Charles Sturt University (CSU) is aiming to to significantly reduce its ecological “footprint” by setting five challenging environmental goals as part of its 2007-2011 University Strategy.
The University will aim to:
- Compared with 2006, reduce its water use by 25 per cent by 2011;
- become a “zero-waste” university by 2011;
- By 2011, use at least ten per cent of CSU land to increase biodiversity, increasing to 20 per cent by 2015;
- Compared with 2006, reduce energy consumption by ten per cent by 2011 and by 25 per cent by 2015;
- be “greenhouse neutral” by 2015 by reducing energy use, purchasing power from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, and by offsetting greenhouse gas production by such activities as tree planting to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
CSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Goulter said the University is developing environmental implementation strategies to achieve these goals, including the establishment of Environmental Advisory Management Committees on each campus to assist in implementing the University-wide plan.
“CSU will test, implement and demonstrate best practices on our campuses in Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange and Wagga Wagga,” Professor Goulter said. [see current and proposed CSU projects in Background Notes below]
“CSU is already a leader in environmental education and research. The University hosts the Asia-Pacific office of UNESCO’s international water centre, as well as our own Institute of Land, Water and Society. Our environmental strategy will allow us to put our expertise in environmental education and research into practice.
The Vice-Chancellor is well aware that climate change predictions indicate a hotter, drier future for inland Australia. “Inland communities are the primary suppliers of energy, food and primary materials for all Australia and a major contributor to Australia’s export income. Increases in demand for energy, food and water across Australia are likely to result in more adverse climate outcomes in inland Australia. A response to counter these developments is critical to address these environmental trends if inland communities are to continue to be the food bowl for Australia’s population,” he said.
“Inland Australia has always been at the forefront of innovation in environmental management. All communities of inland Australia, including CSU, must continue to take a leadership role in environmental sustainability and innovation. We must act to preserve our way of life and the future environment for our children.”
Chair of CSU’s Sustainability Program Committee, Adrian Lindner, said decreasing waste production, water, and energy use also makes good economic sense for any organisation. “There are examples of institutions world wide that have taken on board environmental responsibilities and at the same time achieve excellent financial and institutional outcomes," he said.
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