The University of Tasmania is the first university in Australasia to receive a Platinum rating from STARS, a leading sustainability framework for higher education.
STARS stands for Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System. It is a framework used by more than 1,000 universities internationally, with only 19 others currently Platinum rated.
The Platinum rating adds to the University’s long record of recognition for sustainability. In June, for the fifth year in a row, it was rated #1 in the world for Climate Action under the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings, which track progress towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The University of Tasmania was the first institution in Australasia to achieve a STARS rating and has progressed from Silver (2020) to Gold (2022) and now Platinum.
STARS enables universities to measure and benchmark their performance across academic areas, operations, engagement, planning and administration. It recognises institutions that demonstrate comprehensive, whole-of-university sustainability leadership and continuous improvement.
The University’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Corey Peterson, said the result validates years of sustained effort and demonstrates that a focus on continuous improvement is delivering measurable outcomes.
“Achieving a STARS Platinum rating reflects the collective efforts of our staff, students and partners, and reinforces our position as a leader in sustainability within the higher education sector, both in Australasia and globally,” he said.
“What makes this achievement particularly meaningful is that STARS assesses sustainability holistically. The Platinum rating recognises not only our research and teaching excellence, but also the way we embed sustainability through our operations, governance, partnerships and engagement with community.
“This achievement is about stewardship. As a university, we have a responsibility to act in the interests of current and future generations through the way we educate, conduct research, manage our campuses and contribute to our communities.”
STARS is a program of the Association for the Advancement for Sustainability in Higher Education.