Professional Documents
Culture Documents
2010 - 2020
CONSULTATION DRAFT
As at 18 April 2010
Submitted by
Aaron Magner
Director, UNSW Sustainability
CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................
5. SUSTAINABILITY GOVERNANCE.........................................................................
5.1 Sustainability Working Group......................................................................
5.2 Action Groups..............................................................................................
7. SUSTAINABLE POLICY........................................................................................
ANNEXURE
ANNEXURE A – DECLARATIONS AND CHARTERS......................................................
ANNEXURE B - SUSTAINABILITY POLICY.............................................................. 30
1. INTRODUCTION
No longer can society ignore its responsibilities to sustain current and future
generations, nor can organisations pretend they have no part to play in the
environmental and social well being of the planet. Amid depleting resources,
global warming and environmental degradation, the need for change towards
sustainability has become more apparent and important than ever.
UNSW academics are researching the causes and impacts of climate change. Our
engineers are international leaders in the development of renewable energy
technologies. Our economists and social scientists have devised policy responses
to slow and combat the effects of diminishing resources. Our students and the
UNSW community want and expect our campuses to be models of sustainability
through everything that we do, from our buildings, to the way we undertake
research and facilitate learning as part of an engaging, stimulating campus
community.
3. Purpose
This Strategy explains what the University plans to do on a day-to-day basis to
incorporate the principles of sustainability into the operational plans of the
University. It states our vision and sets out our goals, indicators and performance
targets to measure our progress in addressing sustainability across all the core
aspects of the University.
4. Scope
The Strategy concentrates on embedding the commitment to sustainability into
the University’s governance and formal structures, establishing systems to
evaluate and report on performance and increasing participation and ownership
of the change towards sustainability amongst the community. This Sustainability
Strategy focuses the University on its long-term goals while ensuring we remain
accountable. This Strategy covers the period from April 2010 to 2020.
Social justice: Understanding that our actions affect all members of society and
behaving in a way that demonstrates our belief that all people matter. Provide
the opportunity for equal employment, decent living and working conditions,
support the community in poverty eradication, promotion of full employment and
decent work, gender equity and access to social well-being and justice for all.
Cultural diversity: UNSW values and protects our cultural diversity. This
includes cultural diversity reflected in gender, age, language, ethnicity, cultural
background, sexual orientation, and religious beliefs. Cultural diversity also
refers to the other ways in which people are different, such as educational level,
life experience, work experience, physical disability, socio-economic background,
personality and marital status. It involves recognising and appreciating the value
of individual differences.
8. Leading by example
UNSW is a key institution in disseminating knowledge and facilitating research
and learning. Our leadership and expertise across a range of sustainability
related disciplines put UNSW in an excellent position to demonstrate through
operational examples of best practice, as well as educational activities and
research direction how a community can work and live sustainably. We cannot
teach students one thing in the classroom concerning environmental and social
matters, while the administrators practice something else on campus. This
Sustainability Strategy aims to make the operations of UNSW a model of
sustainability best practice. The University can be a catalyst of change,
encouraging students and staff to take ownership of our environment and the
community in which we learn and live.
10.Economic Savings
While the cost of operating a large research intensive university in Australia is
substantial, this can be noticeably reduced while simultaneously decreasing the
cost to our environment. Environmental sustainability projects at universities can
and have saved thousands of dollars in operating expenses. The Sustainability
Office will demonstrate that economic savings can be accomplished at UNSW
while working toward our sustainability goals.
12.Marketing
Questions of sustainability are not confined to students interested in
environmental management, environmental engineering and social sciences, but
are of concern to a broader student and staff community. Practicing
sustainability on campus and incorporating it into learning and teaching
enhances UNSW’s positive, progressive image, offering students an attractive
point of difference. This will attract more local and international students. Making
sustainability a priority is also a significant driver in the attraction and retention
of the best higher degree research students, academics and professional staff.
This means:
15.Goals
To achieve UNSW’s vision for sustainability we must define our goals and
objectives. Sustainability goals are interconnected and therefore can’t be
considered in isolation. For example, using resources efficiently benefits
environmental objectives, while also assisting in achieving economical viability.
