Uni of Adelaide is founding partner of Climate-KIC Australia

Monday, 3 April 2017

The University of Adelaide has today been announced as a founding partner of a national initiative aimed at better positioning entrepreneurs, developers and low carbon technology start-ups to bring their climate solutions to market.

Known as the Australian Climate Knowledge and Innovation Community (Climate-KIC Australia), the University of Adelaide has committed to becoming one of two founding partners in the state, along with the Government of South Australia.

Climate-KIC Australia is a public-private-research innovation partnership aimed at helping accelerate innovative climate solutions to market, fostering the growth of emerging businesses and creating new jobs.

Based on the successful European model, Climate-KIC Australia will bring together forward-thinking businesses, entrepreneurs, research, investors, and government to help our nation transition to a low-carbon economy.

Innovations developed through Climate-KIC Australia will assist in helping Adelaide to become the world's first carbon neutral city, as well as helping the state achieve its net zero emissions target and build climate resilience.

The University of Adelaide will this week host the official launch of the South Australian commitment to Climate-KIC Australia.

"The University of Adelaide is excited to be a founding partner of the Climate-KIC Australia initiative. Its strong focus on using entrepreneurship and innovation to find solutions for one of the world’s greatest challenges is a perfect fit with the University's strengths and objectives," said Professor Noel Lindsay, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Entrepreneurship) at the University of Adelaide.

"We're pleased to play our part in supporting the state’s sustainability agenda, and we look forward to working with state governments throughout Australia, other universities and the private sector to find solutions that meet sustainability goals and promote jobs, and diversify the economy."

South Australia's Climate Change Minister, Ian Hunter, welcomed the launch of Climate-KIC Australia.

"Climate change is the biggest challenge and the biggest opportunity of our time, and being part of this innovative community will help further position South Australia to harness opportunities to attract investment, innovation and jobs," Mr Hunter said.

"South Australia is internationally recognised for responding to climate change. Being part of Climate-KIC Australia will help position us at the forefront of a growing global investment in renewables and clean technology industries.

"Because of our size and connectedness, South Australia is the perfect place to test new climate change solutions and the impact they can make."

Along with the State Government, the University of Adelaide will provide a strong focus for Climate-KIC Australia in South Australia.

Climate-KIC Australia will work in close collaboration with EIT-Climate KIC (Europe), which was established six years ago by the European Union’s European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT).

EIT-Climate-KIC is Europe’s largest climate public-private partnership, comprising more than 250 partners across large corporates, small medium enterprises, government and academic institutions. It has so far delivered more than €1.8bn in climate innovation investment capital.

The CEO of Climate-KIC Australia, Christopher Lee, said: "Similar to its European counterpart, Climate-KIC Australia will form a key part of a structured, cohesive and effective response to climate change in Australia – bringing together the best to enable climate innovation to form the foundation of the future Australian economy."

Climate-KIC Australia will explore renewable and low carbon energy pathways, develop blueprints for more sustainable, low-carbon cities and undertake initiatives to encourage low-carbon innovation and entrepreneurship in these specific areas.

The idea is to increase the market capitalisation for start-ups and increase the rate of commercialisation of climate change technologies, products and services. It will also assist in building an appropriately skilled workforce and attracting and retaining talent in South Australia.

Mr Hunter said South Australia’s participation in Climate-KIC Australia would open up international collaboration opportunities with Europe for South Australia. New markets for climate products, services and technologies developed through Climate-KIC Australia will also be opened up in the Asia-Pacific region over the longer term.

For more information visit http://climate-kic.org.au

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