Michael Li

Michael is a Project Manager at ClimateWorks Australia – an expert, independent advisor committed to helping the transition to net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

In this role, Michael uses his strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills to provide evidence-based advice on reducing carbon emissions from the built environment. Michael specialises in helping business and government clients move towards net zero carbon emissions and has a proven record of translating high-level technical analysis into accessible sustainability advice.  

Prior to joining ClimateWorks, Michael worked as a Sustainability Consultant at global integrated services firm, AECOM, after completing their prestigious graduate engineering program. Here, he worked with interdisciplinary design teams to deliver sustainable outcomes for a range of projects in the built environment. These included developing sustainability strategies for business and government organisations, plus advising project teams on sustainable building design and operation.

Michael’s career credentials are supported by his impressive academic record. He holds Bachelor’s degrees in engineering and science from the University of Melbourne, and a Master’s degree in sustainable development from the University of Cambridge. In 2014, he was recognised by collaborative sustainability community 2degrees as one of the global “Top 25 Under 25” people transforming the world of sustainable business. 

Presentation Overview

Michael will present findings from a research-industry collaboration, jointly managed with Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC), that aims to prepare new buildings for the net zero carbon environment. This includes evidence to support a transition plan to make the National Construction Code 'zero carbon ready'. This plan would encourage industry to invest in new technology, design and construction practices by showing how energy requirements will change over time.