POLICIES—FACILITIES & SERVICES—ENVIRONMENT

Title:

Environmental Policy

File:

Purpose:

The Australian National University (ANU) aims to ensure that the overall protection and improvement of the quality of the environment is a prime consideration in all of its activities.

Relevant to:

All Staff, Students and Visitors

Responsible Officer:

Vice-Chancellor

Introduced:

1998

Review Date:

2004  

Modification History:

Related Policies:

Relevant Legislation:

Tree Protection Bill 2004
Environment Protection Act 1997
Nature Conservation Act 1980
Tree Protection (Interim Scheme) Act 2001
Waste Minimisation Act 2001
Water Resources Act 1998
ACT Heritage Places List
Heritage Act 1997 (NSW)
Heritage and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

PRINCIPLES

The University has demonstrated its commitment to environmental responsibility in the past through its active role as a world leader in environmental research, teaching and through various corporate initiatives.   This commitment is based on the belief that actions taken now can have long term financial, social and environmental benefits.

This policy establishes a framework that will allow the University to become a corporate leader in its management of environmental issues.  This will be achieved through compliance with its regulatory responsibilities, as well as, through an ongoing commitment to improvement in operational practices.

This Policy statement provides the focus for achieving best practice, through an approach that establishes environmental objectives, procedures, action plans and evaluation, and sets up a process that integrates environmental responsibility in all aspects of the University's activities.

POLICY

In pursuit of its environmental policy ANU will:  

• promote environmental awareness and responsibility among all members of the University community;
• promote the principles and practices of environmental responsibility by sharing knowledge and experience with our stakeholders;
• identify, monitor and report on its community, legal and ethical environmental obligations;
• strive for environmental best practice, and as befits an international educational and research institution, lead the way in defining best practice;
• continue the ANU's high level of research and teaching in environmental areas with particular reference to ecologically sustainable development;
• recognise its obligations, both locally and globally, to present and succeeding generations.
• develop a balanced approach designed to meet the needs of the organisation, while allowing it to fulfil its environmental obligations.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

As part of implementing the requirements of this policy, an Environmental Management Plan will be established  that sets out how the  University will manage matters of environmental concern and interest, bearing in mind the federal commitment to the principles of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD).     

The plan will:

• establish environmental management principles and adhere to principles laid down in this Environmental Policy;
• present a vision statement specifying key goals, operational objectives and strategies and policies to achieve these;
• identify the environmental values to be protected and enhanced, and the means to do this;
• identify environmental problems to be managed and the means to do this;
• establish an environmental audit process as the basis for evaluation and continuous improvement;
• involve stakeholder groups in the plan formulation.

PRIORITIES

The following criteria will be used to determine priorities in the development of the Environmental Management Plan:

• compliance with statutory requirements;
• scope of impact;
• focus on fundamental causes rather than symptoms;
• impact on health and safety;
• impact on neighbours and the community;
• impact on teaching and research;
• support from students and staff;
• availability of resources.

The Plan will be reviewed and renewed every five years. Input from the University community will be sought as part of this process.    

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLANNING COMMITTEE

The Vice Chancellor will establish an Environmental Management Planning Committee to provide advice to the University on matters associated with corporate environmental issues, within the provisions of the policy and associated plans.   The committee will be chaired by a senior academic and will have representatives from the academic and general staff, residential colleges and the student community.  The committee will also have ex officio members from Facilities and Services Division.  This Division is responsible for the coordination of the Committee.

The EMPC will provide an annual report to the Vice Chancellor, detailing performance against the objectives in the Environmental Management Plan.

IMPLEMENTATION

The Vice-Chancellor accepts responsibility for the implementation of University’s Environmental Policy. However, as most of the components of the Environmental Management Plan fall within the responsibilities of the Director, Facilities and Services, this officer will be responsible for the  coordination of the Plan and management of associated funding.