EMP

EMP environment

management plan 2010

-201

3

VPA-QA-TEM-015 EMPDRAFT_2010 June 2010 of 24 Hardcopies of this document are considered uncontrolled please refer to UOW website or intranet for latest version

Contents 1 Introduction / Background .......................................................................................................... 3

2 Guiding Principles ...................................................................................................................... 4

3 Structure of the Environmental Management Plan .................................................................... 5

4 Environmental Management Plan Consultation ......................................................................... 6

5 Environmental Objectives, Targets, Strategies, Actions and Performance Indicators ............... 6

6 Glossary of Terms ................................................................................................................... 23

7 Acronyms ................................................................................................................................. 23

8 References .............................................................................................................................. 24

9 Version Control Table .............................................................................................................. 24


1 Introduction / Background The University of Wollongong’s commitment to environmental sustainability is outlined in the 2008-2010 University of Wollongong (UOW) Strategic Plan. This plan identifies ‘Environmental Impact’ as one of the thirteen key performance indicators, with the ‘Promotion of responsible environmental management across all UOW locations’ as one of the strategic priorities. Commitment to environmental sustainability is not a new phenomenon for the University of Wollongong. In the past, the Buildings and Grounds Division (together with support from other groups) has implemented a range of energy and water savings initiatives, some of which have been formally recognised through the Green Globe Awards (2003 & 2005) and the Every Drop Counts Business Program Awards (2006). The Building and Grounds Division has also recently completed a review of energy and water use with new energy and water savings action plans established (2006 to 2011). These initiatives together with bush regeneration activities, a subsidised shuttle bus service, ‘3 go for free’, an environmental management system (EMS), an environmental policy and environmental consideration in the University’s design standards represent strengths for the University and demonstrate a commitment to responsible environmental management. The Universities Environmental Policy commits the following to deliver on the Strategic Plan:

• The University is committed to supporting the principles of environmental sustainability and applying such principles and practices in the University’s functions. The University believes that all staff and students share a role in achieving the objectives of its environmental policy.

• The University recognises that its greatest opportunities to demonstrate a commitment to

environmental protection and sustainable practices lie in the minimisation of energy and water use, in the responsible management and minimisation of wastes, and in the harmonious integration of the campus infrastructure and activities with the natural environment.

• The University aims to ensure that it’s teaching, research and support activities are aligned

with its environmental policy. To facilitate the achievement of these overall objectives, the University will:

• Implement and maintain a structured Environmental Management System based on

continual improvement and regular review to ensure that it remains relevant to the University’s operations;

• Comply with environmental regulations and set an example to the community and to other

educational institutions in adopting and implementing principles of environmental protection and sustainability;

• Focus particularly on minimisation of energy and water consumption, waste management,

including recycling, and endeavour to become a community leader in these areas;

• Foster environmental awareness within all academic and business units with a view to increasing environmental literacy of students and staff;

• Through effective communication with its community provide students and staff with

mechanisms and opportunities to propose, discuss and participate in projects leading to improvements in environmental outcomes; and


• Through the integration of buildings with the natural environment, maintain the University’s

reputation for providing an outstanding and harmonious campus which facilitates engagement of members of the campus community with the natural environment.

2 Guiding Principles The Environment Management Plan needs to set the platform for delivering on the aims and objectives of the Environmental Policy and provide a broader strategic view to ensure the University is at the cutting edge of climate change adaptation and mitigation. Adaptation and mitigation are the two key philosophies around the federal government’s strategy for managing the environment. Adaptation needs to incorporate notions of flexibility and resilience in the face of the climate change that will occur despite any short term mitigation measures. Mitigation needs to be focused, smart and integrated to truly achieve long term sustainability from a social, financial and environmental standpoint. One of the key strengths of UOW from a sustainability perspective is the sheer passion and drive that has been exhibited by academics, staff and students over many years and the quality of its research staff to meet the challenges the future holds. All these elements working in unison will deliver the kinds of structural and behavioural change required to adapt to, and mitigate climate change. The staff and students at the University of Wollongong aspire to:

• work towards being self sufficient in energy and water use; and • work towards achieving zero waste to landfill.

