Action for Sustainability FundFor projects that enhance the

sustainability of JCU

Administered by The Sustainability Advisory Committee and Sustainability Action Group

This presentation

Part 1:

•what is a sustainability project,

•the purpose of the grants and

•understanding the content required

Part 2:

•The selection criteria

•Who is on the panel

•What do we expect

JCU’s vision: a tropical sustainability leader

A leader in sustainability means: •a university that equips graduates across all study areas with the skills and expertise to identify and address sustainability challenges;

•a university that makes a worldclass contribution to tropical sustainability scholarship and practice; and

•exemplifies a contemporary best-practice sustainable organisation.

But what is sustainability? (in this context)

But still what is sustainability?

The economy sphere:

•An exchange of good and services within and between communities,•a focus on the equitable distribution of scarce resources•at a sustainable scale.

It is not solely defined as making a profit/business viability or economic growth (although this may be the case)

The Fund is:

•For projects that result in a sustainable outcome for JCU and help raise the sustainability profile of JCU.

•Between $5000 and $30,000 for any one project, depending on availability of funds.

•In some cases applications for less that $5000 will be considered. Contact sustainability@jcu.edu.au to discuss your application.

•Students and staff are eligible to apply.

Fund purpose and eligibility

Project category ONE

Category 1: Activities that result in a sustainable outcome for JCU

Projects in this category will directly help JCU become a sustainability leader.

A broad range of activities:

•activities that lead to positive institutional change

•education for sustainability

•sustainable research practices

•student and staff involvement

•engagement and collaboration

•We are using the Life Index!

•Complete the Application Form only

The Life Index: a guiding framework

Leadership and governance

•Building social responsibility and sustainability into institution-wide processes and management systems,

•Ensuring they remain strategically important and are embedded into everyday institutional practices for long-term benefit.

Partnerships and engagement

•Building meaningful and productive relationships and engaging with peers to facilitate sustainable outcomes and encourage innovation.

•E.g. staff, students, community, procurement, suppliers, industry.

The Life Index: a guiding framework

Facilities and Operations

•Addressing sustainable development through effective management of the University’s facilities and operations and delivering low carbon, 21st Century campuses that reflect an institutions commitment to social responsibility and sustainability.

•E.g. ITC, water, energy, biodiversity

Learning, Teaching and Research

•Realising an institutions potential to have a significant, long-term positive impact on society through formal and informal curricula, skills training and development, knowledge transfer and research.

•Ensuring students are exposed to learning experiences that maximise their opportunities to graduate as sustainability-literate citizens.

Category 2: Projects with demonstrable cost savings, and sustainability outcomes.

As well as meeting the criteria for Category 1, projects in Category 2 must lead to quantifiable cost savings.

Half the annual savings made through successful projects must be returned to the fund. At least thirty percent of all funded applications will be Category 2.

Examples:•energy saving initiatives•carbon reduction•reducing waste•recycling and resource recovery•procurement savings

MUST complete the business case form AND the Application Form

Project Category TWO

Category TWO: a revolving fund

The idea behind revolving funds

•The fund must finance measures that reduce resource use (e.g. energy, water, waste) or mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

•The fund must revolve so that at least some of the savings generated by reducing operating costs are returned to the fund – providing capital for future years.

Preparing the business case

Key information required

Total project cost

• Get quote/s if possible or best estimate

• Includes labour, materials & equipment, admin, ongoing maintenance, replacements - anything that will require out of pocket expenses for the life of the project

Total project savings

• Calculate annual savings over 10 years (or life of project)

• Includes reduced use of energy, water, waste, space reduction, reduction in maintenance or labour costs

• For JCU costings for energy, water, waste and space contact adam.connell@jcu.edu.au

Preparing the business case

Calculating payback period (example)

Project: Replace water pump with oil based pump

Total life of the project: 10 years  (the warranty)

Total project cost: $10,000

Annual savings (avoided water costs): $2,500

Payback period = total cost divided by the annual savings:

10,000 / 2,500  = 4 years

Preparing the business case

Project life

Usually considered to be the warranty period for any piece of equipment

• If your project has multiple parts/equipment with varying warranty periods, include the cost of replacement in your project costings

• e.g. Solar panels have 25 year warranty and inverter has 10 year warranty. You must factor in the cost of replacement of the inverter 2.5 times in a 25 year period

Preparing the business case

Current cost factors at JCU

Cost Factor Cost

Electricity use (kWh) 10.158c/kWh

Electricity demand (maximum demand in any month) (kW) $19.905/kW/month

Water (Townsville) $1.86/kL

Water (Cairns) $1.12/kL

Waste to landfill (Cairns) $9/m3

Waste to landfill (Townsville) $12.54/m3

Space (cost/m2 Gross Floor Area) $75.88/m2

All figures are ex GST

Questions so far?

