APU - Environment & Climate Action Policy

ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE ACTION POLICY

Sustainable Development – "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Brundtland Report, 1987). We at APU are committed to sustainable development and operating practices through the responsible management of building design, construction, and renovation, landscape practices, energy use, water and waste management, emissions, transportation, and procurement, within a framework of regulatory compliance and fiscal prudence. Through bold leadership and, in alignment with Government and industry, we will put environmental issues at the forefront of our operations. We recognize the role we can play in driving policy, changing behaviors and providing new ideas and solutions to difficult global problems.

CLIMATE ACTION GOALS:

To integrate environmental and carbon action into all University processes and to maximize the influence of the University in reducing its footprint through education research and its operations.

APU has committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This is not a simple journey but it is necessary and important. Reaching net zero emissions will require collective effort and support from all our staff, students, and external stakeholders. To achieve this, we must ensure that we integrate climate action into all that we do. Please read the commitent HERE.

RESPONSIBILITY:

The Environment and Climate Action Board (attendees from Research, University, Professional Services and Students) is accountable for ensuring the Policy is implemented. Implementation will be embedded in all new decisions/ operations and activities. All employees have a responsibility to ensure that the aims and objectives of the policy are met.

APU APPROACH:

1. We will seek to create a culture on campus that supports and encourages staff and students to recognize that we all have an element of personal responsibility for the environment and to act on that.
2. We will strive to integrate and balance economic, social, and environmental responsibilities within all its activities. We are committed to operate as a responsible University, addressing the challenges of sustainable development.
3. We will continually improve, and to meet environmental legislative and regulatory requirements as they relate to all our activities.
4. We will continuously review our performance against the sustainability strategy using a quantitative and qualitative performance measurement approach. A report will be circulated to all APU Board members for review.

POLICY AIMS:

The University requires its staff, students, partners and suppliers to:

Comply with all relevant environmental legislation and regulations as well as other requirements to which they subscribe,

1. Set, communicate and implement clear objectives and targets to ensure continued improvement in environmental performance,
2. Proactively act in ways to support environmental and climate action, raising awareness and recognizing positive action, whether it be teaching, researching or other University related activity,
3. Demonstrate commitment to managing, minimizing, and mitigating the impacts from operations, activities, research, and education,
4. To co-operate, where possible, with others to develop, utilize and share best practice in terms of environmental performance at a local, regional, and international level,
5. Demonstrate commitment to improve continually and monitor environmental performance, report openly and transparently to support greater recognition of the benefits of environmental change and ensure that outcomes do not create a detriment to any group with protected characteristics within our community.

The University will embrace the Environment and Climate Action Agenda both strategically and globally through its development of footprint reduction initiatives, Climate Action plans and staff, student, and community engagement. We will strive to minimize negative impacts and optimize positive opportunities by delivering our Climate action targets and goals through our strategies, recognizing our global and local reach, through the divers operations, partnership and programs.

TOGETHER Towards Sustainable Communities:

• Sustainability @ APU – click HERE
• APU Energy Conservation Program – click HERE
• APU Water Conservation Program – click HERE
• APU Recycling Program – click HERE
• APU Transportation Policy – click HERE
• APU Life on Land Conservation – click HERE
• APU Sustainable Procurement Policy – click HERE
• APU Sustainable Investment Policy – click HERE
• APU Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Policy – click HERE
• Corporate Social Responsibility @ APU – click HERE
• ESG & Sustainability Events – Activities @ APU – click HERE