Environmental sustainability at the ANU
Environmental sustainability at the ANU is guided by the Environmental Sustainability Plan 2026–2030. The Plan sets out how the University will reduce its environmental impacts, strengthen climate resilience and embed sustainability across governance, operations, research, teaching and community life.
Delivery of the Plan is led by the Environmental Sustainability portfolio, known as ANU Green, within Campus Environment, working in partnership with colleagues across the University. ANU Green is the University’s operational sustainability program, supporting practical action on campus and enabling staff and students to take part in meaningful change.
The Environmental Sustainability Plan 2026-2030 replaces our previous plan, Dhaagun Environmental Management Plan 2022-2025, and builds on its ambition and approach. It brings together climate action, circular economy and nature conservation into a single, integrated framework that aligns with regulatory requirements, institutional priorities and best practice across the higher education sector.
Our framework for action
The Plan is structured around three strategic drivers that define what we are working towards:
- Climate action – reducing emissions and strengthening resilience
- Circular economy – reducing consumption, keeping resources in use and designing out waste
- Nature conservation – protecting and restoring biodiversity on campus and across supply chains
These drivers are supported by five pathways that describe how sustainability is embedded across the University: governance, operations, Indigenous cultural knowledge, engagement and behavioural change, and research and teaching.
Action on the ground is delivered through eight pillars where the University can make the greatest impact: energy, built environment, transport, water, landscapes and ecosystems, goods and services, waste and recycling, and climate risk.
Accountability and reporting
The Plan is supported by annual Delivery Plans, with progress reviewed quarterly and reported publicly through the ANU Environmental Sustainability Report. A formal review of the Plan will take place in 2028 to ensure it remains responsive to emerging risks, opportunities and community expectations.
Explore the Plan, Solutions pages and Reports & Publications pages to see how sustainability is being delivered across the ANU and how you can be part of it.
