The 2025 ACTS Conference was held virtually from 5–7 November 2025, attracting over 1,200 registrations from sustainability leaders, practitioners, researchers, educators and students across Australasia. Building on the momentum of previous gatherings, the virtual format enabled unprecedented reach across the region and reinforced ACTS’ role as a trusted convener for the tertiary education sector.

Featuring more than 70 speakers, the conference examined how institutions can accelerate climate action, strengthen resilience and embed sustainability across governance, teaching, research and operations. The scale and depth of the program reflected both the growing maturity of the sector and the increasing expectation that tertiary education will lead meaningful sustainability change.

Conference highlights

The program was anchored by two keynotes that invited delegates to critically examine the knowledge systems and technologies shaping a sustainable future.

Professor Emma Lee OAM (Federation University) delivered a moving address on Indigenous perspectives. Drawing attention to more than 15,000 years of intergenerational truth-telling, cultural continuity and custodianship across these lands, she positioned First Nations knowledge systems as enduring examples of accountability, relational practice and data integrity. Her keynote welcomed delegates to approach sustainability with love, centre relationships with Country and community, and recognise that sustainable futures must be cultural, social and grounded in place.

Professor Toby Walsh (UNSW Sydney) examined Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Sustainability, offering a clear-eyed assessment of both the opportunities and ethical considerations associated with rapidly advancing technologies. His address encouraged delegates to engage critically with AI’s potential to support climate solutions, enhance decision-making and transform research, while remaining attentive to governance, risk and societal impact.

Across three days, delegates participated in sessions aligned to the core streams Transforming Practice, Learning for Change, and Building a Just Transition, with presentations showcasing practical initiatives and emerging approaches from campuses throughout the region. Strong uptake of organisation-wide registrations further enabled cross-institutional participation, strengthening the conference as a platform for shared learning, practical insight and sector-wide collaboration.

Some of the feedback received from our delegates…

“The ACTS conference is the highlight of the year. It’s always a great opportunity to connect with my people and get inspired by the amazing work going on across the sector.”

“I got so much more out of the sessions than I expected. This was my first ACTS conference, and I will definitely attend future events.”

“It was fantastic to see the breadth of action and change taking place across the sector.”

A sector united by purpose

The 2025 ACTS Conference reaffirmed the strength of the tertiary education sector when working collectively. By convening diverse expertise and perspectives, the event strengthened the partnerships and capability required to lead meaningful sustainability progress across institutions and communities.

Session recordings remain available via our member portal, supporting ongoing learning and enabling institutions to translate insights into action throughout the year.

The 2024 ACTS Conference brought together 150 sustainability leaders, practitioners, educators, and students over four inspiring days in November. Hosted at the University of Tasmania’s newly developed Inveresk campus in Launceston, the event also featured a smaller New Zealand hub, co-hosted by Massey University and Victoria University of Wellington, offering attendees an engaging mix of collaboration, learning, and action.

Conference highlights:

• The conference opened with words from the University of Tasmania’s Vice-Chancellor and President – Professor Rufus Black with a powerful declaration: “Sustainability isn’t a mission of universities, but THE mission.” This ethos is exemplified across UTAS’ campuses, where sustainability principles underpin thriving communities and ecosystems. The Inveresk campus itself is a beacon of innovation and adaptive reuse. The message was clear: the most sustainable buildings are the ones that already exist.

• Keynote delivered by the iconic environmentalist Bob Brown, who urged attendees to embrace sustainability with action and joy, stating, “As we bring in the sustainacine, let’s dance!”

• Keynote delivered by Sophie Handford, New Zealand’s youngest elected councillor, shared her journey of youth leadership and the importance of community-driven action.

• Delegates reflected on the collective journey of sustainability in higher education, realising that while we may be at different stages, we are all working toward the same mission. Through storytelling, workshops, and shared practices, the ripple effects of these institutions extend far beyond their walls.

• The smaller yet impactful NZ hub emphasised interactive workshops, fostering meaningful networking opportunities, and concluded with a field trip to Zealandia, offering a closer look at ecological restoration in action.

The 2024 ACTS Conference reinforced the power of collaboration, innovation, and leadership in driving sustainability forward. It left attendees with a renewed sense of purpose, inspired by the words, actions, and achievements shared throughout the event. As the conference concluded, one message resonated: together, we are ensuring that sustainability is not just a mission but the mission of tertiary education.

To relive the conference experience, explore our photo galleries below: