Our commitment to sustainability

We are committed to delivering sustainable outcomes for ourselves, our surrounding communities and the world.

Sustainability vision statement

The University of Tasmania plays a vital role in leading our place-based and globally-connected communities in understanding and delivering sustainable futures.

Sustainability mission statement

Sustainability is essential to planetary health and human flourishing. Through our operations and academic activities, we have a vital role in facilitating sustainable forms of living. We uphold that sustainability is central to open and rigorous learning and knowledge creation that also recognises thousands of human generations of Tasmanian Aboriginal and other traditional knowledges and value systems.

We are committed to embodying sustainable forms of production and consumption within the University and enable pathways towards a just and viable future. We commit to accountability and authenticity in our endeavours. We empower the University’s students, staff and alumni to be facilitators in their fields and contribute to sustainable living now and into the future.

Strategy, policy and framework

The University of Tasmania Strategic Plan 2019-2024 (PDF 2.5MB) identifies the contributions we wish to make for Tasmania, as well as nationally and globally, across several key outcome areas: education, health, culture, social, economy and environment.

Our Sustainability Policy outlines nine principles to guide behaviour and decision making to achieve outcomes which reflect the University's commitment to inclusive and equitable sustainability practices.

Our Strategic Framework for Sustainability (PDF 3.5MB) provides a collective focus on activities in and for sustainability across the University and encapsulates our commitment across four areas:

Goal 1:
A leader in sustainability governance and implementation

Goal 2:
A leader in sustainability education and research

Goal 3:
Partnerships and engagement activities deliver sustainability outcomes

Goal 4:
A university committed to sustainability in its facilities and operations

Guiding our commitments

Signing the Talloires Declaration

In 2009, the University signed the global Talloires Declaration — a ten-point action plan for incorporating sustainability and environmental literacy in teaching, research, operations and outreach at universities.

We're committed to the UN SDGs

The University signed the University Commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals in 2019 and the Statement by University Leaders in Support of The Summit of the Future in 2024. We agree to support the Goals and contribute to achieving sustainable development by 2030.

We joined Race to Zero

Race To Zero is a global campaign to rally leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions, educational institutions, investors for a healthy, resilient, zero carbon recovery that prevents future threats, creates decent jobs, and unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth.

We are carbon neutral certified since 2016

The Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), a United Nations supported initiative, equips management students with the understanding and ability to deliver change tomorrow, through advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.

We joined CANIE

CANIE (Climate Action Network for International Educators) is a volunteer grassroots initiative formed by international education practitioners from around the world who see the need for our sector to step up and act on climate.

We pledged for the Nature Positive Universities Network

In 2022, the University made the official pledge to commit to a Nature Positive journey journey, as part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Our pledge recognises actions we’ve already taken and how we will build on these.

We signed the Principles for Responsible Management Education

The Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), a United Nations supported initiative, equips management students with the understanding and ability to deliver change tomorrow, through advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.

We have secured a Green Bond to finance sustainable assets

Our Green Bond Framework commits the University to a minimum target reduction of 20% in the upfront carbon emissions embedded in construction of new campus buildings.

Listening to our students and staff


The University of Tasmania’s latest biennial sustainability survey shows the vast majority of our students agree that the University has a clear commitment to sustainability — and much more to do.

The Sustainability Committee conducts a biennial sustainability survey to gain insights into student and staff perceptions, aspirations, and behaviours on sustainability in general and on the sustainability performance of the university specifically. Survey results inform implementation of university strategies and are used in benchmarking, development of key performance indicators and delivery of sustainability initiatives and programs.

The survey is run as two separate surveys:

  • The staff survey is a proprietary survey called the Sustainability Culture Indicator (SCI) from Awake P.L.
  • The student survey uses mostly the same questions under an agreement with the SCI authors, but with additional university-specific questions, such as queries on climate action and modern slavery.

Grants

The University of Tasmania has a rich history of grants that help us achieve some of our sustainability outcomes.

Past grants

Coordinating our effort

Our commitment to ensuring sustainability outcomes are a major focus and considered at all levels of decision making and activities has led to the establishment of sustainability as a mission integrator.

Our Sustainability Committee plays a key role in enabling the achievement of the University’s sustainability objectives through the Strategic Framework for Sustainability.