The University of Tampere Sustainable Development Action Plan (SDAP)

The University of Tampere Sustainable Development Action Plan (SDAP) 2012 2015

2 1 Sustainable Development in Teaching and Research...4 1.1 Teaching...4...4 1.2 Research...4...5 2 Sustainable Development in Everyday Practices...5 2.1 Sustainable Economic Development...5 Procurement and Materials Management...5 The University of Tampere: A Fairtrade University...6...6 2.2 Sustainable Social and Cultural Development...6 Intercultural Interaction and Multiculturalism...7...7 Amenity of Campus Areas...7...8 2.3 Sustainable Ecological Development...8 Energy Consumption...8...8 Water Consumption...8...9 Waste...9...9 Transport...9...9 3 Resources, Implementation and Follow up...10 3.1 Sustainable Development Metrics...10 Energy...10 Waste...10 Sustainable Procurement and Use of Materials...10 Transport...10 Teaching...10 Sustainable Social and Cultural Development...11 Communication and Events...11 2

3 Sustainable Development Action Plan (SDAP) 2012 2015 The University of Tampere is an active social partner whose roots lie in the social sciences. It is committed to promoting social justice, equality, cultural dialogue, the well being of people throughout the world and sustainable development through all of its actions. Sustainable development builds upon the idea of social change as a way to ensure that future generations get a chance at a good life. This entails ecological, social, cultural and economic dimensions. The ecological dimension refers to adjusting human actions to preserve natural resources, natural diversity and functional ecosystems. Ecological sustainability sets the foundation for social, cultural and economic development. Social and cultural dimensions refer to ensuring and preserving the conditions necessary for well being such as decent income, health and equality for future generations. The economic dimension is a balanced development, which does not deplete natural resources or generate unbearable levels of debt. In the University's operations, sustainable development refers to 1. Observing sustainable ecological, social, cultural and economic development in all actions and activities carried out at the University. 2. Ensuring that experts educated at the University are aware of local and global issues in their respective disciplines and have the tools to find solutions. This SDAP looks at sustainable development in teaching, research and everyday practices. The teaching and instruction provided at the University of Tampere is based on research, as research reveals new information and can make a difference to our future. The University promotes sustainable development in all collaboration with its stakeholders. Such collaboration has already been established with the Student Union Tamy, with the sustainable development forum of Finnish higher education institutions, within a network of sustainable development actors in the Tampere region, and with the Fairtrade organisation in Tampere. 3

4 1 Sustainable Development in Teaching and Research 1.1 Teaching The degree programmes at the University of Tampere provide up to date, reliable information on global issues and tools for working to find solutions in these areas. The teaching and instruction provided at the University makes use of methods that encourage and motivate students to undertake ethically sustainable, interactive, multicultural and productive learning. Hybrid courses are used to enhance the accessibility of teaching. The University of Tampere also trains international students and researchers who, after graduating, take their learning back to their countries. This serves to establish international research and cooperation networks that foster sustainable development. The University is aware that learning should be interactive and reciprocal. The University has a responsibility to promote life long learning and be an active social participant. It is also charged with the continuing education of its alumni during their working careers. Further education for graduates is an element in the instruction provided at the University s Schools. 1. Academic Services will support the University's Schools in the building of a multidisciplinary sustainable development study module. Students can include the module as one of their electives and, once successfully completed, have it noted on their degree certificate as a separate module. 2. Once a year, Academic Services will gather together the training available on sustainable development issues. 3. The integration of sustainable development into curricula will be promoted as a part of the Nordic ESDAN (Education for Sustainable Development in Academia in the Nordic Countries) project with its own separate project team. 4. The University s Environmental Team will ensure that the introduction new students receive includes information about how the University promotes sustainable development. 5. The Environmental Team will report annually to the Teaching Council on the implementation of these measures. 1.2 Research The University conducts many types of research that foster sustainable development, even though the research database does not yet include up to date and comprehensive information on such activities. The Schools will set up research centres on or around certain research topics and themes, which in turn creates opportunities for strengthening research that promotes sustainable development. Research centres may even include different universities, research institutes and businesses. The University of Tampere houses sustainable development research networks such as GlobeNet, 4

