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Uni of Adelaide is founding partner of Climate-KIC ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥

Monday, 3 April 2017

The ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ 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 ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n Climate Knowledge and Innovation Community (), the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide has committed to becoming one of two founding partners in the state, along with the Government of South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥.

Climate-KIC ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ 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 ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ 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 ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ 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 ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide will this week host the official launch of the South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n commitment to Climate-KIC ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥.

"The ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide is excited to be a founding partner of the Climate-KIC ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ 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 ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥'s strengths and objectives," said , Pro Vice-Chancellor (Entrepreneurship) at the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ 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 ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥, other universities and the private sector to find solutions that meet sustainability goals and promote jobs, and diversify the economy."

South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥'s Climate Change Minister, Ian Hunter, welcomed the launch of Climate-KIC ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥.

"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 ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ to harness opportunities to attract investment, innovation and jobs," Mr Hunter said.

"South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ is internationally recognised for responding to climate change. Being part of Climate-KIC ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ 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 ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ is the perfect place to test new climate change solutions and the impact they can make."

Along with the State Government, the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide will provide a strong focus for Climate-KIC ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ in South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥.

Climate-KIC ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ 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 ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥, Christopher Lee, said: "Similar to its European counterpart, Climate-KIC ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ will form a key part of a structured, cohesive and effective response to climate change in ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ – bringing together the best to enable climate innovation to form the foundation of the future ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n economy."

Climate-KIC ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ 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 ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥.

Mr Hunter said South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥’s participation in Climate-KIC ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ would open up international collaboration opportunities with Europe for South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥. New markets for climate products, services and technologies developed through Climate-KIC ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ will also be opened up in the Asia-Pacific region over the longer term.

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