Sustainability
Sustainability meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It entails long term thinking and working simultaneously towards social, environmental and economic goals.
Universities can make a substantial contribution to sustainability in their role as providers of teaching and research, in the way they act as large businesses and in the way they engage with the local and wider community. The University of York's commitment to sustainability is demonstrated by its inclusion as one of the four main themes of the University Plan. The University's goal is to balance environmental enhancement and protection with social responsibility while maintaining its financial viability.
What does this mean in practice?
Increasing awareness of how the University as an organisation and how the activities of its members affect:
- The local and global environment
- The living and working conditions of people within and outside the institution
- Long term prospects for the University, people and the planet
Building on current good practice to improve, for example:
- The efficient use of energy and water
- Reduction, reuse and recycling of waste
- Social inclusion and equity for people within and outside the University
- Teaching and research relating to sustainable development
Recognising where more needs to be done to improve, for example:
- Impacts of new building
- Purchasing policies and practices
- Decision-making processes
- Engagement with the local community and other external bodies
How can this be achieved?
The University of York’s thinking was developed in conjunction with the plans for expansion to Heslington East. However, the issues raised concerns for the whole of the University. Progress has been made through a variety of approaches, for example:
- The sustainable travel plan and subsidies, which have combined to reduce car journeys to and from the University and encouraged the use of cycles and public transport
- Well-established recycling activities which span the University, and have resulted in a new contract with Yorwaste, aiming for zero landfill
- Improving the biodiversity of the environment on Heslington East and Heslington West, including the major tree planting programme and provision of lake, wetlands and habitats for wildlife
- Work towards the production of renewable energy and combined heat and power through renewable sources
The achievement of sustainable development depends not only on the actions of the University as an organisation but on the activities of us all. Further policies and action plans will be developed over the course of the 2011-2012 academic year.
