Sustainable partnerships and community activities

AUT is committed to working with other organisations and groups to achieve sustainability. Read more about some of our partnerships below.

Partnerships and memberships

In early 2016 AUT became a member of the UN’s Sustainable Development Solutions Network. The network supports implementation of the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) through scientific and technical expertise from academia, civil society and the private sector.

UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network website

AUT’s Business School is a signatory to the United Nations' Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) initiative. The PRME provides a framework for integrating corporate responsibility and sustainability into the Business School.

Principles for Responsible Management Education website

UNWTO Logo

AUT is a signatory to the industry-led NZ Tourism Sustainability Commitment whose vision is to see Aotearoa New Zealand lead the world in sustainable tourism. AUT’s tourism degrees are accredited by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

The School of Hospitality and Tourism is committed to promoting tourism as an instrument in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, which aligns our teaching and research to the NZ Tourism Sustainability Commitment.

NZ Tourism Sustainability Commitment website

AUT is a member of ACTS, which advocates for best practice sustainability within the tertiary education sector. Our membership provides students and staff access to member only sustainability resources.

ACTS website

Industry partnerships

The AUT Sustainability Collab’s purpose is to facilitate change and create a space for students who have a common interest in improving environmental, social, and economic conditions related to sustainability at AUT and in the community. The Sustainability Collab offers opportunities for students to get involved in their events and learn more about different areas of sustainability. The Club is affiliated with AUTSA.

AUT Sustainability Collab Club

AUT is a member of the Sustainable Business Network. This is New Zealand’s largest and longest standing sustainable business organisation working to create system change in the areas of climate, waste and water.

Sustainable Business Network website

Only Fairtrade-certified coffee is sold in the cafés on AUT’s three campuses. 3.2 tonnes was consumed in 2023, which is the same as 2022 and just under half of what was consumed in 2020. Significant initial work would be required for AUT to become a Fairtrade university. Instead, in 2023 we considered how to address modern slavery within our supply chain, which includes developing an approach across key suppliers in consultation with our procurement team.

goal 12

EECA and AUT have a collaboration agreement in place which facilitates the development, implementation and communication of energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities.

We are making an impact

sustainable construction
Students in the garden
Volunteers
Suppliers deliver
gendertick
Construction sustainable?
AUT and Naylor Love
Goal 2Goal 12Goal 17
During the construction of the new Tukutuku building on North Campus, Naylor Love met an agreed target of diverting 90% of the construction and demolition waste away from landfill. Some initiatives included returning offcuts to be remade into new PVC pipes, reusing timber frames on other projects, purchasing reusable cable ties, and recycling all cardboard and soft plastics used on site.

During the construction of the new Tukutuku building on North Campus, Naylor Love met an agreed target of diverting 90% of the construction and demolition waste away from landfill. Some initiatives included returning offcuts to be remade into new PVC pipes, reusing timber frames on other projects, purchasing reusable cable ties, and recycling all cardboard and soft plastics used on site.
Photo
AUT Community Gardens
Goal 15
This AUT-wide initiative aims to promote sustainability, nutrition and holistic wellbeing in a collaborative environment. Student initiatives have included a sensory garden, investigating traditional Māori herbs and designing a menu for a new AUT café. We also undertake projects in the community.

This AUT-wide initiative aims to promote sustainability, nutrition and holistic wellbeing in a collaborative environment. Student initiatives have included a sensory garden, investigating traditional Māori herbs and designing a menu for a new AUT café. We also undertake projects in the community.
Photo
Volunteering with sustainability-related organisations
Goal 12Goal 17
As part of the AUT Edge Award, students organised a number of sustainability related volunteering opportunities including planting trees with Conservation Volunteers NZ, joining LegaSea to gather rubbish on seashores and helping Fair Food, a food rescue charity.

As part of the AUT Edge Award, students organised a number of sustainability related volunteering opportunities including planting trees with Conservation Volunteers NZ, joining LegaSea to gather rubbish on seashores and helping Fair Food, a food rescue charity.

Sustainability reports
Photo
Key suppliers and sustainability
Goal 8Goal 12
We now have more key suppliers contractually required to provide their CO2e emissions and waste data associated with the service(s) or product(s) they provide to AUT. We’re also working directly with our suppliers to share our sustainability targets and discuss how we can work together to reduce CO2e emissions.We now have more key suppliers contractually required to provide their CO2e emissions and waste data associated with the service(s) or product(s) they provide to AUT. We’re also working directly with our suppliers to share our sustainability targets and discuss how we can work together to reduce CO2e emissions.
Photo
Advanced Gendertick accreditation
Goal 5Goal 17
AUT gained Advanced GenderTick accreditation for the first time in 2023 from the nationally recognised GenderTick organisation. In doing so, AUT has become one of only two New Zealand tertiary institutions to have gained this accreditation and one of only 29 organisations across Aotearoa to have achieved the GenderTick.AUT gained Advanced GenderTick accreditation for the first time in 2023 from the nationally recognised GenderTick organisation. In doing so, AUT has become one of only two New Zealand tertiary institutions to have gained this accreditation and one of only 29 organisations across Aotearoa to have achieved the GenderTick.

Climate Scenarios Report

AUT worked with the other universities, Te Pūkenga and the Wānanga, to identify potential impacts on the tertiary education sector as a result of climate change. These impacts were described through four climate scenarios. AUT is using these scenarios to identify our climate-related risks and opportunities and better understand the resilience of our business model and strategy.

Green Impact programme

Hello, mr green hand

Join AUT’s Green Impact sustainability change programme, and work in teams to complete environmental, social and economic area sustainability actions.

Read more

Sustainability targets and progress

report cover

Find out more details about our sustainability targets and initiatives, and see how we’re tracking to meet our goals.

View latest reports

Contact us

Have questions or want to get involved? Contact the sustainability team: sustainability@aut.ac.nz

Back to top