Environmental initiatives
As an educational and research institution, Monash recognises its responsibility in promoting awareness of, and providing solutions for environmental issues and problems, through its teaching, research and consultancy engagements.
Monash recognises its duty to the wider community to minimise its own environmental impact through the implementation of environmental best practice in all aspects of its operations and the continuous development of innovative approaches to environmental management.
Water use
Monash is continuing to cut its overall water use across seven Victorian sites to eventually become water self sufficient. Water savings are being achieved through stormwater harvesting, upgrades of laboratory equipment and domestic water appliances and improved grounds and garden management.
Paper use
In 2007, approximately 76 per cent of all paper purchased across the University was of recycled content. The Monash University Library has taken a giant environmentally friendly leap by switching to 100 per cent recycled paper for use in its printers and copiers.
Energy use Monash has committed to a target of a 20 per cent reduction in energy consumption across its six Australian campuses by 2010. The reduction will be achieved through a combination of infrastructure improvements and cultural change programs involving staff, students and visitors.
Transport
Monash continues to offset greenhouse emissions from air travel through the not-for-profit organisation Greenfleet which plants native trees to absorb the greenhouse gases.
The Monash University Transport Strategy was launched in 2007. It provides a comprehensive plan to improve the environmental sustainability of transport at all Australian Monash campuses. The strategy aims to encourage students, staff and visitors to use sustainable transport options when travelling to campus.
Carbon neutral
In 2007, Monash University committed to reducing its carbon footprint and examining ways of offsetting its carbon emissions with the eventual aim of operating at a carbon-neutral level. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a priority, and, in 2009, the University will move toward offsetting emissions through accredited suppliers.
Governance
Reflecting its commitment to environmental sustainability, the University has formed the Vice Chancellor's Group, Environment, which provides high-level direction for all University environmental initiatives, and the Office of Environmental Sustainability, which provides practical management of the initiatives in addition to environmental reporting.
The Monash Sustainability Institute remains in its current position with a focus on sustainability research and is required to produce triple bottom line reporting for the University's annual report.
Greening up our act
Environmental Sustainability programs across the University now come under the slogan of "Greening up our act", which aims to coordinate our environmental initiatives across campus. See the Greening up our act website.
Cultural Change Program
The Cultural Change Program has expanded beyond the Green Office Program and now includes:
- The Staff Green Program, encompassing the Green Office Program. The program is one of the largest in Australia, with around 300 staff members across all Australian campuses acting as Green representatives for their departments. Green Reps "green up" all offices, laboratories, studios and workshops around the University and assist us to meet our environmental sustainability objectives such as the 20 per cent reduction in energy consumption by 2010.
- The Green Campus Program which works with students and visitors to increase their participation in a range of environmental initiatives, and to reduce their environmental impacts as they undertake their activities and studies at Monash. It aims to provide a University wide understanding that the environment is important at Monash and is incorporated into what everyone does while they are on campus.
- The appointment of Environmental Officers, another first for any Australian University. The Environmental Officer is appointed to represent environmental sustainability within University Committees, to communicate initiatives, work with Green Reps and to assist in the resolution of environmental incidents.
Green Steps Program
The Monash Sustainability Institute's Green Steps Program is an innovative extra-curricular training and industry engagement program for university students. It takes able and motivated students who often have few environmental networks and limited practical knowledge, and gives them the skills, direction and opportunity to become effective and involved environmental practitioners.
Ecologically Sustainable Development
The Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) Guidelines (the Eco Accord Model) was introduced in March 2007, to improve all new building activities and refurbishments within the University.
Talloires Declaration
The University signed the Talloires Declaration in April 2007 which is an international, voluntary commitment to environmental sustainability in higher education. For more information, see the Talloires Declaration website.
More detailed information about Monash's environmental performance, reporting and initiatives can be obtained from the university's Annual Report and by visiting the Greening up our act website. |
