The Greens are calling on Monash University to reverse course after plans were made public yesterday to "disestablish" Monash Sustainable Development Institute (MDSI), a world leading research institute on climate and sustainability.
The Greens have said the decision will be a significant setback for critical climate research for Australia.
The Greens are calling on Monash leadership to abandon their plan to close the institute.
Earlier this year, Monash refused to end its partnership with Woodside, one of the world's biggest polluters, after repeated calls from student groups to end this arrangement.
As stated by Greens Senator for Victoria, Steph-Hodgins-May:
"This decision by Monash leadership is not based in science.
"To shut down MSDI, a critical research institute, is a reckless step backwards for climate research and for our planet.
"You can't tackle the climate crisis while leaving the people working on it high and dry. It sends the wrong message to their students and undermines their stated focus on addressing climate change.
"The Climate Risk Report revealed the devastating risks we will face if we don't act with ambition. Monash's leadership is clearly following Labor's lead in giving up on science.
"After refusing to end its dodgy partnership with Woodside, Monash is following dangerous patterns set by Labor - cosying up to fossil fuel companies while blindsiding the people who are fighting the climate crisis.
"We must properly invest in the people at the frontline of real climate solutions - and what more important place exists than in our universities.
As stated by Australian Greens spokesperson for higher education Senator Mehreen Faruqi:
"Closing down a sustainability institute in the midst of a climate crisis is a betrayal of the community, the planet, and our future.
"Monash University cosying up to the climate-destroying corporation while at the same time shutting down a well established climate crisis institute is a shameful double whammy.
"This change management plan is yet another example of university management blindsiding their staff who will bear the serious impacts. Monash should listen to their staff and stop the plan to close the institute in its tracks."
