Living sustainability

“Sustainability at the University of Melbourne is evolving beyond an operational focus to a philosophy underpinning all that we do,” Ms Walker says.

“We actively promote the relevance of sustainability through all our academic disciplines, with our clear vision to develop graduates who will lead change for a sustainable future.”

A University-wide Sustainability Forum involves all Faculties and divisions in the process of embedding sustainability. Cross-disciplinary working groups have developed a strategic plan for Education for Sustainability (EfS) and are engaging the University community in the integration of operational sustainability activities with research and curriculum. Opportunities are explored for sustainability research to be undertaken on campus and through student-based practica and internships.

“We are working hard to engage the University community in continuing the progress of our EfS agenda,” Ms Walker says.

“A recent collaboration between the Faculty of Business and Economics and the Property & Campus Services department involved four graduate students with backgrounds in tax, finance and IT undertaking an in-house practicum to investigate the impact of air travel on the University’s emissions profile, and to develop recommendations for measuring and managing these impacts.”

A Campus Sustainability Centre is presently being established in the Walter Boas building on the Parkville campus to showcase the University’s sustainability achievements and demonstrate the evolving culture of sustainability as it is reflected through operations, curriculum and research.

“Burnley campus has extended its traditional horticultural focus through use of the campus to promote sustainability research as it relates to horticultural techniques and water management,” Ms Walker says.

Research projects include areas of study in green roofs; green walls; vegetable rain gardens; roofing materials and urban heat island effects; the impact of shade trees on building energy demand; and geothermal and solar control of internal building temperature.

“Staff and students at the University of Melbourne have been invited to show their commitment to sustainability by signing up to make changes to their daily activities which will assist in achieving a more sustainable future,” Ms Walker says.

“Every member of the University community who has made this commitment has received a free reusable coffee cup – close to 3500 since late 2010.”

Transforming University campuses into pedestrian and cycle-friendly spaces has been a growing focus. There are now over 1800 bike spaces available on Parkville campus, including 478 spaces in the newly implemented secure bicycle hubs, offering unprecedented security for bicycle users. Each hub features a series of enclosed bicycle hoops, CCTV and access control providing additional protection and peace of mind for bicycle users.

“An added benefit of the secure hubs is that all registered users can receive regular updates on new facilities, events and opportunities for cyclists such as free breakfast and bike engraving/registration days,” Ms Walker says.

In order to further reduce waste and resource use, drinking water fountains are being installed across all campuses. Ten fountains are in place at Southbank campus and 16 are planned in the near future for Parkville

“We also maintain our commitment to reducing operational impacts,” Ms Walker says.

“Significant investments in energy reduction projects, together with our ongoing commitment to Green Power and external abatement measures have contributed to a nett emissions saving of 43 per cent from 2006 to 2010.

“During this time the University space has increased by 14 per cent, so the University’s “carbon intensity” has actually reduced by 50 per cent based on emissions per metre of gross floor area.

“This result illustrates the full significance of the University’s carbon reduction efforts, through the combined impact of on-site energy reduction projects and external offsets.

“The University demonstrates its leadership position in sustainability not only through its achievements to date but also through its commitment to further ambitious targets for energy, waste and water reduction from 2011 to 2015.”

These targets include energy usage to be reduced by 33 per cent from the 2006 baseline; nett carbon emissions by 50 per cent; water usage by 20 per cent; waste diverted for recycling increased to 50 per cent; and maintenance of 100 per cent emissions offset of the vehicle fleet.

“It’s vital that we communicate our performance and future commitments through engagement with our students and staff, with other institutions and the wider community,” Ms Walker says.

Further information at the Sustainable Campus website:

http://sustainablecampus.unimelb.edu.au/