This Monday 22 April is Earth Day, an opportunity for us to celebrate sustainability and consider more ways we can take action.
Wondering how you can get involved with sustainability at ANU?
We’ve compiled a list of several opportunities that can help to reduce your carbon footprint and get involved in community initiatives where you can work with others to generate lasting, positive change.
Reduce your carbon footprint by...
Taking One Small Step
One Small Step is an app that helps users choose sustainable options simply and easy by assisting them in making 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 unique version of this app for free with ANU and Canberra-specific resources, making change even easier.
Taking active and share transport
Taking public transport instead of driving can reduce your annual carbon emissions by an estimated 80%, and riding a bicycle for shorter trips will reduce your carbon footprint by 75%. Not only are there environmental, physical, mental and financial benefits of not using a car to drive to campus, but you can also save time and frustration by avoiding peak hour traffic and searching for parking spots.
Visit this webpage for shared and active travel tips for ANU staff and students.
Hosting sustainable events
Planning an upcoming event? Consult the Low carbon events sub-guide to see how you can host a fun and engaging event that also has a low environmental impact. Hot tip: hosting a virtual or hybrid event will vastly reduce the carbon emissions for that event.
Reducing your energy consumption
Reducing our energy consumption habits is one of the most important actions that we can take to reduce our carbon footprint. Find tips to reduce your energy usage at home and in the office.
Thinking about your travel
Travel is a valued part of the University experience with positive impacts for career development, building relationships, extending networks and beyond. It can be challenging to balance our desire to reduce our carbon footprint and undertake meaningful travel for our work or study.
You can find practical advice for making more sustainable travel decisions in the ANU Low Carbon Travel Guidelines.
Get involved with initiatives on and off campus such as...
ANU Green
ANU Green is the University’s operational program that seeks to embed sustainability into the fabric of the campus. Two programs work towards these goals: Dhaagun Environmental Management Plan 2022-2025 and ANU Below Zero. Read more on their website
Join the ANU Green Network, sign up for volunteer opportunities and follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
Student Life
ANU Student Life supports students to connect, grow, and thrive at university with development opportunities, peer-led events and activities, and health promotion campaigns. View the Student Communities website to participate in their activities for 2024, including the Kitchen Garden Project, ANU Community Connect and other events.
Canberra Food Co-Op
The Canberra Food Co-op is a community-led, non-profit organisation aiming to encourage zero-waste shopping, affordable access to local food and products and build a community that promotes knowledge sharing and culture, conveniently located on ANU campus near Barry Drive.
ANU as a living lab
If you are interested in environmental sustainability, there are courses and student projects across most disciplines at ANU. Start by enrolling in climate adaptation and energy courses offered at ANU or asking your course convenors about incorporating ANU Green content into your current program.