Sustainability
- Home
- Locations
- What you can do
- LiFE Framework
- Sustainable Development Goals
- About us
- Grants
- Events
- Contact us
Charles Sturt University has submitted to the Department of the Industry, Science, Energy and Resources to maintain its certified carbon neutrality status under the Australian Government’s Climate Active Carbon Neutral program. As Australia’s first certified carbon neutral university, Charles Sturt continues with its emissions reduction focus and the offsetting of the annual Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory using certified carbon credits.
The University purchases and retires offsets in arrears of the reporting period, once its annual inventory has been established and the total quantity of required offsets is known. Charles Sturt’s GHG Inventory for the 2024 reporting year is 31,791t CO2-e. An equivalent purchase of carbon offsets have been purchased for offsetting the University’s carbon emissions.
Charles Sturt University established a series of four principles to help guide decisions on the procurement of carbon offsets:
In 2024, Charles Sturt selected offsets with co-benefits that address some of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Otherwise known as the Global Goals, these are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The goals that are addressed by the university’s offsets include SDG 1, SDG 2, SDG 3, SGD 4, SDG 5, SDG 7, SDG 8, SDG 11, SDG 13, SDG 15 and SDG 16.
Please see the Public Disclosure Summary for more information.
Cool Fire (Project Name: West ALFA)
Location: Australia
Description: Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory is prone to extreme, devastating wildfires that affect the landscape, people, plants and animals. These projects are owned exclusively by Aboriginal people with custodial responsibility for those parts of Arnhem Land under active bushfire management. Local rangers conduct controlled burns early in the dry season to reduce fuel on the ground and establish a mosaic of natural firebreaks, preventing bigger, hotter and uncontrolled wildfires later in the season.
The projects provide employment and training opportunities for local rangers while supporting Aboriginal people in returning to, remaining on and managing their country. Communities are supported in the preservation and transfer of knowledge, the maintenance of Aboriginal languages and the wellbeing of traditional custodians.
Offset: 1,600 tonnes CO2-equivalent
Bringing Bush Back (Project name: Kenilworth HIR)
Location: Australia
Description: Located in New South Wales and Queensland, these carbon farming projects work with landholders to regenerate and protect native vegetation. The projects help improve marginal land, reduce salinity and erosion and provide income to farmers. Widespread land clearing has significantly impacted local ecosystems. This degradation and loss of plant species threatens the food and habitat on which other native species rely. Clearing allows weeds and invasive animals to spread and affects greenhouse gas emissions.
The project areas can harbour a number of indigenous plant species which provide important habitat and nutrients for native wildlife. By erecting fencing and actively managing invasive species, these projects avoid emissions caused by clearing and achieve key environmental and biodiversity benefits.
Offset: 4,160 tonnes CO2-equivalent
Rainforest Rescue (Project name: April Salumei)
Location: Papua New Guinea
Description:
Deep within the East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea is Tasman Environmental Markets Australia’s (TEM) April Salumei Rainforest Community Conservation Project. A combined area of 603,712 h.a. the landscape is defined by forested land on mineral soils. The project area is thriving with both traditional culture and extraordinary levels of biodiversity.
Located within a Forest Management Area designated for timber production by the Papua New Guinean Forest Authority, the project area was facing a very material threat. The carbon finance attracted through verified carbon unit revenues offers Indigenous landowners a form of income based on the carbon storage and ecosystem services provided by the forest, rather than through the short-term royalties that flow from logging concessions. Conserving the forest and its carbon stocks avoids significant volumes of carbon emissions.
This project aims to improve the overall wellbeing of local communities, support sustainable agricultural development, provide access to employment, healthcare, education, and infrastructure, all while preserving the rich cultural traditions and customs of the Indigenous owners.
Offset: 3,200 tonnes CO2-equivalent
Winds of Change (Project name: Cepco Wind Project Rajasthan)
Location: India
Description: Across India, wind farms introduce clean energy to the grid which would otherwise be generated by coal-fired power stations. Wind power is clean in two ways: it produces no emissions and also avoids the local air pollutants associated with fossil fuels. Electricity availability in the regions have been improved, reducing the occurrence of blackouts across the area.
The projects support national energy security and strengthen rural electrification coverage. In constructing the turbines new roads were built, improving accessibility for locals. The boost in local employment by people engaged as engineers, maintenance technicians, 24-hour on-site operators and security guards also boosts local economies and village services.
