Sustainability
Website
An Overview
Macquarie University is taking its responsibility to current and future generations very seriously. Typically, institutions focus on the operational side by incorporating sustainability into facilities management. Our approach however is much broader, incorporating education for sustainability principles into all aspects of the University including human resources, learning and teaching and procurement.
Macquarie takes action
In 2007 we commissioned the State of Play report (PDF) from the Australian Research Institute in Education for Sustainability as part of our vision to embed sustainability into the daily practices and procedures of the University. While the report benchmarked the traditional sustainability areas of energy, water and waste, in a first for any university in Australia, it also investigated sustainability in learning and teaching, research and human resources.
In 2008, Sustainability@MQ was establishedto coordinate a University-wide program of change. A number of actions have been undertaken since its inception including the introduction of personal paper recycling boxes in all offices leading to a 40% increase in paper recycling; an energy saving campaign featuring posters and stickers designed by one of Macquarie's students; a comprehensive waste audit to determine current waste patterns and improvements to be made; and the development of a sustainable transport strategy to assist in defining targets and actions to reduce reliance on single passenger vehicle use.
Understanding Our Responsibility
Macquarie is working hard to reduce its greenhouse emissions. All new developments are being built to 5 Green Star status, plus we are constantly looking for ways to conserve energy in existing facilities. A number of pioneering projects have already been initiated, including the irrigation of our seven hectares of sports fields with recycled sewerage and storm water. Saving up to 52 million litres of water a year in the process, this initiative received a $350,000 grant from the New South Wales Department of Energy, Utilities and Sustainability to further its efforts.
Our Efforts Recognised
A number of our sustainability efforts to date have been publicly awarded. Our cogeneration plant, which uses gas to fuel two generators that produce electrical energy, potentially reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 44 per cent, was awarded the State Government Green Globe Award for Sustainability. The mixed mode E4A and E4B buildings also received a Bronze Medal in the Green Buildings Awards 2003. These awards recognised the environmental sustainability of both projects.
More information
Visit the Sustainability at MQ website to discover what Macquarie University is doing in the area of Sustainability.