OUR SUSTAINABILITY PLAN: OUR SUSTAINABILITY MISSION Great graduates for a sustainable world - AUT
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OUR
SUSTAINABILITY
PLAN:
A companion document to the
AUT Sustainability Roadmap to 2025
OUR
SUSTAINABILITY
MISSION
Great graduates for a
sustainable world
First issued October 2018
Updated August 2020
OUR SUSTAINABILITY PLAN: A COMPANION DOCUMENT TO THE AUT SUSTAINABILITY ROADMAP TO 2025
CONTENTS 1. OUR COMMITMENT TO
1.
2.
Our commitment to sustainability
The voice of our students
03
08
SUSTAINABILITY
3. Summary of targets 09
4. Theme 1: Creating exceptional learning experiences 10
Tāwhaitia te ara o te tika, te pono me te aroha, kia piki ki te taumata tiketike
5. Theme 2: Discovery and application of knowledge Follow the path of integrity, respect and compassion; scale the heights of achievement
for wellbeing and prosperity 12
6. Theme 3: Responding to our place in the world 14
7. Theme 4: Building our position as New Zealand’s AUT Directions lays out the University’s mission A rapid depletion of biodiversity will affect
university of technology 16 and the key areas of focus for the coming years ecosystems services and food webs with related
8. Theme 5: Being a place where people love to to 2025. Sustainability is embedded throughout failures in the ecosystems we rely upon. Global
work and learn 18 AUT Directions and is contextualised by AUT’s warming, resultant from our current carbon-based
commitment – and the New Zealand government’s economy, puts further pressure on climate-sensitive
commitment – to the United Nations’ Sustainable ecological niches. The speed at which we transition
Development Goals (SDGs, Agenda 2030). These call to a zero-carbon economy will determine how many
on all countries to end poverty, protect the planet, millions are affected by storm-related surge or
and ensure prosperity for all. The SDGs include flooding events or sea-level rise. Our Oceanic region,
actions related to climate change, poverty reduction, with its big ocean/small island nations and coastal
gender equality, quality education, sustainable cities mega-cities, is already experiencing the damaging
and communities, and protection of life on land and outcomes.
below water. Each goal has specific and measurable In 2019, multiple jurisdictions in 18 countries
targets to achieve. declared a climate emergency. This included
As a university, we are aware we have a specific Auckland Council and the Australasian Campuses
contribution to make – through research, enquiry, Towards Sustainability (ACTS), of which AUT is a
analysis, discourse and debate, and through member. The intent was to precipitate action and
developing curiosity, critical thinking, and catalyse change, from unsustainable business-
creative innovation in our students, acting on as-usual practices to a zero-carbon economy and
the understanding that all our graduates will be culture. For educational institutions, the declaration
global as well as national citizens. We have a role in of emergency signals an ecological, socio-cultural,
contributing to inclusive, public debate about the and economic context within which our activities
SDGs and, through collaboration, supporting positive will be delivered. As New Zealand’s University
change, organisationally and nationally. of Technology, AUT’s response to the climate
We live now in a time in which humans have emergency is unique and critical – this Roadmap has
degraded the planet to a dangerous level. A sixth been updated to reflect some of the actions we plan
mass extinction event is in progress caused largely to take in response to the climate emergency.
by our way of production and harvesting.
OUR SUSTAINABILITY PLAN: A COMPANION DOCUMENT TO THE AUT SUSTAINABILITY ROADMAP TO 2025
AUT’S SUSTAINABILITY VISION
AUT is committed to advancing knowledge and understanding of the issues and
opportunities around creating a sustainable future for people and the planet and
its biological ecosystems.
Our sustainability vision encompasses three core values, which apply and intersect
across all areas of our activities. They are:
Whanaungatanga |
Mauri ora | Wellbeing Ki Tua | Futures
Connectivity
Wellbeing is understood Viable futures are inherent to The wellbeing of planet and
here in an expanded sense sustainability and so a future people is enabled by complex
as we recognise that human thinking for wellbeing and global systems, which connect
wellbeing is dependent prosperity is key. Actions and across diverse regions, areas
upon the wellbeing of the initiatives in this area include and functions. Actions and
planet, and the web of life speculative or disruptive initiatives in this area include
that supports and resources technologies and systems. biodiversity conservation that
our endeavours. Actions This focus area links to a encompasses socio-ecological
and initiatives in this area number of SDGs including perspectives, exploration of
include collaborations with climate change action as well local and global ecosystem
key stakeholders in wellbeing as industry, innovation and processes, investigation into
initiatives as well as discovery infrastructures. ecologically responsible
processes around equity, industries, and urban systems
ethics, and civics. as well as infrastructures.
This focus area links to This focus area links to
multiple SDGs including no multiple SDGs including
poverty, gender equality, good life below water, life on
health and wellbeing, reduced land, sustainable cities and
inequalities as well as peace, communities, and responsible
justice and strong institutions. consumption and production.
Te Manu Tāwhiowhio | The Navigation Bird is a
sculpture on the AUT City Campus symbolising
nature and our role as navigator of our students
and staff, recognising the complex nature of
interactions between natural and human systems.
