The University has two overall mechanisms for addressing environmental sustainability – the Environmental Management Plan and the Below Zero Program.
The Below Zero Program aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net and then below zero for direct on-campus activities, energy, business travel and waste. The focus is on practical emissions reductions first and foremost, only using carbon removal as a back-up. The University will also progressively draw down emissions accumulated over its lifetime. All other indirect emissions from procurement of goods and services and commuter travel will be reduced as rapidly as possible, based on international best-practice for the university sector.
The Below Zero Program Strategic Plan has been informed by:
Environmental Management Plan (EMP) 2022-’25 provides an approach to improve environmental sustainability across its Acton campus and regional sites. The EMP has six pillars: greenhouse gas mitigation, energy management, water management, built environment, circular economy, and biodiversity and conservation. The EMP has several short- and medium-term objectives to assist the University in reaching its sustainability ambitions.