#Sustainable development

One ocean: A sustainable marine environment for healthy lives

The amount of ocean-derived protein consumed in countries in the Pacific Ocean is higher than in any other part of the world. Providing the best science to inform sustainable management of that resource is vital.

Pacific faces crop yield declines, turns to past for modern solution

Climate change takes many headlines for threatening the Pacific. However, to secure the region’s shared food culture, soil scientists are working with Pacific farmers to provide precision agriculture tools that could herald a new era in regional farming.

Turning around transport emissions growth

When economists think of the electric vehicle market and how it might turn back emissions they think in terms of fleet share. What will trigger the wholesale switch to electric vehicles in Australia - price, choice, vehicle standards?

Electric vehicles: Are we there yet?

Electric vehicles have the potential to help us cut carbon emissions and pollution, and improve grid inefficiency. While the change here has been slow so far, the advent of lower-cost models and more charging infrastructure could see more drivers plug in.

Biodegradable versus compostable – knowing your eco-plastics

As the world moves to ban single-use plastics, biodegradable plastics are increasingly in focus as an environmentally friendly alternative. However, some plastics degrade into microplastics, others take ages to disappear from the environment, and in certain conditions they produce powerful greenhouse gases.

The second life of plastics

The problem of plastic is central to creating a circular economy. So, what is science doing to drive innovation. Introducing: The second life of plastics.

Nature’s motherlode of data via supercomputers

Bioregional Assessments was a project that delivered the world’s first integrated regional‑scale assessment of the water impacts of coal resource development. An enormous human challenge which tested some of the world's most sophisticated supercomputers.

Digging up the dirt on water quality on the Great Barrier Reef

A huge amount of effort is going into protecting the Great Barrier Reef - often the kilometres away from where the coral is actually living. Researchers now have a better understanding of the system of erosion and sediment transport processes connecting agricultural land with water quality in the Reef. Critical to improving land management practices.

International environment prize for resilience research

Dr Brian Walker received the Blue Planet Award in Tokyo for his work at the forefront of the interdisciplinary area of resilience of complex adaptive systems. With drought, typhoons, earthquakes and tsunamis all in our region, the award is timely.