Here’s how we plan to progress each target in SP2030 in 2023

Plan for 2023

Amplifying action through campus and communities

Blue logo with test tube and leaf: logo for University of Melbourne Sustainability Plan 2030 Domain 1: Amplifying Action through campus and communities
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1. Climate leadership

We will develop a carbon offsets procurement strategy informed by current research and taking into account the recent local and global carbon offset reviews and standards.

The Smart Campus Energy Upgrades program will continue in 2023. Plans include building optimisation and chiller plant upgrade works across 10 buildings, delivering approximately 3,300 MWh savings per annum, and solar rooftop arrays for at least five buildings. We are also assessing the feasibility of energy storage options at our Dookie and Parkville campuses.

2. Campuses as living laboratories

We are developing guidelines and processes to support the development and curation of living labs that make meaningful contributions to the priority areas of SP2030.

3. Community of sustainability learners and practitioners

We will reinstate the Sustainability Advocates Forum, update staff training modules for sustainability on campus, and pursue a range of faculty-led sustainability initiatives.

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Violet logo with a human head and two cogs spinning: logo for University of Melbourne Sustainability Plan 2030 Domain 2: Mobilising knowledge for action

Mobilising knowledge for action

4. Graduates for a sustainable future

We will explore opportunities to embed sustainability in the curriculum in line with the new Advancing Students and Education Strategy; faculties will develop a range of sustainability-focused subjects; we will develop metrics to track our progress and enhance reporting in this area.

5. Discovery

We will investigate data sources and metrics to understand and report on our Discovery targets.

6. Indigenous knowledges

We will align our actions and commitments with the Indigenous Strategy 2023–27, currently under development.

7. Engagement and partnerships

We will capitalise on opportunities to increase our influence and engagement with precinct partners on the sustainability impacts of capital projects and other initiatives.

The facade of the new Arts and Cultural Building on the Parkville campus
Green logo with a temple: logo for University of Melbourne Sustainability Plan 2030 Domain 3: walking the talk in our operations

Walking the talk in our operations

8. Climate resilience

Preliminary work to recognise climate and sustainability risk in the University’s Risk Register will be cascaded across the institution in 2023, enhancing climate change preparedness.

9. Healthy ecosystems

We will develop targets for reducing biodiversity loss and promoting net gain on our campuses.

10. Healthy water cycles

We will progress action planning to reduce water consumption and increase percentage of non- potable water consumption, and install smart irrigation.

We will upgrade our metering systems for non-potable rainwater and stormwater on-campus to enable more accurate reporting.

11. Just and circular economy

We will introduce new waste processing services, including diverting organics from landfill at the Student Precinct Project site on Parkville campus, supported by a new education campaign across the University.

12. Responsible investment

We will update the Sustainable Investment Framework to reflect the Sustainability Plan 2030.

Please get in touch with our sustainability teams with any questions and feedback about this report, and any other sustainability related enquiries.

Get in touch

How you can learn more and get involved in sustainability at the University of Melbourne:

  • Students walking towards the Old Quad at the University of Melbourne Parkville campus, surrounded by leafy London Plane trees

    Staff and students

    Visit our Sustainable Campus website for more information about campus sustainability, including volunteering opportunities, the Green Impact program and student internships.

  • Students sitting in a lecture theatre, looking towards the front and smiling

    Alumni and the broader community

    Attend one of the many fascinating sustainability-focused lectures and events held by our faculties throughout the year.

  • High rise buildings in the City of Melbourne, with the Yarra River in the foreground

    Businesses, organisations and government

    Contact the Business Development team to discuss potential sustainability research partnerships with the University.

  • A plaster cast of an ancient discus athlete, stuck to the front of the Ian Potter Gallery on the Parkville campus. The image is taken from below and there are tree branches against a bright blue sky

    Donors

    Consider supporting our sustainability and climate-focused research institutes, which connect and amplify the depth and breadth of University of Melbourne research in these areas. Please contact our Alumni and Giving team for more information.