The University of Tasmania’s standing as one of the world’s top universities for sustainability continues to grow. This week it won the major international award for engaging students in sustainability for a program in which students develop solutions to real-world sustainability challenges.
The International Green Gown Awards, which recognise excellence in sustainability in higher education globally, were announced on Wednesday at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
The University took out the top award for Student Engagement in Sustainability against colleges and universities from around the world. It was also in the top three universities in the world in the Sustainability Institution of the Year category, which recognises a university’s overall efforts in sustainability.
These awards add to the University’s recognition earlier this year in the Times Higher Education Impact Awards as the Number 1 University in the World for Climate Action.
“We are very excited to see our student program recognised this way,” Corey Peterson, the University’s Chief Sustainability Officer, said, “because we believe in the power of students to be leaders in creating a sustainable world.”
Students who participate in the University’s Sustainability Integration Program for Students (SIPS) co-design and implement projects that make a difference to campus sustainability.
These student projects include:
- collation of all the information required for the design of a zero waste app, which is now under way;
- creation of a marine biodiversity trail running through the southern campuses, from the Domain, through Hobart, IMAS Salamanca, Sandy Bay and IMAS Taroona;
- a citizen science bioblitz on the Thomas Crawford trail in Sandy Bay (a bioblitz is a snapshot study in which scientists and the community work together to survey and record the species in a specific area in a nominated timeframe); and
- a deep dive into the campus community food gardens to explore how they are run and how students can be involved;
- co-design and co-facilitation of climate cafes for discussion of climate change responses; and
- contributions to the University’s Emission Reduction Strategic Plan
SIPS has involved more than 2,235 students and 104 staff in 203 real-world challenges since 2010. It has improved the sustainability of all campuses and created opportunities for student leadership.
“This growing global recognition our approach to sustainability is important for Tasmania, not just the University, because it shows how Tasmania can be a model for the world in how to transition to zero carbon, circular and sustainable society and economy,” the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rufus Black, said.
Mr Peterson said: “These two awards belong to all in the University of Tasmania who are contributing to our sustainability agenda. We are focused on making a difference for future generations and leading by example in the way we tackle sustainability challenges in the environment, social and economic dimensions.
“There is commitment to our sustainability mission right across the University – from students, in all disciplines, from both professional and academic staff in research and teaching, industry partners and alumni. To have this recognition is a great honour for all of us.”
The University has been carbon-neutral certified since 2016, including annual public reporting. It became an International Universities Climate Alliance member in 2020. It repositioned its investment portfolio away from carbon-intensive investments and joined the Race to Zero in 2021.