University of Melbourne named Sustainability Institution of the Year at Green Gown Awards Australasia

The University of Melbourne has been recognised by the Green Gown Awards for its significant and ongoing achievements in Leading the Circular Economy and as Sustainability Institution of the Year.

The Green Gown Awards, hosted at Melbourne Connect, recognised the University’s holistic approach to sustainability, ongoing innovation and efforts to encourage circularity across the University, particularly through the flagship ‘Choose to Reuse’ program.

University of Melbourne Vice-President (Administration and Finance) and Chief Operating Officer Mr Paul Axup said the University was thrilled to be recognised for its ongoing commitment to a sustainable future.

“We are honoured to be recognised by our peers for our efforts in promoting a circular economy, and very proud to have been named Sustainability Institution of the Year,” Mr Axup said.

“I’d particularly like to acknowledge our Sustainability teams and the role the play, together with colleagues across the University, in helping us to achieve our sustainability goals.”

“The University is committed to becoming climate positive by 2030, supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals and working across the entire institution to embed sustainability best practice in everything we do.”

The Green Gown Awards Australasia is the first and only award scheme dedicated to recognising excellence in sustainability within the tertiary education sector in Australasia. This year there were 10 categories, with 36 finalists from 22 institutions across Australia and New Zealand.

Now in their 14th year, the Awards recognise sustainability best practice within the tertiary education sector, and provide the sector with benchmarks for excellence. The awards, administered by the Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability (ACTS), recognise institutions, large and small, and reward their sustainability actions and initiatives.

CEO of ACTS, Rhiannon Boyd, said this year’s winning initiatives reflect the creativity, passion and tangible impact Higher and Further Education institutions can have in the transition to a sustainable future.

“We hope the inspiring work of our winners, and all the finalists, will help serve as a catalyst for the tertiary sector to continue to advance and expedite our sustainability work and ensure we are equipping learners for their futures as part of a just and fair society,” Boyd said.

The University of Melbourne will now go on to represent Australasia in the International Green Gown Awards in the ‘Sustainable Institute of the year’ category in 2024.