The University rated in the top five in four highlighted segments: alongside our first for transportation, it is rated second for both energy and climate and coordination and planning, and fifth for research.
STARS®, which stands for Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System, is run by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). With more than 1,200 participants across 52 countries, the programme is the most recognised framework in the world for publicly reporting information related to a university’s sustainability performance.
Last year, the University became the first in New Zealand to receive a rating from AASHE, and achieved Gold on its first attempt, reflecting the excellent work led by the Sustainability team.
“We are delighted to be recognised, and particularly for receiving the highest score across represented institutions for sustainable transportation,” says director of Sustainability, Andrew Wilks.
“Our university is well connected to the Wellington region by train, bus, and roads. In our last transport survey, we found that over 37% of staff and students bus to work, while a hefty 35.5% walk or run, and 12.5% take a train. This and our air travel policies contribute to the score which saw us win the top spot.”
Our aspiring living building, Ngā Mokopuna, was featured as an exemplar in the Operations segment of the report.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Māori and Kaitiakitanga, Professor Rawinia Higgins says, “We are delighted to be the university with a marae at our heart, and proud that our marae complex, including Ngā Mokopuna, is on its way to meeting the greenest building standard in the world.
“Ngā Mokopuna exemplifies Indigenous values and regenerative design. It generates 134% of its own energy, relies entirely on rainwater, and processes all wastewater onsite. It also operates seamlessly as the centre of Iho Māori, where we live and engage with Māori values including kaitiakitanga every single day.”