2024 Awards
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN – CLOSING DATE IS 26 JUNE 2024
Organisational categories are open to any tertiary education establishment – including all post-16 educational institutions such as universities, colleges, TAFE, Polytechnics and learning and skills institutions. Individual categories are open to staff and students of ACTS member organisations.
WHAT’S NEW FOR 2024
- We have refined the criteria to ensure we’re not only acknowledging impactful initiatives but also spotlighting innovation that drives positive change.
- We have introduced a new Sustainability Leadership individual award, to recognise excellence for those working in sustainability roles, and refined the criteria for the Sustainability Staff Champion award to recognise efforts of individuals who may not have formal sustainability roles.
- The biennial category Power Partnerships returns (in place of Leading for the Circular Economy).
- For the first time, the Australasian rules will allow judges discretion to award up to 2 winners for each category to distinguish between large and small institutions. The annual turnover threshold for small institutions is $500 million or below (AUD or equivalent). Two winners will only be awarded when applications are of a high quality – it is not mandatory.
- You can apply with as many projects as you like, but a project can only be entered into one category only (previously it could be submitted to multiple categories). So please read the category criteria and choose wisely.
- All current ACTS institutional members are eligible to enter the Australasian awards.
AND REMEMBER…
- 8 categories are linked to the International Green Gown Awards.
- The 2 Year Rule applies. Initiatives which won in the previous 2 years will not be considered for this year’s awards, unless they can provide evidence of further, significant improvement since the last application and this improvement is clearly documented in the application form. They could also consider applying to the Sustainability Institution of the Year category provided that there is evidence of further improvement since the last Award. Other initiatives from the institutions concerned, or ones which were previously submitted but unsuccessful, can be re-submitted, again with the condition that they provide documented evidence of further, significant improvements since the previous submission.
Click here for the full conditions of entry.
Categories
Organisational Awards
Click + to read the category criteria
As anchors in their communities and cities, tertiary education institutions benefit society in many ways. This category captures the powerful and innovative ways education institutions are realising their purpose in today’s society to benefit the lives of individuals, communities and wider society. Examples will range from economic, social and environmental impacts with organisations and sectors outside the institution where innovative new approaches to bringing positive benefit can be found.
Although all applications will be considered on their merits, the judges will particularly be looking for innovative community engagement type of initiatives which have an element of proactive, new, community and social concern and positive impacts, rather than the very worthy and commendable ‘grassroots’ and ‘business as usual’ activities.
Amongst others, examples might include how an institution applies and exchanges its student and academic knowledge with communities or partner organisations, how it uses its finances and investments, how it designs and manages its campus – all to demonstrate its values and the positive value it brings to society. A powerful example of such innovative and proactive engagement is the Living Lab approach: establishing projects that draw on students’ curricular work or academic research to address real sustainability challenges in stakeholder partnerships with community bodies.
Activities which have a substantial student element should be submitted to the Student Engagement category.
Judges recognise that not all projects will have a carbon saving, or include elements of environmental, social, cultural as well as economic benefit.
The winning entry will automatically be put forward for the Benefitting Society category for the International Green Gown Awards.
This category focuses on the steps that institutions are taking and planning to take to reach net-zero emissions targets. The judges are looking for innovative ideas and approaches that institutions are taking or planning. It is recognised that there may not be the normal evidence or impact available as this category includes current plans, however institutions that can provide evidence on implemented actions will be favoured by judges.
The judges will be looking for:
- Innovative plans for achieving net-zero.
- Focus on achieving Scope 1 and 2 emissions initially with Scope 3 in the horizon.
- How do you know you are getting there? Outline what steps are being taken in the area of measurement and verification of impact of efforts on the progress towards net-zero.
- What steps are being taken on mitigation and adaptation?
- Actions that can be scalable and transferable to other institutions and across the sector.
- Plans and actions that are looking at the whole institution and holistic approach.
- Examples of using internal research and academic knowledge in helping advance actions.
- Examples of working in partnership within your local community and other stakeholders.
The aim of this category is to share the good efforts institutions are taking as well as learning from each other in areas that have not worked so well. Whilst the end results may not be available, judges will look at projected impacts.
The winning entry will automatically be put forward for the 2030 Climate Action category of the International Green Gown Awards.
This category recognises institutions that have achieved significant sustainability-related outcomes, on campus or within their community, using minimal and/or limited resources. Initiatives need to demonstrate the relationship/link between the number of resources used (for example staffing, budget, time) and the level of impact achieved (for example quantifiable changes in behaviours and/or reportable metrics). Institutions that have received substantial external funding for their initiative are not eligible for this category.
Initiatives could include those which can demonstrate significant sustainability achievements (such as sustainable products, processes or learnings) in a relatively short period and/or with a restricted budget, and/or with a small staff base e.g. good progress from a low base. Projects that raise the broader profile of sustainability will be particularly favoured.
Initiatives can cover a single aspect of sustainability or a focussed impact area or as a whole-institution approach, including but not limited to: facilities & operations; learning & teaching, research; leadership and governance; community; procurement, and engagement. However, regardless of the topical focus, the primary aim of this category is to demonstrate how institutions can still achieve creative and high impact outcomes with limited resources.
