POLICY PROPOSAL ETHICAL AND ENVIRONMENT POLICY

Student Council Policy Proposal (SCF2)The UNSU bye-law 4 allows Student Council to set Union policy:

15. All Policy which is passed in any academic year that is not subsequently re-endorsed shall lapse immediately after the first Student Council meeting of the academic year three years following.

16. The President shall be responsible for the safe-keeping of all minutes and shall maintain a record of Union policy. Copies of all minutes and policies shall also be held in a Union archive.

Submission of this document to Student Council is a request to change/set new UNSU policy

1. This Council NotesState the facts surrounding the policy proposal

That the Union does not currently have an Ethical and Environmental policy

2. This Council BelievesState the facts surround the for amendment

Having an Ethical and Environmental policy gives Student Council the ability to guide the direction of the Student’s Union in regards to Ethics and the Environment

3. This Council ResolvesState the facts surrounding what the policy resolves

University of Northampton Students’ Union Ethical & Environmental Policy

The University of Northampton Students’ Union (UNSU) is a not for profit organisation. We are committed to undertaking activities in an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible manner. We aim to consider the ethical and environmental implications of our actions. UNSU is dedicated to improving its environmental responsibility in accordance with environmental legislation.

1. Staff, Student, and Third Party Involvement

UNSU is committed to:

Encourage permanent staff, student staff, and student representatives to promote discussion regarding ethical and environmental issues.

Explore and implement solutions to those issues with the student body. Develop and pursue sustainable environmental initiatives.

2. Utility Consumption

UNSU is an active supporter of many ethical and environmental initiatives beyond the activity we directly organise. These include the NUS led campaign Snap It Off and the inter-hall energy saving competition Student Switch Off.

UNSU is dedicated to minimising its utility consumption. We will:

Promote energy conservation to all staff and students. Continually develop more efficiently run buildings.

3. Transport

UNSU is committed to ensuring that transportation to and from its buildings cause minimum detriment to the environment and its membership. We pledge to:

Promote ‘greener’ modes of transport. Encourage car sharing. Ban the use of air travel relating to all Union business within the UK excluding flights Northern

Ireland, Highlands, and Scottish Islands. Ensure that efficient driving techniques are provided in minibus driving training.

4. Building & Development

UNSU realises the environmental impact of new buildings and refurbishments. Before any new building or refurbishment takes place, we will:

Work with the Environmental department at the University in the planning stage.

Complete an Environmental Building Assessment form.

5. Waste Generation & Management

UNSU is dedicated to reducing, reusing, and recycling waste. We commit to:

Adhere to legal standards in regards to waste disposal. Increasingly using recyclable and recycled materials throughout our buildings. Minimise waste production. Aim to exceed the governmental guidelines for the proportion of waste sent for recycling.

6. Visual Impact & Union Activity

UNSU is committed to playing an important role in protecting the local environment. We will:

Require an environmental assessment be completed for all major events and activities (guidelines shall be available for events involving more than 200 people).

o The assessment shall cover changes to the immediate environment in respect of: Waste Management Conservation of natural environment Energy Use Use of resources (e.g. paper)

Provide necessary amenities and solutions to reduce littering and avoidable wastage by our membership.

7. Ethical Purchasing

UNSU is aware of its influence as a commercial organisation and of its responsibilities to the global community. It will promote good labour and environmental standards in supply chains of UNSU.

Due to NUS Services Ltd.’s Ethical & Environmental Assessment of their products and services, all products and services from this supplier shall be accepted for purchase and sale, although UNSU retains the right to question NUS on their choice of supplier

For ethical products not supplied by NUS Services Ltd, the decision to cease purchase or sale of a product shall be made by the Vice President (Union Development) and the Enterprises Manager.

UNSU supports:

NUS Services Ltd Ethical & Environmental Assessment Fairtrade Local sourcing Ethical Consumer's assessments

8. Fairtrade and Local Sourcing

UNSU stocks and sells a variety of Fairtrade certified products across its outlets including:

All branded clothing available from UniExpress and through the Students' Union website. Starbucks Fairtrade coffee from both Pavilion and Avenue Students' Union. Fairtrade wines available from UniExpress and Avenue convenience shop.

UNSU also supports an on-campus Allotment. The Food for Thought Allotment on Park Campus grows a variety of fruit and vegetables, which have been sold through the Students' Union's catering outlets and retail stores.

UNSU is committed to promoting, supporting, and using Fairtrade products as we recognise this is part of our responsibility to the global community. Where possible, UNSU will also source locally as this is an important part of our responsibility to the local community. UNSU will:

Ensure Fairtrade and/or locally sourced food and drink is sold in all campus shops and venues, as well as vending machines wherever possible.

Ensure locally sourced refreshments are served at all conferences, meetings, and events wherever possible.

Promote Fairtrade and locally sourced food and drink.

Further notes:

UNSU believe the availability of Fairtrade and locally sourced food and drink is a top priority when renewing its catering and purchasing contracts.

9. Implementation

UNSU is dedicated to the maintenance of this policy and thus the following will be enacted:

The Ethical & Environmental Policy will be reviewed bi-annually. Ethical and Environmental issues will be considered when formulating the Students’ Union

Strategic Plan.

The policy will be promoted to students, permanent and student staff through the following means:

UNSU's website UNSU's social media accounts Staff handbook

10. Environmental legislation

UNSU is committed to operating in accordance with environmental legislation and, to ensure this, the following will be carried out:

Job descriptions of full time members of staff will include the need to comply with environmental legislation.

The Students’ Union will work closely with the University’s Environmental Co-ordinator to review the University’s Environmental Legislation document bi-annually to be aware of updates and ensure compliance.

AMENDMENT PROPOSED BY

NAME Arte Artemiou

DATE 09/12/16

SIGNATURE

AMENDMENT SECONDED BY

NAME Liam Bligh

DATE 13/12/16

SIGNATURE