The Environmental Sustainability Policy

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Introduction

London Metropolitan University recognises its influence on future generations of students, whose behaviours and decisions are shaped by what they learn from their campus experience and the actions of the University, both from teaching, research and third stream activities and from the way that our operations and estates are run.

Our Strategic Plan 2010/13 (PDF) includes our commitment to environmental sustainability in

Strategic Priority 4: Sustainability, which states:

London Metropolitan University is committed to using all its resources effectively, efficiently and sustainably.

A specific aim within the Strategic Plan is to minimise the environmental damage caused by our operations.

Carbon Reduction

The University is part of the 2010 Higher Education Carbon Management Programme and has achieved the Carbon Trust standard. The target for carbon reduction, contained in our Carbon Management Plan (PDF), approved by the Board of Governors in March 2011, is to reduce our annual carbon emissions by 33% by end of 2014 and 46% by 2020, compared to the 2009 emissions level of 13,499 tonnes of CO2. The Carbon Management Plan contains actions to deliver these targets through better energy efficiency and to raise awareness and encourage carbon conscious behaviour amongst our staff and students.

Curriculum, Research and Consultancy

The University is incorporating sustainability issues into existing curriculum as well as designing new courses and modules devoted to addressing issues across sustainability at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

The University has a number of focal points for environmental sustainability research and consultancy. including the work of the Low Energy Architecture Research Unit (LEARN), Cities Institute, the Global Policy Institute, the Centre for International Business and Sustainability, and work in the Faculty of Applied Social Science on sustainable fisheries.

Raising Awareness

The University actively engages with staff and students to gain their support and participation in improving our sustainability performance through workshops, seminars and departmental champions, We support our staff and student unions to establish Climate Action Groups.

Community Involvement

The University is an active member of the local community with staff and students participating in volunteering and local environmental networks and work in these with other universities to promote knowledge transfer and partnership working. Examples of our involvement include participation in the Islington Climate Change Partnership and Islington Strategic Partnership and Environment Board, working on sustainability with the Islington Black Minority Ethnic community and work with schools in the SAUCE (Schools at University for Climate Change and Energy) Intelligent Energy Europe project.

Energy Efficiency

Our carbon management plan is designed to improve energy efficiency in our operations. Examples include a rolling programme of light replacement and improvements to heating, insulation and ventilation across our estate. Our IT strategy incorporates green IT principles and working practices such as automatic shutdown of student PCs.

Water

The University is committed to work to cut water use and promote water conservation. This includes working with the Water Authority to achieve better monitoring of performance and leak detection.

Waste Minimisation

The University has implemented a campus wide recycling scheme and has adopted a waste minimisation hierarchy. We have committed to eliminate unnecessary waste, as well as to reduce, reuse and recycle items to decrease the environmental impact and financial costs of sending waste to landfill.

Travel

The University takes account of the impact caused with associated commuter journeys and business travel to and from all its sites. Our Central London location means that our buildings are accessible by a wide range of public transport and we encourage all staff and students to use this or cycle or walk when on University business. We have no car-parking other than that available to disabled students and staff. We offer a cycle-to-work scheme for our staff. The University also provides opportunities, where possible, to reduce travel by use of video conferencing, home-working and on- line course delivery.

New Build and Refurbishment

Sustainability issues are considered at the outset of projects and this includes promoting resource efficiency through the design, construction, use and disposal of buildings. Re-cycled and locally-sourced materials are used wherever practical. We use the BREEAM methodology to incorporate sustainability into new building projects.

Emissions and Discharges

The University is committed to pollution prevention and compliance with relevant environmental legislation and other requirements. We endeavour to prevent pollution at source and seek to reduce emissions and discharges to water, air and land.

Biodiversity and Landscape

The University will maintain its landscaped areas to support wildlife as well as deliver amenity value. It will seek opportunities to improve biodiversity across its campuses.

Sustainable Procurement

The University is developing a sustainable procurement policy which will seek to minimise resource use and consider the environmental impact of the products and services we procure. We are working with our suppliers and with the London Universities Purchasing Consortium to take account of sustainable procurement issues.

Ethical Investment

The University has adopted a policy of ethical investment. We have no direct third party company investments.

Implementation of the Environmental Sustainability Policy

The University’s Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive is the senior executive with responsibility for ensuring, through delivery of our Strategic Plan, that environmental sustainability aims are implemented across the University’s activities. The policy will be reviewed on an annual basis by the University’s Executive Group. The Deputy Chief Executive will act as Executive Group sponsor of the work.

Professor Malcolm Gillies, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive
Updated March 2011