What we do
ACTS creates and supports a range of programs, resources, developmental and networking opportunities for members and organisations working towards a sustainable, just and equitable future. The success of what we do lies in our ability to critically challenge and support collaboration with stakeholders to lead sustainability innovation and engagement.
Member Network
Connecting our members to share practical solutions across the ACTS network.
ACTS Conference
Bringing sustainability champions together from campus communities across Australasia
Green Gown Awards
Recognising sustainability excellence in the Australasian tertiary education sector
ACTS strengthens sustainability leadership across the tertiary sector through our dynamic community where members collaborate, share resources, and accelerate progress.
This work is supported through the ACTS member portal, regular roundtable discussions, and special interest groups that bring together staff working across operations, engagement, teaching, and research. By fostering cross-institutional collaboration and knowledge exchange, ACTS empowers members to embed sustainability into every aspect of campus life.
Register to the Member Portal here or log in.
Check out upcoming roundtables and special interest group meetings via our events page.
The annual ACTS Conference “The Future of Sustainability” brings together sustainability champions from campus communities across Australasia and the Pacific to share and inspire transformative actions toward a future that is fair, just and equitable for all.
As a sector, our potential to not just solve for challenges of today, but to regenerate for a truly sustainable future is limitless. Through this annual event we explore this potential, with a particular focus on leading through transformational governance and values, innovating, educating and enabling for change, and raising the voices of indigenous peoples.
Learn more about past conferences or visit the ACTS Conference website for details on this year’s event.
The Green Gown Awards Australasia is the first and only award scheme dedicated to recognising excellence in sustainability within the Australasian tertiary education sector. Firmly established as the most prestigious recognition of sustainability best practice, the Australasian awards have recognised institutions, large and small, and rewarded their sustainability actions and initiatives for more than a decade.
The Australasian Awards are administered by ACTS and are a regional partner of the International Green Gown Awards.
To learn more about the awards, visit the ACTS GGAA website.
ACTS supports the tertiary sector to respond to the climate crisis with foresight and collaboration.
Our climate action work includes sector-wide climate scenario planning, designed to help institutions assess risks and adapt strategically to future disruptions, and communities of practice that connect staff working on climate mitigation, adaptation and governance. Together, these initiatives build capacity and drive coordinated climate leadership across the region.
View the ACTS Navigating Climate Change: Scenarios for Australia’s Tertiary Education Sector report here.
View and join our ACTS Community of Practice groups here (must be logged in via Member Portal).
Carbon Literacy Training
Building knowledge of climate science and implications for a carbon literate world.
Sustainable Events
Driving engagement and visibility for our institutions.
Reducing emissions relies on every single person in an organisation being aware of the carbon impacts of their choices, and feeling motivated and supported to take action.
Our online Carbon Literacy course is relevant climate change learning for everyone. Accredited by the UK based Carbon Literacy Project (CLP), the course brings together information, videos, science backed data and online measurement and simulation tools to build a comprehensive understanding of carbon and greenhouse gas emissions and their sources.
Green Impact is a United Nations award-winning program designed to support environmentally and socially sustainable practice in your organisation.
This can mean anything from communicating recycling systems, to committing to go waste-free; from supporting team health and well-being campaigns, to working towards carbon-neutrality!
Based on proven behaviour change models, its flexible approach means it can be tailored to meet each organisation’s unique needs.
In the Australasian region, Green Impact is exclusively delivered and supported by ACTS. Learn more about Green Impact by visiting the Green Impact website.
In partnership with the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), ACTS is delighted to be able to provide members discounted access to the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), as well as additional support to work towards a rating through the unique ACTS STARS Cohort group.
STARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework for higher education institutions to measure their sustainability performance with global benchmarking. It encompasses long-term sustainability goals for already high-achieving institutions as well as entry points of recognition for institutions that are taking first steps toward sustainability.
ACTS delivers sector-wide initiatives like Green Campus Week and #actsofconnection to help institutions embed sustainability into their daily practice and events, as well as celebrate achievements and build a shared sense of purpose across the tertiary sector.
ACTS of Connection is an annual calendar of events of live webinars, shared learning opportunities, competitions and networking events. As a member benefit, these events are accessible to everyone at your organisation and provide a platform for individuals to increase their knowledge and awareness of important sustainability issues. Access the #actsofconnection event calendar here.
During World Green Building Week in September, campuses across Australasia will open their doors for Green Campus Week – a week of sustainable events and tours for staff, students, business and industry representatives, visitors and the community. Find out more about this year’s events or register to host an event here.
Business Directory
Curating listis of products, services, and consultancies that support sustainability in tertiary education.
SDSN AusNZPac and the ACTS cohost a series of online discussion forums and webinars for our member institutions that aim to help them accelerate and scale up action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The aim of this series is to help lift the collective response of the sector in our region to the SDGs by providing a space for our members to share and discuss approaches, challenges and learnings about SDG implementation. The series also looks for opportunities for follow up collaborations and for how we can share learnings with the broader community.
GILA-ANZ is a targeted sustainability accreditation designed specifically for wet labs: spaces where scientific, technical or experimental work involves chemicals, biological materials, specialised equipment or safety protocols.
Tailored for the Australasian context, GILA-ANZ empowers labs to reduce their environmental impact without compromising research excellence.
Showcase your lab’s commitment to sustainability by registering your interest here.
The ACTS Sustainable Events Certification is a targeted accreditation developed specifically for small-scale events such as workshops, conferences, seminars and symposiums with up to 300 participants.
Designed for the Australasian context, it supports organisers to reduce the environmental and social impact of their events, while maintaining quality, accessibility and a positive participant experience.
Learn more here or if you’re ready to showcase your organisation’s commitment to sustainability, register your event here.
We’re excited to launch the Sustainable Solutions Directory! Featuring a curated listing of products, services, and consultancies that support sustainability in tertiary education.
Each listing is offered or recommended by our members, ensuring the directory reflects the trusted experiences of the sector and helps institutions connect with values-aligned providers who understand the unique needs of campus sustainability.
Businesses with a reference from an ACTS member are invited to apply for inclusion. A small listing fee applies.
COMING SOON!
