Charles Sturt has again been confirmed as a leader in environmental action across the higher education industry, achieving incredible results across the latest Times Higher Education Impact rankings.
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Charles Sturt ranked in the top 10 per cent of universities in the world for Climate Action, in the top 20 per cent for Clean Water and Sanitation and in the top 25 per cent for Life on the Land and for Life Below Water.
The rankings assess more than 1,100 universities across the globe against the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, ranking them in 17 categories across three areas - research, outreach and stewardships.
Sustainability is a process that integrates environmental, social and economic considerations into decision making with the goal of creating a thriving and healthy society.
- Charles Sturt sustainability manager Ed Maher
Charles Sturt sustainability manager Ed Maher said the high rankings reflect the focus the university has put on incorporating sustainability into actions and processes.
"Sustainability is a process that integrates environmental, social and economic considerations into decision making with the goal of creating a thriving and healthy society," Mr Maher said.
"Charles Sturt has a long history of developing initiatives across our campuses that improve the quality of life for our communities without increasing the use of natural resources.
Mr Maher explained some of the programs and achievements that led to the new rankings.
"We were Australia's first certified carbon neutral university and have invested in carbon offset projects undertaken by Traditional Owners and Aboriginal rangers, and solar installations across our regional campuses save the equivalent carbon emissions as that generated by 1,032 homes," he said.
Other programs at the Bathurst campus include installation of rooftop solar energy generation on the campus and a native garden for pollinators, the latter is designed to research, build an evaluate the impact of such a project increasing number and types of bees and insects visiting plants.
Mr Maher said that in addition to investment in sustainable infrastructure, Charles Sturt researchers had played a key role in water management, biodiversity, and groundwater management projects across Australia and the world.
"We recognise that climate change remains one of the single greatest challenges humanity faces, and for that reason we have adopted a mindset to constantly evaluate current practises, to find, implement, and promote a sustainable way forward," he said.
Other THE ranking categories include no poverty, quality education, gender equality, decent work and economic growth, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, and climate action.
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