These aspirations will be achieved through a targeted program of minimisation of non-renewable resource use through the implementation of R4 – Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, via structural and behavioural changes and then through offsetting what we cannot reduce or eliminate. The offset can be part of a broader biodiversity management plan. A number of guiding principles will underpin this EMP:

• firstly executive management support is required to enable the successful implementation of the plan;

• this plan represents a continual improvement process; • the scope of the EMP addresses environmental aspects and impacts over which UOW has

direct control, and also those over which UOW can exert influence as a consumer of goods and services, such as utilising the University’s purchasing power to specify environmental requirements from suppliers and contractors or specifying a 76% recycling rate in construction and demolition waste as part of a construction contract;

• UOW will ensure that the principles of life cycle costing are integral to the University’s physical planning, design and development, asset acquisition and management, purchasing and operations;

• leadership at all levels and an attitude of cooperation with a “willingness to try” will need to prevail across all aspects of our campuses;

• environmental management is incumbent on everyone to participate its not something that a single unit or team can do;

• we will achieve our goals if we want to not simply because we can, so people across campus, and their passion to drive change, play a crucial role in the success of the plan.

It should be noted that strategies and actions are documented within the context of a three-year plan, but that the plan itself represents the first three years of a continual improvement cycle for


UOW. Further, a targeted program of communication and engagement activities will be fundamental to recruiting support, ownership and facilitating involvement in delivery of key actions, in addition to promoting the University’s position of leadership in this area.

3 Structure of the Environmental Management Plan The EMP is a strategic document that sets objectives and targets for environmental improvement and defines the strategies required to achieve the objectives. Management and action plans will be prepared to ensure the day to day delivery of the strategies. The EMP is divided into 7 functions:

1. Energy Management; 2. Water Management; 3. Management Systems; 4. Materials Management; 5. Research, Teaching and Learning; 6. Campus Environment; and 7. Communication and Engagement.

The Environment Management Plan is subordinate to the UOW Strategic Plan, Environment Policy and Environmental Management System (see Figure 1).

Figure 1 Context of the EMP to other corporate documents

Environment Policy

Environmental Management System

Environmental Management Plan

Legal Framework

UOW Strategic Plan

Renewable/Alternative Energy Plan

Self Sufficient Water Plan Biodiversity Plan


4 Environmental Management Plan Consultation The EMP consultation encompassed three major phases:

• Connect: An online survey was open for input between May 10 and 24, 2010. At the close 546 participants had completed the survey.

• Collaborate: Focus groups were scheduled between 12-27 May, 2010 and 71 staff and students attended with 6 people attending twice. The “King and Queen of Green” spoke to 609 students and recorded their EMP priorities.

• Consult & Celebrate: World Environment Day Forum had 102 participants who were briefed on the contents of the plan. Further EMP briefing sessions were held between June 2-14, 2010. Sixteen people participated in these briefing sessions.

5 Environmental Objectives, Targets, Strategies, Actions and Performance Indicators

The international Environmental Management Systems Standard ISO14001:2004 defines an environmental objective as an “overall environmental goal, consistent with the environmental policy that an organisation sets itself to achieve”. Objectives should be quantifiable wherever possible. An environmental target is defined in ISO14001 as a ”detailed performance requirement[s], applicable to the organisation or parts thereof, that arises from the environmental objectives and that needs to be set and met in order to achieve those objectives”. Consistent with the international Environmental Performance Evaluation Standard ISO14031, the environmental indicators used to track progress in implementing this Plan include management performance indicators relating to organisational practices and procedures, and operational performance indicators to track the significant environmental effects of the University’s activities. The UOW Performance Indicator Project (PIPs) collects a range of student, staff, financial and resource-based statistical information for internal planning and external reporting. This information is used here to relate the University’s environmental impacts (e.g. greenhouse emissions from energy consumption) to its activities (e.g. teaching students), thereby providing meaningful indicators of environmental performance (e.g. tonnes of carbon dioxide per equivalent full-time student). Table 5.1 summarises the Objectives, Targets, Strategies and Performance Indicators required to achieve our aims and collective aspirations.

