University’s final Sustainability Charter launched

In a first for an Australian university, the University of Melbourne has today released a Sustainability Charter that outlines the institution’s principles and commitments to sustainability across all organisational activities.

More than 200 submissions were received from staff, students and the University community during the consultation process for development of the Charter.

The Charter will now guide development of the University’s Sustainability Plan for 2016-2020, which is a strategy outlining the priority actions and targets to deliver on the commitments of the Charter.

Some of commitments established in the Charter include:

  • Teaching and learning programs at the University will inspire and support students to be leaders for a sustainable future;
  • That the University conduct research that contributes significantly to knowledge and action across the interdisciplinary dimensions of sustainability; and
  • The University will engage in ongoing dialogue and collaboration with the community on the University’s environmental impact and performance.

“This Charter is an enduring statement that further embeds sustainability across our research, teaching & learning, engagement, operations and governance” said University’s Vice-Principal,Administration and Finance, and Chief Financial Officer Allan Tait.

“We are very encouraged by the response and engagement in this process, and we are looking forward to further input from our community during the development of the Sustainability Plan in the coming months.

“We said at the start of the Charter consultation process that the University, as a distinguished research and teaching institution in Australia, had a responsibility to lead public debate and action towards a sustainable future.

“This Charter reinforces our deep commitment to sustainability.”