Charles Sturt University = Carbon Neutral
Australia's first carbon neutral university
Charles Sturt has been certified Australia's first Carbon Neutral University. On 28 July 2016, the Australian Government's Carbon Neutral Program certified CSU as 'carbon neutral' against the National Carbon Offset Standard.
Australia's first and only carbon neutral university, news article
What does carbon neutral mean?
Carbon neutrality is achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions for a particular activity, process or organisation. To become carbon neutral, organisations calculate their greenhouse gas emissions, reduce emissions as much as possible and then purchase carbon offsets or carbon credits equivalent to the remaining emissions. This process results in emissions being offset and leads to net zero emissions or carbon neutrality.
The branding has changed but our intentions haven't!
Climate Active is the new branding for the Carbon Neutral Program so you will start to see this new brand mark on our website and other media. To find out more about the Climate Active Program see their website
Our commitment to a sustainable future
Professor Andrew Vann, Vice Chancellor at Charles Sturt, highlighted our commitment to sustainability. Upon the announcement of our certification, Professor Vann said, "Through this certification, Charles Sturt University is showing all Australian communities how we can live more sustainable lives in our unique environment.
With this accreditation, we hope that we can inspire other organisations both regional and national, to seek to achieve these standards and do their bit for the planet. Through becoming Australia's first and only carbon neutral university, Charles Sturt is living out the Wiradjuri phrase Yindyamarra Winhanganha, or 'the wisdom of respectfully knowing how to live well in a world worth living in'."
How we're staying green
Through the National Carbon Offset Standard (NCOS) process, we must maintain an emissions reduction program. We will achieve this through our energy saving and carbon offset portfolio. These projects are part of who we are and speak directly to our values and ethos.
We're working together
Reducing carbon emissions and improving energy saving measures is something for everyone at Charles Sturt.
We're proud of our achievements and our commitment to sustainability. We believe we're in a unique position to lead and inspire organisations nationally and internationally.
We encourage our communities, staff, students and Alumni to reduce their carbon footprint by:
- Participating in tree planting days held annually across most campuses (see our events page for more information)
- Applying for the Sustainability Grant program to fund innovative sustainable ideas
- Helping to reduce waste to landfill by supporting recycling systems installed across Charles Sturt facilities
- Signing up to the Carbon Neutral Charitable Fund [pdf] available as part of CSU's Workplace Giving program to offset your own, personal carbon footprint.
- Investigate the CO2 Australia Regional Scholarship
Our daily activities
To further keep us on track, we also encourage our students and staff to:
- Make small changes such as walking or riding a bike instead of driving
- Choose a car that isn't oversized for your travel needs and travelling with colleagues or classmates where possible
- Switch off equipment such as lights, locally-controlled air-conditioners and computers when not required
- Support suppliers who demonstrate sound, sustainable practices.
Our road to becoming carbon neutral
Our plan to become a carbon neutral started in 2007. Below is a list of our achievements in the last nine years that have led us to this point.
2016
- Procurement of offsets from Australian and international projects
- Submission of NCOS Carbon Neutral documentation to Department of Environment
- Electric carts introduced at Bathurst and Wagga Wagga campuses
- Commissioning of solar PV systems at our Bathurst, Port Macquarie and Wagga Wagga campuses, rated at 216 kW of combined output
2015
- CSU awarded inaugural Energy Productivity in Action Business Leader (Commercial) Award from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage
- Charles Sturt Organics established at Orange campus
- Battery recycling established at multiple campuses
- Energy Performance Contract (EPC) implemented at Wagga Wagga and Bathurst.
2014–2013
- Number of smart meters connected to Charles Sturt network reaches 500
- Commissioning of CSU in Bathurst cogeneration facility
- Best practice office waste recycling system introduced.
2012–2009
- Charles Sturt Awarded Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability Award of Excellence for sustainability
- CSU awarded NSW Government's Green Globe Award for Regional Sustainability
- CSU's organisational-wide building management and sub-metering network established.
2008–2003
- Energy retrofit program completed with assistance from NSW Government Public Facilities Program
- Sustainability at Charles Sturt office formed in 2008
- CSU achieves one of the first regionally-located 6-Star Green Star rated office buildings at CSU in Albury-Wodonga
- Target established for CSU to become a carbon neutral organisation.