4 5
OUR SUSTAINABILITY PLAN: A COMPANION DOCUMENT TO THE AUT SUSTAINABILITY ROADMAP TO 2025
STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT OUR SUSTAINABILITY HOW THIS PLAN IS
The following diagram represents the strategic This companion document to the AUT Sustainability
RESPONSIBILITIES STRUCTURED
framework for AUT Directions depicting the Roadmap provides greater detail about the context We are collectively committed to: Waiata as a cultural platform for voice and vision
relationships between AUT’s various plans. The for sustainability activities at AUT, and the objectives, has been adopted to frame the five themes of AUT
• Ensuring all our students have opportunities to
Sustainability Roadmap is one of the University’s actions and targets that we are aiming to achieve by Directions. Inspired by the aforementioned ‘Manu
develop sustainability related knowledge and
enabling plans and is underpinned and enacted 2025. Tāwhiowhio’ sculpture, the waiata Taku manu
understanding of the effective and innovative
through Faculty and Division Roadmaps and the tāwhiowhio sings about staff and students of AUT
application of solutions in their fields of
annual business planning process. navigating the challenges and opportunities life
endeavour.
• Contributing to the 17 United Nations Sustainable presents. The waiata makes connections to local
Development Goals, to inclusive public discussion geographical landmarks reaffirming our connection
and debate about these goals, and to positive and commitment to the land upon which the AUT
AUT DIRECTIONS TO 2025 change – organisationally and nationally. City Campus is located.
• Reducing our carbon footprint towards net zero This Sustainability Plan is structured under the same
greenhouse gas emissions (from buildings, travel, themes as AUT Directions and is organised in the
energy and waste). following way:
• Working with others, locally, nationally, Objectives – this is what we are aiming to achieve
CORE ROADMAPS and internationally, recognising that while Example Actions – these are examples of actions
ENABLING ROADMAPS
Learning and Teaching Roadmap sustainability is a global goal, its problems and which will help us achieve our objectives. They are
Sustainability
Research Roadmap solutions are situated in local ecosystems and supplied to provide ideas and guidance to staff and
communities. students, as they individually and collectively (as part
CORPORATE REPORTING • Assessing our progress through setting of faculties and divisions) decide on the actions they
Investment Plan
targets, monitoring and reporting against the will take to contribute to sustainability at AUT.
Annual Report
Sustainability Roadmap. Targets – these are the indicators of progress
FACULTY AND DIVISION THREE-YEAR PLANS At AUT, everyone is encouraged to enhance the
sustainability of the University and opportunities are
provided to do so. The formal responsibility rests
with the various academic and organisational units,
BUDGET ALLOCATION PROCESS and sustainability will be embedded within school,
faculty, and division plans. The Vice-Chancellor’s
Taskforce for Sustainability advises on goal setting,
UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
planning and monitoring.
Facilitate sustainability
based learning and
teaching symposiums,
forums and workshops.
06
6 07
7
OUR SUSTAINABILITY PLAN: A COMPANION DOCUMENT TO THE AUT SUSTAINABILITY ROADMAP TO 2025
2. THE VOICE OF 3. SUMMARY OF
OUR STUDENTS TARGETS TO 2025
In response to the declaration of a climate emergency and the COVID-19 pandemic, AUT has revised some
of its targets in sections 4-8. The University has also committed to halving its carbon emissions by 2025. The
following summary of targets relates to the key initiatives AUT will be taking to become low carbon.
you to connect THEME 1 THEME 4
Dear reader, et hi ng a little crazy. We want
u to do so m en the most CREATING EXCEPTIONAL LEARNING BUILDING OUR POSITION AS NEW
is letter by asking yo ople could solve ev
We want to start th was po ss ib le. Th at pe
r power.
u thought anything llectively realised ou EXPERIENCES ZEALAND’S UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
to a time when yo minds to ge th er an d co
s if we just put our
complex challenge it to be. • Ensure all undergraduate programmes develop • Generating sustainability research projects across AUT
rld ca n be as be autiful as we dream ra tions and our plan
et at heart.
That the wo all peop le, fu tu re ge ne
unity and sustainability literacy, values and practices, consistent that attract external financial support
im ag in e a wo rld that governs with y pe rs on fe els th e rewards of comm with the AUT Graduate Profile • Demonstrating innovation in sustainability professional
Now, where ever
ilt on compassion,
Imagine a society bu • Increasing number of students will have access to majors, practice in curriculum and our research
connection. with AUT. minors or papers with a sustainability orientation • Become a leader in online academic conferences.
at we wish to create a pivotal moment
Th is is th e fu tu re th
tim e, th at humanity is facing e • All students will have the opportunity to work on an
u about the challen
ge s of ou r ty of life but the lif
We could write to yo y wi ll af fe ct no t only our own quali at e ch an ge interdisciplinary project that encompasses the concepts THEME 5
da m
that what we do to l inequities, and cli
in history. We know Th at po llu tio n, so il degradation, socia e fa ct s. W ha t we want to of wellbeing, futures-thinking, and connectivity BEING A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE LOVE TO
tions. dy know th
of all future genera or ro w. Bu t, we alr ea • Develop climate emergency and zero-carbon system
need to be addres
sed today, not tom
to co-create a lega
cy. change curriculum materials for teachers WORK AND LEARN
ni ty rson
t is th e op po rtu eans that each pe
write to yo u ab ou
r us , a leg ac y fo r our university m • Increase improved online curriculum delivery with its • Halve our carbon emissions
n many things. Fo ter than each of us
.
