• Section 1 - Purpose of Policy
• Section 2 - Application and Scope - Exclusions or Special Conditions
• Section 3 - Policy Principles
• Section 4 - Aims and Objectives
• Section 5 - Implementation
• Section 6 - Roles and Responsibilities
• Section 7 - Definitions

Section 1 - Purpose of Policy

(1) This Policy formalises the University’s commitment to supporting the principles of environmental sustainability and the need for all staff and students to share a role in achieving the policy objectives.

Section 2 - Application and Scope - Exclusions or Special Conditions

(2) This Policy applies to UOW, its activities and people associated with it such as staff, students, visitors and contractors.

(3) The scope of this Policy includes all University of Wollongong (UOW) principal functions as outlined in Section 6 of the University of Wollongong Act (1989) (NSW). The Policy may also be utilised as the benchmark for other functions, e.g. commercial functions.

Section 3 - Policy Principles

(4) The University is committed to the principles of environmental sustainability. UOW is working towards addressing the environmental sustainability focused UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reducing the environmental footprint of the University’s operations through the responsible consumption of resources, management and minimisation of waste, managing biodiversity values of the campus environments, and reducing the risk of pollution from its activities.

Section 4 - Aims and Objectives

(5) The University aims to ensure that is research, teaching, administration and engagement activities are aligned with its environmental policy. To facilitate this objective UOW will:

1. implement and maintain systems based on continual improvement to ensure relevancy for UOW’s operations;
2. focus on management of energy, water and materials use and minimisation of pollution and waste, and encourage the use of active and public transport;
3. communicate and engage with the campus community to foster environmental literacy and awareness;
4. integrate the environmental sustainability of campus operations with research, teaching and learning;
5. maintain the harmonious built and natural campus environment and manage and protect the biodiversity values of the campus;
6. identify, assess, prioritise and record UOW ’s Environmental Aspects and Impacts;
7. comply with environmental law and regulations; and
8. set an example to the community and to other educational institutions through the adoption and implementation of principles of environmental protection and sustainability.

Section 5 - Implementation

(6) This Policy provides the framework for the development and review of the Environment Management Plan (EMP). The EMP will incorporate a rolling action plan that provides the mechanism for implementation of this Policy.

(7) A review of the EMP will include the following:

1. set and review environmental objectives;
2. set and review environmental targets;
3. outline the action required to be taken that is appropriate for the nature, scale and impact of the aspect considered; and
4. provide guidelines for monitoring and reporting on performance.

Section 6 - Roles and Responsibilities

(8) The Finance and Infrastructure Committee will oversee the development and implementation of UOW’s environmental management program. The aim of UOW’s environmental management program is to integrate environmental responsibility into all aspects of UOW's activities and to minimise UOW’s environmental impacts.

(9) Environmental Services has the primary task to lead the UOW’s environmental management program and assist the University to achieve its environmental strategic goals. Environmental Services will support an organisational and behavioural shift towards environmental sustainability through education, communication and management of projects that generate better environmental outcomes for UOW. Environmental Services will also be responsible for the management of the EMP, and associated documents.

(10) The EMP is a strategic document that sets objectives and targets outlining environmental improvement and defines the strategies required to achieve the objectives. It outlines the responsibilities of functional units in working towards environmental results for energy management, water management, management systems, materials management, communication and engagement, research, teaching and learning and the campus environment, over a three year rolling period.

(11) The Vice-Chancellor and President has ultimate responsibility for, and is committed to, the effective implementation of this POlicy.

Section 7 - Definitions