We launched the University's Climate and Nature Transition Plan 2026–2032 (pdf, 18.7KB) on 15 September 2026. We report publicly each year on progress against the plan's 12 targets. Our reports up to 2025 track progress against the Sustainability Strategy 2020 (pdf, 4MB).
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We are proud to be the first university in the world to publish a nature-related financial disclosure aligned with the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), released as part of our 2024 Sustainability Annual Report.
This demonstrates how the University is adapting an international framework to integrate biodiversity, ecosystems, and environmental risk into core governance and decision-making.
The University recognises that one of the greatest global challenges is climate change and its effects. In August 2020, we launched ourÌýClimate Action Statement, adding our voice to a growing body of institutions calling for urgent action on climate change.
The following statement, which highlights our commitment to ambitious new targets, was launched alongside our first whole-of-University Sustainability Strategy to guide action across our core business and progress systemic change.
In view of the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the United Nations (UN) Production Gap Report, the ±¬ÁÏÍõ recognises the need for immediate and comprehensive action to meet, and preferably exceed, the Paris Agreement targets. The clear scientific consensus is that the global community urgently needs to make deep and sustained reductions in the emission of greenhouse gases, to limit global temperature rises to 1.5°C and thereby avoid longer and more intense bushfire seasons, water stress, extreme weather events and the collapse of ecosystems, including coral reefs. Actions on climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction are also imperative.
Reducing emissions and adapting to climate change is a complex challenge, with implications for areas as diverse as ecology, energy, agriculture, health, cultural heritage, law, politics, migration, inequality, urban planning, finance, insurance and international security. The ±¬ÁÏÍõ is confronting the many challenges of climate change through our research, teaching, infrastructure and policies and through our national and international collaborations.
The ±¬ÁÏÍõ is home to Centres, Institutes, and researchers who are already engaged in finding solutions to complex real-word problems. In the 2020 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, that assess universities against the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the ±¬ÁÏÍõ was ranked 2nd overall, and in the top 10 for six specific goals (SDGs 2, 8, 11, 15, 16, 17). We aspire to attain top 10 status in SDG 13, Climate Action and to translate the important research we do into practical actions on campus. The ±¬ÁÏÍõ will also continue to offer interdisciplinary programs and units of study which educate students about sustainability and climate change.
Given the gravity of the situation and the enormity of the challenges, we as a University declare openly that more immediate and comprehensive action is needed to address climate change. AsÌýscientists have warned, ‘the time to act is rapidly closing’. Our next step will be the adoption of a Sustainability Strategy in 2020 which includes actions on emissions reduction and uptake of renewable energy. We recognise that effective action requires all institutions, including governments, corporations, and all civil society actors, including universities, to review and enhance their actions on climate change on a regular basis, consistently with climate science. Consequently, in addition to the annual review of our targets and annual reports on the implementation of the Sustainability Strategy, the ±¬ÁÏÍõ commits to reviewing its progress on addressing climate change and SDG 13 every two years commencing in 2022, and toÌýenhancing its performance where necessary.
Our initiatives are driving progress toward a more sustainable future—on campus, in our communities, and beyond. By embedding sustainability into the way we teach, operate, and engage, we’re creating long-term, meaningful change for people and the planet.
We aspire to reduce our energy emissions from non-renewable energy sources and the impacts associated with unsustainable travel to, from and around our campuses. We’re making changes to improve environmentally, socially and financially responsible investment practices.
The University has a total rooftop solar capacity of 1.2MW across our campuses and student accommodation buildings, representing over a third of our 3MW target.
An additional 1MW of solar generation capacity is scheduled for installation across Camden and Camperdown/Darlington campuses, with an assessment completed across 26 buildings.
In the 2023 financial year, we generated 1,435 MWh of solar electricity across our campuses.
In 2022, a multi-year Business Case was developed and approved, which outlines and funds specific initiatives to achieve Sustainability Strategy targets, including a 10% reduction in energy intensity per Usable Floor Area/Gross Floor Area (UFA/GFA) by 2025.
One of these initiatives is a significant lighting efficiency and LED upgrade.
In 2023, this project audited 17 buildings for capacity to upgrade to LED fittings, which will facilitate a phased installation from 2023-2024. 14 buildings have been upgraded and around 37,500 lights with light-emitting diode bulbs (LEDs) have been installed to date.
The installation of sixÌýÌýsmart solar benches at the University’s Camperdown and Darlington campus is aÌýliving lab initiativeÌýdesigned to extend lighting zones without mains infrastructure.
We are proud to announce thatÌýthe ±¬ÁÏÍõ is undertaking divestment of both direct and indirect holdings in fossil fuel companies, in line with the Sustainability Strategy’s target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2030.
