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► SA Sustainability Policy 08
University of St Andrews Students' Association
Sustainability Policy
April 2008
Mission Statement
To be recognised by the University, locally and nationally as a Students' Association that leads by example, fully integrating sustainability into all that we do.
Sustainability Definition and Ambitions
The University has a strong commitment to sustainable development and is committed to implementing sustainable practices in all its operations. The Students' Association should act in accordance with the University's sustainability strategy. Sustainability can be defined as meeting the needs of present generations whilst ensuring future generations will also be capable of meeting their needs. Practically this splits down into three main sections: environmental, social and economic.
Principles
The Students' Association believes that man-made climate change is one of the biggest problems facing the current generation.
The Students' Association is committed to reducing our environmental footprint as our actions impact not only St Andrews but across the globe.
Sustainability Policy
April 2008
Mission Statement
To be recognised by the University, locally and nationally as a Students' Association that leads by example, fully integrating sustainability into all that we do.
Sustainability Definition and Ambitions
The University has a strong commitment to sustainable development and is committed to implementing sustainable practices in all its operations. The Students' Association should act in accordance with the University's sustainability strategy. Sustainability can be defined as meeting the needs of present generations whilst ensuring future generations will also be capable of meeting their needs. Practically this splits down into three main sections: environmental, social and economic.
Principles
The Students' Association believes that man-made climate change is one of the biggest problems facing the current generation.
The Students' Association is committed to reducing our environmental footprint as our actions impact not only St Andrews but across the globe.
The Students' Association is also committed to raising awareness amongst the University and town of actions that they should be taking in order to become more sustainable themselves.
The University of St Andrews Students' Association is committed to:
Environmental Responsibility
* Leading by example in influencing and changing behaviour in the wider community
* Supporting new initiatives, campaigns and innovative approaches to tackling climate change
* Reducing the overall carbon footprint and environmental impact of the building and activities of the Students' Association
* Lowering atmospheric pollution through encouraging more sustainable transport options to staff and students
* Preventing unnecessary waste and pollution through the continual monitoring, implementation and review of all our practices
Social Responsibility
* Educating students and staff on sustainability and humanitarian issues
* Continue to develop relationships with the wider community of St Andrews to continually improve town and gown relations
* To work with local town groups to improve the quality of the physical environment in and around the town
* Fostering the generation of new ideas relevant to the issue of sustainability
* Improve the connections with other Students' Associations to develop and integrate the principles of sustainable development into other Students' Associations
* Regularly review all suppliers of products used and sold within the Association to ensure that they meet an acceptable standard of environmental and social responsibility
* Continue to supply, promote and expand the Fairtrade products offered through the Students' Association
Business, Financial and Legal Responsibility
* Integrate environmental and social commitments to the core practices of the Association
* Maintain, support and promote the Environment and Ethics Committee
* Providing appropriate resources to allow for implementation of these policy commitments
* Monitoring and reviewing practices and annually updating the Sustainability Policy Action Plan
* Complying with all environmental legislation
* Insisting suppliers and contractors take on board environmental and social responsibility in their practices where they do not
* Continuing to research the possibilities for financial savings through waste, water and energy reduction
* Encouraging debate of key issues within the student body
Staff, Students, Local Community
The Students' Association will endeavour to encourage and provide a sustainable culture for students and staff as well as encouraging and promoting sustainable culture to the local community.
The University of St Andrews Students' Association is committed to:
Environmental Responsibility
* Leading by example in influencing and changing behaviour in the wider community
* Supporting new initiatives, campaigns and innovative approaches to tackling climate change
* Reducing the overall carbon footprint and environmental impact of the building and activities of the Students' Association
* Lowering atmospheric pollution through encouraging more sustainable transport options to staff and students
* Preventing unnecessary waste and pollution through the continual monitoring, implementation and review of all our practices
Social Responsibility
* Educating students and staff on sustainability and humanitarian issues
* Continue to develop relationships with the wider community of St Andrews to continually improve town and gown relations
* To work with local town groups to improve the quality of the physical environment in and around the town
* Fostering the generation of new ideas relevant to the issue of sustainability
* Improve the connections with other Students' Associations to develop and integrate the principles of sustainable development into other Students' Associations
* Regularly review all suppliers of products used and sold within the Association to ensure that they meet an acceptable standard of environmental and social responsibility
* Continue to supply, promote and expand the Fairtrade products offered through the Students' Association
Business, Financial and Legal Responsibility
* Integrate environmental and social commitments to the core practices of the Association
* Maintain, support and promote the Environment and Ethics Committee
* Providing appropriate resources to allow for implementation of these policy commitments
* Monitoring and reviewing practices and annually updating the Sustainability Policy Action Plan
* Complying with all environmental legislation
* Insisting suppliers and contractors take on board environmental and social responsibility in their practices where they do not
* Continuing to research the possibilities for financial savings through waste, water and energy reduction
* Encouraging debate of key issues within the student body
Staff, Students, Local Community
The Students' Association will endeavour to encourage and provide a sustainable culture for students and staff as well as encouraging and promoting sustainable culture to the local community.
Dissemination
This policy is available to all parties including the public and will be provided to all departments, sabbaticals, subcommittees and societies.
The Environment and Ethics (Sustainability) Committee will take active steps to promote this policy and the resulting actions taken.
Practical Steps/Implementation/Application
To implement these commitments the Students' Association's Environment and Ethics (Sustainability) Subcommittee will annually monitor, review and update an Action Plan to compliment this policy. The Action Plan will cover the topics of Environmental Responsibility, Social Responsibility and Business, Financial and Legal Responsibility with detailed actions for the various practices of the Students' Association.
Review and Evaluation of Policy
The Students' Association will monitor, review and update annually the Sustainability Policy via the Environmental and Ethics (Sustainability) Subcommittee.
