UTS has been recognised at the 2024 Green Gown Awards Australasia, receiving the Sustainability Institution of the Year award. This achievement celebrates years of effort by many within the UTS community to make a positive difference and centre the protection of the natural environment in our learning, teaching and research. It also shows the importance of strategy and long-term planning in crafting an effective commitment to sustainability.
The Green Gown awards are a significant body for recognition of sustainability action, as the only award scheme that specifically recognises sustainability efforts and excellence in the tertiary education sector.
Celebrating their 15th year in 2024, the Awards are considered the most prestigious recognition of sustainability best practice within the tertiary education sector. The Awards provide the sector with benchmarks for excellence and are respected by Government, senior management, academics and students. They continue to recognise institutions, large and small, and reward their sustainability actions and initiatives.
Green Gown Awards Australasia
UTS was presented with the award at Green Gown Awards Ceremony, held in partnership with the 2024 ACTS (Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability) Conference.
How UTS makes a difference with sustainability
Sustainability is a core value for UTS, and interwoven with the university experience for both students and staff. The Green Gown Awards listed a number of UTS initiatives that caught the attention of the committee:
- Carbon emissions reduction
- Water and energy efficiency
- Social impact
- Strategic leadership
- Innovative programs
- Public accountability
- Global leadership
- Replicability
- Pioneering achievements
- Educational leadership
- Community engagement
- Sector influence
You can find out more about how the criteria and the UTS approach to sustainability on the Green Gown website.
Through strong governance, innovative research, and a commitment to social and environmental justice, UTS has made significant contributions to global sustainability goals. The university’s achievements in reducing its environmental footprint, advancing social equity, and fostering a culture of sustainability are exemplary, making UTS a deserving candidate for the Sustainability Institution of the Year. Its efforts not only benefit the UTS community but also have a far-reaching impact on society and the environment, positioning UTS as a model for other institutions worldwide.
Green Gown Awards Australasia
Sustainability stories
Catch up on a number of recent posts that have showcased the ongoing sustainability work of UTS staff in learning and teaching:
- Modelling sustainability in our teaching and learning design by Amanda Lizier
- Lighten the load: can we design for more sustainable student learning? by Lucy Blakemore
- Simulating disaster: how can healthcare respond to climate emergencies? by Tracy Levett-Jones and Lucy Blakemore
- Sustainable by design: Global Studio Indonesia by Alexandra Crosby
- Education for sustainability: when knowing isn’t enough by Christina Brauer