Sustainability vision statement
Deakin is committed to being a sector leader in sustainability. By embedding our principles in everything we do, we will minimise our environmental impact, maintain our financial viability and promote the social aspects of sustainability whilst nurturing and enabling our future leaders.
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Deakin University is proud to be a signatory to the university commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Universities play a vital role in achieving a sustainable future by recognising:
- the enormous social, economic and environmental challenges facing the world
- that future development must take place in a way that is socially, economically and environmentally sustainable
- that the SDGs establish an agenda for the achievement of sustainable development by 2030.
Among a variety of initiatives, Deakin supports the targets and objectives of the SDGs by:
- supporting and promoting the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals
- undertaking research that provides solutions to sustainable development challenges
- providing educational opportunity for students to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development
- ensuring our campuses and major programs are environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive.
Whether it's sustaining the diversity of life on Earth, the viability of our work, or enjoyment of our environment, sustainability is central to maintaining our quality of life without compromising the needs of future generations.
Professor Iain Martin
Vice-Chancellor
Sustainability aspirations
Deakin University, among other universities, is playing a part in addressing the global challenges to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The 2030 Challenge is the framework for the sustainable development of the University.
By 2020
- Policy and decision making
Sustainability is embedded into Deakin's policy framework and values and a sustainability funding model is established and implemented. - Communication and engagement
Increase staff and student awareness, action and participation in sustainability at Deakin. - Procurement and supply chain
Increase Deakin's local (G21 region) procurement spend by 7 per cent and increase jobs from target communities by 20 per cent. - Travel and transport
Complete a transport strategy for each campus and increase the use of sustainable transport to and between campuses. - Energy and emissions
Reduce total carbon emissions to the 2013 baseline despite growth and increase the percentage of on-campus renewable energy generation. - Waste and recycling
Reduce the volume of waste to landfill to 20kgs per person (equivalent to 26 per cent waster diversion). - Water
Reduce mains water consumption to five kilolitres or less per person. - Built environment
Embed the Deakin Sustainable Built Environment (SBE) Principles and complete a climate adaptation review. - Natural environment
Complete a biodiversity management plan and embed biodiversity considerations into campus planning.
By 2025
- Policy and decision making
Sustainability is embedded into Deakin's decision making and formal governance processes. - Communication and engagement
Have sustainability ambassadors in every Faculty, Institution or Other area. - Procurement and supply chain
All strategic suppliers meet Deakin's sustainable procurement principles. - Travel and transport
Electric vehicle charging stations implemented on campus, and Deakin's fleet is 100 per cent hybrid or electric. - Energy and emissions
Reduce total carbon emissions by 40,000 tonnes from the 2013 baseline. - Waste and recycling
Further reduce waste to landfill per person to 10kg (equivalent to 77 percent waste diversion). - Water
25 per cent of the University grounds irrigated using reclaimed/ captured water. - Built environment
All high priority climate change adaptation actions completed. - Natural environment
Enhance the biodiversity of the campuses' natural landscapes and waterways.
By 2030
- Policy and decision making
Deakin's operations positively contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. - Communication and engagement
The Deakin community is collectively mindful about sustainability impacts, actions and opportunities. - Procurement and supply chain
Deakin's supply chain has measurable positive impacts on multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals. - Travel and transport
The majority of staff and students with sustainable transport options, use these to travel to and between campus. - Energy and emissions
Achieve carbon neutrality - Waste and recycling
Achieve zero waste (equivalent to 90 per cent or greater waste diversion). - Water
Maintain or improve on 2025 mains water consumption despite University growth. - Built environment
Every new Deakin building will offset its own sustainability impacts. - Natural environment
Biodiversity corridors have been established in priority locations, allowing wildlife to thrive on campus.
Deakin Sustainability Policy
We’re proud of our sustainability record and the changes we’ve made across our campuses to become more sustainable.
2018 Sustainability Report
The Deakin 2018 Sustainability Report video highlights our contribution to our global commitment to the UN SDGs and the progress we've made towards achieving our local commitment to our sustainability aspirations.
Smart Microgrid Energy System at Deakin
Deakin University will host a new $30 million smart microgrid energy system at the Waurn Ponds campus. The Waurn Ponds Smart Energy Partnership between Deakin and AusNet Services will establish a 7.25 megawatt smart energy microgrid that includes a solar generation farm, one megawatt of battery storage capacity and an integrated new research and visualisation centre.
It will provide 54% of the campus electricity requirements and reduce the University's carbon emissions by 12,000 tonnes per annum. This equates to 513,742 Geelong to Burwood car trips in a petrol car. It's a major and exciting step within Deakin's Carbon Management Strategy, and will work toward achieving Deakin's aspiration to be carbon neutral by 2030.
The project will also have real-time links with a new research, teaching and visualisation centre which will be instrumental in training the next generation of energy professionals. The program will support critical research and development to inform the rollout of sustainable microgrid systems in the community and their effective integration with existing energy networks.
Whilst the system is significant on its own, the project's clear vision is to work with governments, industry and the community to expand on this solid foundation by diversifying and expanding research on renewable generation options.
Read more about the microgrid project
Carbon, energy and smart sustainable buildings
We track our carbon emissions and energy use to develop sustainable practices and buildings on our campuses.
Water, waste and recycling
We encourage staff and students to avoid, reduce, re-use and recycle wherever we can. We also use water economically and harvest rainwater to use across our operations.
Transport
We provide accessible, sustainable transport options to, from and between campuses – helping to reduce pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion.
Biodiversity
We aim to minimise disruption to the natural ecosystems of each of our campuses by setting biodiversity principles across our building standards and campus experiences.
Sustainable procurement
We recognise that the goods and services we purchase, as well as how we procure them, has an impact on sustainability.
That's why we:
- support suppliers who are socially responsible and who adopt ethical practices
- consider the environmental impact of our suppliers and contractors, as well as the life cycle of the goods they supply
- use Fairtrade (or equivalent), and ethically sourced/produced goods and services
- encourage local suppliers to bid for our business
- comply with all Australian sustainability-related regulations and legislation, and ensure our suppliers do the same
- train appropriate staff on valuing sustainability within our procurement process.
Sustainability in action
Sustainability - Making it matter at Deakin
We’ve implemented a range of initiatives to ensure the environmental, social and economic sustainability of the University, and are making a tangible contribution to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Deakin's #WarOnWaste
Deakin’s fighting the #WarOnWaste and working hard to improve our sustainability. This is one of the ways to take action – use a reusable cup and get a discount on your coffee at the same time.
Closing the Loop – A solution to organic waste at Deakin
Deakin was a finalist in the Green Gown Awards Australasia in 2017. We undertook a food waste processing trial at Waurn Ponds Estate that reduced the amount of food waste going to landfill.
Get to Deakin
Learn about all the sustainable, different and easy ways you can get to any of our campuses.
Green Impact at Deakin Highlights
In 2019, Deakin had 72 teams and over 450 staff and students part of Green Impact (the most Green Impact teams in Australasia) with over 1600 actions completed across all four campus and other areas of Deakin.
Sustainability at Deakin
Our Sustainability at Deakin video shows how Deakin is committed to be a leader in sustainability.
Get involved
Find a sustainability course to study, register for one of our events and find out more about our life sciences and environment research.