5.1 Environmental Objectives, Targets, Strategies and Performance Indicators

ENERGY MANAGEMENT Function Objectives and Targets Strategies and Actions Performance Indicators Reported via Responsibility

Energy Management

Reduce Energy Consumption by 30% per metre squared by December 2013 from 2005 baseline year

UOW continue to implement the Energy Savings Action Plan (ESAP) for Wollongong Campus (ongoing)

Energy Savings Actions implemented MJ per m2 compared to 2005 baseline

Energy Savings Action Plan Annual Reports

Sustainability Engineer

Ensure that all new energy related appliances (e.g heaters, fridges) and fixtures (e.g light fittings) are minimum 4 star rated (ongoing)

Proportion of 4 Star rated appliances and fixtures

Building and Engineering Information Maintenance System (BEIMS)

Manager Construction Manager Maintenance and Energy Facility Managers

Establish a revolving fund where savings made on consumption reductions are reinvested into energy savings actions (ie capital improvements and staff engagement activities) by June 2011

Revolving fund established Energy reduction projects funded by savings made on consumption reductions

Buildings and Grounds Financial Report Energy Savings Action Plan Annual Reports

Sustainability Engineer Environment and Sustainability Initiatives Unit

Monitor electricity and natural gas via the PIP system at Wollongong and Shoalhaven Campus by December 2010

PIPs used to monitor electricity and natural gas at Wollongong and Shoalhaven Campus Reductions in kW of electricity used based on ‘business as usual’ scenario from 2005 baseline year MJ per EFSTU Energy Use per m2 (MJ/m2) GJ of gas used CO2e emissions

Performance Indicator Project (PIP) National Greenhouse Energy Reporting (NGER)

Performance Indicator Unit Environment and Sustainability Initiatives Unit Environmental Education and Compliance Officer

Develop and implement energy conservation and greenhouse awareness programs for staff and students by December 2013

Programs conducted Survey results of staff and students to measure awareness changes

Environmental Advisory Committee

Environmental Education and Compliance Officer


ENERGY MANAGEMENT Function Objectives and Targets Strategies and Actions Performance Indicators Reported via Responsibility Energy Management

As above

Ensure all Deans, Heads of Schools and Facility Managers at Wollongong Campus and Shoalhaven Campus have energy consumption information monthly by June 2011

Reports available to Deans, Heads of School and Facilities Managers monthly

Performance Indicator Project (PIP)

Performance Indicator Unit Environment and Sustainability Initiatives Unit

Undertake audits of energy consumption at all Campuses and accommodation sites by December 2013

Audits conducted


Sustainability Engineer Accommodation Services Campus Facility Managers

Develop and implement Energy Savings Action Plans (ESAP’s) for all Campuses and Accommodation Sites by December 2013

ESAP’s prepared ESAP actions implemented

Environmental Advisory Committee Energy Savings Action Plan Annual Reports


Investigate and seek grant funding for energy consumption and greenhouse gas/carbon emission reduction projects (ongoing)

Grant funding received as $


Environment and Sustainability Initiatives Unit Sustainability Engineer

Include energy objectives and reporting requirements in construction contracts by August 2010

Energy and reporting requirements in construction contracts


Sustainability Engineer Manager Construction

Increase the proportion of renewable/alternative energy at the Wollongong Campus to 45% by 2013 Reduce carbon emissions by 12% at the Wollongong Campus by 2013 from 2005 baseline year

Develop a Renewable/Alternative Energy Management Plan for the Wollongong Campus by June 2010 and implement priority strategies

Renewable/Alternative Energy Management Plan developed Strategies implemented


Environment and Sustainability Initiatives Unit

Investigate and seek grant funding for alternative energy supplies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (ongoing)




Investigate renewable/alternative energy options for all Campuses and Accommodation Sites by December 2013

Options investigated


Environment and Sustainability Initiatives Unit Accommodation Services Campus Facility Managers


WATER MANAGEMENT Function Objectives and Targets Strategies and Actions Performance Indicators Reported via Responsibility Water Management

Reduce potable water consumption by 5% per EFTSU and FTE Staff each year until 2013

Continue to implement the Water Savings Action Plan (WSAP) for Wollongong Campus (ongoing)

Water Savings Actions implemented Reductions in potable water consumption per EFTSU and FTE Staff per year compared to 2005.

