Last week, the University launched the Centre for Nature Positive Solutions (CNPS) a centre committed to addressing the world's most urgent environmental challenges.
From climate change to pollution and biodiversity loss, the centre leads innovative research that transforms how we conserve, restore, and manage ecosystems, ensuring a sustainable future where both people and nature can thrive.
With a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team from RMIT University, CNPS will collaborate globally to provide guidance and solutions that empower communities, industries, and governments.
RMIT DVC STEM College Professor Catherine Itsiopoulos was on hand to help launch the centre, and paid tribute to its unique position in making tangible impact in finding solutions to global environmental issues.
"Nature Positive Solutions isn't just about slowing down environmental decline-it's about actively regenerating, restoring, and enhancing ecosystems," she said.
"It's about innovation that makes a tangible impact -not just in academic journals, but in policy, industry practice, and for communities on the ground."
"CNPS is uniquely placed to do that. It brings together world-class expertise from multiple disciplines, dedicated to solving some of the most complex and pressing environmental challenges we face today."
"STEM College is proud to be investing in this Centre because it reinforces what RMIT stands for: driving research that makes a difference to people, the planet, and future generations."
A focus on real-world impact and radical solutions
CNPS will be led by Professor Peter Macreadie, a global leader in marine science and sustainability, who is also the Founder/Director of the Blue Carbon Lab.
Macreadie said when deciding to bring his research group to RMIT, he felt the University was most aligned with the group's values of prioritising real-world impact over rankings.
He said that CNPS would get to work immediately, working to create solutions that help the world become a more balanced, sustainable place.
"Earth's natural balance has been disrupted, making urgent action to create nature positive solutions necessary," he said.
"Many institutions claim nature-positive goals, but real impact requires radical solutions and science."
"Science has driven progress in the past - for example, the ozone layer recovery, vaccines against endemic diseases and more recently, renewable energy solutions to the climate crisis."
"CNPS' research and science more broadly are key to environmental solutions to the ongoing challenges of the time."
Macreadie said CNPS research has helped elevate blue carbon in climate policy around the world.
Blue carbon is carbon that's captured and stored in coastal ecosystems like mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass meadows. The term "blue" refers to the watery nature of the storage.
"The work of CNPS members revealed the potential for over a billion tonnes of CO₂ that could be removed from our atmosphere," he said.
"This work shaped blue carbon inclusion in national greenhouse gas inventories and policy, which advised bodies like the United Nations US Congress, World Bank and EU Green Deal."
"We've also contributed to policy formulation in nations like Australia - where we developed our nation's first blue carbon credit methodology, unlocking further potential - as well as other countries like the Seychelles and Pakistan."
