• Charles Sturt adopts multi-pronged strategy to fight air pollution
• University is committed to advancing best-practice sustainable development
• In 2018 Charles Sturt overall carbon emissions reduced by 0.5 per cent compared to 2017 emissions, the first reduction in emissions since 2014

On World Environment Day in 2019 Charles Sturt University (Charles Sturt) remains the leading ‘carbon neutral’ university in Australia but isn’t resting on its laurels.

Manager of Charles Sturt Green Mr Ed Maher said, “Charles Sturt isn’t resting on being a carbon neutral university, and our 2030 Clean Energy Strategy means that we have a plan to reduce air pollution and carbon emissions.

“We will achieve this by increasing the renewable energy generated at our campuses, and by reducing our need for fossil fuels such as gas, and improving the energy efficiency of buildings.

“We'll also increase the efficiency of fleet vehicles, and add electric vehicles to the fleet so that by 2030 we aim to be sourcing only clean, renewable energy for our campus needs.”

Mr Maher said that on 2019 World Environment Day on Wednesday 5 June, Charles Sturt University is committed to advancing best-practice sustainable development and has adopted the Learning in Future Environments (LiFE) index to guide the University’s strategy:

https://www.csu.edu.au/csugreen/life-framework/what-is-life

The Charles Sturt University Sustainability Statement: https://www.csu.edu.au/csugreen/about-us/sustainability-statement?SQ_VARIATION_3183106=0

Key highlights of the 2018 Charles Sturt Green Sustainability Scorecard include:

• Charles Sturt overall carbon emissions reduced slightly compared to 2017 emissions and the first reduction in emissions since 2014 (0.5 per cent reduction in emissions in 2018)

• A total of 91,891 customers bought their own cup to CHEERS outlets across Charles Sturt Campuses (52 per cent reusable cups)

• Carpooling trips made by Charles Sturt staff = 2,259

• Plastic straws removed from sale at on-campus CHEERS outlets saving 65,000 plastic straws per year

• All new Charles Sturt University staff undertake a sustainability learning module during their induction process to raise their awareness of ‘green’ activities in the workplace

• Charles Sturt Green manager Mr Ed Maher received state-wide recognition of his leadership across the University and in volunteer roles at local, state and national levels when he was awarded the ‘Green Globe Sustainability Champion Award’.

• Charles Sturt alumna Ms Anika Molesworth and founder of Climate Wise Agriculture was awarded ‘NSW Young Sustainability Champion of the Year’

• By students being able to access academic transcripts electronically through the ‘My eQuals’ system, 30,000 sheets of paper have been saved

What you can do to mark World Environment Day:

• Go for a walk outside and discover biodiversity zones on larger Charles Sturt University campuses or in your local reserves.

• Staff at Charles Sturt in Wagga Wagga can join colleagues for a guided tour of the biodiversity zones on World Environment Day (starting at 8am on Wednesday 5 June).https://www.facebook.com/pg/csugreen/events/

• Make a simple sustainability ‘pledge’ like remembering to bring your reusable coffee cup, shopping bags or water bottles to work