Water Savings Action Plan Annual Reports


Ensure all new water-related equipment and fixtures are minimum 4 star efficiency rated (ongoing)

Proportion of 4 Star rated equipment and fixtures compared to total

Building and Engineering Information Maintenance System (BEIMS)

Manager Construction Manager Maintenance and Energy Facility Managers

Develop and implement water conservation awareness programs for staff and students by December 2011

Number of programs conducted Survey results of staff and students to measure awareness changes



Ensure all Deans, Heads of Schools and facility managers at Wollongong Campus have water consumption information monthly by June 2011

Reports available to Deans, Heads of School and Facilities Managers monthly


Performance Indicator Unit

Investigate and seek grant funding for water consumption reduction projects (ongoing)




Monitor Water usage at Wollongong Campus via the PIPs system by December 2011

PIPs used to monitor water usage at Wollongong Campus Reductions in potable water consumption per EFTSU and FTE Staff per year compared to 2005.


Performance Indicator Unit Environment and Sustainability Initiatives Unit

Ensure that savings that are made on consumption reductions are reinvested into water savings actions (ie capital improvements and staff engagement activities) (ongoing)

Revolving fund established Water consumption reduction projects funded by savings made on consumption reductions

Buildings and Grounds Financial Report Water Savings Action Plan Annual Reports



WATER MANAGEMENT Function Objectives and Targets Strategies and Actions Performance Indicators Reported via Responsibility Water Management

As above

Undertake audits of water consumption at all Campuses and Accommodation Sites by December 2013

Audits conducted



Develop and implement Water Savings Action Plans (WSAP’s) for all Campuses and Accommodation Sites by December 2013

WSAP’s prepared WSAP actions implemented

Environmental Advisory Committee Water Savings Action Plan annual reports


Increase use of water reuse and recycling to 44% of total water consumption at Wollongong Campus by December 2012

Develop a “Self Sufficient’ Water Plan for Wollongong Campus by August 2010 and implement priority strategies

“Self Sufficient” Water Plan developed Strategies implemented



Investigate and seek grant funding for water reuse projects (ongoing)




Investigate water self sufficiency options for all Campuses and Accommodation Sites by December 2012

“Self Sufficient” Water options investigated


Environment and Sustainability Initiatives Unit Accommodation Services Campus Facility Managers


MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS Function Objectives and Targets Strategies and Actions Performance Indicators Reported via Responsibility Management Systems

Integrate environmental, social and financial assessment into decision making

Incorporate life cycle costs including, when available, embodied energy assessment into accounting and budgeting procedures by December 2013

Accounting and budgeting procedures incorporate lifecycle costing Identified cost savings of implementation Proportion of suppliers and contractors with an Environmental Management System (EMS) Percentage of suppliers and materials purchased using environmental criteria


Financial Services Environment and Sustainability Initiatives Unit

Incorporate sustainability principles in all staff Position Descriptions by December 2011

Staff position descriptions include sustainability principles


Personnel Services Environment and Sustainability Initiatives Unit

Set targets for energy and water reduction and materials management in managers contracts by December 2011

Targets are set and incorporated in Managers contracts


Personnel Services Environment and Sustainability Initiatives Unit

Reduce the UOW ecological and carbon footprint through management systems, policies and processes

Define the UOW ecological and carbon footprint for all campuses by December 2013

UOW Ecological and Carbon Footprint defined



Ensure full compliance with all environmental legislative and regulatory requirements by 2012 through an integrated EMS Reduce UOW risk profile in terms of the Environmental Management System

Review the Environmental Management System and raise awareness across all campuses of EMS by December 2010, compliant with ISO 14001

EMS reviewed Survey results of staff and students to measure awareness changes


Manager Environmental Services

Implement a building environmental risk and environmental audit strategy by December 2011

Completion of Risk Assessment for University activities


UOW Staff Manager Environmental Services

Review point source pollution risks and address identified issues by December 2010

