Our commitment to sustainability
Sustainability is more than an aspiration, it takes committed action. ANU established our commitment to sustainability in the late 90s with the establishment of our Environmental Management Plan (EMP). As our understanding of environmental and societal needs has grown, so has our commitment to meet those challenges. The latest iteration of the EMP focuses on six areas for action: greenhouse gases, energy, water, the built environment, a circular economy and biodiversity and conservation.
In 2020, as the catastrophic Black Summer bushfires burned through Australian homes and landscapes, the ANU Vice-Chancellor, Prof Brian Schmidt, along with our world-renowned climate experts, formulated a plan to take direct climate action. ANU Below Zero was launched with the goal of becoming a carbon-negative university by 2030. We are one of the first universities in the world to adopt such ambitious targets, with the aim to innovate solutions to our biggest challenges by integrating our world-class research, engage meaningfully with our community so they are ready to take action and provide a roadmap to success for other organisations in Australia and around the world.
Up to now, our work has focused on achieving our 2030 emissions targets. Our foremost priority is reducing our emissions as much as possible, which includes converting our natural gas-powered infrastructure to electric, installing renewable energy resources and developing a strategy for transitioning our fleet vehicles to electric. We are also focused on ways to reduce emissions from waste and travel through organisational and behavioural change programs.
To offset any residual emissions, we are working towards a program of high-quality ANU-connected carbon removal activities that will remove more than the equivalent carbon dioxide emitted. We are working to establish partnerships with land owners for nature-based solutions and exploring ways technology can improve our carbon-negative goals. We will integrate research and teaching into these activities and use our expertise to drive innovation in this vital sector.
While the University is working hard at the infrastructure and policy level, transitioning to sustainable ways of being, working and living requires transformational change from everyone - including you!
Becoming a part of the solution
As a student, there are several ways you can be involved with sustainability action at ANU through courses, internships, student projects, One Small Step as well as through your everyday decisions.
Coursework
We offer a number of undergraduate and postgraduate programs and courses that have a direct link to sustainability, climate science, adaptation and mitigation, economics, law, policy and governance aspects of climate change vulnerability and energy. There is also a suite of areas that can contribute to increasing our knowledge and action in areas like psychology, art, communication, philosophy, computer technology and AI, engineering, chemistry, business and risk management, and many more. Courses that incorporate the Program in 2024 are listed below.
Internships
Internships can provide you with an opportunity to gain real-world experience through a workplace project of 120 or 240 hours over a semester. These internships assist in developing your employability in terms of verbal and written communication, research, and problem-solving skills.
One of the key differences of a Sustainability internship is the independent, research-led experience provided to you, allowing you to make a unique contribution. You can design and develop your own project within a broad scope and are awarded the opportunity to work on emerging ideas and methods in sustainability. We currently support internships from the College of Business and Economics Internship Program (undergraduate and postgraduate), and the Australian National Internships Program. We can also facilitate internships from other areas at ANU.
Student Projects
If you do not have course space to complete a course or internship with us, you can still be involved through student projects, ask your course convener about special research projects available within your degree which may give you an opportunity to tailor a small research project on sustainability. Alternatively, contact Below Zero directly to volunteer or pitch a project outside degree-connected options.
Past student projects have included:
- A Soft Plastic Audit at an ANU hall of residence. An undergraduate student decided to conduct an audit of the soft plastics fellow residents were using and then disposing. See how Laura went with collecting, storing and weighing the mountains of soft plastics as well as her conclusions around corporate responsibility to increase awareness of how to dispose of these refuse items.
- Pathways towards ANU Below Zero: A review of behavioural change, waste management, and carbon sequestration. Read Stephanie's full report here (PDF, 833 KB).
- Aggregated Energy Use at the ANU. Read the full report here (PDF, 813 KB).
One Small Step
One Small Step is an app that helps make choosing sustainable options simple and easy. Backed by proven behaviour change methods with science-based effective climate action, One Small Step ensures you know how to make a big impact by taking small steps towards larger goals.
A public version of the app has been helping people worldwide for years. Now, ANU staff and students can access a version of this app for free with ANU and Canberra-specific resources, making change even easier!
Everyday decision-making
Want to know where you can make the most significant impact in reducing your carbon footprint? Choose active or public transport options! Petrol or diesel-powered vehicles are by far the most significant contributor to our individual carbon footprint. Where possible, choose a public transport option, and as a student, your fare is half-price! Find out more on the ACT public transport website. If you want more flexibility, think about an electric bike or scooter. SEE-Change, a grass-roots sustainability organisation based in Canberra, hosts an Electric Bike Library where you can try a number of electric bikes to see which is right for you!
Want more ideas? Check out these tips and tricks on how you can make small choices that make a big difference in your journey to act more sustainably.
Want to know more or have an idea that doesn't fit in any of the boxes above? Contact us for advice on where you can make an impact.