A legacy can mea ec t to something far grea ement at associated carbon savings. • Moving towards net zero greenhouse gas emissions in
within it has the ab
ilit y to co nn
te rin g th e wo rld with hope and excit a manner consistent with New Zealand’s national and
students en
experience leaves ng is possible.
It means the AUT m AU T thinking that anythi THEME 2 international commitments
aping it, havin g lef t fro rposefully and
the challenge of sh thoroughly, act pu • 20% reduction in mains water
to expand our ca
pacit y to un de rs ta nd
ery lecture, to the DISCOVERY AND APPLICATION OF
We look to AUT rs ity lea di ng by example, from ev • 50% reduction in emissions from air travel
We wish to see ou
r un ive ing process. KNOWLEDGE FOR WELLBEING AND
empathise deeply. d at th e co re of each decision mak • 85% of staff and students take sustainable transport to/
nds and facilities, an PROSPERITY
running of the grou from university
us is where... ipline student
A better future for it se rv es , having cross-disc • Increase the number of mission-led and large-scale • From 2021, Auckland Transport HOP cards subsidised
unity wh ich s to easily
AU T is re pr es en tative of the comm . Tr an sp ar en cy will allow student projects on the critical issues of our time, including for students and staff, funded through removal of most
• om es
sustainability outc count.
representation on als an d ho ld higher staff to ac projects which are tackling aspects of the climate parking subsidies
rd s go first.
monitor prog re ss to wa people and planet emergency
in vestments that put • Preferring indigenous planting, where appropriate
es towa rd s lo ng -te rm nversa ns around
tio
• AUT boldly mov e pl at fo rm to raise important co • Providing internal funding mechanisms which support • Moving towards zero waste in line with Auckland
nts are given th behaviours. research projects that advance knowledge and its
• Staff and stude t ea ch ot he r in adopting new and create
Council’s targets and relevant national initiatives.
sustainability and
su pp or
cr ea tiv e id ea s to speed progress application to sustainability • Halve our waste to landfill
to put forth
nts are supported • Increasing numbers of peer reviewed research outputs
• Staff and stude nts to see their
• 50% of food offered on campus is a plant-based meal
ties. power other stude
learning opportuni bora te , in sp ire an d em that contribute to the United Nations’ SDGs • All new buildings meeting AUT’s green building standards
ll supported to colla • Host annual research events addressing climate
• Students are we ent • All internal fit-outs meet the New Zealand Green Building
unique part of the
solutio n. rgets and engagem emergency responses and system change (mitigation,
in ab ilit y Pl an th at outlines clear ta at AU T ta kes Council’s standards
releasing this Susta ows th
We applaud AUT in De ve lo pm en t Go als. Such a stand sh adaptation, transformation)
• Reducing the carbon footprint of our ICT usage
tions’ Sustainable • Support local companies that replace international supply
with the United Na riously. • Improve the utilisation of computer hardware
erational justice se
inter- and intra-gen er to create this th
riving future. chains through R&D.
• Using green supply chains, including locally sourced
wo rk in g to ge th
We look forward to produce and materials
THEME 3
• Public reporting on progress towards greater
Sincerely, vocates at AUT,
RESPONDING TO OUR PLACE IN THE sustainability in all areas of the Sustainability Roadmap in
ss io na te sustainability ad
The growing movem
en t of pa WORLD the Annual Report
inability.
Students for Susta • Establishing partnerships with external organisations • Shape the future of work by considering increased
based on working together towards the United Nations’ flexibility and working from home
SDGs and/or becoming low carbon
8 9
OUR SUSTAINABILITY PLAN: A COMPANION DOCUMENT TO THE AUT SUSTAINABILITY ROADMAP TO 2025
Mauri ora Ki Tua Whanaungatanga
Wellbeing Futures Connectivity
4. THEME 1: CREATING OBJECTIVES • We will embed sustainability within university
structures and programme review processes (eg
EXCEPTIONAL LEARNING
• Ensure sustainability concepts programme annual reviews).
are included in the curriculum in • We will investigate cross-disciplinary approaches
EXPERIENCES
ways that support epistemological to taught provision such as a generic first-year
understanding of the core sustainability values of paper with a content focus on sustainability (as
wellbeing, futures-thinking and connectivity. described in the UN Sustainability Goals).
• Ensure all students have learning • We will introduce a student and staff award
experiences that maximise their recognising excellence in sustainability practices
opportunities to graduate as and in creating action about environmental
‘Ki te kai ki te inu Ngā Wai o Horotiu’ sustainability literate citizens and critical thinkers. concerns.