Point source pollution risks identified and any issues addressed

Environment Management System

Manager Environmental Services UOW Staff


MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS Function Objectives and Targets Strategies and Actions Performance Indicators Reported via Responsibility Management Systems

As above

Undertake an environmental audits and establish and monitor Environmental Improvement Programs for 25% of all laboratories at Wollongong Campus by December 2012

Proportion of laboratories having undergone an environmental audit


Environment and Sustainability Initiatives Unit UOW Staff

Investigate implementation of a ‘Green Lab’ program by December 2012

Green Lab program investigated



Integrate the Environmental Management Plan into UOW planning and policy

Establish a reporting framework for this EMP by December 2010

EMP reporting framework established

Environmental Management Plan Annual Report


Integrate EMP into Faculty/Division/School/Unit level planning and policy documents byDecember 2013

EMP integrated into Faculty/Division/School/Unit level planning and policy documents


UOW Faculty/Division/School/Units Environment and Sustainability Initiatives Unit


MATERIALS MANAGEMENT Function Objectives and Targets Strategies and Actions Performance Indicators Reported via Responsibility Materials Management

Achieve continuous reduction in solid waste to landfill per FTE/EFTSU p.a. Increase recycling rate by at least 44% by June 2010 and 66% by 2013 Increase recycling of construction and demolition waste by at least 76% by 2012 Divert organic waste from landfill by 66% by 2013

Roll out new indoor recycling and waste collection process to all faculties and buildings at Wollongong Campus by July 2010

Indoor recycling and waste collection process implemented within all areas of Wollongong Campus



Develop and implement a Waste Reduction Strategy for all campuses by December 2013

Waste reduction Strategy Developed and actions implemented Tonnes of waste to landfill per annum Tonnes of recycling as percentage of whole waste stream Tonnes of green waste diverted from landfill


Environment and Sustainability Initiatives Unit Manager Environmental Services

Achieve 70% staff and 50% student awareness of Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (R4) by December 2012

Survey results of staff and students to measure awareness of R4



Continue to investigate and implement R4 initiatives (ongoing)

R4 initiatives investigated and implemented



Audit waste stream throughout all campus’ on a rolling, scheduled program (ongoing)

Waste Audits conducted to measure performance against targets



Continue to implement consistent recycling and waste collection process to all facilities and buildings at Wollongong Campus by December 2010




As above

Divert a minimum of 76% of construction and demolition waste from all UOW construction projects from landfill by December 2012

Tonnes of construction and demolition waste diverted from landfill


Environment and Sustainability Initiatives Unit Manager Construction

Include construction and demolition waste objectives and reporting requirements in construction contracts by December 2010

Construction and demolition objectives and reporting requirements in construction contracts


Environment and Sustainability Initiatives Unit Manager Construction

Investigate composting options for the Wollongong Campus and report by December 2010

Composting options investigated for Wollongong Campus



Ensure materials and services purchased by the University incorporate not just financial but also environmental and social impacts into the decision making

Implement a Green Procurement and Purchasing Policy by December 2013

Green Procurement and Purchasing Policy developed and implemented


Financial Services Environment and Sustainability Initiatives Unit UOW Staff

Set materials management targets in contracts that reflect life cycle costs by June 2011

Materials management targets set in contracts


Financial Services Information Technology Services Environment and Sustainability Initiatives Unit

Purchase 75% recycled content paper (minimum 50% post consumer content) by June 2011

Number of reams of recycled paper as proportion of whole


Financial Services Environment and Sustainability Initiatives Unit UOW Print and Distribution Services UOW Staff



Achieve continual reduction (where possible) in quantity and toxicity of biological, hazardous and liquid trade waste generated

Conduct audit of biological, hazardous and liquid trade waste by December 2012 Develop strategies with users to reduce by June 2013

Generation of biological and chemical (hazardous) waste, tonnes per FTE p.a. Trade waste discharge to sewer, kilolitres p.a.



