Reducing greenhouse gas emissions becomes increasingly urgent as the world grapples with climate change. At ANU, we recognise the pivotal role that energy consumption plays in this global challenge. Our work focuses on innovative strategies to make ANU buildings less reliant on fossil fuels and more energy-efficient, while ensuring they meet users’ needs and provide comfort. We explore how to engage people with their energy usage, empower them to control it, and ultimately reduce overall consumption. Additionally, we look at how to balance short-term infrastructure maintenance with long-term energy transition strategies, ensuring both fiscal responsibility and social impact. We also envision ANU buildings working together as a network that reduces energy usage and creates opportunities for a shared energy economy.

Do you have ideas on shaping a sustainable future through thoughtful research and actionable solutions? Use the following considerations as thought starters for a project.

For ANU students, if you want to incorporate these projects into your degree, talk to your course convener about how you can incorporate these projects into your degree program. If you and your supervisor would like support from ANU Green, get in touch.

For ANU staff, if you want to incorporate these projects into your teaching program and would like support from ANU Green, get in touch.

Considerations:

• How can we make ANU buildings more energy efficient, meet users’ needs, and be comfortable?
• How can we help people engage with their energy consumption and control it to reduce usage?
• How can ANU Green balance short-term infrastructure maintenance and management with long-term energy transition strategies?
• How can ANU Green prioritise the scope of work to ensure it is fiscally and socially responsible?
• How can we make buildings, or a group of buildings, work together to reduce energy usage or create pathways for a shared energy economy?

At ANU, our commitment to environmental stewardship extends beyond theory—we actively engage with staff, students and stakeholders to address pressing challenges related to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and waste management. We aim to deepen our understanding of circular economy principles and develop innovative strategies to reduce emissions and promote responsible waste practices. We explore key issues, from identifying emission sources to implementing circular solutions, while fostering a culture of sustainability across our campus and beyond.

Do you have ideas on creating closed-loop systems for waste streams on campus? Use the following considerations as thought starters for a project.

For ANU students, if you want to incorporate these projects into your degree, talk to your course convener about how you can incorporate these projects into your degree program. If you and your supervisor would like support from ANU Green, get in touch.

For ANU staff, if you want to incorporate these projects into your teaching program and would like support from ANU Green, get in touch.

Considerations:

• What are the main sources of GHG emissions from research, teaching, or operations that ANU Green must be aware of? Who are the key stakeholders in reducing emissions in a building or research setting?
• What areas produce specialty waste requiring alternative management protocols, and how can these align with emissions reduction goals?
• How can we embed circular economy waste strategies into business as usual?
• How can we encourage stakeholders to manage waste responsibly at every stage?
• What are the barriers to reducing food packaging on campus (e.g. cafes, ANU catering, staff and student choices)?
• What principles are important when developing a procurement policy to reduce waste?
• How can we balance hygiene and other considerations, such as food waste, with the need for low-GHG packaging?
• How can we support and incentivise recycling (e.g. via TerraCycle) and composting among students and staff?
• How can we create a shared economy for commodities across campus?
• What systems can we put in place to increase visibility and accessibility for different areas or cohorts to exchange or find unwanted items?

Travel is part of how we work, and the activities we do when we travel can positively impact our careers. However, every flight we take and every trip we make contributes to our environmental impact. To combat climate change, we need to reduce emissions as soon as possible while continuing to support our research, teaching, and operational priorities. This is a sector-wide challenge, and many of our domestic and international partners are implementing their own strategies for change.

At ANU Green, our research and programs support low carbon travel behaviours by empowering individuals to make intentional choices, backed by organisational measures such as policies and services. We’re working to shift the mindset from routine travel to purposeful travel that balances necessity with sustainability. By fostering equitable and transparent processes for travel prioritisation, we aim to ensure our collective efforts result in meaningful emissions reductions.

Do you have ideas on reimagining travel as a conscious activity that considers environmental impact alongside other considerations such as cost and time? Use the following considerations as thought starters for a project.

For ANU students, if you want to incorporate these projects into your degree, talk to your course convener about how you can incorporate these projects into your degree program. If you and your supervisor would like support from ANU Green, get in touch.

