Environment Policy

The University of Westminster aims to manage its operations in ways that are environmentally sustainable, economically feasible and socially responsible through all its activities including its infrastructure development and its influence and effects on the wider community.

University aims

The University aims to comply fully with environmental legislation and accordingly, the policy objectives of the University are:

To make all members of the University aware of their effects on the environment
To promote best practices and provide support to all members of the University to minimise their personal environmental impact and that of the University as a whole
To encourage suppliers and contractors to act in an environmentally responsible manner;
To adopt where reasonably practicable methods of working which reduce or eliminate waste, emissions and discharges
To work towards the adoption of a sustainable environmental management system incorporating targets, auditing and reporting on environmental performance.

Policy aims, objectives, and specifics

The Environment Policy aims and objectives will be supported by a series of specific plans aimed at the following ten key areas:

Environment Policy and Management System
Knowledge transfer, and community engagement and development
Staff and student support and engagement
Teaching and the curriculum
Research
Key resources use (energy and water) and carbon emissions
Waste and recycling
Procurement of goods and services, and supply chain
Travel management
Estates construction, refurbishment and maintenance

The specific policies will set management standards and will be further supported by guidance to assist responsible groups and individuals. The Environment Committee will oversee progress in individual areas.

The University seeks to include the participation of all University members in achieving these goals.

This document sets out the University's aims and objectives for safe guarding the environment, and details the organisation and arrangements for implementing and monitoring them.

Application

The policy applies to all land, premises and activities within the control of the University. It has been approved by the University Executive Board and the Court of Governors and it will be subject to annual review.

Environmental Policy and Management System

To promote sound environmental management throughout the University
To adopt targets for improving environmental performance
To ensure a sound understanding of current environmental performance
As a minimum, to comply with the requirements of relevant legislation
To undertake an annual review of environmental management procedures and activities to ensure suitability, adequacy and effectiveness

Knowledge transfer, and community engagement and development

To communicate internally and externally the University's environmental objectives and performance
To raise awareness of staff and students of the University’s environmental impact, activities and performance and good practice
To provide appropriate environmental programmes for staff and students
To encourage and facilitate feedback and suggestion on ensuring good practice

Staff and student support and engagement

To encourage the active engagement of staff and students through a committee structure, open forums and a programme of consultation
To support a network of volunteers to become environment champions in their areas of study or work

Teaching and the curriculum

To promote “environmental” (and specifically “sustainable development”) literacy in students
To encourage the inclusion of environmental and sustainability issues into curriculum

Research

To promote the inclusion of environmental and sustainability issues in advancing our research and research practices
To advance an inter-disciplinary collaborative research network to address global environmental issues.

Key resources use (energy and water) and carbon emissions

To implement sustainable resource management practices.
To set and achieve targets for reducing resource use.
To minimise the adverse environmental impacts of the decommissioning and disposal of University assets.
To implement a carbon management strategy, including the efficient use of energy and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
To ensure the uptake of low carbon technologies in buildings and equipment.
To make efficient and environmentally responsible use of water, including identifying opportunities for water conservation and re-use.

Waste and recycling

To implement sustainable resource management practices, based on “reduce, reuse and recycle” principles.
To set and achieve targets for reducing resource use.
To increase the rate of recycling of all appropriate materials
To minimise the adverse environmental impacts of the decommissioning and disposal of University assets.

Procurement of goods and services, and supply chain

To promote “cradle to grave” thinking in the procurement of goods and services.
To work with suppliers to promote sustainable resource management practices.

Travel management

To develop and implement a green transport plan for the University
To work with local organisations and government to encourage integrated transport management

Estates construction, refurbishment and maintenance

To develop and implement a University estate strategy based on sound environmental and sustainability principles.
To consider sustainable construction options for any new development or major refurbishment project.
To manage the University estate with a view to amenity enhancement and biodiversity wherever possible.

Responsibilities

The main responsibility for implementation of this policy lies with the University Executive Board and the Vice-Chancellor as the University’s Chief Executive.
Key policy development and coordination is the responsibility of the Safety, Health and Environment Team.
Specialists in key areas (e.g. procurement, energy management) are responsible for developing policy, strategy and guidance specific to their area.
Deans of School and Heads of Department are responsible for ensuring compliance with University Environment Policy within their area of control.
Individuals have a very important role in co-operating with those responsible for safe guarding the environment. Individuals are required to abide by the rules and requirements made under the authority of this policy.
The University will actively monitor the performance of the institution and individual Schools and Departments in the implementation of the aims and objectives of this Policy in the activities under their control.

University of Westminster