5 which connects approximately 50 researchers with an interest in international development, and Globelics, which involves researchers from the School of Management. The University is also itself a member of the national UniPID (Universities Promoting International Development) network. The University s Doctoral School organises the University's joint doctoral studies. Its activities foster an international approach to research, multidisciplinary and multicultural post graduate training and ethically sustainable research practices. 1. Academic Services will collect and disseminate information on the networks formed within the University's organisation in order to promote further networking of researchers with an interest in and research into sustainable development and global thematics. 2. The Environmental Team and Academic Services will put together a working group to plan a programme and organising a Sustainability Day seminar. The aim of the seminar is to bring together researchers to share information and views on international development, sustainable development and global responsibility. 3. The Research Council will set up a working group to organise a method for gathering and maintaining information at University level on research projects that promote sustainable development. This group will collaborate with the Nordic ESDAN project in planning its efforts. 4. The Environmental Team will report annually to the Research Council on implementation of these measures. 2 Sustainable Development in Everyday Practices 2.1 Sustainable Economic Development The University of Tampere manages its financial resources responsibly, systematically and proactively. When making research and funding agreements, the University's management and the Schools must assess any risks pertaining to these activities. When selecting investment targets, the University will follow its own ethical and sustainable development principles by using the international SAM (Sustainability Asset Management) index. Procurement and Materials Management The University exercises significant public procurement leverage: its choices can contribute towards goods and service providers taking environmental, ethical and social perspectives into consideration. The University's procurement guidelines emphasise the importance of energy efficient and sustainable procurement practices. The University handles its procurement partly independently and partly through the Finnish government's central procurement unit, Hansel Oy. Hansel observes environmental and energy efficiency guidelines while also incorporating social dimensions into its procurement practices. The University's central depository has a selection of environmentally friendly products and aims to expand this selection where relevant and practicable. The products must be serviceable, and equipment is mainly purchased for shared use. 5

6 The University Library is charged with the procurement of teaching and research materials. A substantial share of these materials are in an electronic format. The Library also sees to the Open Access database publication of theses, dissertations and other research publications of the University, thus further enhancing the accessibility of the latest research. The need for new equipment and furniture can be reduced with the help of internal recycling wherever applicable. Furniture that is no longer needed is sold or donated for repurposing elsewhere whenever possible. Books removed from the use of the University Library are sent to the Library Depot or sold at libraries. The University of Tampere: A Fairtrade University The University has received permission to use the Fairtrade Mark: the Schools and units of the University have pledged to use Fairtrade coffee and tea in their catering, and Fairtrade products are available at all University canteens. Permission to use the Fairtrade label is granted by Fairtrade Finland for one year at a time, and the University of Tampere was the first institution of higher education in Finland to receive permission, in 2009. The University has its own fair and ethical trade support team, which provides and communicates information about fair trade and organises fair trade events at the University. 1. The University's materials management service will provide further details on the different dimensions of sustainable development in the procurement guidelines. The aim is to improve the University's observance of ethical and social dimensions in its procurement operations. 2. The Library will promote accessibility of information with its electronic services, also by allowing researchers to save copies of their articles in the University's open access publication database. 3. The Environmental Team will draw up plans for a procurement process that will encourage its Schools, departments and other units to make sustainable procurement choices. 4. Communications Services will ensure that more Fairtrade products are included in the University's range of merchandise. 2.2 Sustainable Social and Cultural Development By committing itself to sustainable social and cultural development, the University commits itself to good management of human resources, open and participatory planning and decision making, appreciation of experience and expertise, a safe working environment, a sense of community, and ethical practices. The University's HR strategy presents objectives and other means by which the University, as an employer, can promote the sustainable and ethical management and development of human resources. In 2012 2015, the main theme in HR development is a sustainable working life, including the measures and milestones needed to ensure meaningfulness and flexibility of work, job fitness, and the mobility 6

7 and consistency of careers. Socially and culturally sustainable development also includes physical, social and psychological safety and security. The University has safety guidelines and an action plan for occupational safety. A safe and secure workplace treats its members as equals and is consistent and tolerant, and to achieve this end, the University has a separate equality plan. Students belong to the University community not only as students but also as members of administrative bodies or working groups, or sometimes as staff members. Student feedback is valuable to the University. Students also take the skills they learn at the University with them when they embark upon their careers. The University promotes student health and well being together with the Student Union Tamy and the Finnish Student Health Service (YTHS). Intercultural Interaction and Multiculturalism The University of Tampere is an international and multicultural working community that promotes intercultural dialogue and fosters both tangible and intangible aspects of cultural heritage. The University's internationalisation strategy looks for ways the University can carry its share of the global responsibility. Integration services available to international staff are designed and implemented in compliance with the University's internationalisation and HR strategies. 1. The Environmental Team will ensure that the promotion of sustainable development is integrated into the induction of new staff. 2. The Environmental Team will ensure that introduction sessions for exchange students include information on how the University promotes sustainable development. 3. Academic Services (University Sports), Facilities Services and the Environmental Team will work together to improve conditions for commuting to work and for transport on campus. 4. HR Services will arrange development and occupational well being training to foster a sustainable working life. Amenity of Campus Areas The University and the owners of its properties ensure the amenity, accessibility and safety of the University's working environment. Facilities Services has set up and maintains lounge areas and meeting points in the lobbies of University buildings. Lawns, gardens and other outdoor areas are an integral part of the University's two campuses, as the presence of greenery has a favourable effect on the amenity of the University community as well as campus air quality. The University promotes recreational use of its outdoor areas in cooperation with the property owners. 7