For ANU staff, if you want to incorporate these projects into your teaching program and would like support from ANU Green, get in touch.

Considerations:

• How can ANU Green support low carbon travel behaviours in travel decision-making?
• How can travel be redefined as an intentional activity that prioritises need and sustainability?
• How can we ensure the travel prioritisation process is equitable and transparent?

At ANU, we want to transform commuting into a force for positive change. We’re focused on normalising low-emission transport, sparking conversations around greener travel, and redefining cycling as a practical and accessible way to move around campus. By addressing barriers, improving facilities and exploring shared mobility options, we aim to shape a future where sustainability guides every journey.

Do you have ideas on encouraging and supporting lower emissions commuting behaviours? Use the following considerations as thought starters for a project.

For ANU students, if you want to incorporate these projects into your degree, talk to your course convener about how you can incorporate these projects into your degree program. If you and your supervisor would like support from ANU Green, get in touch.

For ANU staff, if you want to incorporate these projects into your teaching program and would like support from ANU Green, get in touch.

Considerations:

• How can we normalise low-emission transport by highlighting others’ sustainable behaviour and leveraging social connections?
• How can we support conversations about greener travel and shift norms away from single-person car use towards shared mobility, public transport and active travel?
• How can we reframe cycling from being perceived primarily as a sport to a practical way to get from A to B?
• What are the barriers to using active travel and public transport for students and staff commuting from Canberra and surrounding areas? How can we address these at both institutional and individual levels?
• How could we design a communications campaign to showcase ANU facilities that support active transport (e.g. showers, secure bike parking, bike paths)?
• How can we develop and promote shared mobility options, such as an ANU car share app?
• What might encourage students and staff to trial new low-emission transport options?
• How do current ANU parking fees influence travel choices?

The need to rethink how we run events has become increasingly clear in today’s eco-conscious world. Integrating sustainability practices is essential, whether it’s a small gathering or a large-scale conference. At ANU, we’re exploring innovative strategies to reduce the environmental impact of events while enhancing the attendee experience. From carbon reduction initiatives to circular economy measures and behavioural change programs, there are many ways to make events more eco-friendly and engaging.

Do you have ideas on innovative event and engagement strategies that reduce the carbon footprint of activities? Use the following considerations as thought starters for a project.

For ANU students, if you want to incorporate these projects into your degree, talk to your course convener about how you can incorporate these projects into your degree program. If you and your supervisor would like support from ANU Green, get in touch.

For ANU staff, if you want to incorporate these projects into your teaching program and would like support from ANU Green, get in touch.

Considerations:

• How can ANU Green support low carbon actions and behaviours, such as staff and students considering GHGs in their event planning?
• How can ANU Green help reshape the event landscape at ANU to prioritise low carbon practices?
• Who are the key stakeholders driving change in this area?
• How can ANU Green help meet attendees’ expectations while reducing emissions and waste?
• How can digital or hybrid event formats support carbon reduction while maintaining engagement and accessibility?

Monitoring and evaluating environmental impact are critical components of ANU’s sustainability progress and program delivery. Creating an inventory and mapping progress towards goals supports compliance with both mandatory and voluntary reporting obligations, internally and externally. Accurate data collection, clear performance metrics, alignment with regulatory frameworks, and realistic environmental goals form the foundation of this work. These elements are essential for promoting transparency and accountability, providing a framework for evaluating and communicating the University’s environmental performance.

Do you have ideas for tracking progress towards sustainability goals or new ways to share our journey to a low-emissions future? Use the following considerations as thought starters for a project.

For ANU students, if you want to incorporate these projects into your degree, talk to your course convener about how you can incorporate these projects into your degree program. If you and your supervisor would like support from ANU Green, get in touch.

For ANU staff, if you want to incorporate these projects into your teaching program and would like support from ANU Green, get in touch.