Drink the waters of Horotiu
• Support academic staff to build
Ki te kai ki te inu Ngā Wai o Horotiu uses water as a metaphor for knowledge and as such their sustainability competencies
we must consume knowledge to understand future challenges. It also acknowledges and knowledge in environmental TARGETS TO 2025
Ngā Wai o Horotiu (AUT marae) as a domain that addresses these challenges. and sustainability education.
• Ensure all undergraduate programmes develop
sustainability literacy, values and practices,
EXAMPLE ACTIONS consistent with the AUT Graduate Profile.
In a globalising world of finite resources and communities. AUT will increasingly use place- and • Increasing number of students will have access
unlimited creativity, AUT will play a vital role in space-based learning, encouraging our students • We will facilitate lasting and inclusive, to majors, minors or papers with a sustainability
preparing students to meet the sustainability to see their university campuses and city as a interdisciplinary collaboration through annual orientation.
challenges of the future. All of our graduates will be sustainability classroom. learning and teaching symposia, which enable • All students will have the opportunity to work
inquiring, agile thinkers and communicators with AUT will develop action-oriented cross-university staff to share good practice across AUT and on an interdisciplinary project that encompasses
a broad understanding of the complex interactions projects to support students and staff to raise network with practitioners outside their the concepts of wellbeing, futures-thinking and
between natural and human systems. their awareness and knowledge of the global and disciplines. connectivity.
AUT will look for opportunities to embed local challenges identified in the United Nations’ • We will build on and secure resourcing for • Develop climate emergency and zero-carbon
sustainability throughout the curricula and will Sustainable Development Goals. The University projects that support students’ understanding of system change curriculum materials for teachers.
explore the development of co- and extra-curricular will continue to ensure that it increases access to sustainability.
initiatives, which will equip our students with and participation in university education, improves • We will identify our sustainability strengths by
the skills, knowledge and experience to become equity, and creates a sense of shared community and mapping our programme and paper offerings to
sustainability leaders and change agents. Although belonging where everyone is valued. the United Nations’ Sustainable Development
sustainability is a global goal, its problems and Goals.
solutions are situated in local ecosystems and
Increase the number of majors
and/or minors and papers with a
sustainability orientation.
OUR SUSTAINABILITY PLAN: A COMPANION DOCUMENT TO THE AUT SUSTAINABILITY ROADMAP TO 2025
Mauri ora Ki Tua Whanaungatanga
Wellbeing Futures Connectivity
5. THEME 2: DISCOVERY AND OBJECTIVES • We will conduct discourse on sustainability-related
issues that affect the communities we serve.
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE
• Support research, scholarship, • We will facilitate research and scholarship on
and consultancy activities sustainability culture.
FOR WELLBEING AND PROSPERITY
that contribute to or develop • We will increase the number of research projects
knowledge and understanding or its application to that employ methods that minimise negative
sustainability issues. impacts.
• Ensure knowledge transfer and the • We will complete an analysis of recent research
exchange of expertise developed outputs mapped to the Sustainable Development
through research and teaching with Goals to determine a baseline for future reporting.
‘Nanao atu ai ki ngā here Pūrengi’ AUT’s stakeholders. Focus on social utility and
Grasp the ropes of the canoe • We will include sustainability related topics in our
long-term impact.
professional development programmes.
Te Pūrengi is the name of the meeting house of AUT, it is also a name that represents • We will engage with business,
• We will organise an annual symposium on research
the ropes that bind the double hulled canoe together. As a metaphor the ropes propose professions, industry and the
relating to sustainability.
that people are also bound together on their journey of discovering new knowledge. The community to promote the sharing of
hope is that this journey will lead to wellbeing and prosperity. ideas, expertise, and best practice on sustainability
for mutual benefit in ways that are environmentally, TARGETS TO 2025
socially, culturally and economically responsible.
• Increase the number of mission-led and large-
• Ensure that research and
scale projects on the critical issues of our time,
Solving the world’s most intransigent problems We will build on our strengths in areas that advance consultancy projects,
including projects which are tackling aspects of the
methodologies and administrative
needs interdisciplinary collaboration. AUT will knowledge on sustainability-related issues (as laid climate emergency.
processes are undertaken in such a way that they
increasingly ensure its research is project- and out in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development • Providing internal funding mechanisms which
minimise adverse impacts.
mission-led, delivering positive impacts for the Goals) and will promote inclusive debate, discovery support research projects that advance knowledge
wellbeing of people and the planet. AUT’s research and positive change. and its application to sustainability.
and scholarship will make a noticeable, positive AUT will respond to the climate emergency through EXAMPLE ACTIONS • Host annual research events addressing climate
contribution to the environmental, social, cultural scenario-modelling, theory development, and emergency responses and system change
and economic development and wellbeing of • We will encourage innovative sustainability
applied and practice-based research. (mitigation, adaptation, transformation).
Auckland, New Zealand, and the world. AUT will be research, scholarship and consultancy
projects involving students. The research will • Increasing numbers of peer reviewed research
recognised as one of the institutions of choice for
investigate sustainability-related issues, advance outputs that contribute to the United Nations’
research on technologies, organisations, processes
sustainability-related knowledge or professional Sustainable Development Goals.
and policies related to sustainability.
practice, and/or contribute to enabling society, • Support local companies that replace international
A key focus for AUT will be the integration of locally or internationally, to meet the goals of supply chains through R&D.
teaching with research, ensuring our staff and sustainability.
students are supported to ensure research benefits
their communities. We will also seek to ensure
students have greater opportunities to undertake
research.