8 1. Facilities Services will enhance the amenity of campus areas by planting flowers and plants outdoors and encouraging the University community to make use of these areas. 2. The Environmental Team and Communications Service will update plans for and an overview over the lawns and gardens on the main ("Main Building") campus. 2.3 Sustainable Ecological Development The most significant and direct environmental impact of the University is its power and water consumption, waste generation, and transport. In addition, changes in people's behaviour and information generated through teaching and research have an indirect impact on the environment. In environmental matters concerning the campus buildings and areas, the University works in close collaboration with the property owners. Energy Consumption The University's largest buildings consume an annual total of roughly 16,000 MWh of heat and approximately 12,000 MWh of power. Energy consumption has been monitored for years, but it is difficult to generate comparable data. The district heat consumed by the University is generated by Tampereen Sähkölaitos Oy (the power company in Tampere). University Properties Finland Oy and the University work together to optimise heating and power consumption. Electrical power is purchased under a framework agreement concluded by the Finnish public procurement body Hansel Oy. As of 2011, all power consumed in the large University buildings is hydroelectric. 1. The University will optimise its power consumption and take proactive steps to promote energy efficiency. 2. The University currently derives all its energy from hydropower. By 2015, the University will also start using other renewable sources such as wind and/or solar power for power generation. 3. The Environmental Team will update the Environmental Guide and promote methods of efficient energy consumption. Water Consumption Roughly 40,000 cubic metres of water is consumed annually on campus. Water consumption has been monitored for a long time, and is generally included in the rent it pays. The largest water consumers are teaching and research activities at the School of Medicine and biomedical teaching and research operations, as well as the canteens and the sports facility. 8

9 1. The University will optimise its water consumption. 2. The optimisation of water consumption will be considered in all equipment and furniture purchases. Particular attention will be paid to this issue in the design of new building on the Kauppi campus. Waste University operations generate various types of waste every day. The majority of this waste is collected for recycling; the rest is transported to waste processing plants. So far, the collection of energy waste is unfortunately relatively small in scale owing to shortage of appropriate processing facilities for this waste fraction. Nevertheless, waste sorting areas and sorting instructions are available and easily accessible throughout all University campuses. Information on the waste amounts generated by University operations is available, but for the time being, the information from a variety of sources is fragmented because it comes from a variety of sources. 1. Facilities Services will increase the collection of burnable waste recycling on both campuses. 2. A recycling room will be set up on the Kauppi campus for staff and students. 3. The Environmental Team will investigate how well waste sorting works at various University locations and put together a proposal for the improvements needed. 4. A system for monitoring waste generated by University operations will be developed together with the other actors in the waste treatment process. Transport The University's travel policy requires that environmental impact be considered when selecting modes of travel. For the time being, the University does not pay carbon offset charges for air travel related to its operations. Instead, it aims at increasing the use of videoconferencing and other IT solutions, as well as developing remote working practices to reduce short distance travel. The University endeavours to use conferencing solutions wherever possible as part of its IT strategy. The University of Tampere encourages its staff to commute to work by foot and bicycle where possible, and provides bicycles for commuting on and between campuses during working hours. The University's postal and goods traffic is handled by TAY Palvelut Oy, whose independent environmental strategy is to reduce transport related emissions. 1. Financial Services and HR Services will look into offering an employer subsidised commuting ticket for public transportation. 2. Facilities Services and the property owners will increase the availability of bicycle shelters on campus. 9

10 3. Financial Services will put together a proposal on how to offset carbon dioxide emissions from air travel. 4. HR Services and the IT service department will develop practices for remote working. 5. The Environmental Team and University Sports will organise an annual fitness day. 3 Resources, Implementation and Follow up The environmental affairs coordinator is in charge of planning and drafting the SDAP. The Environmental Team will see to the Plan's implementation by providing the University's Schools and other units with instructions on how they can promote sustainable development in their operations. The Environmental Team is in charge of SDAP implementation follow up, and it reports annually to the University on its activities. The School management boards are to ensure that the SDAP is implemented in their respective units and that sufficient resources are allocated to this implementation. 3.1 Sustainable Development Metrics The following indicators are used to monitor the achievement of sustainable development objectives. Energy Electricity consumption on all buildings not shared by the University and external parties: MWh (total) and kwh/m 3 (specific) annually. Heat consumption in all properties not shared by the University with external parties: MWh (total) and kwh/m 3 (specific) annually. Waste Unsorted waste: kg annually Hazardous waste: kg annually Recyclable or re utilisable waste: kg annually Sustainable Procurement and Use of Materials The proportion of all University procurement through Hansel Oy that is sustainable The consumption of photocopying and printing paper: reams annually and reams per person per year Transport Carbon dioxide emissions from air travel: kg annually 10

11 Teaching Teaching and instruction promoting sustainable development and change compared with the previous year Sustainable Social and Cultural Development Student surveys Staff job satisfaction survey Communication and Events Events and campaigns the University has used to promote sustainable development Sustainable development aims at achieving a real and lasting social and economic impact, as well as protecting the environment. The University of Tampere is committed to these principles and embedding their long term perspective into all its actions. Further information: Ms Saana Raatikainen Environmental Coordinator Tel. +358 40 190 14 59 saana.raatikainen@uta.fi www.uta.fi/ekokampus 11