The University of Melbourne
Sustainability Charter
The Earth is a finite environment, with its physical systems tightly interconnected with all life on the planet. Humanity is
now in the historic position of changing the global balance of both the physical and biological environments, with
unintended consequences.
Achieving a sustainable Earth requires global values and actions that are ecologically sound, socially just and
economically viable. As a distinguished research and teaching institution, The University of Melbourne has a social
responsibility to lead and engage in public debate and action. Through knowledge, imagination and action the University
will help shape a sustainable planet and will be an international exemplar of an ecologically sustainable community.
The University's obligations in relation to sustainability are to:
• demonstrate leadership, globally, nationally and locally;
• generate interdisciplinary knowledge to underpin community action;
• enable active global citizenship for all students and staff;
• recognise the past and future contribution of Australian Indigenous peoples to custodianship of the
environment;
• promote equity in the use of global resources; and
• ensure transparency and accountability in all institutional activities.
As committed to in Growing Esteem, this Charter frames the values and principles to be embedded throughout the
University’s operations, and identifies the commitments required to achieve a sustainable future.
COMMITMENTS
Research underpins the University’s contribution to creating a sustainable world. The University will:
• conduct research that contributes significantly to knowledge and action across the interdisciplinary dimensions
of sustainability;
• support researchers across different fields to work collectively on environmental problems; and
• use sustainability principles to guide decisions about research funding, conduct and communication.
The teaching and learning programs of the University inspire and support students to be leaders for a sustainable future.
The University will:
• offer an education that enables graduates from all disciplines to contribute to change for sustainability;
• provide specialist interdisciplinary education in the environment and sustainability; and
• develop people who have the skills to create, define and succeed in the future careers and industries of
sustainable societies.
The University’s staff and students actively engage with all sectors to drive progress towards sustainability. The
University will:
• be a leading voice in raising public awareness and advancing and influencing policy discussion and debate;
• work strategically with partners to create innovative solutions to sustainability challenges; and
• engage in ongoing dialogue and collaboration with the community on the University’s environmental impact and
performance.
Sustainable practices are embedded in all of the University’s operations, modelling innovative ways to maximise social
and environmental value. The University will:
• develop and maintain its campuses as living laboratories of sustainable communities;
• lead technological, financial and social innovation through applied sustainability projects;
• instil sustainability principles in procurement decisions, across product life cycles and supply chains; and
• implement investment strategies consistent with the University’s commitment to sustainability and its financial
and legal responsibilities.
The University integrates sustainability principles into its decision-making and the management of the organisation. The
University will:
• build and maintain the planning, decision-making and governance framework required to enact the
commitments of this Charter; and
• involve the University community in decision-making and ensure transparent reporting on progress towards
delivering these commitments.
In achieving the commitments of this Charter we will fulfill the aspiration of the University’s motto: postera crescam
laude – we shall grow in the esteem of future generations.
