Our Aims

We are committed to ensuring that principles and practices of sustainability are embedded in our operations.  We recognise the social, economic and environmental responsibilities of our activities and  take responsibility for them.  Through our teaching, research and workplace activity we have significant expertise and an important role in the development and exchange of information and good practice.  We will stimulate debate over sustainability within and beyond the department.  Individually and collectively we can make a difference.

Our Objectives

To prioritise our actions to maximise effectiveness

and enhance sustainability among all members of the department community and those we work with:

·        by incorporating best practice in the management of our impacts – both personal & departmental

·        by provision of information, instruction and training

·        in the procurement of resources

This means:

·         Building partnerships and networks to share experience and knowledge of sustainability and contributing to debate on sustainability issues.

·         Establishing a management framework that will promote and support sustainable development and monitor and report on initiatives and progress.  

·         Creating the conditions in which members of the department can develop and contribute their own specialist knowledge of sustainability to provide opportunities for meaningful engagement with the issues, leading to increased motivation to participate and take action.

·         Working towards raising awareness and shared ownership amongst all staff.

Our Seven Point Plan

The department commits itself to:

1. Communicate our policy and activities to staff, students and other stakeholders (including suppliers) and to raise awareness amongst these groups of what they can do to help implement and develop this policy

2. In collaboration with OU management, comply fully, and where possible exceed, standards set in relevant UK, EU and international regulatory requirements and agreements

3. Agree a departmental travel policy and implement measures to encourage reduction of our carbon footprint through prudent use of fossil fuels and to offset our transport impacts through UN benchmarked carbon offsetting

4. Work with existing OU systems to reduce energy consumption and waste created by us.  Where appropriate we will reuse and recycle before responsible disposal of surplus materials; to use recycled and recyclable materials

5. Integrate principles of sustainability within all our policies and practices, specifically to those relating to procurement of goods and services

6. Avoid or limit wherever practical the use of environmentally damaging substances, materials and processes

7. Develop a formalised sustainability management system as a long term strategic goal. (Guided by BS8900)

NB: Implementation of these seven points will require us to take an active role in working with existing OU systems.

Taking responsibility for our activities

In our teaching we will integrate the latest sustainability practice to challenge and inspire our students and ourselves.

In our research we will seek to embed best practice and demonstrate this internally & externally to stakeholders.

In our workplace practices we will reduce pollution through reduced waste, reduced energy use and emissions  We will work with suppliers and contractors to ensure responsible procurement of goods and services.