Considerations:

• What technologies or resources can streamline data collection and analysis for greenhouse gas emissions inventory and reporting?
• How do we efficiently and effectively track progress toward our sustainability goals?
• How can we embed links to global sustainability frameworks like the SDGs or ESG in our current programs?
• What mechanisms can collect feedback from the community to refine strategies? How can we encourage participation without increasing the admin burden?
• What engaging formats or platforms can help us communicate our progress to internal and external stakeholders?
• How can we ensure our reporting supports other organisations or governments working towards similar sustainability goals?

At ANU, we are committed to fostering and growing a culture of environmental sustainability across our community. Engagement programs aim to offer staff and students practical ways to integrate sustainability into their daily lives and contribute meaningfully to campus life. From rethinking onboarding materials to reflect sustainability values to using technology that helps individuals understand the carbon impact of their choices, we are exploring new ways to embed pro-climate behaviours and ensure broad, inclusive participation.

Do you have ideas on how to build sustainability engagement into campus life and encourage climate-positive behaviours across the ANU community? Use the following considerations as thought starters for a project.

For ANU students, if you want to incorporate these projects into your degree, talk to your course convener about how you can incorporate these projects into your degree program. If you and your supervisor would like support from ANU Green, get in touch.

For ANU staff, if you want to incorporate these projects into your teaching program and would like support from ANU Green, get in touch.

Considerations:

• What principles can we apply to frame environmental sustainability in onboarding materials to maximise engagement from new students and staff?
• How can we use green nudges or develop a pro-climate identity through induction materials or training programs? How can we evaluate whether these efforts lead to lasting behaviour change?
• How can we actively involve students, staff and academic leaders in sustainability initiatives? What formats - workshops, events, digital platforms - support ongoing participation and dialogue?
• What motivates individuals to adopt sustainable behaviours like recycling, conserving energy or making low-impact choices? How can we build on this?
• Are there existing or potential resources, technologies or facilities that can support more sustainable practices at the University? How can we improve access and awareness?
• How can we partner with local businesses, NGOs and governments to boost community-wide sustainability initiatives or co-develop programs?
• Are current programs accessible and inclusive across different demographics, abilities and cultural backgrounds? How can we ensure equitable access and representation in sustainability engagement?
• What recognition, incentives or peer-led models could encourage participation and celebrate contributions from the ANU community?
• How can technology be used to help people monitor their emissions or sustainability impact in real-time, and make behaviour changes accordingly?
• What strategies are most effective in helping individuals engage meaningfully with their environmental impact—and shift toward more sustainable habits?

Indirect emissions play a significant role in the environmental footprint of an organisation. As ANU works to embed sustainability across all operations, we are rethinking how to identify, manage and reduce Scope 3 emissions. Through collaboration with suppliers, we aim to implement procurement practices that prioritise environmental performance and life cycle assessments, thereby reducing emissions and supporting more informed and sustainable purchasing decisions. We are also exploring digital tools, education programs and policy frameworks to drive change across supply chains.

Do you have ideas on how institutions can reduce emissions associated with the goods and services they purchase and use? Use the following considerations as thought starters for a project.

For ANU students, if you want to incorporate these projects into your degree, talk to your course convener about how you can incorporate these projects into your degree program. If you and your supervisor would like support from ANU Green, get in touch.

For ANU staff, if you want to incorporate these projects into your teaching program and would like support from ANU Green, get in touch.

Considerations:

• How can we collaborate with suppliers to reduce emissions across the supply chain?
• What criteria should be used to select suppliers based on their environmental performance and emissions transparency?
• Have we conducted lifecycle assessments of key goods and services to better understand their environmental impacts?
• How can we empower consumers to make more sustainable purchasing choices? What tools or campaigns can support this?
• What digital tools or innovations can support more efficient, low-emissions procurement and logistics?
• Are there sector-wide or international standards that can guide how we report and reduce Scope 3 emissions?

Addressing climate and transition risks through comprehensive assessment and proactive adaptation planning is essential for any organisation’s long-term resilience. At ANU, we’re leveraging cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary approaches to develop strategies that strengthen our ability to respond to climate-related challenges. This work is supported by partnerships across the sector to develop shared frameworks that assess and address the complex realities of a changing climate.

Do you have ideas on how to better assess future risk and develop appropriate adaptation strategies for ANU campuses? Use the following considerations as thought starters for a project.

