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.
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.
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.
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.
Industry partnerships
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.
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.
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
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.
Instagram
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
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
Join AUT’s Green Impact sustainability change programme, and work in teams to complete environmental, social and economic area sustainability actions.
Sustainability targets and progress
Find out more details about our sustainability targets and initiatives, and see how we’re tracking to meet our goals.
Contact us
Have questions or want to get involved? Contact the sustainability team: sustainability@aut.ac.nz