Reduce paper consumption by 5% per annum from 2010 baseline level per FTE Staff per year

Develop and implement paper consumption awareness and reduction program for staff and students by June 2011

Program conducted Survey results of staff and students to measure awareness changes Number of reams of paper as proportion of 2010 baseline



Achieve continual improvement in litter reduction at UOW

Develop a littering campaign that includes reducing cigarette butts across Wollongong Campus by June 2011

Program conducted Survey results of staff and students to measure awareness changes Amount and type of litter collected compared to prior to implementation of the program




RESEARCH, TEACHING & LEARNING Function Objectives and Targets Strategies and Actions Performance Indicators Reported via Responsibility Research, Teaching and Learning

Build on the recognition of UOW as an environmental leader in teaching, research and applied environmental management by 2013

Collate a list of current academic activity that relates to environmental or sustainability research by December 2010

Academic activity related to environmental or sustainability research listed

Integrate the teaching and research areas of UOW with the objectives of the EMP and visa versa by December 2013

Number of programs imbeded in undergraduate or postgraduate courses


Academics Environment and Sustainabilities Initiatives Unit

Integrate teaching and learning experiences with the environmental management program and visa versa

Provide student research, work experience and cadetship opportunities within the Environmental Sustainability Initiatives unit (ongoing)

Number of student research, work experience and cadetships projects offered



Identify opportunities to integrate corporate environmental programs with academic activity, while continuing to support interdisciplinary initiatives (ongoing)

Number of environmental management projects and grants integrating research Number of academics and postgraduate students involved in projects Number of projects with student involvement



Provide a “living laboratory” onsite for educational and research priorities in the area of food and community gardens

Explore establishment of community food/permaculture gardens and identify suitable university land that can be used by staff/students and the broader community as part of a community engagement strategy to reduce “food miles” and increase social capital by August 2010

Area of land with active permaculture groups Kg of food produced per annum




RESEARCH, TEACHING & LEARNING Function Objectives and Targets Strategies and Actions Performance Indicators Reported via Responsibility Research, Teaching and Learning

Produce graduate students across all disciplines with an understanding of sustainability issues and how it affects their discipline

Incorporate Sustainability principles into graduate attributes

Graduate Attributes include Sustainability Principles

UOW Strategic Plan

Explore opportunities to: Offer Majors in environmental sustainability for non – environmental degrees Ensure core and/or elective subjects/units on environmental issues are available for students in non environmental degrees Integrate sustainability principles into all subjects/units Ensure teacher training degrees/programs include compulsory subjects/units on environmental education Ensure teacher education degree programs include voluntary subjects/units on environmental education Establish a link between the academic programs and the environmental operational aspects of facilities management

Number of majors in environmental sustainability available for non environmental degrees Proportion of subjects on environmental issues that are available for non environmental degrees Proportion of subjects that have sustainability principles integrated % of teacher training degrees/programs that include compulsory subjects/units on environmental education % of teacher education degree programs that include voluntary subjects/units on environmental education Number of student research, work experience and cadetships projects offered

DECCW and NSW Council on Environmental Education for Sustainability Annual report

Environment and Sustainability Intiatives Unit

Campus Environment Function Objectives and Targets Strategies and Actions Performance Indicators Reported via Responsibility Campus Environment

Further develop the iconic native theme of the University landscape Achieve continual improvement of ecological functionality and habitat potential for native fauna on sites under UOW control Reduce the impact of noxious and environmental weeds and pest animals on UOW grounds Improve/maintain genetic diversity of native species

Complete assessment of biodiversity values and impacts including weed, feral animals and bushfire management for sites under UOW management by December 2013

No of pest species removed





As above

Implement Biodiversity Management Plans for sites under UOW Management and integrate with the relevant UOW Landscape Plans by December 2012

Management plans completed and implemented


Environment and Sustainability Initiatives Unit Manager Landscape

Develop an inventory of flora and fauna species at UOW Campuses and communicate with staff and students by December 2010

Inventory completed Number of locally indigenous species of flora and fauna present identified for all land under UOW control Staff and Student awareness



Increase staff, students and community awareness and knowledge of and functionality of plantings on campus (ongoing)

Number of staff/students attending tree walk



Investigate and seek grant funding for campus environmental improvement projects (ongoing)




Assist with the establishment of University and community Bushcare groups (ongoing)

