Focus areas
Resource conservation
The University of Canberra aims to have a robust system which encourages waste minimisation, recycling, and reuse with a strong focus on diversion of organics from landfill.
Biodiversity and natural landscapes
The bush character of the campus is an important part of UC's identity and is widely regarded as a point of difference which connects more broadly to the ‘Bush Capital’ character of Canberra.
Urban realm and built environment
The University of Canberra Environmental Sustainability Strategy aims to improve the liveability, functionality, and sustainability of the Bruce campus.
Mobility and access
Linking closely with the built environment, a safe and easily accessed campus will contribute to the health and wellbeing of the campus community, as well as reducing vehicle use.
Resource conservation
The University of Canberra aims to have a robust system which encourages waste minimisation, recycling, and reuse with a strong focus on diversion of organics from landfill. The management of waste is complex because of the variety of entities engaged in producing, moving, selling, redistributing and disposing of waste on campus. Sound planning of works on campus can ensure better lifespans of our assets and further reduce our carbon footprint.
As a large institution, we recognise the amount of resources that are used on campus by our people, services and facilities. This focus area details our aspirations to reduce our resource usage and waste output and contribute to a sustainable future.
| Priorities | Vision | Aspirations |
|---|---|---|
| Sustainable waste management | The University of Canberra has a strong waste management system with low contamination and a “less waste production” attitude. |
Improve waste and landfill diversion rates Increase recycling recovery rate |
| Sustainable food, goods and services | The University of Canberra provides sustainable retail offerings high quality food, goods and services. |
Increase of sustainable food practices on campus (e.g. Community Garden and UCX pantry) Integrate sustainability and ‘circular economy’ principles into procurement and leasing practices |
| Sustainable water use | The University is an exemplar in sustainable water use practices on campus. |
Mains water reduction Install non-potable water for irrigation Increase rainwater collection capacity |
| Sustainable energy practices | The University is an exemplar in sustainable energy use practices and targets zero emissions. |
Achieve net zero GHG emissions Eliminate natural gas kW/year reduction on campus annual energy and peak demand load |
| Education and community engagement | The University of Canberra communicates and engages with the University of Canberra community on a sustainable circular economy. |
Explore on campus waste collection and processing opportunities Up-cycling clothing and book stalls |
Biodiversity and natural landscapes
The bush character of the campus is an important part of the University of Canberra’s identity and is widely regarded as a point of difference which connects more broadly to the ‘Bush Capital’ character of Canberra. We recognise that Biodiversity contributes a range of ecosystem services and is the foundation of a healthy functioning environment. Efficient and sustainable use of land for development can minimise emissions from transport, buildings and land use change, as well as contribute to maintaining and enhancing our living infrastructure and biodiversity assets.
We recognise that Biodiversity contributes to the health of ecosystems and is therefore the foundation of a properly functioning environment. This focus area recognises that we can take steps to conserve biodiversity and foster graduates who will take ideas and concepts of sustainable biodiversity management to the broader society.
| Priorities | Vision | Aspirations |
|---|---|---|
| Biodiversity and conservation | The University is an exemplar for the conservation of biodiversity on and off campus, and in highlighting the biodiversity aspects of the University of Canberra campus. |
Regeneration of UC Hill grasslands and introduction of threatened species Planning and development of wildlife corridors Offset any tree loss through carbon sequestration Development of retention ponds within the UC Green |
| Learning and teaching | The University is an exemplar in undergraduate and postgraduate education and research on the monitoring and conservation of biodiversity. | Establish the University of Canberra campus as a Living Laboratory for teaching and learning |
| Education and community engagement | The University of Canberra communicates and engages with the University of Canberra community on biodiversity conservation. |
Installation of educational signage at key water egress locations (e.g. stormwater drains) Enhancing the areas dedicated to Ngunnawal and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander indigenous food and medicinal use plants |
Urban realm and built environment
The University of Canberra Environmental Sustainability Strategy aims to improve the liveability, functionality, and sustainability of the Bruce campus. Future planning will ensure efficient and sustainable urban land use, reduced impacts on the environment from building, as well as more efficient and sustainable building design, construction, and operation.
This focus area seeks to establish a set of targets, both quantitative and qualitative, to ensure our built environment is sensitive to our carbon footprint and highlights a design ethos that endeavours to educate our community.
| Priorities | Vision | Aspirations |
|---|---|---|
| Sustainable design, development and construction | The University adopts a benchmark approach associated with Environmentally Sustainable Design. |
Build circular economy thinking into projects with minimum specifications for all built components (e.g. global greentag certification, minimum recycled materials use) Embed leading environmental sustainability principles and practices throughout the planning and operation of our buildings and campus |
| Building performance and efficiency | The University of Canberra promotes and integrates building performance and efficiency. |
Phase out inefficient items as they become obsolete and to only use efficient and recyclable items where possible Implementation of innovation and technology to enhance operations that may include the use of “smart city” strategies and analytics |
| Education and community engagement | The University communicates and engages with the community on sustainable design and development and practices. |
Display consumption data through dashboards to educate the University of Canberra Community on consumption patterns Educate all on how to run activities efficiently to reduce energy and wastage costs both on campus and at home |
Mobility and access
Linking closely with urban realm and built environment, a safe and easily accessed campus will contribute to the health and wellbeing of the campus community, as well as reducing vehicle use. The University of Canberra recognises the need for the improved quality, design and connectivity of the campus where sustainable transport and accessibility is encouraged. Increasing and encouraging the use of sustainable mobility and access options when traveling to, from, and around campus, will reduce the need to travel by private vehicle, and contribute to greenhouse gas reductions.
This focus area acknowledges that most people come to the University of Canberra by car. By focusing our efforts on improving access to campus via sustainable modes of transport, we will encourage staff, students and visitors to change the way they travel to UC.
| Priorities | Vision | Aspirations |
|---|---|---|
| Sustainable transport | The University of Canberra practices and facilitates sustainable transport on campus. |
Improve public transport modal shift Increase the use of alternative transportation such as public transport, car-pooling and cycling Create a pedestrian and bike-friendly campus with safer roads and walkways on campus Improve accessibility of public transport and cycling on campus Invest in end of trip facilities to encourage take up of active travel choices |
| Community wellbeing | The University of Canberra enables health and wellbeing activities in the campus. |
Join and achieve Gold status in ACT Gov Healthier Work program Review and improve DDA to University facilities Community sport and walking tracks |
| Education and community engagement | The University of Canberra communicates and engages with the community on sustainable transport options. | Encourage and promote the benefits of active and public transport and reduction associated with carbon emissions |