The following are UNSW’s key sustainability goals and objectives:
Objectives
The UNSW’s Sustainability Strategy will be directed and managed by the Director
of Sustainability, reporting to the Executive Director – University Services. UNSW
Sustainability will have a key role in the delivery of the commitments in this
Strategy, with guidance and support from a Sustainability Working Group.
UNSW Sustainability and the Sustainability Working Group will work with relevant
departments and offices with responsibility for student and staff services such
including the Faculties, Facilities Management, Procurement, Marketing Unit,
Student Services, and the student organisation ARC@UNSW. Actions to embed
sustainability into the structure and operations of the University are to be
facilitated by UNSW Sustainability and relevant stakeholders with the support of
University Council, Executive Team and Action Groups.
28.Action Groups
Action Groups are responsible for providing direction and support to both the
UNSW Sustainability Office and the Sustainability Working Group for initiation
and implementation of initiatives which improve sustainability performance and
embed sustainability into the practices of the University. New Action Groups may
be developed and/or existing groups may be absorbed into other groups or
discontinued when practice is successfully embedded into culture and no longer
requires guidance.
29.Legislative Compliance
The UNSW Level 1 OHS committee, now the OHS and Environment (OHS&E)
Committee has responsibility allocating management responsibility and ensuring
appropriate training and procedures are in place. Responsibility and relevant
policies and training for environmental laws and sustainability related legislation
is set out in an Environmental Law Compliance Register a copy of which will be
regularly tabled and kept up to date by the Level 1 OHS&E Committee and UNSW
Sustainability Office.
30.OBJECTIVES AND TARGETS
To achieve the goals and objectives of this Sustainability Strategy the UNSW
Sustainability Office will work with Faculties and operational areas of the
University utilising the plans, goals and targets set by these organisational units.
Action Groups in areas such as water, energy, transport and waste will work
directly with the UNSW Sustainability Office to develop Sustainability Action
Plans. Each Sustainability Action Plan provides all the detailed actions required to
reach objectives, key performance indicators (KPIs) and targets outlined in the
following sections of this Strategy.
Activities within one area will obviously affect activities in another area. For
example, it will be difficult to reach energy and water objectives and targets if
the actions addressing planning and development do not reach high design
standards for energy and water efficiency. Similarly it will be difficult to gain
support and ownership of sustainability initiatives if staff and students are
dissatisfied with their work and study environment.
Greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced below current levels. What is also
clear is that immediate action is essential. If we are to reduce our greenhouse
gas emissions and carbon footprint we must change the way we procure and
manage emission generating activities through innovation and creativity in our
thinking.
Many of the energy consumption issues we face today have come about as a
result of cheap energy. The impact of future energy cost increases further
enhances the requirements for high energy efficiency and importantly starts to
make a significant impact on using alternative energy. It is for this reason, in
conjunction with the need to preserve resources and the environment, that
UNSW must plan for the future with regards to energy and emissions patterns.
Objectives:
1. Use sustainable energy technology to produce energy that is not
emissions intensive;
2. Undertake regular carbon emissions auditing to ensure we are consistently
decreasing our emissions to an acceptable level;
3. Ensure all equipment purchased maximises energy efficiency;
4. Educate staff, students and the wider community through a power saving
awareness campaign, highlighting what individuals can do to make a
difference.
5. Establish an Energy and Carbon Reduction Action Group to advise and
assist in the implementation of our sustainability targets.
Stemming from this and other imperatives to conserve water the NSW
Department of Climate Change and Water requires UNSW, as one of the top 200
water users in NSW, to prepare and publish a Water Savings Action Plan. The
UNSW’s Water Saving Action Plan is available at <
www.facilities.unsw.edu.au/index.php/download_file/-/view/38>
On many parts of the campus, drinking (potable) water has been replaced with
bore water drawn from the underground Botany aquifer on which the Kensington
campus sits. UNSW uses a bore water recharge system, which ensures this
aquifer is properly managed. The University has devised a system to catch 70
percent of the storm water on the campus, equal to 160 million litres of water
(64 Olympic swimming pools) and return this to the groundwater table via the
recharge system.
Aim: To reduce water usage and increase water capture and recycling across
UNSW.
Objectives
1. To achieve continual improvement in water conservation;
2. To investigate and install water saving devices and new technology;
3. To run a water saving awareness campaigns among the University’s
community;
4. To reach Five Star rating in the Every Drop Counts Business Program;
5. Establish an Energy and Carbon Reduction Action Group to advise and
assist in the implementation of our sustainability targets.
