Goal 13: Climate Action

Global Climate Change Week marks a decade of climate education

In October 2025, staff and students participated in the 10th annual Global Climate Change Week (GCCW), an international initiative founded at UOW that has grown into a worldwide movement for climate education and action. 

Established by UOW academics and students in 2015, GCCW encourages universities, schools and communities to engage in activities that inspire behaviour change and support solutions to the climate crisis. 

The 2025 program – Rethinking the role of education in times of climate emergency: reflect, repair, regenerate – explored how education can help drive the transformations needed to address the impacts of climate change. Through a program of in-person and online events across UOW's global campuses, participants shared knowledge and ideas centred on protecting our planet. 

While international leadership of GCCW has now transitioned to Grand Valley State University in the United States, UOW remains proud of its role in establishing an initiative that continues to foster climate education, collaboration and action across the globe. 

This initiative supports:

• SDG 4: Quality Education 
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities 
• SDG 13: Climate Action 
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals 

Coastal wetlands research shortlisted for Eureka Prize

In July 2025, UOW’s Professor Kerrylee Rogers and Dr Jeff Kelleway were named Australian Museum Eureka Prizes finalists for Excellence in Interdisciplinary Scientific Research for their work on how global warming is affecting critical coastal habitats. 

As part of the Crosscurrents research team, the UOW scientists combined computer modelling with real-world data to reveal how coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, coral reefs and tidal marshes have responded to rising sea levels, and how they are likely to respond in future.  

The research found that meeting Paris Agreement climate targets is essential for keeping these habitats alive.  

‘Our research is at the global forefront of this issue,’ said Professor Rogers, former director of UOW's Environmental Futures research centre. ‘We're facing a critical moment for our planet's future and it is essential that we draw attention to the importance of protecting our coastal ecosystems.’ 

The team’s groundbreaking research now contributes to the evidence base for Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reporting, guiding decision-makers on how to safeguard vital ecosystems and coastal communities for generations to come. 

This initiative supports:

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities 
• SDG 13: Climate Action 
• SDG 14: Life Below Water 
• SDG 15: Life on Land 
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals 

Free online courses empower global learners with climate education

In an era of widespread climate anxiety and misinformation, UOW is inviting participants worldwide to build climate literacy and understand more about the UN SDGs through 2 online short courses. 

The Climate Challenge helps learners understand more about climate change and its causes, consequences and solutions on an individual and societal level. The second course, SDGengage, explores the role of the SDGs and their relevance to learners’ daily lives.  

In 2025, 1,684 learners from 80 countries enrolled in the Climate Challenge, with 633 learners from 20 countries participating in SDGengage. The free courses demonstrate UOW's commitment to democratising climate education through accessible, high-quality online learning. 

This initiative supports:

• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities  
• SDG 13: Climate Action 

Pathways partnership strengthens climate resilience across Pacific communities

A long-running UOW partnership is helping Pacific communities strengthen coastal fisheries management, restore ecosystems and build resilience by combining local knowledge with scientific research. 

Led by UOW's Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS), the Pathways project supports community-based resource management across Kiribati, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Working with governments, regional organisations and communities, the program aims to improve livelihoods, food and nutrition security, social and gender equity, and the sustainable management of coastal fisheries. 

The collaborative project, funded by the Australian Government, also helps communities respond to the impacts of rising seas and coastal erosion. By co-developing research and providing training frameworks for capacity building, UOW researchers translate science into action by helping restore ecosystems that provide important resources for local communities. that provide important resources for local communities. 

This initiative supports:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger 
• SDG 13: Climate Action 
• SDG 14: Life Below Water 
• SDG 15: Life on Land 
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Global experts unite at UOW to advance future energy systems

Researchers, policymakers, industry leaders and government organisations from Australia and around the world gathered at UOW in December 2025 to explore the future of clean, reliable and resilient energy systems. 

Hosted by UOW's ARC Future Grids Training Centre, the IEEE International Conference on Energy Technologies for Future Grids (ETFG 2025) brought together global experts to address the challenges and opportunities in transforming Australia's electricity networks. 

More than 700 research papers from over 60 countries were submitted to the international conference, one of the largest ever hosted by UOW. Topics included technologies for modernising grid infrastructure, emerging energy systems, and the transition to a sustainable, net-zero future.  

Strong industry involvement complemented the academic program, including a grid enhancing technology showcase and focused sessions on decarbonisation, energy resilience and digital transformation of the grid. 

Speaking ahead of the event, conference general chair and ARC Future Grids Training Centre Director Distinguished Professor Kashem Muttaqi said the event aligns with Australia’s push to modernise electricity networks and achieve its net zero ambitions. 

‘ETFG 2025 will be a pivotal opportunity to bring together research excellence, industry innovation and policy leadership to shape a sustainable energy future,’ he said. ‘Collaboration across these sectors is key to achieving reliable, secure and affordable grids for generations to come.’ 

 This initiative supports:

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy 
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure 
• SDG 13: Climate Action 
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Sustainable Futures Opportunity Scholarship champions environmental stewardship

The University’s Sustainable Futures Opportunity Scholarship supports students with their studies and champions the continued need of sustainability. It represents UOW's commitment to environmental leadership and carbon neutrality by 2030, as well as recognising that creating a sustainable future requires diverse voices and perspectives. 

Building on UOW's comprehensive equity scholarship program, this initiative specifically targets students passionate about environmental sustainability and climate action. The scholarship aligns with the University's broader sustainability goals while ensuring equitable access to education in environmental fields. 

Recipients are selected based on demonstrated financial need and commitment to environmental stewardship, supporting UOW's vision of empowering students to become leaders in addressing global sustainability challenges. The 2024 scholarship offers successful applicants a total of $12,600 over three years.

This initiative supports:

• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 13: Climate Action