Area of land with active Bushcare groups Number of Bushcare Groups Number of volunteers Number of Ha rehabilitated


Environment and Sustainability Initiatives Unit Manager Environmental Services

Ensure 50% of plantings of indigenous species are propagated from locally provenance stock by December 2012

Locally indigenous plants propagated from locally provenanced stock planted on Wollongong campus as proportion of total plantings


Manager Landscape

Develop and implement training for landscape staff and contractors on environmental issues by December 2011

Training program developed and implemented





Ensure UOW is meeting its responsibilities under state and federal biodiversity protection legislation (ongoing)

Complete management/recovery plans for sites with significant biodiversity values by December 2012

Management/ recovery plans completed Area of land for which biodiversity management and/or recovery plans have been prepared



Reduce chemical use on land under UOW control by 5% p.a. from baseline

Establish the chemical use on land under UOW control to establish a baseline by December 2010.

Pesticide, herbicide and fertiliser use on land under UOW control, kilograms per hectare p.a.


Manager Landscape

Achieve construction site compliance with regulatory, development consent and UOW requirements from 2010

Review design standards

Compliance with legislation/standards

Quality Assurance Audit Reports

Manager Construction

Ensure compliance with requirements of heritage and environment-related planning legislation by 2010

Review design standards

Compliance with legislation/standards

Quality Assurance Audit Reports


Offset UOW emissions through carbon sequestration, on-site where possible

Audit plantings for carbon sequestration records

Carbon Certificates or equivalent created



Reduce the long term energy and water requirements of new buildings and, refurbishments through sustainable design features

Investigate the potential for offset of emissions through carbon sequestration by December 2013

Tonnes of CO2 sequestered since 1991



Incorporate sustainable design for use in new buildings

Design and construct all new buildings to achieve 5 star or equivalent under the Green Star rating scheme or equivalent

Proportion of buildings with 5 star rating or better





Improve the sustainability performance of existing buildings

Investigate and implement where practicable any retrofitting (e.g. insulation, glazing, awnings) or landscaping features (shading) for buildings to improve sustainability performance by December 2011 and incorporate into revised Energy Savings Action Plan

Revised Energy Savings Action Plan complete MJ/m2 reductions

Administration Committee Report Environmental Advisory Committee

Manager Construction Manager Maintenance and Energy

COMMUNICATION & ENGAGEMENT Function Objectives and Targets Strategies and Actions Performance Indicators Reported via Responsibility Communication and Engagement

Communicate the environmental management achievements as well as research and education components of sustainability to staff, students and the broader community

Continually improve the community (internal and external) knowledge of sustainability initiatives (ongoing)

Initiatives promoted Survey results of staff and students to measure awareness /knowledge changes


Marketing and Communications Coordinator Environment and Sustainability Initiatives Unit

Establish and maintain feedback mechanisms for staff and students to provide input into this EMP and strategies identified in this document by December 2010

Feedback mechanism established and maintained for this EMP Number of issues raised and actions taken

EMP Annual Report


Develop a reporting strategy for this EMP including an annual UOW sustainability report card

Reporting strategy developed Annual report card prepared and communicated to UOW and community

EMP Annual Report


Promote the sustainability initiatives implemented by the university via web site, conferences, seminars and through networks (ongoing)

Initiatives promoted

All forms of media

Marketing and Communications Coordinator Environment and Sustainability Initiatives Unit All Staff

Investigate opportunities for improving environmental awareness through supporting/hosting conferences, seminars and workshops (ongoing)

Number of conferences/ seminars and workshops hosted

UOW Intranet/Internet site

Environment and Sustainability Initiatives Unit All Staff



Achieve 90% staff and 70% student awareness of UOW Environment Policy, EMS and UOW environment portal by 2012

Develop and implement training programs and awareness raising initiatives for senior managers on environmental policies, EMS and other environmental initiatives by December 2010

Training programs developed and implemented



Ensure induction of all new staff includes information on Environment Policy and associated programs by December 2010

On-line induction incorporating environmental policy and compliance

PODS Training Records


Build capacity and resilience amongst UOW community to identify issues, propose solutions and take action