Our new Investment Policy (2022) will see the University’s investment portfolio align with the Transition Pathway Initiative (TPI), requiring companies to reduce their greenhouse emissions consistent with limiting warming to 2°C.
The policy will see the ±¬ÁÏÍõ align investments with theÌý.
Our progress:
We aim to employ innovative approaches for building and landscape infrastructure to minimise negative impacts and prepare us for the consequences of climate change. We are committed to protecting and improving our biodiversity.
The garden was created to mark National Tree Day in 2021, with staff and students partnering withÌý, a local Aboriginal-owned social enterprise, to plant and create the garden. The University’s first curriculum based Living Lab project, the garden has since won the prestigiousÌýGreen Gown Award Australasia 2022 ‘Creating Impact’Ìýand is currently a finalist in theÌý.Ìý
This new garden provides an opportunity to activate the synergies between the Sustainability Strategy, which is underpinned by a foundation of Caring for Country, and the pillars of theÌýOne Sydney, Many People (OSMP) StrategyÌý(pdf, 4.61MB): Nguragaingun, Ngara, Pemulian – Sydney basin language representing Culture and community, Education and research, and Environment.Ìý
The University has worked with Greening Australia for a number of years to plant more that 140,000 trees at the University’sÌýArthursleigh FarmÌýin the NSW Southern Highlands, which is used for teaching and research in pasture agronomy and animal science.
In 2021 alone, the University Infrastructure and Arthursleigh Farm teams have planted 20,000 new trees covering 75 hectares as part of this project.
This effort was supported by AstraZeneca’s pledge to plant 25 million trees globally as part of a carbon-sequestering project.
Over the last 10 years, the University has built a number of new buildings across our campuses as part of ourÌýCampus Improvement Program.
The program aims to ensure a minimum 5 Star, Green Star rating for all new buildings and 4 Star, Green Star for major refurbishment projects in existing buildings by 2025.
The newÌýEngineering and Technology Precinct (ETP)Ìýhas been designed to include energy efficient lighting, improved indoor air quality features, a solar photovoltaic system on the roof, promotion of sustainable transport, and surface heat reduction landscape design.
It has currently been awarded a 4 Star Green Star Design Review & As Built certified rating, which represents best practice in sustainable design. The ETP building will apply for a 4 Star Green Star As Built certification rating following completion.
We’re committed to demonstrating leadership in the reduction of our waste and water-use and improving our management of these systems. We’re making changes to improve procurement practices to enable ethically and sustainably sourced products, as well as affordable, healthy and culturally acceptable food and beverages on campus.
With the support of a grant from the NSW Government, the HotRot biodigester– also known as Chester the Digester– was installed for odour-free processing of organic waste into compost for use on campus.
The biodigester weighs 2500 kilograms and can break down up to 500 kilograms of waste every day, transforming products such as coffee grounds, teabags, food waste and street sweepings into compost to be used on campus.
Organic waste collection points are listed as amenities on theÌýCamperdown/Darlington campus map.
The University has worked with Greening Australia for a number of years to plant more that 140,000 trees at the University’sÌýArthursleigh FarmÌýin the NSW Southern Highlands, which is used for teaching and research in pasture agronomy and animal science.
In 2021 alone, the University Infrastructure and Arthursleigh Farm teams have planted 20,000 new trees covering 75 hectares as part of this project.
This effort was supported by AstraZeneca’s pledge to plant 25 million trees globally as part of a carbon-sequestering project.
Over the last 10 years, the University has built a number of new buildings across our campuses as part of ourÌýCampus Improvement Program.
The program aims to ensure a minimum 5 Star, Green Star rating for all new buildings and 4 Star, Green Star for major refurbishment projects in existing buildings by 2025.
Our progress:
We aim to be transparent and open about our progress and demonstrate an enduring commitment to sustainability at all levels. We will engage strongly with our University community, providing opportunities to participate in grassroots action.
In 2023, we finalised theÌýMy Green Lab Accreditation Program, guiding 4 labs from different disciplines and faculties through an international accreditation process designed specifically for improving sustainability in laboratory spaces.
Three labs received a Green Certification, and one lab received a Platinum Certification – the highest and second highest certifications provided by My Green Lab.
This improvement corresponds to an overall jump from Bronze to Green Certification.
Funding:ÌýSustainability team
Project partners:ÌýMy Green Lab
Our staff and student sustainability action program, Green Impact, ran for the third time in 2023.
Green Impact is a global initiative hosted by Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability (ACTS).
9 teams from across 5 ±¬ÁÏÍõ campuses worked for 6 months to complete 474 sustainable actions.Ìý
A snapshot of the breadth of some actions completed include:
For the first time, our teams won challenges in the Green Impact Cup, an annual inter-program competition.
Funding:ÌýSustainability teamÌý
Project partners:ÌýAustralasian Campuses Towards Sustainability (ACTS)
Our progress