ENVIRONMENTALSTRATEGY

Sep 2015

1.0 / INTRODUCTION
1.1 / The University’s commitment to environmental sustainability is reflected in the Institutional Plan (2012-15) by one of the six key institutional aims.
Institutional Plan - Aim 6 - Sustainability
“The University will endeavour to maintain its position as one of the UK’s most financially stable institutions, while providing an outstanding, fit for purpose, well-resourced and environmentally friendly HE learning environment for staff and students”
In respect of the financial sustainability of the University, the Financial Strategy establishes the financial framework, and the associated review mechanisms ensure that financial activity is monitored, and that progress is reported, on a regular basis. The Environmental Strategy describes the University’s approach to the other elements of Aim 6, i.e.those associated with environmental performance.
1.2 / Teesside University has always taken its environmental responsibilities seriously. In 2006, the University implemented its first Green Travel Plan; and in 2010, the University achieved the Carbon Trust Standard for its Carbon Reduction Plan. The University has reached the “silver” award stage of the Eco Campus environmental management system and is currently working towards “gold” with the eventual aim of ISO 140001 recognition.
In recent years, the University has steadily reduced its carbon emissions (ignoring growth in the Estate); and, whilst this is a key component of any environmental strategy, the University has also focussed on minimising other negative impacts (e.g. reducing waste, and reducing harmful environmental or social impacts).
In 2010, the University acknowledged the need to accelerate progress by adopting the EcoCampus Environmental Management System (EMS), specifically designed to help universities to address and manage the environmental impacts of their activities. EcoCampus ensures that focus is maintained across eleven categories of environmental impact (as identified in Section 3).
There are four stages of development in the EcoCampus programme - bronze, silver, gold and platinum. [The platinum award is equivalent to ISO 14001 accreditation.] Each phase is audited and validated by an independent body. The University achieved the bronze award in 2010 and the Silver award in 2013.
1.3 / The Environmental Strategy provides a framework for managing the University’s impact upon the environment between 2012 and 2015, and for improving sustainability relating to its infrastructure and operations during the period of the Institutional Plan.
2.0 / KEY OBJECTIVES (2012-2015)
2.1 / The University recognises the environmental expectations of students, reflecting those of society at large. The University is committed to continual improvement in its environmental performance and to minimisation of environmental impact wherever possible. Therefore, a major environmental objective of the University is:
2.1.1To make steady progress on environmental sustainability by meeting the requirements of EcoCampus to achieve the Gold Award during the period of the Plan.
2.2 / By meeting the EcoCampus requirements, the University will also achieve the following objectives:
2.2.1To ensure compliance with environmental legislation.
2.2.2To ensure adherence to the University’s Environmental Policy
2.2.3To reduce the level of carbon emissions from energy consumption, waste, travel, and procurement
2.2.4To promote the effective, efficient and sustainable use of all resources by establishing mechanisms to encourage staff, students and stakeholders to take responsibility for behavioural change (thereby also raising the University’s environmental profile).
2.3 / In order to meet the EcoCampus requirements, the University undertakes:
2.3.1To implement systems to monitor and review progress
2.3.2To embed sustainable building best practice into the management of the University estate
2.3.3To ensure that the stewardship of the University’s grounds and buildings encompasses best environmental practice in all development and maintenance works
2.3.4To explore the use of renewable energies.
3.0 / ENVIRONMENTAL TARGETS
3.1 / Environmental targets are being established by the University in line with the eleven categories established by EcoCampus, as follows:
1)Health, Safety and Welfare
2)Transport and Travel
3)Waste Management
4)Environmental Management System
5)Environmental Policy
6)Community Involvement
7)Construction and Refurbishment
8)Energy and Water
9)Emissions and Discharges
10) Sustainable Procurement
11) Sustainable Curricula and Research
4.0 / IMPLEMENTATION STRUCTURE
4.1 / Whilst Teesside University expects all staff and students to take personal responsibility for the environmental impact of their actions, the University has established a strategic level Environmental Management Structure to meet the requirements of the bronze and silver phases of Eco Campus. This structure clearly indicates those individuals with particular responsibilities for action and those collective groups with responsibilities for advising on development and monitoring environmental progress.
The relevant organisation chart to the updated Environmental Policy (version3 April 2014) is attached to this strategy as Appendix A. This chart uses asterisks to indicate how the University’s structure aligns with the EcoCampuseleven areas of environmental impact.
The University is now required to expand upon this structure in much more detail down to individual members of staff to meet the requirements of the Gold Phase of Eco Campus. Initial drafts of the roles and responsibilities down to this level have been circulated to several senior managers with specific environmental responsibilities for comment.
4.2 / The five most senior managers with responsibility for delivery of the Environmental Strategy constitute the Environment Executive Group (EEG). Thegroup consists of the following:
  • Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer
  • Chair of Environment Advisory Group
  • Director of Campus Facilities
  • Head of Estates
  • Assistant Director Campus Services and Sustainability

