Our Ongoing Commitment to Sustainability

The University of Adelaide has made significant progress on its sustainability initiatives as we approach the upcoming transition and transformation towards a combined new Adelaide University.

Here for good update

We remain on track to fully divest from fossil fuels by the end of 2024 and achieve net zero emissions from directly controlled operations by 2025.

Our comprehensive Sustainability Strategy 2030 – Here for good encompasses various goals, some of which we anticipate achieving before amalgamating with the University of South Australia (UniSA). However, we acknowledge that some commitments require further conversation and collaboration to be fully realised as we move towards opening Adelaide University on 1 January 2026. 

In 2023, the University of Adelaide accomplished eight targets from the Here for good strategy. These include the development of a sustainable investment policy, planning for the transition to a low-carbon vehicle fleet and recruitment of top-talent researchers in sustainability. More information about targets that have been achieved can be found on the Our Progress page.

Looking ahead, our objectives before the new Adelaide University becomes operational, include:  

  • Increasing the number of sustainability-focused research programs, projects, and publications annually. 
  • Annually identifying opportunities to integrate language and cultural education into the campus environment through art and place-making elements, including dual place names for entrances, key locations, and buildings. 
  • Enhancing the energy performance of campus buildings year-on-year through retrofits and thermal and lighting control policies (GJ/GFAm² and GJ/FTE). 
  • Divesting from direct ownership and any commingled funds involving public equities and corporate bonds of companies primarily engaged in fossil fuel exploitation by the end of 2024. For clarification, ‘primary business’ is defined by a 10% revenue threshold.
  • Developing Sustainability Ethics Guidelines for Research by the end of 2024 to ensure the social, ethical, and cultural context and implications of research are thoroughly considered.
  • Developing and endorsing Campus Water Systems and Climate Resilience Plans by 2025.
  • Achieving net zero emissions from directly controlled operations by 2025*. 
  • Developing and endorsing a Campus Greening Plan and a Campus Biodiversity Plan by 2025, which will include new plantings on campus with a preference for local Kaurna species.
  • Diverting all food waste from landfill and achieving at least a 50% overall waste diversion rate by 2025.

The remaining twenty-five targets outlined in the Here for good strategy will be put forward for consideration as Adelaide University formulates its own sustainability commitments.

The University of Adelaide remains steadfast in its dedication to accelerating the environmental, social, and technological changes necessary to ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. We look forward to the opportunity to work with UniSA staff and students on this critical and complex challenge as we work together in preparation for the new Adelaide University.

*Net zero emissions from directly controlled operations includes emission sources related to University campus operations such as electricity, natural gas, refrigerants, transport and stationary fuels, agriculture, waste to landfill, water and transmission and distribution losses from purchased utilities. Supply-chain emissions are not included in this boundary.