Sustainability Policy

1. The purpose of our policy

This policy sets out the sustainability principles, ambitions and responsibilities of Adelaide University. It establishes the governance-level responsibilities for our sustainability activities and disclosures. It reflects our commitment to reducing environmental impact, fostering resilience, and advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This policy provides authority to maintain the: 

• [Sustainability Integrity Procedure], which guides compliance and performance monitoring. 

2. Who our policy applies to

Adelaide University staff, students, volunteers, adjuncts, titleholders and contractors.

3. Our sustainability principles

Adelaide University acknowledges the urgent reality of climate change and its implications on the long-term resilience and sustainability of global societies, ecosystems and economies. We recognise our responsibility to contribute to solutions through higher education, specifically in our research, teaching, operations, investments, and partnerships. 

We acknowledge that First Nations knowledges, grounded in many thousands of years of environmental observation, stewardship and connection to Country, are fundamental to sustainability. These knowledges play a vital role in strengthening environmental understanding and improving climate, nature and societal outcomes. 

Our principles include: 

3.1 We will educate our students to become global citizens for positive change

Our curriculum equips our students to develop sustainability-related graduate qualities. 

3.2 We will strengthen academic sustainability capability 

We will build academic capacity in alignment with strategy to enhance sustainability outcomes in education and research. 

3.3 We will generate research outcomes for a sustainable future 

We will prioritise and support research that drives the sustainable transitions required to meet the complex challenges of our time. From climate adaptation, biodiversity and nature repair, water stewardship, clean energy and industrial transformation, we work to shape a regenerative and sustainable future. Our efforts are guided by - and aligned with - local, national and global priorities, ensuring our work delivers meaningful and lasting impact.  

3.4  We will collaborate to create new understanding and drive innovation 

We will support collaborative, research-engaged models that translate knowledge into practical solutions, including through Research-engaged Action Laboratories (ReAL).  

3.5 We will achieve net zero emissions by 2050 through science-aligned action  

We will establish a science-aligned pathway to achieve our goal of net zero emissions by 2050, incorporating the University’s full value chain (scope 3) emissions.  

3.6 We will manage climate risk  

We will identify and manage climate and nature-related enterprise risks and opportunities, including physical and transitional risks, embedding them in decision making and related risk management practices. 

3.7 We will design and operate campuses for a sustainable future 

We will adopt a nature-positive, low-emission and circular approach to campus design and operations by managing campus infrastructure, online environments and operations to support resilience, emissions reductions and efficient resource use.  

3.8 We will ensure alignment across the University 

We will strengthen sustainability-focused due diligence for our investment, procurement and partnerships to ensure alignment with the University’s policies and risk settings.   

3.9 We will ensure strong governance of sustainability commitments 

We will ensure strong governance oversight of sustainability commitments, strategies, progress and public disclosures by embedding sustainability considerations into the University’s core strategy, governance and decision‑making processes.  

We will ensure transparent, accurate and credible reporting to meet stakeholder and emerging regulatory expectations. Sustainability performance will be reported at least annually to Council and included in our Annual Report.  

3.10 We will partner for global impact 

We will enhance impact through the dissemination and translation of our research findings and academic outputs in collaboration with our partners and global consortia, aligned to our institutional ambitions. 

4. Definitions used in our policy

Please refer to our Adelaide University glossary for a full list of our definitions.

Circular means to design and operate a campus where resources are kept in use for as long as possible, waste is minimised and materials are reused, repaired or recycled rather than disposed of.   

Country in Western cultures often refers to land and water physical ‘country’ but ‘Country’ – when deliberately capitalised – means much more to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Physically, Country represents the lands, waterways, seas, skies and Milky Way to which Indigenous people are connected. Less tangibly, it refers to the cultural assets, cultural knowledge and intellectual property collectively held by Indigenous people and associated with their Country. Indigenous people are indelibly connected to Country, and all that is inherent within the term – it informs complex ideas and meaning about law, place, custom, language, economy, spiritual belief, cultural practice, wellbeing, family, and identity. 

Low-emission means to actively reduce greenhouse gas emissions from a previous baseline.  

Nature-positive means to restore, conserve and regenerate biodiversity and ecosystems on campus.  

Net zero refers to an absolute reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across Scope 1 (direct emission sources such as gas, fuels, refrigerants and agriculture), Scope 2 (purchased electricity) and Scope 3 (value chain) emissions.  

Physical and transitional risks arise from the physical impacts of climate change such as extreme and chronic weather events, e.g. storms, heatwaves, drought and flooding. Transition risks arise through the global move to a low-carbon economy, e.g. policy and regulatory changes, technological shifts, market dynamics and reputational impacts.  

Research-engaged Action Laboratories (ReAL) are collaborative spaces where researchers, industry and communities codesign, test and translate research into realworld solutions. Through hubs, labs and service enablers, ReAL provides the infrastructure and expertise to drive innovation, strengthen industry partnerships and deliver practical community and economic benefits. 

Science-aligned refers to the adoption of climate science to set and monitor greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, matching global efforts to limit warming to 1.5˚ C.  

Sustainability means living, working and developing in ways that respect and fairly balance the needs of our ecosystems and intergenerational communities. 

Value chain refers to all indirect emissions that occur from the University’s purchased goods and services, digital and online tools, capital goods, transportation and distribution, waste generation and treatment, business travel, commuting and investments.   

5. How our policy is governed

This policy is categorised, approved and owned in line with the governance structure of Adelaide University and the offices and officers listed below.

6. Legislation and other documents related to our policy

Refer to the Delegation Policy for all delegations at Adelaide University. 

7. History of changes

At the time of writing, some organisational details within Adelaide University are still evolving. Square brackets [ ] are used to indicate placeholders or areas where information may be refined, clarified, or confirmed. These will be updated as the University’s arrangements are finalised.