University of Tasmania, Australia

Governance Level Principle - No. GLP9

1. Statement of Context

The achievement of the University's mission(1) and vision(2) requires that environmental protection and sustainability are key priorities in the way the University operates.
The University has a strong tradition in environmental education and research, as well as contributing to greater awareness of the importance of sound environmental management in the broader community. Consistent with this, the University has a focus on continually improving the way it manages the impact that University operations have on the environment.
The University must deliver consistent, responsible and effective environmental management to achieve its strategic goals and to fulfil its obligations to members of the University community as well as the broader community.

2. Objectives

The objective of this principle is to improve the University's environmental management by:

• establishing high level priorities
• describing roles, responsibilities and accountabilities.

3. Priorities

The University will:

• ensure waste minimisation and efficient utilisation of energy, water and other resources by fostering initiatives such as demand management where appropriate, as well as reuse and recycling to minimise pollution and other adverse effects from operations, and will take reasonable steps to monitor and evaluate performance under this paragraph
• ensure that development initiatives are environmentally sustainable, consistent with current technical knowledge
• comply with all applicable legislation, regulations, statutory requirements and license conditions relating to environmental management
• promote environmental awareness and responsibility amongst members of the University community including contractors
• take reasonable steps to monitor and evaluate the environmental performance of contractors and suppliers against University policy and procedures where significant potential environmental issues may occur, and implement effective communication with them on environmental issues
• through the University's existing research and teaching on environmental issues and sustainable development, aim to promote better understanding in the broader community.

In addition to these priorities, there are a number of other priorities that are common to most individual Principles. These additional priorities are specified in the University Governance Principle and are not repeated in detail here.

1. supporting policies, plans and procedures
2. resourcing and implementation
3. training and awareness
4. monitoring, review and ongoing development.

4. Implementation

The Vice-Chancellor has responsibility for the implementation of the Environmental Management Principle and the development and implementation of supporting policies, plans and procedures.

All members of the University community are responsible for undertaking their University activities in ways that support this principle and related policies, plans and procedures.

Council is responsible through the Built Environment Committee for over-viewing the performance of environmental management.

(1) The University of Tasmania is committed to continuing its long tradition of excellence in the creation, preservation, communication and application of knowledge and to scholarship that is global in scope, distinctive in its specialisations and reflecting the distinctiveness of Tasmania. The University will provide leadership within its community, contributing to the cultural, economic and social development of Tasmania.

(2) By 2010 the University of Tasmania will be ranked among the top echelon of research-led universities in Australia. The University will be a world leader in its specialist, thematic areas and will be recognised for its contribution to state and national development. As Australia's ‘natural choice for study' UTAS will be supported by its high-quality academic community, its unique island setting and its distinctive student experience.

Approved by Council on 20 May 2005
Reviewed 1 December 2006