Carbon Neutral University

• 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 Scope 1, 2 and 3 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.

To find out more, see the Climate Active Program website

Our commitment to a sustainable future

Professor Andrew Vann, Former 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 reducing emissions

Charles Sturt University maintains a structured carbon management process that aligns with our Clean Energy Strategy 2030. Each year we measure our Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions, identify reduction opportunities, implement emission reduction projects, and offset any remaining unavoidable emissions to maintain carbon neutrality.

Our emissions reduction program is guided by the key pillars of a plan that aims to transition the university across to 100% renewable energy sources. These pillars include:

• Energy efficiency and productivity across buildings and operations.
• Further on-site renewable energy generation and energy storage.
• Renewable electricity procurement through power purchase agreements.
• Transitioning away from natural gas and other fossil fuels through campus electrification.
• Supporting the uptake of electric vehicles and low-emission transport.

These initiatives reduce emissions at the source and strengthen the University's energy resilience while supporting a transition to a low-carbon future. Any emissions that cannot yet be eliminated are offset through Charles Sturt's carbon offset portfolio, enabling the University to maintain its carbon neutral status.

In 2025, 54 per cent of Charles Sturt’s total energy consumption was sourced from renewable and clean energy. As Australia's first certified carbon neutral university, Charles Sturt remains committed to continuous improvement and reducing emissions from sources within our control.