Internal funding made available to support
research projects which advance knowledge
and its application to sustainability.
OUR SUSTAINABILITY PLAN: A COMPANION DOCUMENT TO THE AUT SUSTAINABILITY ROADMAP TO 2025
Mauri ora Ki Tua Whanaungatanga
Wellbeing Futures Connectivity
6. THEME 3: RESPONDING TO OUR • We will support AUTSA and student clubs to
engage with SDSN Youth, to empower them to
• We will develop guidelines for staff donations and
giving to external stakeholders.
PLACE IN THE WORLD
contribute to young people’s global efforts to • We will review procurement policies and
create sustainable development solutions. procedures to ensure they support sustainable
• We will share space or equipment to encourage businesses and products and thereby green
collaborative research projects and provide supply chains.
learning opportunities. • We will increase visibility of sustainability
‘Rangitāmiro ai te kōhao o te ngira’ • We will facilitate opportunities for students within work and challenges with a Sustainability
Weaving together the different strands into the eye of the needle programmes and/or with industry to undertake Communications Plan.
The message here is collaboration, the weaving and connecting of the different strands co-ops aligned with our sustainability objectives • We will build capacity around Ngā Wai o Horotiu
together. The eye of the needle represents one common purpose, and as such our and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Marae (AUT) to become a flagship of sustainability
commitment to sustainability. • We will provide more opportunities for at AUT in both practice and education.
sustainability focused students to do their • We will emplace an AUT-wide staff and student-
co-ops at the university, in areas aligned to the volunteering programme.
UN Sustainable Development Goals.
AUT recognises that it can achieve more through OBJECTIVES • We will proactively partner with businesses
partnership with others – Māori, local and national already committed to sustainability to assist and TARGETS TO 2025
government, business, professions, industry and • Work with Māori towards bicultural learn.
communities, as well as through our international understandings and responses to the • Establishing partnerships with external
• We will develop and implement an AUT-wide staff
collaborations. We recognise our role in working for issues of sustainability for Aotearoa organisations based on working together towards
and student volunteering programme.
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Aotearoa New Zealand. the UN Sustainable Development Goals and/or
New Zealand, and our distinct contribution as a • We will continue with AUT’s outreach
• Demonstrate AUT’s environmental, becoming low carbon.
university to advance and expand sustainability programmes and activities, and widen
social, cultural and economic • Working towards AUT becoming a Fairtrade
knowledge. AUT is sought out for the work that participation and promote inclusion within
responsibilities through partnerships, registered organisation.
we do and for our engagement with the wider Auckland.
initiatives and activities.
community to effect change towards sustainability. • Be an effective and strong
AUT is an active member of the United Nations’ advocate for sustainability in the
Sustainable Development Solutions Network and communities we serve.
contributes to discussion with government, business • We will minimise resource use, minimise
and commuities about how we can collectively the negative impacts of products in terms of
further the Sustainable Development Goals. AUT pollution and waste, ensure fair terms and
will continue to lead by example through the ethical labour, and will provide opportunities for
Principles for Responsible Management Education small, diverse as well as social enterprises. Staff and student
accreditation, which supports the AUT Business volunteering
School to transform teaching, research and thought • Establish partnerships with other
organisations working towards the UN programme
leadership in support of the values of sustainability,
responsibility and ethics. Sustainable Development Goals and be an
active contributor to the Australia, New Zealand,
Collaboration is also important within AUT, with and Pacific Sustainable Development Solutions
key staff from all faculties and divisions and at all Network.
levels working together to further our sustainability
goals. Where possible, AUT will create educational
opportunities on sustainability from its operational EXAMPLE ACTIONS
activities. Basing our relationships on our values Review and update
and sustainability concepts will facilitate the culture • We will support our staff by producing guidelines
procurement to support
of innovation and collaboration needed for positive on how to respond to our place in the world in the
sustainable businesses,
change to occur. context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
products and green supply
chains
OUR SUSTAINABILITY PLAN: A COMPANION DOCUMENT TO THE AUT SUSTAINABILITY ROADMAP TO 2025
Mauri ora Ki Tua Whanaungatanga
Wellbeing Futures Connectivity
7. THEME 4: BUILDING OUR OBJECTIVES They will be:
• Generation Change Challenge: In this
POSITION AS NEW ZEALAND’S
• Through action-oriented research and a challenge, AUT students lead a range of events
focus on end-users, focus on innovation that catalyse, model or enact change, eg
UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
and application and contribute to policies, Sustainability Week
processes and products that generate positive • Equity Challenge: this challenge focuses on
change. creating a space for actions and conversations
• Work with industry and professions around equity
to guarantee the greatest chance of • Carbon Challenge: this challenge creates
success.