Applications must show how learning from others has been implemented and for the greater chance of success demonstrate how the initiative can be extended to and/or replicated by other organisations.
The winning entry will automatically be put forward for the Creating Impact category for the International Green Gown Awards.
This category recognises the work institutions undertake to integrate equity, social justice and inclusion as part of their broader sustainability work. Disadvantaged groups will be impacted the most by the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and pollution, so equity and equality are core to achieving a sustainable world. Institutions have to take new approaches and different ways to engage broader diverse audiences and champions. The sector needs to look at the barriers that exist which exclude particular protected characteristics and celebrate areas where these have been broken down and accelerated to a more inclusive approach to transition to a sustainable future.
This category recognises those surprising collaborations and innovative approaches that staff and students take to improve diversity, equity and inclusion in their institutions. Approaches may include how institutions promote sustainability as a career to a broad audience to cultivate diverse and equitable professional opportunities. Judges will be looking for institutions that have ongoing commitments to embed equality and inclusion within sustainability practices or impactful initiatives that push the boundaries and challenge the status quo to improve diversity, equity and inclusion.
Judges will be looking for institutions that have innovative collaborations within or beyond their institutions. Examples could be, but not limited to:
- Engagement with the wider community to focus on under-represented groups within your local region to engage with sustainability
- Leading practises or initiatives that lead to greater access and participation in sustainability
- Innovative internal collaborations across departments
- Leading research that addresses barriers and challenges.
Judges will be looking for evidence of the impact of the initiative and must be able to show that it exceeds normal performance as well as looking at potential to scale-up and replicate across the sector.
Other categories recognise community and student engagement more generally and applicants are to apply under those categories where protected characteristics and/or elevated community vulnerability to climate change was not central or only part of the initiative.
The winning entry will automatically be put forward for the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Sustainability category for the International Green Gown Awards.
From the air we breathe to the water we drink and the food we eat, nature provides the essentials we all rely on for our survival and well-being, including crucial economic, health, cultural and spiritual benefits. To reflect the biodiversity and ecological crisis the world is facing, this category champions those institutions who are taking action to promote nature on their campuses, in their operations and teaching and research as well as working in partnership with their local communities.
This category is in recognition of the Global Goal for Nature to be net positive by 2030 and the landmark deal on the Global Biodiversity Framework at the UN Biodiversity Summit (COP15). Nature must recover so that thriving ecosystems and nature-based solutions continue to support future generations, the diversity of life and play a critical role in combating climate change.Institutions have a critical power and influence to build more resilient ecosystems and help nature recover, whilst simultaneously addressing societal challenges such as climate change, human health, resource security, and natural disaster risk reduction and adaptation.
Being Nature Positive means halting and reversing nature loss so that species and ecosystems start to recover. For institutions this means restoring species and ecosystems that have been harmed by the impacts of the institution and its activities and enhancing the institution’s positive impacts on nature.
Applications are encouraged from institutions that can demonstrate how their actions have positive impacts on both the community and the environment, including how they are engaging and educating their students and staff on a positive approach.
Judges will be looking for institutions that can provide:
- Nature recovery targets, such as increasing species diversity, restoring habitats and ecosystem services and reducing the impacts of their operations on biodiversity
- Clear actions and implementation plans on the innovative actions they are taking to reach their nature recovery targets
- Measurable progress toward targets and transparently report on their actions, performance, lessons learned and challenges
- Evidence of integrating approaches into core operations and decision-making process, from research to education, procurement, infrastructure and community engagement
- Positive impacts both with students, staff and local communities
Judges will favour applications that can demonstrate collaboration and sharing best practices with other stakeholders, such as local communities, governments, businesses and NGOs.
Signatories of Nature Positive Universities are encouraged to apply but applicants do not need to be signatories to apply.
The winning entry will automatically be put forward for the Nature Positive category for the International Green Gown Awards.
This category recognises achievement in the development of academic courses, skills and capabilities relevant to sustainability. These can be vocational, undergraduate or postgraduate courses or related to wider purposes such as community involvement, global or environmental awareness or to support lifestyle changes.
Examples of possible application topics include:
- Training for apprenticeships;
- Continuing professional development (CPD) activities;
- Skill-focused courses leading to professional or vocational qualifications;
- Adult and community learning and short courses for practitioners;
- The development of new courses focused on some or all sustainable development issues;
- Adaptation of existing courses;
- Use of practical sustainability-related projects or other practical activities within courses including work-based learning initiatives;
- Staff development.
Applications can be made for activities connected with academic courses if there is a practical focus on the development of specific skills which goes beyond the normal activities of the disciplinary curriculum, e.g. running community-based projects which give students considerable autonomy and develop their communication, management abilities etc
Possible applicants for this category include: Higher Education institutions; Further Education institutions; adult and community and work-based learning providers.
The winning entry will automatically be put forward for the Next Generation Learning and Skills category for the International Green Gown Awards.
This category celebrates institutions that have forged impactful partnerships with industry and/or cross-sector partners, demonstrating outstanding leadership in advancing sustainability initiatives through collective efforts. This award specifically recognises initiatives based on a single project or collaboration.
