unswitch is important in assisting UNSW fulfil its Greenhouse Challenge obligations. The Greenhouse Challenge is an agreement between the Federal government and industry to mitigate Australia's greenhouse gas emissions. UNSW was the first university in Australia to sign the agreement and by doing so UNSW is committed to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from its own operations. This initiative was developed through the University's Environment Policy Advisory Committee, has the support of senior management and has been endorsed by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Niland.

In 1997 greenhouse gas emissions from UNSW's energy consumption, waste production and vehicle fleet were equivalent to 55,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Under a regime of "business as usual" (taking into account expected growth in the University's activities over the next three years) this figure was forecast to reach 72,600 tonnes CO2 equivalent by 2002. However, with implementation of greenhouse action plans UNSW aims to reduce its greenhouse emissions to 6.8% below the "business as usual" projection by 2002, avoiding cumulative production of more than 8,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent over a three year period [see below].

The implementation of energy management strategies, such as unswitch, will cut energy-related greenhouse emissions significantly.

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