‘Ka takakawehia te ara poutama’ projects for AUT teaching, research and
• Develop and implement solutions as operations innovations focused on
Traverse the path of excellence
exemplars of technological excellence in post-carbon futures
Taken from the tukutuku panel design poutama (levels of success) this section of the terms of reliability and efficiency. • Biodiversity Challenge: this challenge creates
waiata sings about achieving at the highest level.
a range of biodiversity-focused projects on
EXAMPLE ACTIONS campus and within Auckland City
• We will run and fund an annual university-wide
Increasing sustainability as a university of We will strive to promote dialogue between • We will conduct an extensive consultation round innovation competition focused on converting an
technology means a multidisciplinary approach to different disciplines, discourses and methods, to identify at least one priority sustainability existing process to be carbon neutral.
complex problems. We recognise ecosystems and both within the University and in our external project based on a combination of UN Sustainable
humanity are affected by multiple developments and partnerships. We will champion positive change Development Goals that will create international
their interactions and that these require responses based on a strong scientific underpinning and forge publicity. We will scope a project that utilises TARGETS TO 2025
adequate to the interconnectivity of alliances with likeminded organisations to achieve existing resources, eg seven commercial AUT
the phenomena. maximum impact. kitchens, to address a current problem like climate • Generating sustainability research projects across
Some topics will require new conceptual change, food security, obesity and hunger. AUT that attract external financial support.
frameworks or action-oriented research with • We will develop challenges to catalyse • Demonstrating innovation in sustainability
deeper understanding of end-users, including opportunities for collaborations in exploratory professional practice within the curriculum and
policymakers, the private sector and civil society. change-making processes. our research.
Our answers will not only be of an explanatory
nature, but will also lead to actions, policies,
processes and products generating positive change.
16 17
OUR SUSTAINABILITY PLAN: A COMPANION DOCUMENT TO THE AUT SUSTAINABILITY ROADMAP TO 2025
8.THEME 5: BEING A PLACE 8.1 LOW CARBON AND ENERGY
(SDG7 & 13)
8.2 THE VALUE OF WATER
(SDG6 & SDG14)
WHERE PEOPLE LOVE TO WORK Climate change is described as one of the biggest Water is an essential resource for our food,
AND LEARN
issues facing mankind today. Human activity, in biodiversity, culture, recreational activities and
particular the burning of fossil fuels has increased wellbeing. However, decreased water quality is a
the levels of CO2 and methane in the atmosphere national concern with some of the greatest pressures
causing global warming and climate change. Limiting coming from contamination (especially nitrogen
the effects of global warming will require significant and phosphorous in rural areas), heavy metals (from
reductions in GHG emissions and increased carbon roads and roofs in urban area), sedimentation as
‘Ko te reo pōwhiri, ko te reo karanga, ko te mātāpuna o te kete Aronui, sequestration. well as water usage through demanding agricultural
tau, tau, tau ana e!’ The University has set ambitious and industrial processes. This is affecting the
Heed the call of welcome, to the source of knowledge, strive and achieve! goals to reduce its emissions. Data quality and biodiversity of our streams, rivers and
Te Kete Aronui, the basket of knowledge refers to AUT, which captures the essence of shows that in 2016, 41% of the marine environment. The University is committed
this institution. This statement is an invitation for all people to work, learn and achieve at University’s emissions were from to protecting our water by conserving, harvesting,
air travel. A further 48.7% was reducing contamination and improving monitoring.
AUT. To bring AUT staff and students to an empowering experience of sustainability in
from energy (gas, electricity and In 2016, AUT used 87,960kL of water of which 98.3%
tertiary education.
transmission losses) and the rest was from fuel, was sourced from the mains water supply. A small
refrigerants and waste (10.3%). This generated 6,618 percentage of our water is derived from rainwater
tonnes of CO2. Priority focus areas to reduce these tanks and borehole water. Water is used for our
AUT recognises that climate action (SDG 13) is one OBJECTIVES effects are reduced air travel, energy efficiency, buildings including scientific laboratories and to
of the critical issues facing humanity and has set onsite energy generation, offsite purchase of green maintain our grounds.
ambitious goals to reduce its carbon emissions. • We will ensure our built environment energy, to reduce use of fossil fuels and carbon
Within the context of the climate emergency, AUT reflects best practice and encourage sequestration.
EXAMPLE ACTION
has a common responsibility with other large the use of our campuses as living
organisations to improve the management of its laboratories for sustainability learning, teaching, • Implement a water management
EXAMPLE ACTION plan for each campus
operations in terms of energy use and water, waste, research and action.
and biodiversity, and to ensure our policies and • Develop and implement a Low Carbon/Energy • Increase onsite rainwater capture,
• We will build on current efforts to reduce, Efficiency Plan
procedures support that. But it is also responsible reuse and recycle, including through recycling and reuse technologies
for providing an on-campus learning environment sustainable travel and reduced consumption • Monitor and report energy intensity • Increase water treatment devices to
that empowers our student and staff community to of non-renewable resources. • Strengthen relationship with University remove contamination
contribute positively – individually and collectively • We will embed sustainability into university researchers to research and implement low • Increase efficiency through staff, student and
– to greater sustainability. AUT’s student experience processes and systems and manage facilities carbon alternatives contractor engagement
will be enhanced as a result of the quality of our and services efficiently, and in a • Work with EECA to continue to improve energy • Monitor and report on water quality of
campuses, and our property, land, buildings and customer-centric manner. efficiency and reduce gas usage surrounding water bodies and work with mana
facilities will be exemplars in ecological and social • Gain recogniton for work done through entering whenua to understand what AUT can do to
performance, including biodiversity. • We will ensure healthy, safe, accessible
and inclusive environments for all AUT awards enhance the mauri of associated water systems
AUT will encourage staff and student engagement by stakeholders, creating a sense of shared
setting challenging goals that will engage and inspire community and belonging where everyone is
innovative and transformational solutions. TARGET TO 2025 TARGET TO 2025
valued.
