Help shape our sustainable future

Developing the new Sustainability Plan

The Sustainability Community Consultation Report for the new Sustainability Plan is now available.

The University is reaffirming the ambitious commitments of our Sustainability Charter through the development of a new Sustainability Plan.

The first phase of Plan development was a 14-week period of consultation with our student, staff and alumni communities. View the outcomes in the Sustainability Community Consultation Report 2020.

The second phase of Plan development is now underway and will progress into the second half of 2021. Phase two involves the development and co-design of the Plan, including identification of priorities and targets. This process engages senior University staff from portfolios responsible for Plan delivery, in collaboration with experts and other stakeholders from across the University.

Read the Community Consultation Report

Advancing sustainability at Melbourne

Our new Sustainability Plan will shape how we lead and act on critical global sustainability challenges for the next five years and beyond. Development of the Plan is guided by the five intersecting themes of the University’s institutional strategy to 2030, Advancing Melbourne. The finalised Plan will align with Advancing Melbourne’s five themes and assist in delivery of the University’s strategic priorities.

To learn about existing sustainability initiatives at the University, view the sustainability showcase.

Explore sustainability showcase

Developing our new Sustainability Plan

Some frequently asked questions about the consultation and development process for the University's new Sustainability Plan.

  • What is the consultation process for the new Sustainability Plan?

    The University’s consultation activity for new Plan development has engaged the University community in two progressive phases:

    1. Consultation with the whole University community: students, staff and alumni cohorts, as well as prospective students at Open Days online. This consultation activity was undertaken over a 14-week period in late 2020 and outcomes published in the Sustainability Community Consultation Report 2020.
    2. A separate engagement and consultation process with senior staff in University portfolios responsible for delivering and reporting on the Plan, in collaboration with experts and other stakeholders from across the University. Portfolio responsibilities span: campus operations; teaching and learning; research and development; strategy, engagement and partnerships; campus planning and development; commercial operations and finance. This second phase is now underway and will progress into the second half of 2021.

    Findings from the consultation process, together with international benchmarking, the 2020 Sustainability Survey and a review of the University’s Sustainability Plan 2017–2020, will provide a clearer understanding of the expectations and aspirations of the higher education sector — and particularly the University of Melbourne’s role — in addressing complex climate and sustainability challenges.

  • How is the new Sustainability Plan being developed?

    The Plan’s development and co-design process is coordinated by the University’s Sustainability Strategy Team and Sustainability Team, Campus Management. It involves input from the University’s Sustainability Executive; senior leaders and key staff from portfolios responsible for delivering and reporting on the Plan; experts and other stakeholders from across the University.

    Development of the new Sustainability Plan is guided by the five intersecting themes of the University’s institutional strategy to 2030, Advancing Melbourne. The finalised Plan will align with Advancing Melbourne’s five themes and assist in delivery of the University’s strategic priorities.

  • How will input from the University community inform the new Plan?

    Consultation with the University community took place over a 14-week period in late 2020. The aim of this process was to capture the concerns, aspirations and priorities of our University community in relation to sustainability issues in general, and to the University’s sustainability objectives and targets in particular. Outcomes from the community consultation process are published in the sustainability Sustainability Community Consultation Report 2020.

    The feedback gathered through this process, together with findings from the University’s 2020 Sustainability Survey, are important inputs to the development of our new Sustainability Plan.

    The voice of our community and close partners will help shape the University’s commitment to sustainability for the next five years and beyond.

  • When will the new Sustainability Plan be released?

    We expect to launch the new Sustainability Plan during the first half of 2022.

    While 2020 marks the end point of the Plan period 2017–2020, the existing Plan will rollover for an additional year into 2021 in light of the operational challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and to enable sufficient consultation and development of the new Plan.

  • Who approves the final Sustainability Plan?

    The finalised Sustainability Plan requires endorsement by the Sustainability Executive, and approval by University Executive and University Council.

