When Ashak Nathwani arrived in Australia from Uganda in 1972 with 20 cents to his name, little did he imagine how much he would achieve in his life. Laura Timberlake reviews his recently released book and explores his astonishing career.
As Australia struggles to meet its net zero targets, many consumers are becoming more aware of the issues and exploring how they can contribute to the larger goals. A big part of the national plans to meet future targets involves moving away from natural gas consumption and increasing electrification.
In his book Defeating Mr CO₂: Energy saving guide to achieving Net Zero, Dr Ashak Nathwani, AM, explores how reducing carbon emissions in the built environment will help Australia meet its targets. Nathwani takes a pragmatic stance, and his down-to-earth and practical advice can be used by homeowners and industry experts alike.
The book was officially launched in Sydney on November 12, 2024, at an event that included a Q&A session by Stephen Ballesty, and a keynote speech by Tony Cope.
All-inclusive approach
Nathwani begins the book by describing the types of carbon emissions that occur and their sources. CO2 originates from both natural events – such as from bushfires – and man-made sources like cars and buildings, which Nathwani says are responsible for approximately 40 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions globally.
He outlines the effect greenhouse gases can have on the environment and the issues surrounding climate change. Even when describing complex or extremely technical content, Nathwani conveys his messages in clear and concise language that is easy to understand and relate to.
“I wanted to write about HVAC in simple terms,” Nathwani explains.
He would like people outside the HVAC&R industry to be able to read and understand the book. It has also been designed using a magazine-like layout to make it more readable.
“Having spent most of my professional life in the design, construction, commissioning, maintenance and auditing of energy-consuming systems associated with the built environment, I am able to offer simple and pragmatic solutions on how to reduce energy and the related greenhouse gases cost-effectively,” says Nathwani.
“The whole book is about saving energy and greenhouse gases. We’ve got another ‘COVID’ or pandemic, in terms of climate change. It is having such an impact, it’s almost like an end-of-life type of impact.
“If we all got together and saved one tonne each, cumulatively you can imagine the difference we would be able to make.
Targeting building emissions
The book looks at how individual sectors contribute to greenhouse gases, and the ways these emissions can be minimised. Nathwani also focuses on different aspects of the built environment and how everything from clothing, architecture, windows, and various HVAC systems can play a huge part in increasing energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse emissions.
As an example, he references the simple act of closing curtains.
“In summertime obviously people may not close their curtains during the day, but if they do close them where the sun is coming in directly, then there is going to be a big saving,” he says. “That’s because the other function of the curtain is that it provides insulation to a glass window.”
The book also includes direct comparisons between building systems, case studies and real-world calculations and experiences that Nathwani references – and he sure does have some professional and life experiences to draw on.
It’s the simple things
Among the complex issues Nathwani addresses in Defeating Mr CO₂, there are also some simple steps homeowners and building owners can take away to increase their energy efficiency in dwellings and buildings.
As he touches on in his book, every building is unique and requires different measures to decrease emissions and increase efficiency. For example, a larger standard-sized home will need a very different approach than a one-bedroom apartment or a large commercial warehouse.
The simplest tips are the easiest to implement, such as:
- Turn appliances off at the socket when not in use
- Check and seal gaps around windows and doors
- Close curtains during summer to keep the heat out, and in winter at night to keep the heat in
- Open windows and use fans to create natural ventilation and circulate air
- Ensure energy-efficient LED light bulbs are installed.
An excellent example in the book was of using an electric kettle. Think about it – do you completely fill your kettle when you’re making a hot drink? Nathwani calculates precisely how much energy a user can save (and how much CO₂ is emitted) when boiling only the amount of water needed, instead of completely filling the kettle.
Nathwani also strongly advocates for building owners to educate any tenants and occupants in the best practices for saving energy. This helps to decrease emissions and reduce overall costs.
Facilities Management and Greenhouse Gas Minimisation
Nathwani was involved in designing a free online course available via the Aga Khan Foundation’s Learning Hub. The course includes 15 videos that offer a step-by-step guide for reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in buildings. Visit the.akdn/en for more information.
A life-changing moment
Nathwani graduated from the University of Nairobi in Kenya in 1972 with a mechanical engineering degree. The year before, Major General Idi Amin had seized power through a military coup in neighbouring Uganda, where Nathwani was born and grew up.
Amin embarked on a genocidal purge in 1972, directly targeting the Acholi and Lango ethnic groups, as well as expelling South Asian minorities from the country. Unable to safely return home to Uganda after graduating, he was forced to flee to Australia as a political refugee.
Nathwani explains that one of the reasons he chose Australia was because his degree would be recognised here.
“I actually got my visas to go to Canada, but they would not recognise the British qualification,” he says. “The English qualification from the University of Nairobi helped me come to Australia because it was recognised immediately.”
Soon after arriving in Australia his wife and brother, Nathwani secured his first job as a controls engineer at Honeywell. After three years at Honeywell, he took a position as an HVAC contractor with T O’Connor and Sons. He then went on to work as a consultant at Norman Disney Young (NDY) for 33 years.
After retiring from NDY, Nathwani joined the University of Sydney as a researcher and senior lecturer, where he also co-designed a degree and one of the first indoor environmental quality laboratories in Australia. Throughout his career he has travelled extensively and worked on several iconic buildings (some of which are referenced in the book). In 2016 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his services to the Ismaili community, sustainability and engineering.
Fifty years after arriving in Australia, he also received his PhD from the School of Architecture, Design and Planning at the University of Sydney.
Personal tragedy
Sadly, Nathwani’s wife Samim passed away from motor neurone disease (MND) in 2019. Samim was a passionate advocate and expert in early childhood development. When Nathwani discovered that excursions to Australia’s HMAS Onslow submarine in Sydney were being cancelled due to uncomfortable temperature conditions, he decided to step in and find a solution as a tribute to his wife.
He developed a custom-built split air conditioning system for the submarine, and his family donated the cost of the air conditioning system as a tribute to Samim – and to allow children to continue experiencing the HMAS Onslow.
As an ambassador for the NSW Motor Neurone Disease Association, Nathwani has also pledged that a percentage of his book sales will go to MND research and assisting patients with the disease.
He has also recently taken a position as chief sustainability officer with Building Zero Consultants (based in Surat, India), with the aim to build capacity through training courses to “defeat Mr CO₂”.
Defeating Mr CO₂ is available to purchase online at: https://booksonlineaustralia.com.au/shop/defeating-mrco2/
Did you know?
- Many ceiling fans have both a summer and a winter switch setting. The winter setting can be used during the cooler months to disperse any heat that has risen back into the room.
- Clothes have standards too! Known as “clo” values under international standard ISO 7730 and ASHRAE Standard 55, the values determine the thermal insulation a piece of clothing has.
- Based on Nathwani’s calculations, using a traditional Aussie rotary or “Hills Hoist” clothesline in the backyard can save around $249 per annum in energy costs.