• Halve our carbon emissions • 20% reduction in mains water
• We will ensure that understanding of and
• Moving towards net zero greenhouse gas
expertise in sustainability is developed in
emissions in a manner consistent with New
our staff.
Zealand’s national and international commitments
Mauri ora Ki Tua Whanaungatanga
Wellbeing Futures Connectivity
18 19OUR SUSTAINABILITY PLAN: A COMPANION DOCUMENT TO THE AUT SUSTAINABILITY ROADMAP TO 2025
8.3 LOW CARBON TRAVEL 8.4 BIODIVERSITY 8.5 WASTE (SDG12) 8.6 SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS (SDG11)
(SDG11 & 13) (SDG 15)
Waste is a symptom of a broken system – a linear The built environment uses 40% of the world’s
The University has 26,000 students and about 2,500 New Zealand has a unique biodiversity, which ‘take, make and dispose’ extractive model instead energy, emits 30% of CO2 and uses 14% of the
staff who commute to our campuses. In addition, provides a distinct character and sense of place of a circular economy, which is restorative and world’s drinking water. There are huge opportunities
staff and students move between sites for lectures to those living here. However, our ecosystems are regenerative by design. AUT is committed to in New Zealand to improve our building stock, air
or other university activities. The draft low carbon increasingly dominated by introduced species reducing the amount of waste it generates both quality, energy use and space utilisation.
travel plan encourages sustainable options such as leading to homogeneity, which through its operations as well as through the AUT has recently built several buildings at the City
walking, cycling, public transport, shuttle bus and significantly diminishes our construction and refurbishment of its buildings. and South campuses. These
carpooling. In addition, the University operates a diverse biological systems. In 2016, AUT created 428 tonnes of waste through incorporate sustainable
fleet of vehicles and provides a shuttle bus service Creating campuses where its operations and recycled 136 tonnes of feature elements such as wood
between campuses. These are being reviewed to students can experience commingled recycling, paper and other materials, into the main structure of WG;
move away from fossil fuel dependency. AUT aims to our biota, and increase their composted 18.73 tonnes of organic material and and double glazing, daylight
rapidly transition to zero carbon renewable energy connectedness and wellbeing recycled 5.34 tonnes of other products. We do not features and underfloor,
sources for the commuter travel we provide. with the New Zealand have complete data on the amount of construction displacement ventilation at the
environment is a key driver waste generated onsite. new MH building.
for the University. AUT manages three campuses,
EXAMPLE ACTION
which span 27 hectares with variable levels of native
• Implement and socialise the Sustainable Travel plantings. The University aims to create a place EXAMPLE ACTION EXAMPLE ACTION
Plan where native biodiversity thrives and staff, students • Generate accurate data on all • Gain NabersNZ rating for the WO and WZ
• Increase staff and student uptake of sustainable and wider community engage, value, and learn about waste streams buildings
transport (ie not private motor vehicle) to our natural environment. • Document and expand the re-use • Formulate AUT’s Green Building Standard for new
university programme buildings
• Review travel subsidies to staff • Expand the organic waste • Apply zero emissions-ready approach to all
EXAMPLE ACTION
• Business case for electrification of vehicle fleet collections to the School of Hospitality and campus development projects
• Establish baseline data for all three campuses
• Replace a passenger car with an Tourism • LCA comparison of AUT’s three newest buildings
EV and socialise change • Increase biodiversity via campus specific
• Report waste to all key stakeholders across the • Conduct a greenstar office interiors five-star
biodiversity planting plans
• Reducing emissions from the campus rating for a refit project
University’s passenger car fleet • Restrict all new planting, other than food plants, to
• Ban single use plastics on campus • Link sustainable building plan to Auckland
indigenous species
• Prioritise walking and cycling • Reduce waste per person Council’s low carbon plan
parks, security and end of trip facilities • Develop a pest management plan
• Increase the sourcing of building materials from
• Have an active sustainable travel campaign • Review chemicals used in landscape
TARGET TO 2025 local suppliers
• Monitor and report on key indicators within the • Work with researchers to improve biodiversity
• Moving towards zero waste in line with Auckland • Increase numbers of staff understand and apply
Travel Plan management practices
Council’s targets and relevant national initiatives Life Cycle Assessments
• Investigate opportunities to reduce air travel • Include Mātauranga Māori into above plans and
through teleconferencing, or other options actions • Halve our waste to landfill
• Pilot spray-free weed management at the North TARGET TO 2025
• Measureable annual improvements to end of trip
facilities on all campuses Campus • All new buildings meet AUT’s green building
standards
• All internal fit-outs meet the New Zealand Green
TARGET TO 2025 TARGET TO 2025
Building Council’s standards
• 50% reduction in emissions from air travel • Preferring indigenous planting, where appropriate
• 85% of staff and students take sustainable