Judges will look favourably on initiatives where successes not only benefit the institution/s and stakeholders, but also benefit the lives of individuals, communities and wider society.
Applications will need to clearly articulate:
- The purpose and necessity of the partnership, outline the stakeholders involved and the extent of their engagement in shaping the partnership.
- The overarching goals, targets and measurable impact areas.
- Demonstrated leadership and collaboration among partners in driving the initiative forward.
- Efforts to engage with key stakeholders and the broader community throughout the partnership journey.
- Quantifiable outcomes and benefits resulting from the partnership, such as reduced environmental impacts, enhanced social equity, economic benefits, or improved organisational resilience, that demonstrate the partnership’s effectiveness in driving positive change.
- Any insights, lessons learned, and best practices gleaned from the partnership experience.
- Identified opportunities for knowledge sharing and replication of successful approaches within the tertiary education sector and beyond.
Applications may be submitted by individual institutions or collaborative initiatives involving multiple partners. The focus should be on initiatives that exemplify the transformative potential of partnerships in advancing sustainability agendas and creating lasting positive impacts.
This category is only available regionally as part of the Green Gown Awards Australasia.
This category reflects that students and staff must work together to achieve goals using “top-down” and “bottom-up grassroots” methods to achieve maximum understanding and engagement across an institution. This, in turn, aids student progress and allows for opportunities to gain transferable employability skills. It looks at both the student input and the staff commitment and the relationship between the two. It must be clear that initiatives include both staff and students (not just one party) working in partnership, however judges will look favourably on activities that have been initiated by and/or demonstrating strong leadership by students.
Where staff and students are involved, as well as including the actual numbers, including how they are involved and what impact/influence they have had.
Examples could include: Social media projects; Awareness and communication campaigns; Procurement actions; Sustainability reporting and websites; Volunteering activities organised by unions, societies and similar organisations within institutions; Community projects.
Applications are equally welcomed from institutions or student bodies.
The winning entry will automatically be put forward for the Student Engagement category for the International Green Gown Awards.
This category recognises sustained, whole-institution commitment and impact to becoming a sustainable organisation.
To improve social responsibility and environmental performance through a whole of institution approach, strategic sustainability activities through four main areas must be achieved:
- Leadership and Governance
- Facilities and Operations
- Learning, Teaching and Research
- Partnerships and Engagement
Applications are only likely to be successful if they provide considerable quantitative evidence on the nature of the improvements made and also demonstrate a causal relationship between activities undertaken and improvements achieved based on the four key areas. Initiatives must have been running for at least two years.
Judges will be looking for evidence of whole institution measuring and reporting such as STARS, the Sustainability Leadership Scorecard or equivalent.
Judges will be looking for key areas where it is felt that the institution is distinctive compared to its peers, and provide supporting evidence. Tangible evidence of high-level commitment, and its incorporation into management procedures, will also carry great weight with the judges as will engagement with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and public reporting of performance.
Judges welcome more granular data so others in the sector can learn and replicate approaches taken by these leading institutions.
The winning entry will automatically be put forward for the Sustainability Institution of the Year category for the International Green Gown Awards.
Individual Awards
The Sustainability Leadership Award is open to all individuals who hold formal sustainability roles within an ACTS member organisation and demonstrates exceptional leadership in driving sustainability initiatives. Candidates for this award are assessed based on their strategic vision, innovation, and impact in advancing sustainability within their roles.
Judges will be looking at the scale and complexity of sustainability projects led, engagement with stakeholders, and demonstrated quantifiable outcomes in promoting sustainability across the organisation.
Individuals apply themselves but should be formally nominated by a manager or peer. Please ensure the application is written in the first person (ie. “I did”). Individuals that have previously won an individual award can reapply after 2 years.
The award acknowledges individuals, at any level within an ACTS member organisation, who have made significant contributions to sustainability within their organisation and/or local communities through their work or volunteer efforts, without holding formal sustainability roles. This award celebrates creativity, initiative, and effectiveness in implementing sustainability initiatives. Applications should showcase effective leadership or championing practices that engage and inspire others.
Judges will assess the scope and impact of projects undertaken, innovative approaches to sustainability challenges, and collaboration with colleagues and stakeholders to achieve sustainability goals, and will favour applications that demonstrate quantifiable outcomes, illustrating the tangible results of the initiatives.
Individuals apply themselves but should be formally nominated by a manager or peer. Please ensure the application is written in the first person (ie. “I did”). Individuals that have won previously can reapply after 2 years.
This award is open to any student within an ACTS member institution, who deserves recognition for sustainability-related activities undertaken. Candidates for this award are evaluated based on their ability to initiate and implement innovative sustainability projects, engage with peers and diverse stakeholders, and mobilise support for sustainability initiatives.
Judges will be looking at the scope and impact of sustainability efforts, leadership and collaboration skills and will favour applications that demonstrate quantifiable outcomes, illustrating the tangible results of the initiatives.
Individuals apply themselves but should be formally nominated by a manager or peer (within or outside the sector). Please ensure the application is written in the first person (ie. “I did”). Individuals that have won previously can reapply after 2 years.
