Episode 18: Creating Change: Western Sydney University’s Sustainable Leadership

IIn this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Western Sydney University, a dynamic institution spanning the Western Sydney region, which is home to over 2.5 million people. Joining me today is Dr Roger Attwater. As Senior Manager, Environmental Sustainability in Western Sydney University’s Division of Infrastructure and Commercial, Roger leads his team overseeing the implementation of the Environmental Sustainability Policy and the Environmental Sustainability Action Plan and related initiatives, including engagement opportunities through the Living Labs.
Roger and Barbara chat about Western Sydney University's efforts on climate action, their net zero strategy, and what led them to be ranked number 1 in the Times Higher Education Impact rankings for their overall action across the Sustainable Development Goals for two consecutive years.
In this episode, find out:
• What showing up for climate action means for Western Sydney University
• Western Sydney University’s number 1 ranking in the Times Higher Education Impact rankings
• Western Sydney University’s Living labs
• Western Sydney University’s mitigation efforts
• Western Sydney University’s interpretation of climate positive
• Western Sydney University’s net zero strategy
• Western Sydney University’s achievement of carbon neutrality
• Western Sydney University’s biggest hurdles in achieving Climate Active certification
• Roger's view of nature repair markets of the Commonwealth government
• Intersection between biodiversity schemes and carbon offsets
• Emission sources of the University
• Emission reduction initiatives
• The importance of internal stakeholder support
• What's next in Western Sydney University’s sustainability journey
👉 Follow Roger here: / roger-attwater-0587ba266
👉 Follow Barbara here: / barbaraalbert100
💁 CHAPTERS
~ 00:00:10 - Introduction
~ 00:05:22 - What will Western Sydney University look like in 30 years
~ 00:7:58 - What showing up for climate action mean for Western Sydney University
• ~ 00:9:29 - Western Sydney University’s number 1 ranking in the Times Higher Eduction Impact rankings
~ 00:12:23 - Role of the university in society and the region
~ 00:14:19 - What are the Living labs
~ 00:18:14 - Western Sydney University's mitigation efforts
~ 00:18:57 - Interpretation of climate positive
~ 00:23:45 - Drivers for Western Sydney University and net zero strategy
~ 00:28:44 - Important of SGDs at Western Sydney University
~ 00:31:01 - Western Sydney University's carbon neutrality
~ 00:42:08 - Western Sydney University's biggest hurdles in achieving Climate Active certification
~ 00:49: 00 - Roger's view of nature repair markets of the Commonwealth government
~ 00:53:38 - Intersection between biodiversity schemes and carbon offsets
~ 00:57:31 - Emission sources of the University
~ 01:04:09 - Emission reduction initiatives
~ 01:11:30 - Internal stakeholder support
~ 01:16:34 - What's next in Western Sydney University 's sustainability journey
~ 01:20:11 - Key takeaway message
~ 01:21:18 - Getting in touch with Roger
~ 01:23:11 - Closing
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📜 Transcript:
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