  • How can I stay informed about the Plan’s consultation and development?

    For updates on the development of our new Sustainability Plan join our Sustainability Mailing List.

Three indigenous students smiling in embrace

Our commitment to sustainability

The Sustainability Plan delivers on the University’s commitment to lead and act on the critical challenges of global sustainability in a changing climate, and to model our campuses as sustainable and resilient communities.

As a member of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and signatory to the ‘University commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the University has an important role to play in the shaping a more sustainable, equitable and resilient world.

The development of our new Sustainability Plan is guided by the five intersecting themes of the University’s institutional strategy to 2030, Advancing Melbourne.

Sign up to our mailing list to be notified of further information on the Plan’s development.

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Explore the case studies below to find out how sustainability is being integrated across all aspects of the University.

These case studies showcase a sample of inspiring activities and programs underway during the current Sustainability Plan period, 2017 to 2020. To view highlights of the University’s achievements during this time, download the Highlights 2017–2020 document below.

Sustainability Plan Highlights 2017–2020

Clean energy on campus

In 2016 the University closed an agreement with the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) to secure a $9.1 million loan to deliver efficiency and renewable generation initiatives. With this loan, solar panels across 21 locations were installed between 2016 and 2018 and have a total capacity of 2090kW.

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    The panels have a lifespan of 20 years and require little maintenance in that period. The savings generated will be used to pay off the CEFC loan and invest in further carbon neutral initiatives.

    There are now rooftop solar PV panels generating renewable energy across 32 buildings  across multiple campuses. Energy generated will contribute to the University reaching its target of zero net emissions from electricity by 2021, as set in the Sustainability Plan 2017–2020.

Research aligning with the SDGs

There is a huge range of research happening across the University that works towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

One case study includes the University’s Green Infrastructure research group which has driven the uptake of green roofs in Australia, and advanced knowledge of green roofs in hot and dry climates internationally.

To see a bigger sample of SDG-aligned research projects, visit sustainable research.

More sustainable research projects

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    Green roofs help to cool down cities, reduce building energy consumption and prevent stormwater runoff that contributes to flooding. Before the group’s research began in 2010, green roofs were untested in Australia and there were significant barriers to their implementation due to lack of knowledge of which plants and substrates would work. Over the last 10 years, the group’s research has helped to broaden appropriate plant selection and develop substrates for hot and dry climates in Australia and internationally. Thanks to their work, installations are now industry ready with scientifically assessed substrates and plants that can be used in Australian conditions. From this research, the University has been able to install five green roofs across two campuses including the Burnley Green roof (shown in video), the Western Edge Bioscience building (WEBs) terrace garden, two green roofs on the Glyn Davis building and the Arts West green roof. Installation of green roofs has extended beyond the University to Melbourne buildings including The Venny, the Council House 2 building, 131 Queen Street and Minifie Park.

    From the installation of green roofs at the University, students have been able to engage with environmental sustainability by learning directly about stormwater retention and plants for dry conditions. The group’s research outcomes have also been integrated in the City of Melbourne’s Green Our City Strategic Action Plan and will be used to inform future planning scheme amendments in Melbourne.

Integrating sustainability into the curriculum

Sustainable Development Goals and the Bachelor of Design

Watch the video to hear Dr Geoffrey Browne from the Connected Cities Lab explain how sustainability is being embedded in the curriculum of the Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning. Dr Browne is researching how the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals are currently integrated into the Bachelor of Design.

Sustainability and the Business and Economics curriculum

Associate Professor Ben Neville discusses how sustainability is being integrated into Business and Economics through supporting professors to fit sustainability into their content, introducing sustainability early on in undergraduate degrees, and offering specific streams in postgraduate studies.

Supporting cyclists on Parkville campus

The Bike Collective is a space run by student volunteers that offers free bike repairs and advice at Union House. Launched and managed by the Student Union's Environment Department (UMSU Enviro), the initiative involves hosting bike maintenance workshops and relies on volunteers to share knowledge with the campus community. To find out more about cycling infrastructure on campus visit our cycling page.

