UTS Environmental Sustainability Initiative: Case Study

Giurco, D; Atherton, A

UTS Environmental Sustainability Initiative: Case Study

Giurco, D Atherton, A

Permalink

Publication Type:: Working Paper
Issue Date:: 2009-09

Open Access

Copyright Clearance Process

Recently Added
In Progress
Open Access

This item is open access.

Adobe PDF

Download athertongiurco2009utsesicasestudy.pdfAdobe PDF (300.93 kB)

View statistics

Full metadata record

Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Giurco, D
dc.contributor.author	Atherton, A
dc.date.accessioned	2009-09-25T01:49:02Z
dc.date.accessioned	2012-12-17T05:17:26Z
dc.date.available	2009-09-25T01:49:02Z
dc.date.available	2012-12-17T05:17:26Z
dc.date.issued	2009-09
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/20467
dc.description.abstract	Implementing environmental sustainability programs across university campuses presents both opportunities and challenges. The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) launched a coordinated approach to sustainability in 2008. This paper presents a case study of UTS’s Environmental Sustainability Initiative (ESI). It begins by outlining the aims and governance structures for the initiative which consists of a Sustainability Steering Committee; Committee of Working Group Heads and then working groups across six focus areas of energy, transport, procurement, water, waste, planning and design, and also reporting and communications. The paper then describes the development and consultation processes, and final outcomes, for three strategy documents in the areas of climate change (energy), transport and paper use (procurement). We discuss the role that such working groups, together with other support structures, can play in creating a more sustainable university, and offer practical guidance for other universities and organisations undergoing organisational change for sustainability. We also discuss some of the challenges that emerged such as: how to engage with staff and students to develop shared aspirations and reflect these in tangible objectives, targets and actions; and how to evolve organisational structures to implement strategies and create a sustainable higher education institution.	en
dc.relation.replaces	http://hdl.handle.net/2100/915
dc.title	UTS Environmental Sustainability Initiative: Case Study	en
dc.type	Working Paper
utslib.copyright.status	open_access

Abstract:

Implementing environmental sustainability programs across university campuses presents both opportunities and challenges. The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) launched a coordinated approach to sustainability in 2008. This paper presents a case study of UTS’s Environmental Sustainability Initiative (ESI). It begins by outlining the aims and governance structures for the initiative which consists of a Sustainability Steering Committee; Committee of Working Group Heads and then working groups across six focus areas of energy, transport, procurement, water, waste, planning and design, and also reporting and communications. The paper then describes the development and consultation processes, and final outcomes, for three strategy documents in the areas of climate change (energy), transport and paper use (procurement). We discuss the role that such working groups, together with other support structures, can play in creating a more sustainable university, and offer practical guidance for other universities and organisations undergoing organisational change for sustainability. We also discuss some of the challenges that emerged such as: how to engage with staff and students to develop shared aspirations and reflect these in tangible objectives, targets and actions; and how to evolve organisational structures to implement strategies and create a sustainable higher education institution.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/20467