A new approach to environmental sustainability at Cambridge has been launched to improve performance and impact across the University's estate.
The University today launches a new environmental sustainability policy and strategy that will see its world-leading research in this area matched by improved operational performance and impact.
The Environmental Sustainability Vision, Policy and Strategy will help Cambridge make strides in reducing its carbon emissions, conserving natural resources and making positive environmental impacts through its research and teaching.
The policy sets out clear objectives, such as eliminating all non-hazardous waste to landfill by 2020, reducing water consumption by 20 per cent by 2020, and ensuring that 75 per cent of staff regularly commute to work by sustainable modes of transport by 2016.
These aren’t easy targets, but a number of positive steps have been taken over the past two years to make them achievable.
The first, under the leadership of Pro-Vice-Chancellor Jeremy Sanders, was to establish a new Environment and Energy Section in Estates Management.
That team, led by Joanna Chamberlain, worked with a newly established Environmental Policy Review Committee to consult with the University, and a number of substantive recommendations were made as part of that consultation, covering the governance, priority-setting and implementation of environmental sustainability matters at Cambridge.
Chief among them was the formation of a new, high-level Environmental Sustainability Strategy Committee (ESSC) - which comes into being with the new policy. This has absorbed the functions previously overseen by the Environmental Strategy Committee, the Energy and Carbon Reduction Project Board and the Living Lab Advisory Group.
The ESSC will be a joint committee of the University Council and General Board, with a membership that includes the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise and Regional Affairs, a member of Council, two Heads of School, the Directors of Estate Strategy, Finance and Information Services, as well as two student members and the Chair of the Bursar’s Environment and Planning Subcommittee.
The Environment and Energy Section – now 12-strong – will look after the day-to-day implementation of the policy. Key areas of focus will include carbon management, sustainable procurement, the University’s Travel Plan, sustainable construction and sustainable food.
The Environment and Energy Section will also be responsible for engaging staff and students, and developing a culture whereby the University community is inspired, empowered and supported in improving personal and collective sustainability practices. It is important to note that the team has the technical expertise and capacity to support buildings and facilities managers in departments.
The policy also sets out ways in which research relating to environmental sustainability can inform effective operational practice, and for staff and students to access learning opportunities to deepen their knowledge and practical skills in this area.