights into renewable energy generation and energy use across our campuses.
Energy use on campus
Since 2019, the University has installed more than 11,000 solar panels across 55 buildings on all seven campuses, increasing on-site renewable energy generation and helping reduce campus emissions.
Explore the Solar Panel Map to see where our solar panels are located and how much electricity they generate.
Energy projects across our campuses
Learn more about our 100 per cent renewable electricity (scope 2)
Check your building's energy use
Clariti provides electricity consumption data to support energy monitoring across the University’s buildings and campuses.
Access the Electricity Metering Data Platform to view interval electricity consumption data at your building and across all campuses.
To access the platform:
- Visit the Clariti site.
- Log in using:
- Username: uom@unimelb.edu.au
- Password: UOM2000enquiry09!
Reports can be downloaded in PDF or Excel format.
For assistance accessing or interpreting reports, contact sustainable-campus@unimelb.edu.au
Explore projects off campus
The University sources renewable electricity through power purchase agreements, including the Melbourne Renewable Energy Project and the Murra Warra Wind Farm. These partnerships generate renewable energy that contributes 40 to 70 per cent towards maintaining the University’s 100% Renewable Electricity target.
What is a power purchase agreement?
Power purchase agreements (PPAs) help the University to secure renewable electricity while supporting the development of new renewable energy projects.
Through PPAs, the University purchases renewable energy certificates that contribute to its emissions reduction commitments. These agreements also provide greater price certainty in a changing energy market and help increase renewable energy generation across Victoria.
By investing in large-scale renewable energy projects, PPAs support the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable electricity grid.
Melbourne Renewable Energy Project
In 2017, the University joined 13 organisations in the Melbourne Renewable Energy Project (MREP) 1, a City of Melbourne initiative that supports renewable energy generation in Victoria.
Through MREP1, the University sources 6 GWh of renewable electricity each year from the Crowlands Wind Farm.
Murra Warra Wind Farm
Through a renewable energy agreement with the Murra Warra Wind Farm, the University supports one of Victoria's largest wind energy projects.
The agreement is linked to seven wind turbines and generates approximately 50 to 70 GWh of renewable electricity each year, helping to reduce the University's electricity-related emissions and support its renewable electricity and net zero goals.