For ANU students, if you want to incorporate these projects into your degree, talk to your course convener about how you can incorporate these projects into your degree program. If you and your supervisor would like support from ANU Green, get in touch.

For ANU staff, if you want to incorporate these projects into your teaching program and would like support from ANU Green, get in touch.

Considerations:

• How can we support our community to adapt to climate impacts? What technologies or strategies could reduce the effects of more extreme weather?
• What markers can we use to assess and manage future physical risks from climate change?
• How can we manage the risks of transitioning our infrastructure and systems under shifting regulatory conditions?
• How can we future-proof infrastructure while maintaining a healthy campus environment and society?
• What strategies and approaches are our domestic and international partners using to mitigate risk and build shared resilience?
• What modelling tools or scenarios can help ANU anticipate and plan for future climate risks across its campuses?

The ANU campus is home to echidnas, wombats, possums, sugar gliders, wallabies and even the occasional platypus. Despite being in the heart of Canberra, the campus supports over 140 native animal species. Our 145-hectare grounds feature 10,000 trees, including remnant patches of nationally endangered Box Gum Grassy woodland. These mature trees are vital, providing nesting hollows for birds, bats and possums.

Our commitment to landscape management goes beyond aesthetics—it’s about protecting biodiversity, using water efficiently and creating resilient ecosystems. Current strategies include expanding the use of non-potable water for irrigation, selecting drought-tolerant plants and protecting key biodiversity zones. These efforts not only support wildlife but also contribute to wellbeing, campus amenity and climate adaptation. Through citizen science and community involvement, we aim to foster environmental awareness and shared responsibility across ANU.

Do you have ideas for increasing biodiversity on campus or using greening initiatives to build a more connected and environmentally engaged community? Use the following considerations as thought starters for a project.

For ANU students, if you want to incorporate these projects into your degree, talk to your course convener about how you can incorporate these projects into your degree program. If you and your supervisor would like support from ANU Green, get in touch.

For ANU staff, if you want to incorporate these projects into your teaching program and would like support from ANU Green, get in touch.

Considerations:

• How can we design our campus to support healthy ecosystems and increase biodiversity?
• What citizen science tools or programs could help us better understand our environment, and how can we design these to build lasting engagement?
• How effective are eco-gardens as hands-on learning environments for sustainability, and what stakeholder needs should shape their design and use?
• How can we use green infrastructure, such as pollinator gardens or rain gardens, to reduce flooding, boost biodiversity and create more enjoyable spaces on campus?
• How can we measure the social and environmental benefits of biodiversity projects, such as their impact on wellbeing, learning outcomes or resilience?

Shifting toward more sustainable and healthy diets is an important part of the broader transition to environmentally responsible food systems. Promoting plant-based options, reducing food waste and applying circular economy principles can significantly reduce environmental impact. Food producers, suppliers and retailers all play a role by offering more sustainable options and providing clear information to help people make informed choices.

At ANU, we can actively support this shift by promoting sustainable food choices and encouraging behaviour change among staff and students. This includes addressing barriers to low-emission food, improving transparency around environmental impacts and ensuring that sustainable options are accessible and inclusive. These changes can help create healthier, more equitable and climate-smart food systems—on campus and beyond.

Do you have ideas for promoting more climate-friendly and equitable food choices? Use the following considerations as thought starters for a project.

For ANU students, if you want to incorporate these projects into your degree, talk to your course convener about how you can incorporate these projects into your degree program. If you and your supervisor would like support from ANU Green, get in touch.

For ANU staff, if you want to incorporate these projects into your teaching program and would like support from ANU Green, get in touch.

Considerations:

• What barriers prevent the availability or uptake of lower GHG-emission food on campus, especially in externally operated outlets or ANU-funded catering?
• What mechanisms could encourage staff and students to reduce high-emission food and packaging consumption, and choose more local, seasonal or lower-emission options?
• What tools or campaigns could help students and staff make more informed, low-impact food choices, like buying local or in-season produce?
• How can we clearly communicate the GHG emissions impacts of different food and packaging options?
• How can we ensure sustainable food options on campus are also affordable and accessible to all students and staff?