Increasing urban biodiversity and pollination

Bees@Unimelb is an initiative that makes beehives available to staff and students on campus while raising awareness about the importance of bees in urban environments.

The initiative is run by a group of passionate staff and student volunteers and is self-funded through the sale of honey and wax. The beehives are used for research, teaching and learning purposes, as well as engagement within the University and the wider community.

Reusing furniture and equipment

The Furniture and Equipment Reuse Service launched in 2012 as a way to reduce the amount of hard waste from the University’s office spaces going to landfill. The service provides a range of workstations, chairs, storage solutions, and other used items to University faculties, departments and affiliate organisations.

At the end of 2019 over 27,000 items had been reused in total through the service, saving over 618 metric tonnes of waste going to landfill, and an estimated $15.25 million on retail replacement value.

Lowering the impact of our built environment

The Western Edge Biosciences building (WEBs) is one of the University's many six star Green Star Design and As Built rated buildings, representing world leadership in sustainable building design and construction. Its features a 50 kL rainwater tank that harvests water for reuse, a terrace housing rare succulents from the System Garden and PV solar panel system that generates 33% of the building's energy usage. You can learn more about the sustainability features of our built environment on our building page.

To watch more case studies of sustainability initiatives, services and infrastructure on our campuses, take the virtual Sustainability Tour.

Virtual Sustainability Tour

Feeling inspired?

During the community consultation period that ran from Friday 2 October to Monday 30 November, we shared these case studies to showcase sustainability initiatives currently underway at the University. The showcase provided inspiration for staff, students and alumni to submit feedback on what priorities should be reflected in the new Sustainability Plan.

We also shared the Sustainability Plan mind map which presents sustainability activities guided by the principles of the University’s institutional strategy, Advancing Melbourne.

For more information on the development of the University’s new Sustainability Plan visit the Shape our future home page.

Shape our future

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Consultation with the wider University community has been the first step in the development of the University's new Sustainability Plan. This involved over 400 students, staff and alumni who gave their time and shared their views on the priorities they’d like to see reflected in the new Plan.

Zoom screenshot of 30 people attending a Sustainability Plan consultation event online
Over 270 people participated in online consultation sessions in late 2020.

You’ll find a summary of community feedback below and the full Sustainability Community Consultation Report 2020 is available for download.

Community consultation took place over a 14-week period in late 2020. Students, staff and alumni were invited to participate in one of 12 interactive feedback sessions and to provide feedback anonymously via an online form. The feedback received, together with findings from the University’s 2020 Sustainability Survey, are important inputs to the development of the University's new Sustainability Plan.

The finalised Plan will align with the five intersecting themes of  Advancing Melbourne and assist in delivery of the University’s strategic priorities.

Download the full Community Consultation Report

Our role in society's transition to sustainability

Participants were asked “what role do you think the University can and should play in society’s transition to a sustainable future?”

  • Governance and leadership

    Demonstrate leadership and drive momentum for change:

    • set aspirational targets: be the benchmark to which others aspire
    • prioritise investment in sustainability and climate change innovation
    • shape new sustainability norms and practices in our communities
    • influence others by leveraging our purchasing and investment power
    • act as a ‘voice for change’ in public policy debate
  • Place and community

    Demonstrate and inspire action on emissions and waste reduction:

    • set and achieve ambitious waste and energy targets
    • drive the translation of our energy and materials research into real-world solutions
    • challenge cultural norms around consumption in our operations. Educate our community to do the same.

    Re-imagine our approach to campus planning:

    • Innovate green space use.
    • Co-create with community.
    • Incentivise active and public transport use.

