The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS®) is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS is intended to engage and recognize the full spectrum of higher education institutions, from community colleges to research universities. The framework encompasses long-term sustainability goals for already high-achieving institutions, as well as entry points of recognition for institutions that are taking first steps toward sustainability.

STARS cohort

In partnership with the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), ACTS member institutions are eligible to participate in a networking opportunity aimed at helping ACTS institutions complete the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) reporting process.

With the ultimate goal of earning a STARS Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum Rating. Participation in the Networking group is available on an ongoing basis. 

Cohort Benefits

  • Opportunity for global benchmarking and supporting the Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Public recognition of a STARS Rating.
  • ACTS member discount on a STARS subscription.
  • Regular conference calls and ongoing AASHE staff support throughout the reporting process.
  • Access to a private, online community to brainstorm ideas, share resources and ask questions.

Support calls led by AASHE staff for ACTS members are currently held quarterly.

To sign up for STARS at the discounted rate and join the cohort, please email stars@aashe.org. 

STARS logo
University of Tasmania's logo reversed

The University of Tasmania chose STARS to support advancing our holistic sustainability agenda given it was developed by and for the education sector so provides a best fit as our go-to tool. We use STARS as a way of highlighting where we are achieving best practice so we can celebrate these and inspire and target action in other areas where we could be doing more. Bringing it all together into one place also helps everyone see where their part directly ties into the bigger picture of being a sustainable university. The levels of ratings overall also allows some target setting. Reaching Silver in our first submission inspired targets for ambitious progression. We met our target to reach Gold in 2022 and are on track to achieve Platinum in 2025.

Being part of the AASHE-supported ACTS cohort has enabled shared lessons and approaches with our Australasian colleagues as well as provided an avenue for our region to feed into updates to STARS to reflect Australasian approaches across many of the categories.

The University of Queensland logo reversed

The University of Queensland joined the initial ACTS STARS cohort in early 2019 to understand STARS, network with colleagues and learn from each other’s successes. Our first STARS report achieved a high Silver rating and we have gained so much through this network and throughout the process of submitting a report.

For UQ, STARS is primarily an engagement tool. It has provided a process for engaging our community in celebrating our achievements, as well as in measuring and improving sustainability performance. We have embedded STARS in UQ’s Sustainability Strategy and UQ’s annual reporting cycle.