Please see below summaries of the progress The University of New South Wales (UNSW) has been making towards each stage of the Nature Positive Pledge during 2025:
Summary of baselining:
UNSW established a biodiversity baseline for its Kensington Campus combining readily available information by its baseline year (2022) from GIS mapping, tree inventory data, canopy cover, native species composition, green infrastructure, garden beds and green space extent. We then developed a Nature Value Metric, consolidating five indicators into a single measure, enabling consistent assessment of ‘nature value’ over time. This baseline provides a robust evidence base for tracking nature outcomes and informing decision-making across campus planning, capital works and landscape management. It strongly supports us in driving action to increase nature at our campuses.
Summary of target setting at UNSW:
Nature Positive is a flagship initiative under Pillar 6 of UNSW Strategy: Progress for All. Following the establishment of our nature value baseline and metric, UNSW is developing long-term targets through its draft Nature Positive Roadmap, aligned with emerging best practice and the Green Building Council of Australia’s Nature Positive Roadmap for the Built Environment. In the interim, UNSW is committed to maintaining achieved nature value gains and requiring capital projects to deliver net gain within their site boundaries wherever feasible. Future targets will support measurable improvements in biodiversity, habitat quality, ecological connectivity and nature-positive outcomes across the campus.
Summary of key actions for nature:
UNSW is embedding nature value improvements across campus planning, development and operations. Key actions include: integrating reporting requirements into capital projects, expanding and enhancing green spaces, improving native vegetation and habitat opportunities, increasing green infrastructure, and delivering landscape-led projects such as the Muru Mirrung Trail. In 2025, UNSW progressed the development of its draft Nature Positive Roadmap, initiated biodiversity baselining and continued to assess progress through its Nature Value Metric. The University is also exploring broader opportunities through initiatives such as carbon insetting and leveraging its research and operational expertise to support nature recovery.
Summary of how we’ve reported our progress publicly:
UNSW reports nature-positive progress through institutional strategies, sustainability reporting, project communications and public engagement activities. Progress has also been communicated through sustainability publications, campus project updates and stakeholder engagement processes.
Visit our website to find out more: https://www.sustainability.unsw.edu.au/reports
Photo caption: “The Wild Deserts Sculpture and Garden opened on the UNSW Kensington campus on 2 July 2024”. Credit: (c) UNSW 2025.
“The Nature Positive Universities verification provides independent and public recognition of our progress against the NPU pledge and reinforces our commitment to transparent reporting and continuous improvement.” – Melissa Nouel, Sustainable Built Environment Manager, UNSW – Estate Management