Have your say on environmental sustainability at UNSW

Take the survey to help shape UNSW’s new Environmental Sustainability Plan.

UNSW is committed to advancing environmental sustainability across all areas of our operations to ensure sustainable progress for everyone. This commitment is guided by UNSW’s Environmental Sustainability Plan (ESP).

The 2022–2024 plan was informed by staff and student consultations and is organised around three key themes: climate action, living campuses and resource efficiency. These themes have helped steer UNSW’s strategic planning and contributions toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Key highlights of the last three years include:

• completing an electrification strategy and starting a campus-wide roll-out
• developing a Sustainable Procurement Framework and roadmap to embed sustainability considerations in purchasing activity
• using 100% renewable electricity for UNSW operations and installing one new solar PV system
• expanding the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) program to 80 laboratories
• enhancing native planting and tree canopy through the Nature Value metric framework
• establishing the Plastic Free Dining Awards, with 27 of 28 retailers now achieving a Gold, Silver or Broze award
• ranking seventh globally in the 2024 THE Impact Rankings, including second in Climate Action and tenth in the 2024 QS World University Rankings for sustainability.

Despite progress around the world, extreme weather events are increasing in frequency and intensity. To ensure UNSW stays aligned with these evolving demands, we need your input to help develop our new Environmental Sustainability Plan. 

Whether you’re a professional or academic staff member, your insights can help us identify priorities, highlight areas where we excel or can improve, and shape UNSW’s environmental sustainability efforts for 2025 and beyond.

By participating, you’ll also be in the running to win a $20 voucher for waste-free shopping at Thoughtful Foods or a reusable cutlery set!

Take the survey now.

The staff survey runs from 1–11 October 2024, and the student survey runs from 14–24October 2024.  

Help promote the survey

Teaching? Download this slide to include in your class and invite your students to complete the student survey from 14 October 2024. 

For more information, visit Environmental Sustainability Survey 2024.