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Transforming values into action
Image: Flickr ANU

Sustainability is a shared responsibility. At ANU, we are committed to embedding it into everything we do, from research and teaching to how we manage our campus operations. But real impact happens when we all play a part.

This page outlines the key sustainability values that guide the University's environmental actions, as well as practical steps you can take in your daily life to reduce your impact. Whether it’s making smarter choices around energy use, recovering or reusing resources or rethinking how you travel, every small action contributes to meaningful change.

See how ANU is working towards a more sustainable future and how you can be part of it in the sections below.

Quick links

Our values

Sustainability is not just a goal at ANU. We are committed to embedding it in how we operate, teach and engage with our community. We are committed to minimising our environmental impact and integrating sustainable practices across all areas of university life. Our approach is guided by five key principles:

  • Reducing our footprint - Cutting greenhouse gas emissions, conserving water, recovering or reusing resources, protecting biodiversity, and ensuring sustainable design in our buildings.
  • Creating an inclusive, safe campus – Ensuring ANU is a diverse, welcoming and safe space for all staff, students, and visitors.
  • Engaging with our communities – Upholding human rights, collaborating with broader communities and embedding First Nations perspectives in our research, teaching and engagement.
  • Embedding sustainability in education and research – Integrating environmental sustainability concepts into our teaching and research programs.
  • Building strong partnerships – Working with organisations and individuals who share our commitment to sustainability.

These values shape our decisions and actions, but real change happens when we all take part. Explore how you can help put these values into action every day in the sections below.

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Reduce emissions

We face challenges from a changing climate each year and already witness devastating impacts from current warming levels. We need an urgent and drastic reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to zero as soon as possible across all sectors of society.

ANU is working to reduce its emissions as rapidly as possible by shifting to renewable energy, electrifying our fleet and reducing emissions across procurement, events, research and teaching and travel.

What you can do:

  • Use the Carbon Smart Events Guide to lower emissions at your event.
  • Plan work or study travel with the Carbon Smart Travel Guide.
  • Choose sustainable transport options – walk, cycle, use public transport or carpool. View the Carbon Smart Commuting Guide for advice on how to do this in Canberra and elsewhere.
  • Where possible, opt for digital meetings and hybrid events instead of requiring travel.
  • Practice energy efficiency and resource recovery using our suggestions below.
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Reduce energy use

ANU is one of the ACT’s largest energy users with high energy demands from our buildings and research facilities. We are in a unique position in the ACT, where most of our electricity is generated through renewable means, thanks to a commitment from our local government. However, some of our energy still comes from fossil fuels. ANU is working to phase out gas, such as our work to replace gas heat pumps with electric boilers. As we transition, efficient energy use is key to reducing our greenhouse gases.

Here is how you can help:

  • Switch off lights and equipment at the wall when not in use.
  • Turn off heaters and fans when leaving a room. 
  • Dress for the season to reduce dependency on heating or cooling.
  • In labs, close sashes on fume hoods to the recommended height and maintain freezers for energy efficiency.
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Save water on campus

ANU is a major water user in the ACT. We are cutting potable water use by harvesting rainwater and using non-potable water for irrigation.

Here's what you can do to help:

  • Report any leaking taps or burst pipes through fixmycampus@anu.edu.au
  • Only run dishwashers when full.
  • Reduce lab water use by turning off taps promptly and using low flow when washing labware.
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Sustainable buildings and spaces

Our Acton campus is in bushland, so our built environment must work with, not against, the surrounding ecosystems.

What you can do:

  • Reduce energy use – turn off lights, appliances and desktop displays when not needed.
  • Adjust air conditioning wisely – layer up in winter, wear lighter clothing in summer and set cooling to 24°C.
  • Share office spaces to cut energy use from separate heating and lighting.
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Recover resources and support a circular economy

ANU continues to work towards a higher recovery rate and reduce the volume of materials sent to landfill. Diverting items from landfill conserves resources, reduces emissions and promotes a circular economy.

Here’s how you can help:

  • CheckRecyclopaedia to see what can be reused or recycled.
  • Bring reusable items (keep cup, cutlery and a water bottle) to reduce single-use items. Refill your water bottle at stations across ANU.
  • Choose wisely and avoid single use plastics, buy second hand and opt for products with minimal packaging.
  • Go digital: promote events online instead of printed posters and use electronic documents instead of printing. If printing is necessary, minimise pages printed and use double-sided printing.
  • Sort materials correctly at sorting stations across campus to avoid sending unnecessary items to landfill. Find the first station piloted at Marie Reay Teaching Centre. Use the Container Deposit Scheme machine or food organics bins at Marie Reay.
  • Recycle responsibly – use e-waste bins for IT equipment, phones and batteries, and paper and cardboard bins near most printers on campus.
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Protect biodiversity on campus

ANU has long practiced sustainable landscape management, and protecting biodiversity is an ongoing effort.

Here’s how you can help conserve biodiversity on campus:

  • Dispose of waste appropriately. Never litter.
  • Keep waterways clean – don’t pour oils, chemicals or other waste into drains.
  • Respect wildlife – avoid disturbing animals and never feed them, as they may become dependent on us and lose their ability to survive on their own.

Every small action adds up. By making conscious choices in how you work, study, and move around campus, you are helping ANU drive real progress in sustainability. Find out more about our approaches to improve sustainability outcomes on our Solutions pages or ways you can be part of a sustainability community as ANU staff or students on our Get Involved pages.

ANU Green Network

Are you an ANU staff or student? Join the ANU Green Network to engage in conversations on environmental sustainability, explore the Second Life Furniture channel, share sustainability related images, and connect with others navigating to campus using sustainable commute options such as carpooling, biking, or public transport.

Follow @Green_ANU on Instagram!

Stay up to date with sustainability at ANU. Discover our top sustainability tips, campus initiatives, and ways to get involved. Join our community and be part of the change.