AUT embraces sustainability through the operation of our facilities. Projects that provide sustainability benefits are being implemented as we move to environmentally restorative practices.
Our overall energy consumption generated 2,059 CO2e tonnes of emissions in 2023, and a decrease in CO2e emissions of 31% when compared to 2018.
Some of the actions we’re taking to meet our energy targets include:
AUT’s CO2e emissions in 2023 were 8,885 CO2e tonnes, a 35% decrease compared to our 2018 baseline year. In 2023, emissions from air travel remained low and a decrease in the electricity CO2e factor contributed to maintaining the reduction by several percentage points.
We consumed 107,790kL in 2023, which is 5% less than our baseline year. Although there is no water efficiency projects currently in progress, we have other water initiatives including having rain gardens or swales on all three campuses, harvesting rainwater on the North Campus to water the food gardens and only using pond water to irrigate the landscape at South Campus. At our City Campus, WZ has a rainwater tank which is used in laboratories, for building washes and for grounds maintenance. This water would otherwise go to stormwater drains.
In July 2023 we trialled on-site waste sorting for the South Campus and parts of the City Campus. From July to December 2023, half (55.5 tonnes) of waste from the South and most of the City Campus went to landfill, while the other half (52.5 tonnes) was recycled or composted. In 2024, the pilot is extended to student accommodation at the City Campus and all of the North Campus.
Other initiatives include:
Around 68% of students used sustainable transport to and from AUT in 2023, a similar percentage to that in the previous 2021 survey. For staff, 71% chose sustainable modes of travel to/from work.
We're working on lots of initiatives to promote active and shared modes of transport so that we can reduce our CO2e emissions. Including:
CO2e emissions associated with air travel have decreased by 60% since 2018, from 4,546 tonnes down to 1,834. The initial savings achieved due to pandemic-related restrictions, and the AUT Travel Policy have maintained low emissions, whilst enabling travel where it is of demonstrable benefit to the University.
Organic waste collections are used at the main catering kitchen and cafés and all seven teaching kitchens in the School of Hospitality and Tourism. These divert waste from landfill and create compost. There are also eight worm farms beside the School of Hospitality and Tourism's rooftop garden, processing food waste from the kitchens which is then used on the garden.
The new Kōkihi café at the North Campus is the most sustainable café at AUT, serving meals that include fruit and vegetables grown on campus.
Five beehives at the North Campus produce honey that is used and sold in AUT cafés. There is also a ‘solitary bee’ hotel which is based on designs by students from the School of Art and Design. Bees are essential for supporting the growth of a significant amount of the food we eat and for pollinating our native plants and trees.
AUT aims for its buildings to have a positive impact on people and the environment.
Tukutuku (the new AZ building at the North Campus), is the most efficiently heated and cooled tertiary education building in New Zealand and is expected to achieve a 6-star green rating. Sustainable features include 60% of the water used in the building and for irrigation coming from rainwater harvesting.
Some of the sustainability features of our Ngā Wai Hono building (WZ building at the City Campus) include high performance external facades and sun shading to limit energy consumption and improved natural light distribution high efficiency LED lighting with sensors and controls.
Some of the ways we're committing to meeting our targets around sustainable buildings include:
Emissions from ICT increased year-on-year between 2018 and 2022, with 2023 being the first year to record a decrease. However, the 27 tonnes of CO2e associated with our data centre suppliers in 2023 was still an increase of 3 tonnes from that recorded in 2018.
We reduced the number of ICT devices up for replacement to 2,654 – a reduction of 427 (-16%). Throughout 2023 we replaced our older computer monitors with energy efficient versions and are now installing, where practical, monitors that have built-in docking and connectivity capabilities removing the need for separate docking stations for laptop users.
The Estates team planted 255 native trees across the North and South Campuses. Some of the native trees planted include rewarewa, taraire, puriri and miro. Just under 40 fruit trees and banana palms were planted by sport and recreation students on the North Campus, as well as a number of taro.
Pest plants and animals are controlled at all campuses, and AUT’s North Campus has trapping lines running through the forested area which aim to remove predators and protect nearby nesting dotterels. Monitoring lines in the same area give us insight into the different predators here – mainly possums, rats and mice.
AUT is taking action around sustainable procurement and will:
Find out more details about our sustainability targets and initiatives, and see how we’re tracking to meet our goals.
Check out the sustainability-focused courses, majors and minors you can study at AUT, and see examples of projects students have worked on.
Have questions or want to get involved? Contact the sustainability team: sustainability@aut.ac.nz