Next section… the selection criteria, assessment panel, and obligations on the grantee

Selection Criteria (ESSENTIAL)

a. Provides a direct/ongoing sustainability benefit to JCUThis is decided based on the LIFE Index categories and any project specific outcomes. (must also meet the definition of sustainability)

b. Capacity to deliver project outcomes•The project must have one lead person. This person will coordinate the activities, ensure completion, and fulfill all reporting requirement.

•The project team must have demonstrated the ability to deliver projects of this type.

•The project must have addressed all relevant planning requirements, and ensure it does not contravene any JCU policies.

c. BudgetThe proposed budget must include accurate costing for all proposed activities. Consult finance officers if required.

Selection Criteria (ESSENTIAL)

d. Provides a clearly identified return on investment (project Category 2 only)

•Include a robust analysis of cost savings, and sustainability benefit.

•Include a detailed description of the methodology used to calculate savings, and any assumption that went into this analysis.

•Applicants must identify a payback period. The payback time can range from 1-10 years, but preference will be given to projects with short payback periods in the first instance.

e. Appropriate timeline and milestonesThe proposal should identify clear timelines for each designated activity with tangible outcomes at each stage.

Selection Criteria (DESIRABLE)

a. Is a high profile or innovative project•The proposal should identify a clear communication plan, including possible presentations, award applications, conference papers etc.

•Can the project contribute to knowledge around sustainability and higher education?

•Will it have broader implications?

b. Interdisciplinary collaboration and co-funding

c. LongevityThe likelihood that the project will continue after the funds have ceased.

Accountability, feasibility and dissemination

• Each project should indicate the support required from the Estate Office or the Sustainability Officer. Any other support personnel should also be listed.

• Student applicants must have a JCU staff member as their project sponsor. This sponsor would most likely be the JCU person you will collaborate with to implement the project.

• All grantees may be asked to present the outcomes of their projects to a Sustainability Symposium, or other forum

• Successful applicants will need to submit an acquittal report within three months of completion of their project, outlining achievements and any deviations from the initial project scope.

• Projects must commence in 2013 (but can be implemented over a number of years)

Projects that are considered core business for the University are not eligible for funding under the Action for Sustainability Fund. e.g.:

• promoting a sustainability course or program • putting in solar panels when they are part of an existing

University plan • undertaking an environment assessment required under

legislation

•If you are unsure, ask your SAC mentor.

Accountability, feasibility and dissemination

Reminder of the Application process

1. Review and complete the application form

•Application Form for BOTH Category 1 and Category 2•The business case supplement for Category 2 applicants ONLY

2. Contact a SAC mentor

•Applicants must nominate a mentor from the Sustainability Advisory Committee as part of the application process.

•The SAC mentor will provide assistance to the applicant throughout the process.

3. Email the application form to sustainability@jcu.edu.au by 31 March 2013. (no late applications)

Checklist

•Completed and signed the application form

•Ensured the Head of School/Division (or JCU sponsor) and SAC mentor have signed the application

•Sought financial advice on your budget

•Attached the resume of the lead applicant

•Completed the business case form and outlined payback periods (for Category 2 applications)

• Included an account code for the funds to be paid into

 

Selection Panel

• The Manager, Environment, Estate Office (Mr. Adam Connell);

• Sustainability Project Officer (Ms. Lena Taylor)

• Convener of the Bachelor of Sustainability (Dr. Colin Macgregor)

• Executive Officer, Finance and Resource Planning (Mr. Brett Dinsdale)

• Sustainability Action Group student representative (Mr. Max Burns).

Will meet as soon as possible after the 31 March.