Credit: Charles Sturt University/ABC
Charles Sturt University is an institute of higher learning with nine campuses spread over a thousand kilometres in regional New South Wales & Victoria in Australia. On Tuesday 26 July, 2016 the organisation was certified as Carbon Neutral under the National Carbon Offset Standard – Carbon Neutral Program, which is administered by the Federal Department of the Environment.
Measures taken include more efficient lighting & air conditioning, generation of solar electricity + purchase & onsite generation of offsets. A particular problem for such a widely dispersed organisation is energy required for travel between campuses.
When interviewed, Vice Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann said that the carbon neutral programme was saving the university a lot of money.
ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-28/csu-becomes-first-in-australia-to-be-carbon-neutral/7667430
Charles Sturt University
http://news.csu.edu.au/latest-news/business-and-commerce/australias-first-and-only-carbon-neutral-university / Charles Sturt University first Australia declared carbon neutral Charles Sturt University slashed environmental footprint first Australia declared carbon neutral university status reducing emissions buying offsets nine campuses New South Wales Victoria $1 million contract lower energy use installed solar panels new buildings bought carbon credits projects Australia and overseas CSU Vice Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann being carbon neutral saving university a lot of money managing to offset additional costs university must set an example challenge need to engage with species important universities show leadership Professor Vann university biggest challenges declared carbon neutral distance staff travel between campuses effort pay-offs pay off pay-off payoff major source of emissions vehicle fleet driving between campuses major thrust more energy efficient vehicles challenge working many years lot of work worth it 26 organisations country given the status modelling good practice we have to engage with species dealing with our emissions footprint graduate learning objectives students are environmentally conscious thinking about these issues raise awareness student population /