UNSW already actively manages the recycling, re-use and disposal of materials
ranging from hazardous substances, paper, toner cartridges, food waste and
garden vegetation, containers, computers and other electronic equipment,
stationery, furniture, laboratory equipment, hard waste, batteries and plastics.
Bottles, cans and general waste collected from public areas at UNSW are
delivered to an alternative waste technology facility that uses a four-stage
biological treatment process to mechanically sort the waste to remove
recyclables and inert materials. It then biologically treats the organic materials
such as food scraps and garden clippings. Waste is transformed into valued
resources, including metals, glass, paper, green electricity and compost with
more than 70% of waste materials recovered. This process replaces individual
can and bottle recycling bins. As a result UNSW’s recycling rates surpass the
New South Wales Government 2014 waste reduction and resource recovery
targets.
Aim: To increase recycling across campus to 70% and decrease waste to landfill
to 30%.
Objectives
1. To ensure all waste that can be recycled is recycled, including but not
limited to:
a. glass, plastic, cartons, aluminium cans
b. paper/cardboard
c. furniture
d. food waste/organics
e. e-waste
f. Batteries, mobile phones and florescent lights.
2. Run a waste and recycling awareness campaign to educate and raise
consciousness in the University community of sustainable waste
management practices (rethink, reduce, reuse, recycle).
3. To promote an environment which embraces creative and innovative
solutions to promote re-use and recycling and reduce waste to land fill
4. To gather data and report on progress on an annual basis.
5. Establish a Waste Reduction and Recycling Action Group to advise and
assist in the implementation of our sustainability targets.
Objectives
1. Select products and services which have lower environmental impacts
across their life cycle compared with competing products and services
2. Adopt strategies to avoid unnecessary consumption and manage demand
3. Support suppliers who are environmentally and socially responsible and
adopt ethical practices
4. Support businesses and industry groups that demonstrate innovation in
sustainability.
5. Establish a Sustainable Procurement Action Group to advise and assist in
the implementation of our sustainability targets.
While car parking at UNSW is limited, driving by car to and from the University
remains attractive to many staff and students. Car transport is in direct conflict
with sustainability goals and objectives such as reducing greenhouse gas
emissions. As such, it is necessary to implement actions to change single
passenger private vehicle dependency. The University has undertaken to not
increase the number of new car parking places available on campus. UNSW will
also introduce environmental pricing for parking permits to encourage the use of
cleaner vehicles and reward sustainable choices. Permit fees for cleaner
vehicles, based on the star rating of vehicles in the Federal Government’s Green
Vehicle Guide <www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au> will be lower than for vehicles
which emit high levels of greenhouse gas and air pollution. The University has
good cycle and pedestrian access however the University will continue to work
with the NSW Government and Randwick Council to further improve public
transport, cycle and pedestrian access and to improve facilities for cycling on
campus.
Aim: Achieve a Transport Greenhouse Gas Reduction target of 40% over the
next 5-10 years based on 2010 levels.
Objectives:
1. Change current travel patterns towards more sustainable modes using two
approaches: a use initiatives which encourage and make it easier to
change b use discouragement initiatives which make the car driving
experience less attractive.
2. Reduce the need to travel by supporting telecommuting and video
conferencing.
3. Limit the environmental impact as much as possible for those who
continue to drive.
4. Establish a Sustainable Transport Action Group to advise and assist in the
implementation of our sustainability targets.
Aim: To reach best practice standards in accordance with Green Building Council
frameworks in building design and campus planning for future developments on
all UNSW campuses and field stations.
Objectives:
1. Inform all stakeholders about principles and practices that guide the
approach to sustainability in planning and development
2. Detail the fundamental design elements for Environmentally Sustainable
Design
3. Conserve and protect natural resources by protecting non-renewable
resources encouraging efficient buildings for energy and water
conservation and minimisation of waste and pollution
4. Maximise long-term value of developments by catering for future
generations of users
5. Continually improve to meet market and community expectations
6. Develop sustainable buildings and urban spaces to assist in the goal to
become a sustainable campus.
UNSW will work to maintain our leadership in sustainability research and this
research will set the standard and a model for how large organisations conduct
themselves in an environmentally responsible and sustainable way.
