Green Impact raises sustainability awareness within an organisation by providing staff and students with a focused and supported approach to making simple, positive and effective changes to the workplace and environment.
Green Impact is an opportunity for staff and students at ۶Ƶ– many of whom have already been contributing to green initiatives for many years – to connect with others, work alongside teams across the university and receive recognition for their achievements through the programme.
While the university focuses on institutional-wide challenges such as the Climate Action Plan, Carbon Reporting and Sustainability Policies and Practices. Staff and students can take action on some of the issues seen every day.
Sustainability policies and practices
This programme is delivered in New Zealand and Australia by Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability (ACTS – Ahupae) and implemented by over 400 organisations worldwide.
Green Impact teams
۶Ƶstaff and students can form teams to complete sustainability-related actions in our personalised online toolkit. Actions are assigned different points depending on their impact and difficulty. These points equate to levels of understanding:
- Kua kitea – I see it!
- Kua mārama – I understand!
- Kua mōhio – I know what to do!
- Kua mahia – I apply my knowledge!
- Kua mātau – I am enlightened!
At the end of the year, once the toolkit has closed and audited, teams gather to celebrate and receive recognition for their mahi.
Time allowance
Teams are expected to meet at least 3 times a year and have around 6 months to complete actions that interest them. Any actions completed will positively impact our university and the planet.
Green Impact Express
If you would like to get involved with Green Impact but are not yet ready to join a team, you can try Green Impact Express. This option is for individual students or staff members who wants to learn more about sustainability and work toward a greener lifestyle.
You will complete 10 different activities between March and September. Once your work is audited you will receive a certificate and a Green Impact Express digital credential.
Green Impact projects
If you have completed the Green Impact at ۶Ƶprogramme more than once, or you have an idea for a project to make ۶Ƶa more sustainable place to study, work and visit, you might want to try a Green Impact Project. Your team will receive project development support and a Green Impact accreditation. At the end of the process, you may be eligible for funding to pilot your project.
You don’t need a fully formed idea, just a passion for sustainability and a desire to create lasting change.
Project participation
Project participation
Green Impact projects are open to all ۶Ƶstaff and students.
If you would like to work on a sustainability project with a new or existing Green Impact team, sign up to Green Impact or to find out more, get in touch with your Green Impact rep.
If you’re a student already working on a sustainability-focused project with Campus Co-Lab, check with your facilitator to see if your project is eligible for a Green Impact award. You will receive support to submit your project through the Green Impact toolkit.
Project criteria
Project criteria
We're currently prioritising projects that will revitalise our campuses. Additionally, your project must:
- make a tangible difference to sustainability engagement or practice at Massey
- improve the student and staff experience at the university
- support at least 1 United Nations .
The process
The process
Sustainability staff will guide you through this process and connect your team with any other ۶Ƶstaff and students you might need to work with during your project development.
For more information, contact your Green Impact rep.
Why get involved
Green Impact is easy, free, fun and rewarding. You get to:
- make your workplace a more enjoyable and efficient place
- connect with new people from within and outside of Massey
- learn about social, health and environmental issues and make a real impact
- access a whole toolkit of sustainability ideas for your team
- be recognised for the positive actions you are doing already!
Get started
The Green Impact programme launches in March and closes in September each year. You can register at any time.
Te Paepoto Seedlings fed office food scraps to these kune kune as part of their waste reduction efforts during the 2024 Green Impact program.
Gain a Green Impact Labs Accreditation (GILA)
If you work in a wet lab at Massey, you might want to consider gaining the GILA sustainability accreditation. GILA-ANZ can help your lab demonstrate a commitment to environmentally responsible research and its sustainability credentials.
Once you’ve registered your lab team at the Green Impact toolkit, you can complete the core and elective GILA actions. These lab-specific actions cover key areas such as energy, waste, procurement and lab culture. After completing the required actions and submitting your evidence through the online platform, you’ll undergo an audit with an external auditor. Successful labs will receive a formal GILA certificate (valid for 12 months), a digital badge for use in communications, and public recognition on the Green Impact website.
mEpiLab – first lab in New Zealand to achieve GILA accreditation
Some of the mEpiLegends lab team.
Green Impact support
You will receive regular communication from your Green Impact rep throughout the year. You can contact them with any questions during the process.
Join the Green Impact at ۶ƵTeams site for ongoing support, chat and resources.
ACTS – Ahupae also hold several online Green Impact sessions throughout the year.
