The Australasian tertiary sector consumes significant amounts of energy and water. The energy consumed by Australian campuses produces over 1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum thus contributing significantly to global warming. Campus environmental programs can reduce energy use by increasing energy efficiency, purchasing green power, and encouraging the campus community to reduce energy use in their daily routines.
The environmental importance of water is widely recognised in Australia and New Zealand, as well as globally — water is a finite resource, essential for life, and needs to be managed wisely. One tertiary campus alone can use upwards of 750 million litres of water per annum. That’s equivalent to 270 Olympic sized swimming pools every year. Major water users on campus generally include laboratories, halls and colleges, and irrigation. As well as installing water efficiency technologies, campus programs can inform and encourage students and staff to take on water-saving practices.