Ensure environment is listed as an agenda item at all team, faculty meetings and establish a process to communicate information between team/faculty and ESI unit at all campuses by December 2010

Communication process established between ESI unit and other areas of UOW



Establish a network of environmental champions amongst staff and students at all campuses and create a strategy that clarifies their roles and establishes a communication process by December 2010

Number of environmental champions within each area



Establish an annual UOW Environmental Awards Program that recognises and rewards Staff Students, Business Units/Faculties and Campuses for environmental /sustainability performance by December 2010

Environmental Awards Program Developed Number of Awards presented annually

University Intranet Site


Establish funding opportunities for implementation of environmental projects that will benefit UOW initiated by Staff and/or students groups from all campuses by December 2010

Funding program established Funds awarded in $ Number of programs initiated





As above

Establish framework for communication, support and engagement with UOW subsidiaries on environmental and sustainability initiatives (ongoing)

Support provided to Subsidiaries Communication framework established



Investigate the obstacles and barriers to staff and student behavioural change for sustainability actions and address (ongoing)

Programs developed with incorporating understanding barriers to behaviour change


Lead by example

Sign the Talloires Declaration

Talloires Declaration signed

EMP Annual Report



6 Glossary of Terms Carbon Sequestration: Capturing atmospheric carbon (carbon dioxide) and storing it by one of several mechanisms to reduce this greenhouse gas and its contribution to global warming. Carbon may be stored in living (green vegetation and forests) or non-living reservoirs (soil, geologic formations, oceans, wood products. Ecological Footprint: A measure of how much biologically productive land and water area an individual, population or activity requires to produce all the resources it consumes and to absorb the waste it generates using prevailing technology and resource management practices Embodied energy: The sum total of the energy necessary - from raw material extraction, transport, manufacturing, assembly, installation plus the capital, environmental and other costs - used to produce a service or product from its beginning through its disassembly, deconstruction and/or decomposition. Food miles: Food miles is a term which refers to the distance food is transported from the time of its production until it reaches the consumer. It is one dimension used in assessing the environmental impact of food. Greenhouse emissions: The emissions of Greenhouse gases through human activities. Greenhouse gas: Greenhouse gases are gases in an atmosphere that absorb and emit radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. The main greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone. Indigenous species: A plant or animal species that occurs at a place within its historically known natural range and that forms part of the natural biological diversity of a place Life cycle costs: Life cycle costs relate to the total cost of a system, product or service over its entire life. It includes the costs of production, transportation, installation costs, operating costs, maintenance costs, and disposal cost Locally Provenance stock: Locally provenanced stock refers to plants that have been are propagated from locally sourced seed or cuttings from species that are indigenous to the local area. Permaculture: Design system which seeks to create harmony between human needs and ecological ones; usually refers to gardening and farming techniques Sustainability: is all about preserving the world's natural resources for future generations. A fully sustainable industry would be one that has zero impact, or a positive impact on the environment.

7 Acronyms CO2e – Carbon dioxide equivalent BEIMS – Building and Engineering Information Maintenance System EAC – Environmental Advisory Committee


EFSTU – Equivalent Full Time Student Unit EMP – Environmental Management Plan EMS – Environmental management System ESAP – Energy Saving Action Plan ESI – Environment and Sustainability Initiatives Unit FTE - Full Time Equivalent GJ – Gigajoules Kwh – Kilowatt hours MJ – Megajoules NGER – National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting PIPs – Performance Indicator Project R4 Rethink Reduce Reuse Recycle VPA – Vice Principal Administration WSAP – Water Savings Action Plan

8 References UOW Strategic Plan 2008-2010 UOW Environmental Policy UOW Environmental management System International Environmental management Systems Standard ISO14000 series International Environmental Performance Evaluation Standard ISO14031 UOW Performance Indicator Project (PIPS) UOW Energy Savings Action Plan UOW Water Savings Action Plan UOW Renewable Energy Plan Talloires Declaration Green Star rating scheme UOW Landscape Plan Emissions Trading Scheme National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting

9 Version Control Table Version Control

Date Approved By Amendment

1 2 June 2010

Lisa Miller, Environment Manager

EMP

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