Environmental Policy
Northumbria University has a long established commitment to ensuring it operates in a responsible
manner, one that both protects and nurtures the environment; this is reflected in the University mission
statement, which aims to promote:
"a strengthening of the economic, environmental and cultural life of the region through opportunities in
higher education, creating partnerships, integrating with communities, and generating and disseminating
valuable knowledge”
(Northumbria University Mission Statement)
This Environmental Policy sets out the University's aims and objectives for building upon its previous
success in safeguarding the environment. The policy is recognition of the University's obligation to
contribute to improving the quality of the environment not only for those working in or living around all
university sites but also at a regional and global level. Since 2001 the University's Environmental Policy
Group has made significant progress in achieving it goals in areas such as:
Awareness Since May 2006, an understanding of environmental issues,
and
particularly climate change has become an integral part of the Health
Publicity and Safety and Environment induction process for all new staff. Each
year an all staff email attachment and or payslip attachment on one or
more topics on environmental awareness and an update on
environmental performance is prepared and distributed. Environmental
website is updated each month.
Energy
and
Utilities
The University continues to achieve its annual environmental
performance targets, which are detailed in full in the Carbon
Management Plan which can be found here:
http://www.northumbria.ac.uk/sd/central/estates/waste/mancarb/?view=
Standard
In summary the University wishes to reduce its energy consumption by
15% between 2006 and 2011
The University annually audits its usage and costs in these areas to
identify and procures "best value” regional and national utilities.
Since the identification of its potential benefits, the University has relied
on 100% "green” energy (complete implementation achieved 2004)
The implementations of new IT solutions are all carried out in
accordance with the latest available energy saving measures.
Transport
The practical implementation of the University's travel plan began with
its approval in March 2006.
In summary the travel plan implementation has achieved:
Staff Car commuting down 30% 2005 to 2007
Staff Public Transport commuting up 30% 2005 to 2007
Staff Cycle commuting up 51% 2005 to 2007
Travel survey due in May 2009
Full statistical analysis, modal shift timed targets can be found here:
http://northumbria.ac.uk/static/5007/travelplan_0708.pdf
Waste
The 2002/3 review of University waste management led to the
University's "Waste Management and Reduction Strategy”.
In April 2009 the University signed a new waste
management contract to ensure it increases the
reuse and recycling of waste materials
In the first three weeks the target of 90%
recycling of all waste streams had been fully
met
Paper recycling has been a University wide since January 2006.
Paper recycling is continuing to increase, but paper reduction is more
important and all printing where possible will be defaulted to double
sided printing
16 tonnes in 2005 recycled
73 tonnes in 2006 recycled
134 tonnes in 2007 recycled
120 tonnes in 2008 recycled
As with all waste a target of 90% recycling is now expected for
paper in 2009
Paper consumption for photocopying in central reprographics has
fallen through double sided printing
2006
2007
2008
18.3 million sheets used
15.5 million sheets used
13.0 million sheets used
In July 2006, the University fully implemented a policy for the re-use of
office furniture. Since 2006 approximately 1,000 items of furniture have
been re-used internally or externally
Estates
The University’s bio-diversity policy was agreed in 2009 and a rolling
Manageme programme is being set to implement the actions in this policy
nt
The Sustainability Design Team provided their brief for City Campus
East in May 2005 this has been furthered by another sustainability
design brief prepared in 2008 for the new Sports Facility currently
under construction. A further sustainability design brief was prepared
for the major refurbishment of Sutherland Building currently underway
Environmental Policy Statement
Northumbria University recognises that its activities and wider influences impact upon the environment. It is
committed to full compliance with environmental legislation and will strive to continuously improve its
environmental performance. The University will seek to develop amongst staff and students an
appreciation of their role in bringing about environmental improvement both as members of the University
community and as members of society at large. Pursuant of these aims the University will:
in relation to awareness and publicity:

promote awareness of environmental issues and its environmental policy
amongst staff, students and the organisations and individuals with whom it is
associated

provide appropriate mechanisms for staff and students to contribute to the
development of its environmental programme

ensure that it has access to up to date information on environmental
legislation and best practice in order to make informed decisions

publicise its efforts in relation to environmental management to a wider
audience
in relation to energy and utility use:

implement an effective energy and utilities management strategy to reduce
consumption and associated environmental impact as well as cost

implement, monitor, record and evaluate target performance levels for
individual buildings by extended utilisation and extension of energy
management software and systems

increase consumption of 'green' energy sources as a proportion of total
energy consumption, consistent with a value for money approach

hypothecate savings made from energy and utilities conservation measures
for investment in further measures

actively promote awareness of energy saving and conservation issues
amongst staff, students and the general users of the University and its
facilities
in relation to estate management:

consider 'whole life' costs and environmental impact in the design,
specification and procurement of construction and building services projects

implement environmental efficient design as a key criteria in the development
of new buildings and major refurbishment of existing buildings

utilise items contributing to environmental improvement and good practice in
relation to the general upgrading and maintenance of the University estate

take account of the implications for energy efficiency in relation to the
planned use and operation of buildings and facilities

enhance the visual appearance of the campus by careful design and
maintenance of external spaces

pay careful consideration to the implications for biodiversity when designing
and maintaining external spaces
in relation to purchasing:

buy less, but better, in order to minimise impact on the environment

where costs are consistent with 'value for money', consider and purchase
goods and services which are manufactured/remanufactured, used and
disposed of in an environmentally friendlier manner

assess major suppliers current practice with regard to environmental issues

consider where appropriate 'whole life' costs and environmental impacts
when assessing tenders for goods and services
in relation to transport:

adopt and implement a comprehensive travel plan which advises,
encourages and assists staff and students to use the most sustainable mode
of transport available to them when travelling to and from the University

continue to increase the amount of University vehicles which have lower and
less harmful emissions

work with suppliers, where transport is a major factor, in our purchasing of
their services to encourage and actively promote improvement in their own
fleet environmental performances.
in relation to waste management:

reduce the generation of solid waste, atmospheric emissions and effluent

ensure that waste is managed in a manner consistent with legal requirements
and best practice

increase the reuse and recycling of waste materials
Management of the Policy
Responsibility for the implementation of the environmental policy rests with all members of the University
community. However, certain departments and individuals, as a result of the nature of their work, will have
a key role to play.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Resources) has overall responsibility for the environmental policy.
Responsibility for strategic management lies with the Environmental Policy Working Group, which has the
following terms of reference:

to advice upon, keep under review and promote the University's Policy for the
Environment

to ensure that the Executive, the Schools and all Service Departments are
kept informed of the policy and their obligations under it

to monitor the implementation of the policy

to receive reports from members of the group regarding progress

prepare an annual review of the policy and its implementation

to commission, where appropriate, surveys, design work and other activities
attendant upon operation of the policy
University Sustainability Management Group Membership 2013
Senior member of each Faculty and Service Department, as well as University’s Environmental Adviser
attends each meeting which will be chaired by a member of the University Executive
Updated 2013