ANU is unique in Australia, connecting researchers across all fields to work together on the big environmental challenges and opportunities facing contemporary society. Highly regarded internationally for connecting science and policy, ANU seeks to support the sustainable use of Australia’s and the world’s resources.
ANU Green is working to operationalise environmental sustainability initiatives, policies and reporting at ANU. Our approach integrates practical action to manage environmental impacts with our world-leading research and teaching. We aim to use our expertise to drive innovation, using the University as a living lab and demonstrator.
Areas of work include transitioning our energy systems away from fossil fuels, emission reduction programs across our operational (e.g. fleet vehicles) and non-operational (e.g. travel and waste) sources, creating a circular economy system on campus, monitoring and reporting our environmental impacts, community engagement in sustainability and climate action, climate change risk and adaptation approaches, landscape and biodiversity programs.
As you explore previous students' research projects, we encourage you to explore our sustainability project ideas. In these ideas, you can consider a range of potential research or project opportunities that align with your interests and contribute to your studies at the University.
Student projects
Whether it is a special research project course, Honours, or higher degree research program, there are many ways to incorporate these issues into your degree program. Ask your course convener about what works best for your program and whether working with ANU Green to facilitate a living lab approach to your project is possible.
Wondering how you can get involved? Explore our sustainability project ideas that might align with your interests and contribute to your studies at ANU.
Past student projects have included:
| Project name | Project description | Project status |
|---|---|---|
| Creating an Active Environment in ANU: Strategic Management of Outdoor Physical Activity Resources | Kevin’s report investigates the availability, safety and use of outdoor exercise facilities across the ANU campus, supporting the Active ANU Strategy’s goal of creating an active environment. The project identified significant gaps in existing information, assessed facility condition and usage, and provides recommendations to improve visibility, address urgent repairs and better meet demand for outdoor physical activity. Read (PDF, 645 KB) the full report. | Complete |
| Sustainable Commuting Campaign: Drive Less, Save More | Elita’s report examines the design and delivery of the Drive Less, Save More campaign, applying the COM-B behavioural change model to promote sustainable commuting at ANU. The project combined social media and in-person engagement, achieving strong increases in reach and participation, including Sustainable Commuting Fairs attended by more than 180 students and staff. Read (PDF, 511 KB) the full report. | Complete |
| Analysing Commuting Patterns - Path to Emission Reduction at ANU | Chaitry Kariya's report explores the carbon emissions generated from commuting to and from the Australian National University campus by staff and students. The project offers a thorough examination of commuter behavior, assessing emissions by mode of transportation, and pinpoints potential to encourage active and sustainable commuting methods as part of the university's goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2040. Read the full report (PDF, 1,446 KB). | Complete |
| Sustainable Procurement Framework and Supplier Evaluation Criteria | Medha Maruti Hegde's report proposes a framework that intends to enhance the procurement operations at ANU by integrating sustainability. It also proposes evaluation criteria to guide supplier selection, aiming to enhance cost reduction, supply chain resilience, and compliance with ethical standards. Read the full report (PDF, 1,796 KB). | Complete |
| Climate Adaptation at the Australian National University | Zoe's report explores the University's opportunity to take a leadership position in climate risk assessment and adaptation planning in Australia's tertiary sector. Read (PDF, 678 KB) the full report. | Complete |
| Measurement, Reporting and Verification of Biodiversity Co-benefits for ANU-Connected Carbon Removal | Akari's report outlines frameworks for assessing the biodiversity co-benefits of carbon removal projects for the ANU Below Zero Program. Read the full report (PDF, 1,106 KB). | Complete |
| Building Sustainable Heat Infrastructure - Mapping Funding Strategies for The Australian National University’s Electrified District Energy Hubs | Fawwad's report establishes an evaluation framework for potential funding strategies for sustainable heat infrastructure at the University. Read the full report (PDF, 346 KB). | Complete |
| Sustainability Reporting In Universities | Erin Upfold explores the Global Reporting Initiative and Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System as potential sustainability frameworks that may better place the University to measure and report on its environmental, social and governance impacts. Erin recommends the STARS framework is most suited to the University given its widespread use internationally and specific design for universities. Read the full report (PDF, 1,941 KB). | Complete |
| Carbon Emissions Events Visualiser | Honours Student Isabella Federle developed an interactive visualiser for participants and organisers of OzCHI22. Read the full report (PDF, 2043 KB). | Complete |
| Web App to Choose a Greener Transportation Method in Business Trips | Honours Student Zhiyuan Ning designed a mobile app that motivates ANU staff to choose a transportation method that reduces their carbon footprint on business trips. Read the full report (PDF, 73.2 KB). | Complete |
| Corporate Sustainability/ESG Frameworks | Yuchen Liu developed proposed an ESG reporting method. Read the full report (PDF, 297 KB). | Complete |
| HR Levers for Travel Behaviour Change | Nick Warren-Smith reviewed University policies and resources to identify areas where travel behaviour may be influenced without sacrificing opportunities for staff and the core missions of the University. Read the full report (PDF, 510 KB). | Complete |
| Carbon Credit Market Assessment | Tom Adams investigated the viability of several short-term offsetting strategies for the University, using qualitative analysis to identify and contrast potential approaches to reaching net zero emissions. Read the full report (PDF, 684 KB) | Complete |
| Pathways towards ANU Below Zero: A review of behavioural change, waste management, and carbon sequestration | A critical literature review was performed to evaluate behavioural change and waste management and carbon sequestration strategies in universities such as the University of Cambridge, and organisations of Blue Planet. This evaluation highlighted 11 principles contributing to universities’ success in behavioural change and waste management strategies to reduce carbon emissions which may be beneficial for consideration by ANU Below Zero. Four enabling environments were identified for effective carbon sequestration: long-term commitment, research funding, alignment with circular economy policies, and carbon accounting mechanisms. Read the full report (PDF, 833 KB). | Complete |
| Soft Plastic Audit at an ANU hall of residence | An ANU undergraduate decided to do an "at home exchange" after COVID-19 postponed her exchange to Canada. Laura moved into Fenner Hall on the ANU campus and decided to conduct an audit of the soft plastics her fellow residents were using and then disposing. Read 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. Read the full report. | Complete |
| Aggregated Energy Use at the ANU | This report determines how energy use is aggregated from individuals, through subcommunities using the ANU Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics (RSAA) as a case study to the whole of the Australian National University (ANU) campuses. This report is presented to the ANU Executive to inform short, medium and long term strategies that can be implemented to support behavioural change, reduce energy use and encourage long term campus sustainability. Read the full report (PDF, 813 KB). | Complete |
| Pathways towards ANU Below Zero: A review of behavioural change, waste management, and carbon sequestration | A critical literature review was performed to evaluate behavioural change and waste management and carbon sequestration strategies in universities such as the University of Cambridge, and organisations of Blue Planet. This evaluation highlighted 11 principles contributing to universities’ success in behavioural change and waste management strategies to reduce carbon emissions which may be beneficial for consideration by ANU Below Zero. Four enabling environments were identified for effective carbon sequestration: long-term commitment, research funding, alignment with circular economy policies, and carbon accounting mechanisms. Read the full report. | Complete |
| Soft Plastic Audit at an ANU hall of residence | An ANU undergraduate decided to do an "at home exchange" after COVID-19 postponed her exchange to Canada. Laura moved into Fenner Hall on the ANU campus and decided to conduct an audit of the soft plastics her fellow residents were using and then disposing. Read 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. Read the full report. | Complete |