    Equip our students and staff to act as agents for change:

    • increase knowledge and shape norms through practical programs & workshops
    • increase students’ applied learning, volunteering and networking opportunities
    • empower our passionate advocates to lead and/or develop sustainability initiatives

    Increase our impact and support the communities we serve:

    • understand and promote the expertise we can offer
    • public education initiatives that equip people to live and work sustainably
    • leverage alumni networks to expand reach and impact
    • plan ahead: how will UoM and its campuses support community resilience?
  • Education

    Shape the individuals and broader societal factors that can influence change through:

    • the students we graduate
    • education and career pathways that advance sustainability in the public and private sectors
    • developing discipline-specific sustainability knowledge
  • Discovery

    Drive the translation of our sustainability research into practice, policy and products:

    • champion research that integrates into practice and aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals
    • support experimental research. Transform our campuses into testing grounds for sustainable technologies.
    • enable and incentivise researchers to partner with ‘gold standard’ sustainability partners.

Looking back

Community review of our Sustainability Plan 2017-2020.

  • Governance and leadership
    The Plan’s successes and strengths?Creating a framework for action that signalled an institutional commitment and “got the journey started”.
    The Plan’s gaps and weaknesses?
    Public statements of support from senior leadership that raise the profile of sustainability within the University community.
    Communicating the institutional importance of sustainability through leaders who visibly participate in sustainable practices and initiatives.
    How do we build on these foundations in the next Plan?Ensure that the post-COVID financial climate does not sideline sustainability at the University.

    Investment

    The Plan’s successes and strengths?The Sustainable Investment Framework.
    The Plan’s gaps and weaknesses?A significantly stronger position on fossil fuel divestment.
    How do we build on these foundations in the next Plan?Ensure sustainability is a funding and investment priority.

    People and culture

    The Plan’s successes and strengths?Embedding action on sustainability into staff culture.
    The Plan’s gaps and weaknesses?-
    How do we build on these foundations in the next Plan?Leverage the opportunity to re-frame norms around ‘necessary’ travel in the post-COVID environment
  • Place and community
    The Plan’s successes and strengths?
    Action on emissions reductions, renewable energy and green infrastructure, in particular: progress towards net zero; wide-spread solar panel installations and wind-generated PPAs; Green Star accreditation for new infrastructure projects.
    Action on waste: Parkville’s Choose to Reuse Plate Program was nominated as the Plan’s stand-out waste reduction achievement
    The Plan’s gaps and weaknesses?
    Action on waste: more action on food waste and composting initiatives was the most frequently cited area of weakness.
    How do we build on these foundations in the next Plan?Implement the University’s successful sustainability initiatives across all campuses and/or all operations. Parkville's Choose to Reuse Plate Program was the most frequently cited opportunity to 'scale up' a successful program.

    Student and staff engagement

    The Plan’s successes and strengths?Efforts to raise awareness and increase knowledge of sustainability issues and actions within our staff and student community. The University’s Green Impact Program was most frequently cited as the Plan’s stand-out engagement achievement.
    The Plan’s gaps and weaknesses?Greater levels of awareness and participation in the University’s sustainability initiatives – especially in the student community.
    How do we build on these foundations in the next Plan?More effective internal communications that connects with a broader range of audiences and inspires buy-in and action.

    Indigenous knowledge and engagement

    The Plan’s successes and strengths?-
    The Plan’s gaps and weaknesses?The integration of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives into the Sustainability Plan.
    How do we build on these foundations in the next Plan?A stronger commitment to engaging Indigenous institutions and communities.

    Ensure Indigenous knowledge-holders lead and/or collaborate with the Sustainability Executive and/or sustainability initiatives.

    Use the University’s New Student Precinct project as a model for how we work with traditional owners and Indigenous knowledge holders.

    Alumni and external engagement

    The Plan’s successes and strengths?-
    The Plan’s gaps and weaknesses?External outreach to support Plan goals.
    How do we build on these foundations in the next Plan?Better contextual links between the Plan and the communities in which our campuses are situated.

    Build more relationships with key players in the sustainability sector, and with national and global coalitions and communities of practice.