Objectives:
1. Undertake an analysis of research to establish the amount of collaborative
projects
2. Encourage and support research related to sustainability, providing a
platform for sharing findings and recommendations
3. Support student research into social and/or environmental issues
UNSW already has some of the best sustainability related educational programs
in the world. UNSW remains committed to the Universities Australia policy on
Education for Sustainable Development, aimed at promoting an appropriate
institutional culture of sustainable development and building capacity in the
community by educating the next generation of professionals and leaders to
become fully aware of sustainability.
Sustainability has been referred to in higher education learning and teaching for
many years following initial drives to ‘green’ the curriculum. How to incorporate
issues of sustainability into the higher education experience of students
continues to promote debate not least because the meaning of sustainability
varies across individuals, programs and institutions. Likewise there are many
ideas about how best to incorporate education for such a capability into the
curriculum.
Aim: Incorporate sustainability into the learning and teaching of the University.
Objectives
1. To stimulate academic debate and discourse about sustainability, its
meaning, values and approaches to learning and teaching
2. To engage the University community in reflecting on and incorporating
sustainability in learning and teaching
3. To foster the development of engaged and ethical local and global citizens
who are aware of the challenges of contemporary society and willing to
participate in the creation of a wiser and better world
4. To articulate the principles of sustainability for the community
5. To ensure incorporation into the curriculum via graduate capability
statements
6. To make more explicit to students those aspects of sustainability already
incorporated in learning and teaching programs
UNSW needs to review all its existing policies and procedures, as well as stated
values, visions, missions and key performance indicators to ensure that
sustainability is encompassed within these.
The UNSW Sustainability Office, the Sustainability Working Group and relevant
stakeholders with the support of University Council, Executive Team and Action
Groups will work with relevant departments and offices with responsibility for
student and staff services such to embed sustainability into the structure and
operations of the University.
Objectives:
1. To ensure appropriate policies and procedures are in place
2. Work with senior executives, directors, heads of departments and
managers to assist them in understanding what it means to incorporate
sustainability into daily practices
3. Incorporate sustainability into key performance indicators
4. Align the strategic direction of the University with the strategic direction of
the sustainability program
5. Ensure departments and faculties have sustainability representatives and
include sustainability on the agenda at meetings
Continual development, new buildings, the creation of towns and cities and other
human activities all have an impact on plants and animals, endangering some,
and creating conditions where others thrive. How plants and animals react with
their environment and the way this can affect major adaptive change to
generations of species in the future is increasingly becoming a concern.
At UNSW, a concerted effort is being made to improve the native plant and
animal communities on campus. As a result, at least half the plantings in
landscape projects include indigneous plant species from locally propagated
seed.
The Green Trail is a bush tucker and biodiversity walk on the Kensington campus
which highlights the beauty and ecological significance of the plants found in the
Sydney basin. It showcases many of the initiatives UNSW is practising in
environmental sustainability. The Green Trail passes 25 different native plants,
which in many cases were used by Aboriginal Australians for food, medicine and
tools. These plants are mapped and signposted on the Green Trail.
The Green Trail also includes “Buildings and Technologies” and “Programs and
People”. Buildings and Technologies highlights the technological innovations and
sustainability policies that UNSW applies in the design and construction of new
buildings. Programs and People showcases the environmental research, teaching
and operational programs in place on campus.
Objectives
1. To develop a learning and teaching environment that includes
management of biodiversity and geodiversity on campus
2. To ensure best practice management of existing biodiversity and improve
the biodiversity values on campus
3. To ensure that all University policies and procedures consider the
importance of biodiversity values on campus and that development and
maintenance works on campus enhance these values
41.SUSTAINABLE POLICY
An environment policy was revised and updated in 2000 and again in 2004 with
the current UNSW policy approved by University Council on 20 June 2005.
A draft UNSW Sustainability Policy to replace the existing Environment Policy has
been distributed for comment and is at Annexure B.
Goals
1. Improve recognition of UNSW’s contribution to sustainability
2. Communicate a clear message of UNSW’s vision, goals and achievements
3. Improve awareness and understanding by staff and students about
sustainability at UNSW.
