Sustainability and IT at UNSW

Aaron Magner UNSW Sustainability

What is Sustainability?

> Living successfully in the present without compromising our ability to do so in the future.

> Requires a balance between environmental

protection, social justice, economic well-being and cultural diversity.

> A guiding principle in UNSW’s Strategic Intent, B2B Blueprint to Beyond.

IT has an indirect impactIT has a direct impact

Top Sustainability issues today

Imperatives for action> UNSW expected to practice what we preach> Leading by example> Compliance with legislative requirements and

regulatory risks> Improve operational efficiency and lower costs> Corporate Social Responsibility> Marketing & meeting expectations of stakeholders> Attracting and motivating the best students and staff> Improve Australian Sustainability League Table ranking

UNSW Sustainability StrategyUNSW’s Sustainability Strategy sets short and medium term targets for:

> Energy use> Water use> Waste> Procurement> Transport> Planning and Development> Research> Learning and Teaching> Governance> Biodiversity

The Sustainability Strategy also commits UNSW to producing a Sustainability Report measuring our performance against these targets.

Key Sustainability Goals

> Make UNSW a model sustainable community> Maintain economic viability and sustainability > Enhance and protect the environment> Reduce waste and pollutant emissions> Use resources efficiently> Maximise the utilisation of existing and future infrastructure > Embed sustainability into the University policies, procedures &

governance.> Increase understanding & awareness of sustainability throughout

UNSW> Increase staff, student & community communication & participation> Foster a vibrant and inclusive campus community.

Key Sustainability Targets

EnergyUse energy efficiently and produce renewable energy.

WaterReduce water use and increase water capture and recycling.

WasteIncrease recycling to 70% and decrease waste to landfill to 30%.

ProcurementOnly purchase goods when absolutely necessary. Assess whole-of-life impacts of products.Work with suppliers who support UNSW meet our sustainability goals.

Key Sustainability Targets

GovernanceEmbed sustainability into the core of UNSW’s operations.

TransportReduce Greenhouse Gases by 40% over next 5-10 years based on 2010 levels.

Planning and DevelopmentBest practice standards in accordance with Green Building Council frameworks in building design for all future development.

Learning and TeachingIncorporate sustainability into the learning and teaching of the University.

Sustainability challenges

> Resistance to change, apathy, skepticism> Perception that addressing sustainability will

cost more. Short term thinking.> Collating data – energy use, waste, CO2

> Same challenges with implementing any change.

IT at UNSW Sustainability challenges

> E-waste> Energy use – SOE and power management> Sustainable Procurement> Desktop video conferencing, reduce air travel > Energy, Water, Waste, Transport> Communicating our message.

Sustainability Opportunities

A call to action> IT at UNSW Green Committee> IT rep on UNSW Sustainability Working Group> IT rep on Sustainable Procurement Working Group> Conduct regular routine environmental audit> Promoting our achievements

E-waste

> 2.2 million PCs sold in 2009> 1.6 million old PCs going to landfill> To make a desktop computer uses:

– 240kg fossil fuels – 10 x weight of the PC– 22kg chemicals– 1500 pounds water– 75% of PC’s carbon consumption across life

cycle before its switched on.

SOE and PC Power Management

> Power management software to all SOE PC’s. > Customise computer energy & print settings

for each user. > All UNSW PCs to have power management

software by 2012. > Setting targets to reduce energy use. > Energy Awareness Campaign.

Green League Table

Coming Soon> US & UK have University sustainability league

tables. > US College Sustainability Report Card> UK Green League Table> Monash Sustainable Campus Group invited

UNSW to join an Australian sustainability league table.

> Sustainability Strategy a benefit UNSW’s ranking.

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I see a future where UNSW demonstrates we canwork, live and learn sustainably.

Are you in?