Environment Policy
Designated officer: Vice-Chancellor
Council approval: C01/39, 7 August 2001
Last amended: -
Related policies:
Overview
The University of the Sunshine Coast is committed to the principles of environmental responsibility and sustainable resource management at local, national and international levels. It will meet this commitment through community involvement and leadership in education, research and sustainable management practices.
Policy
In order to realise the above principles the University will:
1. Development
1.1 Develop the campus in an environmentally sensitive way by protecting, rehabilitating and enhancing environmental assets, consistent with the University's Strategic Plan and campus Master Plan.
1.2 Encourage an environmental ethos amongst neighbours to foster environmentally sensitive and ecologically sustainable development and management of university surrounds.
2. Environmental awareness
2.1 Espouse environmental principles in all areas of activity including staff development and training.
2.2 Inform all new staff members, students and all members of the public who utilise University resources of the University's environmental principles and their environmental responsibilities.
2.3 Display copies of the environmental policy in strategic public areas in each building.
3. Resource usage
3.1 Minimise usage of resources and avoid unnecessary waste.
3.2 Reuse resources wherever and whenever practicable.
3.3 Recycle resources wherever and whenever practicable.
3.4 Minimise the generation and impacts of potential pollutants.
3.5 Minimise negative impacts on neighbouring areas.
3.6 Utilise environmentally friendly materials, products, and processes wherever practicable.
4. Integration of environmental education
4.1 Encourage integration of the University's environmental principles throughout all education programs offered by the University.
4.2 Support and encourage sustainability through interdisciplinary holistic learning programs.
4.3 Promote in staff and students an understanding of the linkages between environment, economy, and society.
5. Research
5.1 Environmental principles and sustainable resource management are to be considered in the granting of University Research Funds and project approval.
5.2 Foster environmental research.
6. Implementation and review
6.1 Being appended to the University's Strategic Plan, this Environmental Policy will be implemented and reviewed at a frequency no less than that of the Strategic Plan.
The University of the Sunshine Coast endorses the intent of the National Union of Students' initiative regarding the "Universities of Australia Ecologically Sustainable Development Charter" and agrees that wherever and whenever practicable it will incorporate the principles of the charter in its activities.