| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 73.80 |
| Liaison | Corey Peterson |
| Submission Date | June 2, 2022 |
University of Tasmania
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Sustainability
Team UTAS Infrastructure Services and Development |
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in curriculum and/or research?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to academics and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The Strategic Framework for Sustainability (https://www.utas.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/1302422/UOTBR200122-UTAS-Strategic-Framework-For-Sustainability-2020_vWeb_R.pdf) has various sustainability goals, one of which is to be a leader in sustainability education and research. Some examples of teaching and learning and research actions supporting this goal are:
- Support teaching staff to embed critical inquiry about sustainability in their curriculum and pedagogy through professional development opportunities, guidance and recognising teaching loads
- Map the curriculum against the Sustainable Development Goals for internal planning and in outward communications (e.g., course guides) and monitoring and reporting inclusion of sustainability in the curriculum
- Engage students as partners in creating learning experiences relating to sustainability
- Pursue a systems-based and interdisciplinary approach to sustainability research, embracing broad environmental, economic and sociocultural perspectives
- Engage all relevant communities and stakeholders to develop long-term impact for our sustainability research, where appropriate encouraging the codesign and co-production of research projects
- Build, over time, a world-class Indigenous research program, positioning the University of Tasmania as a national/international leader in the field; this program will foster multidisciplinary Indigenous research and Indigenous research relationships shaped by Indigenous perspectives and methodologies.
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address student, employee, or community engagement for sustainability?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to engagement and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The Sustainability Engagement Plan (https://www.utas.edu.au/sustainability/engagement-resources) addresses student, employee and community engagement for sustainability, with initiatives designed to achieve nine strategic objectives. Each objective has a number of actions and associated key performance indicators and/or targets. The nine objectives are:
- To maintain a foundational sustainability integration program for students (SIPS) with recurrent resourcing to allow longer term planning
- Through SIPS, to continue to support the operational sustainability needs of the University and broadly engage students and staff in the operational sustainability of the University
- To provide opportunities for academic engagement with sustainability through SIPS
- Students can be part of and contribute to the sustainability culture at the University as part of their student experience
- Sustainability priorities at the University are informed by staff and student voices through best practice sustainability governance, and the University provides opportunities for learning and professional development in sustainability governance
- Sustainability is an integrated part of working life for all staff at the University of Tasmania
- Sustainable event principles are integrated into all University events and required for events on University property
- Sustainability leadership and innovation is recognised and celebrated at the University
- The University is an active leader in a range of professional networks and communities for sustainability
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address sustainability in operations?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to operations and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The University's Sustainable Transport Strategy 2022-2032 includes a number of strategic objectives with a number of associated actions (https://www.utas.edu.au/infrastructure-services-development/sustainability/transport). The UTAS STS includes a commitment to monitoring and reporting of key indicators and evaluation. Strategic objectives include:
- Providing students and staff with equitable access to the university in a safe and accessible way
- Encouraging healthy and safe lifestyles and workplaces
- Minimising the environmental impact of travel activity
- Minimising social and organisational costs
- Supporting the places and diverse communities in which UTAS is embedded
The University's Energy Strategic Plan 2018-2022 includes a number of strategic actions to achieve the Strategy's goals. The following are examples only; for all actions see Energy Strategic Plan 2018-2022 online (https://www.utas.edu.au/infrastructure-services-development/sustainability/energy):
- Ensure all new and/or refurbished built environments are designed in accordance with Environmental Sustainable Design (ESD) principles to deliver demonstrable benefits in terms of environmental sustainability and energy-related operating costs
- Engage the contracted services market for identification, financing and delivery of energy reduction measures for infrastructure
- Determine the penetration level of renewable on-site generation for all sites
- Investigate the opportunity and feasibility for the University to invest in, and be net supplied by, large scale renewable generation (e.g. PPAs)
Does the institution have a published plan or plans that include measurable sustainability objectives that address diversity, equity, and inclusion; sustainable investment/finance; or wellbeing?:
A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives related to administration and the plan(s) in which they are published:
The University's Our People Strategy 2019-2024 includes a number of measures and targets to achieve the Strategy's goals by 2024. The following are examples only:
- Arrange leave plans for all staff currently over the agreed EBA balances, ensure all staff take annual leave each year
- Achievement of Athena SWAN actions and progress on targets and measurements
- Zero gender pay gap by salary classification
- 3% or greater aboriginal staff FTE
- Zero injury rate
The University Treasury and Investment Policy specifically commits the University to a zero carbon future (https://www.utas.edu.au/policy/policies/governance-and-accountability/6.8-Treasury-and-Investment-Policy).
Specifically, the University's investment decisions will be governed by a negative and positive fossil fuel screen and considers the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
The institution’s highest guiding document (upload):
Website URL where the institution’s highest guiding document is publicly available:
Which of the following best describes the inclusion of sustainability in the highest guiding document?:
The institution's sustainability plan (upload):
Website URL where the institution's sustainability plan is publicly available:
Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body?:
The formal statement in support of sustainability:
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.
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
The concept of sustainability is composed of three nested and interdependent elements: environmental, social-cultural, and economic/financial. The University of Tasmania also uses the 'Our Common Future' definition of sustainable development which is the kind of development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
| Yes or No | |
| The Earth Charter | No |
| The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) | No |
| ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter | No |
| Pan-Canadian Protocol for Sustainability | No |
| SDG Accord | Yes |
| Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment | No |
| The Talloires Declaration (TD) | Yes |
| UN Global Compact | No |
| Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) | Yes |
A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) in the Australia, New Zealand & Pacific region.
SDSN mobilises scientific and technical expertise from academia, civil society, and the private sector in support of sustainable development problem solving at local, national, and global scales. It engages scientists, engineers, business and civil society leaders, and development practitioners and promotes solutions initiatives that demonstrate the potential of technical and business innovation to support sustainable development.
SDSN Australia, New Zealand & Pacific (formerly SDSN Australia/Pacific) fosters global SDSN activities within the region by developing and promoting solutions, policies and public education.
International Universities Climate Alliance - https://www.universitiesforclimate.org/ The Climate Alliance provides a central hub for universities to share the latest climate research with the public and enable greater collaboration between leading research teams, supporting global leaders, policy makers and industry in planning for and responding to climate change.
Race to Zero - https://unfccc.int/climate-action/race-to-zero-campaign Race To Zero is a global campaign to rally leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions, investors for a healthy, resilient, zero carbon recovery that prevents future threats, creates decent jobs, and unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth.
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The University of Tasmania Strategic Plan 2019-2024 includes sustainability as a major theme in the following way:
-Key areas include: health and wellbeing; social inclusion and equity and environmental sustainability.
- Internal indicators that will be measured on an ongoing basis to track progress include "Implement the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) framework for our broader sustainability agenda"
- There are multiple sustainability focused objectives throughout the document
The Our People Strategy 2019-2024 is available to the UTAS community via the University's intranet. If you are interested in the strategy, please contact us for more details.
The University of Tasmania Strategic Plan 2019-2024 includes sustainability as a major theme in the following way:
-Key areas include: health and wellbeing; social inclusion and equity and environmental sustainability.
- Internal indicators that will be measured on an ongoing basis to track progress include "Implement the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) framework for our broader sustainability agenda"
- There are multiple sustainability focused objectives throughout the document
The Our People Strategy 2019-2024 is available to the UTAS community via the University's intranet. If you are interested in the strategy, please contact us for more details.
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.