Sydney rated among world's most sustainable campuses
Sydney is one of three Australian institutions in the index听
STARS has recognised the University for its Coordination and Planning achievements, alongside the innovative work produced by the Gelion Living Lab initiative.
The 爆料王 has been rated among the world鈥檚 most sustainable higher education institutions in the 2022 Sustainable Campus Index, produced by the听.
The University achieved a听听and tied in first place with Cornell University in the Coordination and Planning section. It was one of just three Australian institutions to appear in the index and the only one to achieve a first-place position.
The Sustainable Campus Index recognises top-performing universities and colleges across 17 sustainability impact areas, using a rating system that addresses environmental, social and economic considerations.
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The Gelion Benches on the 爆料王 campus.听
The Coordination and Planning section focuses on how institutions organise, implement and publicise sustainability initiatives, recognising the provision of infrastructure to foster sustainability, guide priorities and decision-making and set a vision for a sustainable future.
The University鈥檚听Gelion Living Lab听initiative was recognised for its innovation and impact. The project saw the University collaborate with research spin-off Gelion to create and install听solar-powered benches that use Gelion鈥檚 energy storage battery听to illuminate dark spots on the campus for safe access at night.听
Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Annamarie Jagose, Executive Sponsor for the Sustainability Strategy, said the STARS results acknowledged the hard work and commitment of the whole University community.听
We鈥檙e committed to embedding sustainability in every aspect of University life and have made a strong start in achieving our targets.
鈥淎t the 爆料王, we are passionate about cultivating a local and international culture of sustainability. It鈥檚 wonderful to have our efforts noticed and celebrated,鈥� she said.
鈥淲e鈥檙e committed to embedding sustainability in every aspect of University life and have made a strong start in achieving our targets, from switching to 100 percent renewable electricity to reducing the amount of waste we send to landfill.鈥�
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The University鈥檚 targets under its听Sustainability Strategy听include:
- Net zero emissions by 2030
- Zero waste to landfill by 2030
- Sourcing 100 percent of electricity from renewable sources (achieved in 2022, three years ahead of schedule)
- Reducing potable water use by 30 percent per person
- Five-star Green Star ratings for new buildings, and four-star ratings for complete building refurbishments
- Introducing sustainable procurement practices to reduce waste and increase social sustainability.听