Last week, UNSW joined communities across Greater Sydney to celebrate Climate Action Week (CAW) — a movement demonstrating how local action drives global climate progress. This year’s theme, “Change happens locally”, highlighted the ways that cities, universities and neighbourhoods help accelerate the transition to a net‑zero, climate‑resilient future.
At UNSW, the week created meaningful opportunities for students, staff and partners to engage in hands‑on sustainability experiences. These activities support Progress for All – Pillar 6, our institutional commitment to accelerating a sustainable society and planet.
What happened during the week
Across three days, UNSW Environmental Sustainability partnered with students, faculties and divisions to deliver four interactive events that helped our community build climate literacy, explore practical solutions and connect with others working toward a more sustainable future.
Climate Pitch – 44 participants
A fast‑paced online workshop translating the core findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports into accessible, everyday language. Participants explored causes and consequences of climate change, Australian climate risks, and the most effective individual and collective actions.
Watch recording
Sustainable Campus Tour – 21 participants
A guided walk-through key sustainability features across the Kensington campus, including renewable energy systems, waste and recycling infrastructure, water management, biodiversity initiatives and our growing reuse culture. Attendees included staff from across the University, including our fantastic Chief Financial Officer, Libby Stratford!
Future Council Film Screening – 70 participants
A community screening of Damon Gameau’s Future Council, attracting a broad audience: 52% external visitors, 26% students and 22% staff. The film highlighted youth leadership and solutions‑focused climate storytelling, sparking conversations about how local actions shape global change.
Climate Fresk Workshop + Academic Panel – 25 participants
A hands‑on science‑based workshop where participants collaboratively mapped the climate system using 42 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) based cards. The session was followed by a panel featuring UNSW academics Prof Bryce Kelly, Prof Tommy Wiedmann and Researcher Omid Ghasemi, who shared insights on climate mitigation, adaptation and behaviour change. The discussion connected global science with local action pathways at UNSW and in the Sydney region.
Watch panel recording
Together, these events supported UNSW’s progress toward SDG 13 – Climate Action and SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals.
Continue your climate learning
If you’d like to keep building your climate knowledge, here are some recommended resources:
- UNSW Institute for Climate Risk & Response (ICRR) workshops and webinars
- Climate Council reports
- Australia’s National Climate Risk Assessment
- IPCC AR6 reports
Thank you
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered, supported or shared UNSW’s CAW events. Every conversation, question and action contributes to UNSW’s journey toward a more climate‑resilient future.
Change happens locally — and it continues with all of us.
