The Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) is a US based organisation which specialises in delivering sustainable options and strategic scenarios for communities to improve the liveability of cities. Its mission is “to drive the efficient and restorative use of resources” especially via integrative design and systems thinking. Their strategic focus, executed through specific initiatives, is to map and drive the transition from coal and oil to efficient and renewable energies and holistic approaches to develop liveable cities. Since 1982 they have designed and applied many innovations to help make the world richer, fairer, cooler, and safer – from contributions toward tripled-efficiency cars, trucks, and airplanes, energy and water efficiency, renewable energy, community economic development, and more.

RMI’s next initiative is Reinventing Fire, a program that will bring together 30 years of innovation. It aims to change the way most people have been getting and using energy since the Industrial Revolution. It will clarify choices on how to speed the transition away from the use of fossil fuels, by showing what exists, what works, what makes sense and makes money, and what can change the world.

In this talk, Managing Director of RMI, Robert ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson, focused on strategies for Australia to create a new energy future. His talk will be followed by a panel discussion with local experts and an opportunity to ask questions.

Hutch Hutchinson is a guest of the United States Studies Centre and is participating in the Delivering a Sustainable Future City workshop, supported by the New South Wales Department of Trade and Investment.

Co-presented by Sydney Ideas at the University of Sydney.