University of Tasmania, Australia

Sustainability Mission Integration and shooting for the STARS

The University of Tasmania (UTAS) has increasingly upped its commitment to deliver/exemplify sustainability, but from 2019 there has been a step change for broader and deeper institution-wide action to deliver a leading sustainable university. Our collective sustainability commitment, based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, is embedded in our University Strategic Plan 2019-2024. Our University Council endorsed our first holistic Strategic Framework for Sustainability (2019) and a new principles-based Sustainability Policy (2020). To lead the change, our University Executive established the Sustainability Mission Integrator role (2020). 

In 2020, UTAS was the first in Australasia to attain a Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) rating to ensure transparency, establish a baseline and clarify action areas leading to 49 co-designed cross-institution initiatives underway in 2020-2021 alone. With a Gold rating goal for 2022, initiatives cover curriculum, research, student/staff, and community engagement, completing divestment, emissions reduction plans, and operational improvements.

What the Judges Thought

The Judging Panel was impressed with the rigour and detail of the University of Tasmania’s Sustainability Mission Integration application. The Judging Panel noted the excellent approach to governance, the clear strategic context, and the high level of internal and external engagement by the university and on-ground activities being in a very active state of ramping up with expectations of achieving internationally significant outcomes in years to come. Overall, this is a very good application and worthy of a highly commended designation. 

Top 3 Learnings

1. Bold moves can capture attention and generate excitement and support.
2. The importance of leadership and whole of university commitment.
3. Value of everyone seeing how their ‘piece of the puzzle’ fits into the big picture.