Amy (Wing Tung) Hung, a UWA Master of Data Science student, recently made a significant contribution to the Telethon Kids Institute’s carbon footprint and sustainability practices through a 100-hour McCusker Centre for Citizenship internship.
“I worked on a carbon footprint measurement project for the Institute. By measuring carbon footprint, we can increase awareness about the environmental impact of business operations; greater awareness can prompt the Institute and individual employees to reflect on their own carbon footprints, and more importantly, it inspires actionable steps towards sustainability,” Amy said.
“While many organisations aim to achieve a net-zero carbon goal by 2050, few actually have a detailed calculation of their carbon footprint or publicly disclose their figures. One particular challenge is the Scope 3 indirect carbon footprint calculation; obtaining accurate information from suppliers can be quite difficult.
“Even though my role was specific to Telethon Kids Institute, the ripple effect of such efforts could encourage more entities and individuals within the community to adopt sustainable practices, ultimately leading to a greener and more sustainable future for everyone,” she said.
Jacinta Freeman is Program Manager Youth Mental Health at Telethon Kids Institute and was one of many staff across the Institute who guided and worked with Amy throughout her internship. She was so impressed with Amy’s efforts that she nominated her for the McCusker Centre for Citizenship Outstanding Intern Award.
“Amy engaged with various professional services team members and researchers across the Institute. She took responsibility for helping the Sustainability Committee to complete calculations to determine the Institute's carbon footprint in key spend categories, organised related communications, and presented the findings.
“She also conducted a literary review to inform the business case and future opportunities, and to explore ways to improve processes, monitor and report on the Institute's carbon footprint on an ongoing basis, and aid carbon reduction.
“Our Sustainability Committee is made up of volunteers from across the Institute who have a passion for sustainability but are also busy with their full-time roles. Having Amy join as a capable and driven intern with time and skills to commit to the project allowed us to analyse all the data needed to provide an estimate of our carbon footprint.
“Amy’s efforts were essential to advancing our Carbon Measurement Project, and she impressed staff with her enthusiasm for the project and work ethic,” she said.
Amy said that the connections she developed with staff were a highlight of the experience for her.
“Everyone was eager to share their expertise, provide guidance, and collaborate on shared goals. Their unwavering support and kindness not only made my daily tasks more manageable but also created a nurturing environment that fostered both professional and personal growth,” Amy said.
“For me it was a transformative experience that fostered both personal growth, and also a deeper connection to the community.”