    Achieve greater levels of awareness in our alumni communities
  • Education
    The Plan’s successes and strengths?Establishing the Sustainability Fellows to champion sustainability-in-curriculum integration at Faculty level.
    The Plan’s gaps and weaknesses?Creating a robust interdisciplinary understanding of sustainability.

    Accountability for curriculum outcomes.

    Student awareness of sustainability subjects and pathways.
    How do we build on these foundations in the next Plan?Embed sustainability in curriculum across all Faculties and programs.

    Increase accountability for the Plan’s teaching & learning commitments.

    Develop a centralised ‘hub’ of sustainability knowledge and curriculum resources.
  • Discovery
    The Plan’s successes and strengths? -
    The Plan’s gaps and weaknesses?More sustainability-related research and development partnerships/collaborations with industry, local and state entities.

    Normative assessments of research projects’ contribution to sustainability.

    Greater focus on waste reduction and re-use in lab and clinical environments.
    How do we build on these foundations in the next Plan?Develop a centralised ‘hub’ of sustainability-related information and resources to support the University’s research activities

Looking ahead

Community priorities for our next Sustainability Plan.

  • Governance and leadership
    • increase ownership and accountability for Plan outcomes
    • embed sustainability into policy and decision-making
    • more rigorous and transparent evaluation metrics and reporting
    • improve the current Plan’s framework for action:
      • articulate the impact on society the University is seeking to support/advance
      • adopt an institution-wide definition of sustainability
      • frame action and targets with the degree of urgency they demand

    Investment

    • a stronger commitment and clear pathway to divestment
    • a framework for ethical and sustainable capital works projects
    • a venture capital allocation for sustainability initiatives in the University community.
    • investment in future-proofing our campuses, incorporating community resilience planning

    People and culture

    • connect Plan goals with performance indicators for key staff, business units
    • commitments to organisational sustainability, through supportive working conditions, job security, mental health and networks of support for students and staff
    • proactive support of staff sustainability skills and knowledge development
  • Place and community

    Action on waste:

    • leadership and support for the circular economy. Aligning our operations with these principles.
    • ban single-use containers and plastics. Reduce food and organic waste, increase composting
    • reduce waste at the source through sustainable, ethical procurement processes that consider supply chains

    Action on energy:

    • revise our current 2030 carbon neutral timeframe. Can we bring it forward to 2022? 2025?
    • prioritise clean energy and energy efficiency initiatives. Reduce on-campus energy use
    • aim for net negative energy consumption. Transform UoM into a clean energy system participant.

    Action on transport:

    • carbon offset all University-sponsored flights/travel miles. Promote less travel overall.
    • transition fleet cars to electric vehicles. Encourage active transport through improved cyclist access and facilities

    Biodiversity and better use of green space:

    • Non-water intensive, low maintenance gardens. Productive and Indigenous plantings. Leverage these for education, research and engagement opportunities.
    • Mandate parameters and ratios for new builds: garden beds, tree canopies, green space

    Engage and reflect the diversity of the UoM community in the Plan

    Maximise student and staff awareness and participation by:

    • raising the profile of sustainability at UoM
    • ensuring the Plan reflects all pillars of sustainability to foster inter-disciplinary engagement
    • empowering the UoM community to develop and lead sustainability initiatives
    • breaking down organisational silos to foster collaboration and new ideas
    • increasing tangible, experiential on-campus educational initiatives

    Make connections between UoM research and institutional action:

    • strengthen links between University operations and research. Transform our campuses into testing grounds for sustainable technologies.
    • link research capabilities with campus engagement strategies.