transport to/from university
• From 2021, Auckland Transport HOP cards
subsidised for students and staff, funded through
removal of most parking subsidies
20 21OUR SUSTAINABILITY PLAN: A COMPANION DOCUMENT TO THE AUT SUSTAINABILITY ROADMAP TO 2025
8.7 SUSTAINABLE ICT 8.8 SUSTAINABLE, HEALTHY FOODS 8.9 SUSTAINABLE POLICIES,
(SDG7, 12) AND HEALTHY PEOPLE PROCEDURES AND SYSTEMS
(SDG1, 2 & 3)
Carbon emissions from the ICT sector are on a par AUT will build sustainability into University-wide
with the aviation industry. A large portion of these We live in a world where about a third of all food processes and management systems, ensuring
impacts is from telecom networks, mobile phones, produced is wasted, where 700 million people suffer they remain strategically important and embedded
computers and data centres. In addition, fast product from hunger but 200 million people are overweight or into everyday institutional practices for long-term
cycles create large volumes of high-value, wasted obese and where 50% of plant protein grown is fed to benefit. Staff will be encouraged and rewarded for
materials, which are toxic in the environment. ICT animals. A sustainable food system is one which places their efforts in relation to sustainability and AUT will
has an enormous role to play not only in reducing health of people and the planet at its heart. It is one actively build sustainability-related capabilities in
its environmental impacts but also in assisting where the fertility of soil is maintained, the availability its staff.
other industries to reduce theirs such as using of water is enhanced and protected, biodiversity is
teleconferencing facilities instead of travelling and protected, the food is affordable and healthy, and
improved logistics services. EXAMPLE ACTION
energy use, waste, greenhouse gas emissions are within
AUT undertakes regular independent benchmarking the capacity for the earth to absorb. • Audit current policies and
exercises. The current rating system, including practices to ensure they support
AUT runs five cafés, caters for multiple events on AUT’s sustainability objectives
the Electronic Product Environment Assessment the campuses and manages two food courts, which
Tool (EPEAT), used by the Australasian universities are serviced by external providers. The University • Monitor progress and
had lost relevance, with more currently diverts food waste from the cafés and some performance against the
and more organisations of the teaching kitchens to organic waste. Cafés are objectives of our Sustainability Plan
achieving a score of 100%. members of the Conscious Consumer programme, • Introduce a sustainability recognition award for
ICT have now switched to which includes minimising packaging, caring for individuals or groups of staff innovators and
using the comprehensive workers, protecting ecosystems, composting, vegan change agents as well as students
cross-industry benchmark food options, buying local and Fairtrade. In addition, the • Promotion of sustainability in staff induction
run by Fujitsu. It compares University supports beehives, which were added to the and training programmes and through other
five areas of sustainability measures: Enablement, North and South campuses in 2018. opportunities to raise awareness
Metrics, Lifecycle, End User and Enterprise. Fujitsu
Staff and students have indicated a strong interest • Sustainability literacy is promoted at all levels of
benchmarked AUT for the first time in 2018 where
in food and recent student projects include a design the University
the University scored 55% overall. Scores of 80% and
project on urban food walls, • Auditing AUT’s policies to ensure support for
above are considered best practice. There are clear
creating campuses that provide AUT’s sustainability objectives
opportunities for improvement that ICT will pursue
food sources for bees, piloting • Organising regular presentation/webinar series
over the coming years.
free-range eggs in the cafés and on sustainability topics at AUT
EXAMPLE ACTION tutors advocating for healthier
• Incorporating sustainability principles, aspirations,
• Sustainability incorporated into procurement options in cafés. Photo: Jason Mann
and responsibilities within position descriptions
process EXAMPLE ACTION and annual development planning
• Audit organisations responsible for AUTs e-waste • Minimise waste from events on our campuses
• Maintain 100% score in EPEAT rating tool • Identify local growers as suppliers of produce for AUT TARGET TO 2025
• Increasing server virtualisation • Develop procurement criteria to support sustainable • Public reporting on progress towards greater
food suppliers sustainability in all areas of the Sustainability
TARGET TO 2025 Roadmap in the Annual Report.
• Supporting plastic-free initiatives
• Reducing the carbon footprint of our ICT usage
• Increasing plant-based meals as a proportion of the • Shape the future of work by considering increased
• Improve the utilisation of computer hardware flexibility and working from home.
food offered on campus
TARGET TO 2025
• Using green supply chains, including locally sourced
produce and materials
• 50% of food offered on campus is a plant-based
meal
22 23Auckland University of Technology Private Bag 92006 Auckland 1142 www.aut.ac.nz CITY CAMPUS 55 Wellesley Street East, Auckland Central NORTH CAMPUS 90 Akoranga Drive, Northcote, Auckland SOUTH CAMPUS 640 Great South Road, Manukau, Auckland
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