The Thurgoona site, along with the eight others under the Charles Sturt banner, comprise the nation’s first university deemed carbon neutral.

As the head of school for environmental sciences, Mr Wilson said the Border campus was a leader for people both within and outside the university.

“Albury-Wodonga was the first to comprehensively address sustainability issues in a whole range of areas from buildings to waste management, water recycling and energy use,” he said.

“Now, learning how much money we’ve saved, they’ve taken that on board and spread it across the university.”

Mr Wilson said he hoped the strategies would set an example for other organisations across the region.

“We have hundreds of people coming to the campus every year to see the building, what works and what doesn’t,” he said.

“People are amazed at how well the buildings function.

“Anybody interested in improving sustainability is absolutely welcome to contact the university.”

Mr Wilson said the secret to low-energy was largely in building design and efficient facilities.

“Building materials are recycled and or sustainably sourced, and we have our own water recycling system and composting toilets which are a huge energy saver,” he said.

“We have an example of the compost that comes out of toilets that I show to school kids.

“Initally they turn their noses up but then they see how it doesn’t smell and is completely non-toxic.

“Part of what we’re doing is showing how it can be done and teaching people how it can be done.”

The accreditation comes from the federal government’s carbon neutral program, with other certified organisations including Qantas and Melbourne city.

CSU vice-chancellor Andrew Vann said only 26 other organisations had received the accolade nationally.

“The university will continue its commitment to reducing its current emissions,” he said.

“Particularly by reducing energy use using more efficient lighting and air conditioning, and generate more energy on its campuses using solar energy systems.”