Sustainability
Project Overview
Workstream 1.4 of the RDM project proposes a sustainability campaign to support environmental objectives and contain costs. There is a need to approach sustainability strategically and to consider the whole of University impact of initiatives considered for implementation.
A Sustainability Project Reference Group has been established and Professor Peter Rathjen, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) has agreed to chair the group. All budget divisions and student groups are represented.
Project Reference Group and Terms of Reference
The Reference Group has agreed the following terms of reference. The Reference Group will:
- Review current University strategy, policy, responsibilities and engagement related to sustainability, including ISO14001 and the Environmental Sustainability Strategic Plan. Identify any changes required to the approach, KPIs and accountabilities, and make recommendations.
- Review opportunities for further reducing the University's carbon footprint through various projects as outlined in Attachment 1 (not attached to this report). Review to include investigation into innovations in sustainability at selected Australian and international universities and other organisations.
- Prioritise key projects based on potential cost savings as well as environmental impact. Establish an action and engagement plan.
- Develop a communication strategy to engage the University community – both staff and students – in the programs, particularly those which rely on behavioural change. This plan needs to focus on both active and passive communication methods. Promotion of activities and projects is a key requirement. Consider opportunities to engage the broader community through Knowledge Transfer.
- Identify the structural, technological, infrastructure and resourcing impediments to the implementation of sustainability programs. Consider ongoing resource requirements for the leadership and management of sustainability in the longer term.
- Identify opportunities for the student community to contribute to sustainability projects. This would provide opportunities in the areas of research and teaching and learning.
- Recommend actions to meet the above objectives to the Responsible Division Management Implementation Taskforce (RDMIT).
Two working groups have been set up. The first group is looking at the Management and Communication of Initiatives - ways the University could organise itself to deliver initiatives eg a hierarchy approach, University wide basis, a Faculty basis and an individual basis. The second group is looking at Performance Measures – how do we measure the performance of the different University initiatives, those that are already in place and those which we may propose. What systems may be used for measuring or monitoring our progress and success.
Article in August 2009 edition of MUSSE Melbourne University Staff/Student E-news:
'Savings through Sustainability'
Sustainability Information and Feedback
Information in regard to current Sustainability initiatives in place across the University is available through the newly released 'Achieving a Sustainable Campus' website, at:
http://sustainablecampus.unimelb.edu.au/
The ‘Contact Us’ option provides information on all points of contact on sustainability issues within the University.