Flinders University has become the first organisation in the world to earn a coveted Gold rating under the newly released version 3 of the international Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, or STARS.
STARS is a comprehensive rating system that measures sustainability achievements in higher education across environmental, social, and economic dimensions.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling says this significant achievement highlights Flinders University’s leadership and commitment to sustainability, particularly in the areas of energy and climate, research, and social equity.
“Achieving a Gold rating in STARS v3.0 is a milestone for Flinders University and a testament to our ongoing dedication to sustainability. We excelled in areas including energy efficiency, resource recovery, recycled water, sustainable building design, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction initiatives, as well as sustainability in research, social equity and applied learning,” Professor Stirling says.
“With a responsibility to lead the way in addressing global challenges, we are committed to continuous improvement. Our Flinders 2030 Sustainability Strategy will advance our efforts to further embed sustainability across our operations and beyond.
“We are proud to be recognised as a global leader and will continue to build on this achievement into the future,” he says.
The updated STARS v3.0 introduces a broader scope and more robust indicators, particularly in social justice and equity, making Flinders University’s Gold rating a testament to its comprehensive sustainability efforts.
Flinders University scored exceptionally high in several key areas, including:
Leadership & planning: Our robust sustainability strategy, ongoing commitment to sustainability and supporting governance frameworks.
Operations: Flinders excelled in energy efficiency, resource recovery, recycled water, sustainable building design, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction efforts. Our commitment to a 100% renewable electricity supply and the advancement of renewable energy projects reflects our dedication to minimising our carbon footprint.
Learning and Teaching: The university’s diverse sustainability-related educational offerings and emphasis on applied learning, empowering students to engage with critical sustainability issues.
Research and Innovation: Flinders performed exceptionally well in sustainability research, particularly through our research centres and institutes. Our commitment to responsible research policies, community-based projects, and innovative sustainability initiatives highlights our leadership in this field.
Engagement and Social equity: Flinders excelled in fostering community partnerships, offering continuing education opportunities, supporting co-curricular activities, and enhancing inter-campus collaboration. We also distinguished ourselves in affordability, access, and student success, and gender equality, bolstered by our Athena Swan award (Scientific Women’s Academic Network).
Information about STARS v3.0 including Flinders University’s report is publicly available online, and further information about the University’s sustainability initiatives is available at www.flinders.edu.au/campus/sustainability
About Flinders University
Flinders University is committed to leading the way in sustainability, not only in Australia but around the world. Through comprehensive strategies, research, and community engagement, the university strives to make a lasting impact on the environment, society, and the economy.
About AASHE and STARS
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) empowers higher education institutions to lead the sustainability transformation. A comprehensive rating system, STARS measures sustainability achievements in higher education across environmental, social, and economic dimensions. For more information about AASHE and the STARS program, visit www.aashe.org.
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