Objectives
Promote UNSW’s sustainability initiatives through:
As part of our commitment to our sustainability and our stakeholders UNSW will
regularly, and where possible continuously, report and communicate its progress
towards achieving sustainability against each of the objectives and targets in this
Sustainability Strategy.
Most ASX 200 companies and more than half of the Fortune 500 already release
annual Sustainability Reports, also called Corporate Social Responsibility
Reports, Triple Bottom Line and Global Citizenship Reports. Leading national and
multinational corporations know that addressing sustainability and reporting on
progress against targets not only benefit the environment and society, they
support the bottom line and improve perception of the organisation by
customers and employees.
Aim
The Sustainability Report Action Group will aim to:
The following are the major declarations and organisations endorsed by UNSW, each
calling for universities to make a strong commitment to the implementation of
sustainability.
SUSTAINABILITY POLICY
UNSW Policy
Responsible Officer Director, UNSW Sustainability Office
Aaron Magner
Contact Officer
Director – UNSW Sustainability Office
Superseded Documents Environment Policy
Review Review shall commence date June 2011
File Number Trim file 2010
UNSW Sustainability Strategy
Associated Documents Environmental Compliance Register
Talloires Declaration, Universitas 21
Versi
on Authorisation Approval Date Effective Date
Authorised by Executive
0.1 20 June 2010 20 June 2010
Director – University Services
1. Purpose
To outline UNSW’s commitment to sustainability.
2. Background
Sustainability is a guiding principle in UNSW’s Strategic Intent, B2B Blueprint to Beyond.
UNSW is also a signatory to a number of international declarations, including Talloires
Declaration and the Universitas 21 Statement on Sustainability. As a leading research
intensive university in the Asia-Pacific region, with a focus on contemporary and social
issues, a peer in good standing with the best globally, we aspire to be a leader in
sustainability.
UNSW is committed to incorporating the principles of sustainability into its actions and
practices. UNSW is understands its responsibility to the community and the environment,
as well as its duty to promote a healthy workplace and campus for staff and students.
The University takes the approach that sustainability is an ongoing effort to improve the
quality of people’s lives and surroundings. This approach is targeted towards ensuring
prosperity, whilst maintaining the life supporting systems that current and future
generations depend on.
3. Scope
This policy applies to the activities of the University and people associated with it such as
staff, students, visitors and contractors.
4. Definition of Sustainability
Sustainability has come to mean a lot of things to a lot of people. UNSW accepts the
most often quoted definition of sustainability – living successfully in the present without
compromising our ability to do so in the future. UNSW also understands that
sustainability is closely intertwined with issues such as climate change, planning and
development, resource use, diversity and biodiversity, internationalisation, ethical
For the purpose of this strategy, UNSW’s approach to sustainability recognises the need
to work toward a balance between environmental protection, social justice, economic
well-being and cultural diversity. Our understanding of these equal dimensions of
sustainability is as follows:
Cultural diversity: UNSW values and protects our cultural diversity. This
includes cultural diversity reflected in gender, age, language, ethnicity, cultural
background, sexual orientation, and religious beliefs. Cultural diversity also refers
to the other ways in which people are different, such as educational level, life
experience, work experience, physical disability, socio-economic background,
personality and marital status. It involves recognising and appreciating the value
of individual differences.
4. Policy Statement
UNSW’s vision is for the University to be ecologically sound, socially just and
economically viable in all of its activities. This means:
Shared responsibility: All members of the University community are responsible for
our sustainability performance and as such will be made aware of their role through
induction, professional development, the provision of necessary educational and material
resources and ongoing training and awareness. Sustainability is the responsibility of all
staff and students and will form an important part of key performance indicators as a
matter of process over time.
Demonstrating best practice: The University will integrate sustainability into all its
aspects and functions. It will be embedded into all operational policies and procedures;
considered in all strategic and operational planning; and enabled through sustainable
practices. Research into sustainability best practice in the higher education sector and
other sectors of the economy will also be undertaken to ensure the University maintains
best practice where possible.
Openness and transparency: Actions and processes will be transparent and progress
will be reported fully to staff, students and the wider community
Precautionary principle: Caution and prudence will guide decisions and the absence of
full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing measures in the
context of uncertain environmental or social effects.
Appendix A: History
Versio Approval Effective
Authorised by Sections modified
n Date Date
President and Not Applicable
1.0 May 2010 May 2010
Vice-Chancellor