The University of Queensland has been doubly recognised for its sustainability initiatives at this year's Green Gown Awards, winning in two of the four categories for which it was shortlisted. At the awards ceremony on Thursday 3 November, UQ won the Community Engagement award for its Riverbank Restoration project, which was designed to improve campus biodiversity at St Lucia, and the Facilities & Services awards for its electric vehicle fast-charging stations, which were installed in April 2016 and delivered over 9,000 kilometres of charge in their first three months alone.
The University was also shortlisted in the Carbon Reduction category for its extensive solar program, and in the Built Environment category for the Global Change Institute.
The Green Gown Awards, which is managed by Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability (ACTS) and governed by a cross-sector steering group, is Australia's first and only dedicated awards program for acknowledging sustainability leadership within Australasia's tertiary sector. The importance of sustainability best practice is becoming a growing priority across all sectors and institutions, and UQ is delighted to have been recognised for its diverse sustainability initiatives—a huge congratulations to everyone involved, and to this year's other Green Gowns winners and nominees!
