1. Commitment and Aims
UNSW recognises its environmental obligations to present
and future generations both locally and globally. UNSW recognises
the strategic importance of an Environment Policy to enhance
the quality of the University’s activities and provide
leadership in an area of major concern to the community.
UNSW aims for environmental best practice and the integration
of environmental responsibility in all aspects of the University's
work, this policy statement provides a framework for establishing:
- environmental objectives;
- targets;
- action plans;
- procedures;
- review and evaluation mechanisms.
2. Scope and Priorities
The scope of this policy embraces all UNSW activities including:
- teaching;
- research;
- development and maintenance of the UNSW infrastructure
and services;
- associated administrative and operational support functions;
- engagement and participation of UNSW community;
- engagement of the broader community.
The following criteria are used to determine priorities:
- impact on the physical and biological environment;
- contribution to innovation and definition of best environmental
practice;
- compliance with statutory requirements and other environmental
commitments;
- availability of resources.
3. Implementation
The UNSW Environment Policy provides the framework for
the development of a 5 year Environmental Management Plan
(EMP). The EMP will incorporate a rolling action plan, with
annual cycle of review and budget allocation, which in turn
provides the mechanism for implementation of the Policy.
The Environmental Management Plan will:
- identify and prioritise objectives;
- establish targets;
- document individual actions and time frames to achieve
targets;
- allocate resources and responsibilities to enable realisation
of the overall Plan;
- set performance indicators and mechanisms to monitor
and report progress.
4. Strategies
UNSW adopts the following strategies to implement its Environmental
Management Plan:
- Develop and promote a culture of environmental leadership,
responsibility and continual improvement across the UNSW
community;
- Audit, monitor and ensure compliance with, UNSW environmental
legislative and regulatory obligations, organisation policy
and other environmental commitments;
- Utilise the resources of the UNSW to lead the way in
defining and achieving best environmental practice;
- Advance and disseminate environmental knowledge and
applied environmental management through teaching, research
and engagement with the wider community.
5. Responsibilities
Successful implementation of the UNSW Environment Policy
requires clear identification of the responsibilities and
allocation of resource across the University:
- University Council is responsible for the ultimate approval
of the UNSW Environment Policy;
- The Vice Chancellor is accountable to University Council
for achieving the goals and objectives of the Policy,
including allocation of sufficient resources to enable
implementation;
- The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Resources) is accountable
to the Vice-Chancellor for developing and reviewing of
the Environment Policy, preparation and implementation
of the Environment Management Plan, and annual reporting
on progress towards achieving agreed objectives;
- The Academic Board is responsible for:
- the integration of environmental issues into UNSW
teaching and research practice;
- ensuring the adoption, promotion and evaluation
of environmental literacy as a UNSW graduate attribute;
- providing leadership in implementing the academic
aspects of the UNSW Environment Policy and Environmental
Management Plan;
- The Environment Policy Advisory Committee is responsible
for providing strategic advice to the DVC (R) in relation
to development and review of the Environment Policy and
Environment Management Plan, and endorsement of the associated
action plan, and endorsement of the annual UNSW Environment
Report;
- The Environment Unit is accountable to the DVC (R) for
the drafting of the Environment Management Plan, facilitation
and implementation of the Plan, and preparation and distribution
of the UNSW annual Environment Report;
- In their areas of responsibility, Divisional Heads and
Deans are accountable to the Vice-Chancellor for planning
and budgeting for the implementation of the Environment
Management Plan and reporting on the outcomes;
- UNSW expects all members of the wider university community,
contractors, visitors and tenants to be aware of and act
in accordance with the UNSW Environment Policy.
6. Evaluation
The Environment Policy Advisory Committee reviews the Environment
Policy and advises the DVC (R) of recommended changes. EPAC
will review progress of achieving outcomes of each year’s
Environment Management Plan to determine effectiveness and
implementation of the Policy and to inform the UNSW annual
Environment Report.
UNSW adopts the following mechanisms to monitor performance:
- Set clear objectives for each priority area;
- Establish performance indicators to monitor progress
in achieving these objectives;
- Prepare an annual Environment Report and publicity as
appropriate, documenting actions taken during the year
to improve the University’s environmental performance
and identifying opportunities for further improvement
in the following year;
- Include channels for stakeholder feedback in reporting
structures.
This policy will be communicated to the wider university
community and made available to the general public.
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