4.3 / The primary institutional agency for advising on environmental developments and monitoring progress is the Environmental Advisory Group (EAG) and its executive. The working group of the EAG is currently chaired by the Dean of the Teesside University Business School. The Group provides advice to the Chief Operating Officer who Chairs the EAG Executive, and whoin turn, advises UCET and the Vice-Chancellor as appropriate.
The terms of reference of the Advisory Group are:
  • To provide advice on environmental matters affecting the University.
  • To monitor, review and make recommendations to minimise/reduce (where predictable) the environmental impact of the University’s expectations, policies and procedures.
  • To develop, implement and monitor the University’s Environmental Strategy.
The terms of reference of the EAG Executive are:
  • To meet termly to discuss the progress of the implementation of the Eco Campus system.
  • To discuss any issues referred to them by the Chair of the EAG working group including advice or approval on modifications to the subsidiary policies listed in clause 5.2 below.
  • To refer any issues with significant corporate implications to UCET
The membership of the Environmental Advisory Group incorporates representation from Schools, Departments, and the Students’ Union. It includes a member of the Vice-Chancellor’s Executive, 2 Deans, 2 Directors, 2 School Managers, academics, and students with a general interest in environmental issues, as well as professional experts from Estates, Finance, and Health & Safety.
The Agendas of the Environmental Advisory Group are organised to ensure systematic focus on the eleven categories of EcoCampus.
4.4 / Implementation of the Environmental Strategy requires contributions from the Environmental Representatives, a group of approximately twenty enthusiastic staff. Each School/Department is represented by one volunteer, who helps to improve the environmental performance of the University by raising awareness of environmental issues within their School/Department. The Environmental & Travel Policy Facilitator chairs a monthly meeting of the Environmental Representatives to promote cross-departmental ideas, to coordinate training, and to provide feedback to and from the Environmental Advisory Group.
4.5 / Above all, the Deans and Directors who constitute the University Corporate Executive Team (UCET) share executive responsibility to maintain an awareness of good environmental practice in their own areas of operation, and to ensure that improvements to existing practices are adopted and followed wherever appropriate.
Some Deans and Directors carry additional responsibilities over and above the general environmental practice given the specialist nature of some aspects of activity within their individual units.
5. / POLICY FRAMEWORK
5.1 / The over-arching University Environmental Policy is reviewed annually. The 2014 Environmental Policy is attached as Appendix A.
5.2 / The following subsidiary policies include specific, measureable, targets where appropriate. Achievement of targets is reviewed regularly by the relevant Senior Manager, and all targets are formally reviewed on an annual basis by the Environmental Advisory Group:
  • The Energy and Space Temperature Policy
  • The “Green” Travel Plan
  • The Grounds Maintenance and Bio Diversity Policy
  • The Sustainable Procurement Strategy
  • The Ethical Investment Strategy
  • The Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development Policy
  • The Emissions and Discharge Policy
  • The Waste Strategy/Management Policy Recycling Procedures
  • The Corporate Social Responsibility Framework
  • The Fair Trade Policy
  • The Asbestos Policy and Management Plans
  • COSHH Policy (incorporating Legionellosis)
  • LegionellosisManagement Plans
  • Radiation Safety Policy
  • The Authorised Travel and Related Expenditure Policy
  • The Sustainable Food and Catering Policy
  • Water Management Policy

5.3 / Senior Managers responsible for the development of plans to deliver the targets specific to their own discipline are expected to provide progress updates for each meeting of the EAG. This information is disseminated to Deans/Directors and/or the Environmental Representatives as appropriate.
5.4 / An annual Environmental Report is submitted to the Board of Governors, detailing progress and recording improvements against the relevant targets
In addition regular articles will be inserted in the University publication ‘Grapevine’ to promote awareness of environmental policies, targets, and good practice.
6.0 / EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS
6.1 / The University will continue to maintain regular contact with the Local Authorities and ResidentAssociations – relationships which have resulted on several occasions in mutually-beneficial initiatives.
6.2 / Other extended stakeholders are the University’s suppliers and contractors. The Sustainable Procurement Strategy gives guidance on the environmental performance requirements of all general suppliers of goods and services to the University.
Campus.Facilities Estates give specific guidance to all suppliers and works contractors when modifying the Estates buildings or services and must be consulted by all Schools and Departments before engagement.

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