Green campuses conference advances the vision of smart campuses
- Wits University
Students discuss environmental stewardship, climate change and their contributions to sustainable campuses.
The 13th Green Campuses Conference, organised by the Wits Green Campus Initiative, a student society dedicated to advancing sustainability on campus, took place from 12 to 16 July 2026 at Wits University. Held under the theme “Smart Campuses”, the five-day conference brought together students, professionals and sustainability practitioners from universities and TVET colleges across South Africa to discuss the pressing challenge of climate change and sustainability.
The programme featured keynote addresses, panel discussions, institutional presentations, student-led workshops and networking opportunities. These engagements encouraged collaboration and the sharing of innovative sustainability practices among delegates from across the country.
Topics focused on environmental stewardship, climate action, resource efficiency and the future of sustainable campuses. Delegates considered the role of higher-education institutions in responding to environmental and social challenges, while identifying practical ways to strengthen sustainability on their own campuses.
A key highlight was the Community Outreach Programme at Nkanyezi Stimulation Centre in Soweto. Working alongside members of the local community, delegates planted indigenous trees, painted the children’s play area, cleaned and restored the centre’s greenhouse, and helped create a greener, more welcoming environment.
The outreach programme reflected the conference’s commitment to ensuring that sustainability extends beyond university campuses and into surrounding communities.
Delegates also visited the Sterkfontein Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Cradle of Humankind. The educational excursion offered an opportunity to explore South Africa’s natural and archaeological heritage, while reinforcing the importance of conservation, biodiversity and environmental responsibility.
The 13th Green Campuses Conference concluded with renewed partnerships, shared knowledge and a collective commitment to advancing sustainability in higher education. It reaffirmed the role of students and institutions as catalysts for positive environmental and social change, leaving delegates inspired to transform their campuses into smarter, greener and more resilient spaces.
About the Green Campus Initiatives
The 13th edition of the conference was cohosted by the Wits branch of the Green Campus initiative working alongside Campus Housing and Residence Life at Wits University .