2024 Sustainability Report

Sustainability and climate change risk are recognised at an institutional level via the University Risk Register, hence University Council and its Audit and Risk Committee have oversight of University management of climate change risk. At a management level, the risk register is reviewed by the University Executive’s Risk Management and Compliance Committee. The Chief Operating Officer is the risk ‘owner’. Day-to-day responsibility for identifying and managing climate risks and opportunities sits with the leadership of various teams, as summarised in this table. The leadership of the wider University is made aware of climate change related risks and opportunities at a summary level via the University’s annual Environmental Scan, which is part of the University’s high-level strategic and business planning cycle.

During 2024, the Audit and Risk Committee requested and received a briefing from University management on the applicability of the Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards to the University, and the University’s readiness to adopt the standards. As the University is a registered charity, it is not currently required to report under the Federal legislation. It is also not currently required to report on climate-related financial impacts under State legislation, but notes that universities in NSW and ACT are required to report via their State legislation.  Management is reviewing what would be required to voluntarily comply with these standards.

To address the increasing risks posed by climate change and the growing unpredictability of bushfire events, Health and Safety Services launched a new bushfire training module in September 2024. The module aims to equip staff and students with essential knowledge to travel safely during the bushfire season. The new training module enhances the University’s climate resilience by offering greater flexibility and broader accessibility. Staff and students can complete it at their convenience, ensuring wider participation and improved preparedness for bushfire season.

In 2024, the Business Continuity Management program continued to advance across various Faculties, Schools, and campuses. Considerations of disruptive impacts of natural hazards and disasters has become a standard practice in the development of business continuity plans, enhancing organisational resilience.

The University applies AS3745 to ensure robust emergency preparedness across all campuses. In 2024, an increased number of emergency drills with shelter-in-place scenarios were conducted to address potential extreme weather events and natural hazards. Reviews of campus Emergency Management Plans (e.g. Dookie campus) were initiated to incorporate responses to emerging natural hazards driven by the increased risks of climate change.

To address significant disruptive events, the University maintains a Critical Incident Management Framework. In 2024, over 170 members of the Critical Incident Management Team (CIMT) participated in 15 training sessions to enhance their response capabilities. Additionally, further work has been undertaken to enhance the University’s capacity to monitor natural disasters that could significantly impact our campuses and to respond efficiently and effectively, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the University community.

The University’s insurers, FM Global, review natural hazard risks as part of regular inspections of each campus.

Climate change risk assessments are required for major projects under the University's building design standards in accordance with AS5334 Climate change adaptation for settlements and infrastructure. Unacceptable risks are managed through design and operational activities.

In 2024, consultants considered climate change risk at a campus level and considered appropriate responses as part of Enabling Infrastructure Plans in support of the University’s Estate Masterplan.

As a registered charity, the University will not be required to comply with the new Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards (ASRS) for 2025. The University's Financial Accounting and Tax team and Sustainability Strategy team are, however, assessing the University’s ability to voluntarily comply with the new ASRS.  This includes:

• Performing a gap analysis of current University practices vs Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards requirements and subsequently developing a risk and opportunity register across campuses, business model and value chain.
• Participating in a Climate Change Scenario working Group co-ordinated by a University member-based organisation called ACTS (Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability), to develop sector-wide climate change scenarios, which will be used in 2025 to explore the resilience of University strategy and   practice. Climate-related scenario analysis is a required part of the ASRS.