Offset: 23,040 tonnes CO2-equivalent
| YEAR | PROJECT | LOCATION | LINK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 TOTAL OFFSETS RETIRED - 27,000 tonnes CO2-equivalent | |||
| 2023 | Jawoyn Fire Project | AUSTRALIA | More Information |
| 2023 | Jandra/Nulty Regeneration | AUSTRALIA | More Information |
| 2023 | April Salumei | PAPUA NEW GUINEA | More Information |
| 2023 | 300 MW Wind Energy Project by Green INFRA | INDIA | More Information |
| 2023 | Katingan REDD+ (2019) | INDONESIA | More Information |
| 2023 | Hebei Chongli Qingsanying Wind Farm Project | CHINA | More Information |
| 2023 | Katingan REDD+ (2020) | INDONESIA | More Information |
| 2022 TOTAL OFFSETS RETIRED - 24,495 tonnes CO2-equivalent (2,264 surplus for 2023) | |||
| 2022 | Arnhem Land Indigenous Savannah Fire Management | AUSTRALIA | More Information |
| 2022 | Duzce Aksu Hydro Electricity Power Plan | TURKEY | More Information |
| 2022 | Solar Project in Bhalda in Rajasthan (100 MW) | INDIA | More Information |
| 2022 | CO2 Australia Creating a Better Climate (Reforestation) | AUSTRALIA | More Information |
| 2022 | CO2 Australia Creating a Better Climate - Stage 2 | AUSTRALIA | More Information |
| 2021 TOTAL OFFSETS RETIRED - 36,474 tonnes CO2-equivalent (259 surplus for 2022) | |||
| 2021 | Energising India Using Solar Energy | INDIA | More Information |
| 2021 | Arnhem Land Indigenous Savannah Fire Management | AUSTRALIA | More Information |
| 2021 | CO2 Australia Creating a Better Climate (Reforestation) | AUSTRALIA | More Information |
| 2021 | Xinjiang Dabancheng Wind Farm Phase I | CHINA | More Information |
2020 TOTAL OFFSETS RETIRED - 41,322 tonnes CO2-equivalent | |||
| 2020 | Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve | INDONESIA | More Information |
| 2020 | Arnhem Land Indigenous Savannah Fire Management | AUSTRALIA | More Information |
| 2020 | Energising India Using Solar Energy | INDIA | More Information |
| 2019 TOTAL OFFSETS RETIRED - 49,824 tonnes CO2-equivalent | |||
| 2019 | Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve | INDONESIA | More Information |
| 2019 | North East Arnhem Land Indigenous Savannah Fire Management | AUSTRALIA | More Information |
| 2019 | Energising India: Azure Power | INDIA | More Information |
| 2019 | Maharashtra Power Plants - Chakala Wind Farm | INDIA | More Information |
| 2018 TOTAL OFFSETS RETIRED - 49,792 tonnes CO2-equivalent (1,656 carried forward from 2017) | |||
| 2018 | Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve | INDONESIA | More Information |
| 2018 | CO2 Australia Creating a Better Climate (Reforestation) | AUSTRALIA | More Information |
| 2018 | Solar Grouped Project (ACME Group) | INDIA | More Information |
| 2018 | Zhangbei Lvnaobao Wind Power | CHINA | More Information |
| 2018 | Maharashta Power Plants | INDIA | More Information |
| 2017 TOTAL OFFSETS RETIRED - 49,964 tonnes CO2-equivalent (1,656 surplus for 2018) | |||
| 2017 | Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve | INDONESIA | More Information |
| 2017 | Arnhem Land Indigenous Savannah Fire Management | AUSTRALIA | More Information |
| 2017 | CO2 Australia Creating a Better Climate (Reforestation) | AUSTRALIA | More Information |
| 2017 | Household Biogas Plants | INDIA | More Information |
| 2017 | Grid Connected Solar Power Plants | INDIA | More Information |
| 2017 | Maharashtra Power Plants - Wind Farm (199.7 MW) | INDIA | More Information |
| 2016 TOTAL OFFSETS RETIRED - 47,541 tonnes CO2-equivalent (620 surplus for 2017) | |||
| 2016 | Guohua Wulate Zhongqi Chuanjing Phase II Wind Farm | CHINA | More Information |
| 2016 | CO2 Australia Creating a Better Climate (Reforestation) | NSW | More Information |
| 2016 | Household Biogas Plants | INDIA | More Information |
| 2015 TOTAL OFFSETS RETIRED - 46,103 tonnes CO2-equivalent (36 surplus for 2016) | |||
| 2015 | CO2 Australia Creating a Better Climate (Reforestation) | NSW | More Information |
| 2015 | Wulabo Wind Farm Project - Wind Generated Energy | CHINA | More Information |
| 2015 | Hebei Chengde Weichang Yudaokou Pasture - Wind Farm (150 MW ) | CHINA | More Information |
| 2015 | Bundled Solar Power Project (10.9 MW) | INDIA | More Information |