FEBRUARY

Green Impact: 2020 intake for campuses is closing soon

Green Impact is a United Nations award-winning program designed to support environmentally and socially sustainable practice within organisations. This can mean anything from communicating sustainable transport options, to committing to go plastic free; from supporting staff health and wellbeing campaigns, to working towards carbon-neutrality!

Based on proven behaviour change models, Green Impact's flexible approach means it can be tailored to meet each organisation’s unique needs. If your institution is interested in joining the 15 universities in Australasia, and over 450 organisations worldwide, in becoming leaders in engaging staff and students in sustainable practice, then get in touch with us today!

Signups from campus institutions for 2020 ACTS Green Impact program are closing soon.
Contact r.boyd@acts.asn.au for more information. 

Learn how STARS can work for you!

ACTS and the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) have partnered to support our members in using the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS). STARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework for institutions to measure their sustainability performance, with more than 900 participating institutions around the world.

Up to 15 ACTS member institutions are now eligible to participate in a special cohort that will complete the STARS reporting process together in 2020, with the ultimate aim of earning a STARS Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum Rating.

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.
• Access to a private, online community to brainstorm ideas, share resources and ask questions.

An introductory webinar will be scheduled this February for those interested in learning more about STARS and the cohort. Please contact the ACTS Team to receive details for this no obligation webinar and learn how STARS could support your institution!

Accelerating SDG Practice Webinar:
Engaging students with the SDGs

Wednesday, 11 March, 1–2pm AEDT

One of the key ways universities and Higher Education institutions can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals is by empowering and mobilising their student body towards this agenda. This includes though student engagement activities, such as co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, campus initiatives, activities with clubs & societies and volunteering.

Most institutions already undertake a range of student engagement activities in areas related to the SDGs, such as sustainability and social responsibility, and have considerable experience in delivering them. However, using the SDGs framework itself as an engagement tool presents institutions with new opportunities and new benefits  – as well as new challenges!

We invite you to join us to hear case studies from our region on how institutions have been using the SDGs to engage with their students and raise their awareness, understanding, and action on the SDGs. The talks will explore the different approaches used, as well as their opportunities, benefits, challenges, and emerging best practices.

*Speaker line up to be announced shortly*

TEFMA Sustainability Workshop

Tuesday, 17 March – Wednesday, 18 March

TEFMA is now inviting registrations for the 2020 Sustainability Workshop, which is being held at the Innovation Campus at the University of Wollongong on 17 - 18 March. 

Sustainability is in the spotlight and requires collaboration between operations, research, industry and our leaders. University campuses are increasingly becoming more efficient and sustainable to ensure cost reductions and a reduced footprint. The TEFMA Sustainability Workshop will provide strategic and operational solutions to help institution performs better. Specific focus sessions will showcase what institutions and industry are implementing on their journeys to a more sustainable future.

Register now for extended early bird rates or join the mailing list to receive event updates.

International Green Gown Awards are underway

The International Green Gown Awards (IGGA) are supported by UN Environment and are open to any university or college across the world. The 2020 Awards stage 1 is now currently open for any institution that does not have a local regional awards scheme to apply to. We've included a couple of FAQs for institutions in the Australasian region about the IGGAs:

If I belong to an institution in Australia or New Zealand, can I apply to the IGGAs?
No. If your region already has an existing Green Gown Awards program, then you can only apply to your regional Award program and are not eligible to apply for the IGGAs. If your institution has a campus outside of these regions then the regional campus initiatives are eligible for entry. The following Green Gown Award programs exist:

• UK & Ireland Green Gown Awards
• Green Gown Awards Australasia
• Les Trophées des campus responsables (French speaking worldwide)

I'm an Australasian winner of an International category, what do I need to do?
Nothing! The 2019 Green Gown Awards Australasian winners of an international category automatically go through to stage 2 of the 2020 IGGA.

The conference will take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from Oct. 4 – 7. Sustainability practitioners and educators interested in submitting a proposal and/or becoming a proposal reviewer should do so by Friday, Feb. 28 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Note: The deadline will not be extended.

Please contact AASHE at conference@aashe.org with any questions!