    Indigenous knowledge and engagement

    • deepen engagement to better understand Indigenous perspectives on sustainable cultures and practices
    • Integrate Indigenous knowledge into the Plan
    • facilitate platforms for Indigenous perspectives on sustainability, community, land management

    Alumni and external engagement

    • better links and more collaborations with local communities
    • public education initiatives. Events, public lectures, open-access learning.
    • increase alumni engagement to expand our impact
    • better links to sustainable organisations and industry to increase student learning and research opportunities
    • better connections with global and national sustainability networks, coalitions, communities of practice
  • Education
    • embed sustainability into all curricula
    • incorporate Indigenous knowledge into sustainability curricula
    • provide and promote study and career pathways in sustainability
    • support staff to develop sustainability knowledge as it applies to their discipline
    • position UoM as a leader in sustainability teaching and research
  • Discovery
    • become an exemplar of sustainable practice in research
    • incorporate sustainability into research ethics
    • prioritise:
      • research partnerships that translate research into practice
      • research for the circular economy, sustainable buildings, renewable energy. Transform our campuses into testing grounds for sustainable technologies.
      • research with outcomes for resilience, diversity, environmental and social justice. Reflect a more holistic view of sustainability.

Engaging our community

Participants were asked “how can we engage the University community to help deliver on the goals of our new Sustainability Plan?”

  • Governance and leadership
    • Executive leaders to champion sustainability and model action
    • make action mandatory through policy and performance measures
    • consider school-level subsidy resourcing to support specific initiatives (eg: Green Impact)
    • for the University to participate in sustainability rankings, eg: Times Higher Education rankings.
  • Place and community

    Empower UoM community members to help deliver on the Plan:

    • enable passionate sustainability advocates to develop, lead and/or implement initiatives
    • identify individuals within divisions/departments to champion initiatives

    Improve communications to better connect with audiences:

    • focus on tailored and targeted messaging, centralised resources, training modules
    • provide ‘bite sized’ performance updates in ways that inspire action to support Plan targets
    • leverage Sustainability Advocates and subject coordinators to increase comms reach

    Education and support for sustainable behaviours and actions:

    • a mandatory sustainability orientation module for all students and staff
    • engage and support key teaching staff in all Faculties
    • practical workshops that develop applied sustainability skills
    • ‘how to’ guides for operating sustainability on-campus

    Continued collaboration with UoM Sustainability Advocates, using their skills and networks to:

    • develop intra-organisational networks and grassroots solutions
    • operate as a feedback loop to central Sustainability Teams

    Continue to realise the role of Green Impact (GI) program in mobilising staff and student action:

    • consider modelling GI on climate reality – ie: leadership to empower others
    • centrally organise large-scale volunteer days under the GI banner
    • directly link actions in the GI toolkit to resources that support them

    Alumni and external engagement

    • seek alumni insights via focus groups on sustainability issues, topics, initiatives
    • foster connections with community intermediaries to broker collaboration
    • leverage Advancement channels to communicate our message to the wider world

    Indigenous knowledge and engagement

    • strengthen relationships with Indigenous knowledge-holders to support deeper engagement
    • Include education and actions related to Indigenous knowledge in the Green Impact toolkit
  • Education
    • embed sustainability into core curriculum in every faculty
    • support teaching staff to integrate sustainability into courses and subjects, and to understand the value of doing so
    • foster cross-disciplinary collaboration on sustainability-in-curriculum initiatives
  • Discovery
    • focus on developing local and international sustainability research collaborations
    • provide greater transparency around research funding, and how this aligns with the University’s sustainability commitments

Note: This summary employs four of Advancing Melbourne’s five intersecting themes to structure and convey community feedback. ‘Global’ is not included as a standalone category as it is integrated through the themes. For more on our methodology see the full report.

What’s next?

The first phase of Plan development was broad consultation with the University community. The second phase involves the development and co-design of the Plan, including identification of priorities and targets. This process engages senior University staff from the portfolios responsible for Plan delivery, in collaboration with experts and other stakeholders from across the University.

This second phase is now underway and will progress into the second half of 2021. Plan development is led by the sustainability teams within the Chief Operating Officer’s portfolio.

For more information on Plan development read the FAQs on the home page.

Developing our plan: FAQs

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