Policies related to Sustainability and Environmental Protection

 

Sustainability Policy

 

1.

Mission

 

The University upholds the principle of sustainable development, and seeks to, via its education, research and knowledge transfer endeavours, continuously enhance the well-being of the citizens of Hong Kong, China as a whole, and the wider world community.

 

2.

The Policy

 

As a socially responsible institution of higher education, the University is committed to adopting sustainable development(1) in education, research and knowledge transfer, to building a sustainable campus by integrating sustainability in its planning, decision-making and day-to-day operations, and to providing leadership in sustainability for the enhancement of the well-being of all peoples.

 

3.

Goals

 

The goals of the sustainability policy are:

 

(i)

To raise awareness of sustainability within the University community;

 

(ii)

To create a sustainable campus with a reduced dependency on the earth’s natural resources and a reduction in greenhouse gases emissions (per capita);

 

(iii)

To meet all legislations, standards and requirements relating to sustainability, whilst ensuring that the University’s other objectives and responsibilities are fulfilled;

 

(iv)

To balance environmental, social and economic objectives and considerations in the University’s operations, through the integration of sustainability values with its activities in teaching, research and knowledge transfer; and

 

(v)

To encourage sharing of best practices by communicating within and beyond the university community on the University’s performance and achievements in sustainability via reporting, training and meetings.

 

4.

Commitments

 

(i)

Education and research

 

 

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To lead and advance education and research in sustainability to enhance the well-being of all peoples.

 

 

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To support sustainability initiatives, raise awareness and provide training opportunities within the University to foster a culture of sustainability.

 

(ii)

Knowledge transfer and community outreach

 

 

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To encourage and mobilize University members’ active participation in enhancing the local and global community well-being by sharing knowledge and best practices with the wider community.

 

 

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To join hands with local and international strategic partners to share best practices and promote sustainability.

 

(iii)

Environmental impact reduction and climate protection

 

 

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To reduce energy consumption (per capita) and greenhouse gases emissions (per capita) by at least 25% and 20% respectively by 2025, from the campus base figures of 2005.

 

 

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To conduct regular carbon audits and fulfil other responsibilities as a signatory of the Carbon Reduction Charter.

 

 

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To conserve natural resources and minimize all forms of emission and effluent, and to create a pedestrian-friendly campus with less reliance on motor vehicles, with cleaner air, and producing less waste.

 

 

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To promote the use of renewable energy technology.

 

 

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To aim to achieve, where resources permit, the highest green building certification under BEAM (Building Environmental Assessment Method) or BEAM Plus (or equivalent) for all new buildings.

 

(iv)

Biodiversity and cultural/heritage protection

 

 

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To conserve, protect and enhance places of high ecological, landscape and cultural heritage value on campus.

 

(v)

Responsible procurement

 

 

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To minimize environmental impact and contribute to social well-being by purchasing goods and services responsibly.

 

(vi)

Caring for people

 

 

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To ensure equal opportunities and embrace diversity within the University community.

 

 

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To safeguard the health and safety of students and staff.

 

 

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To provide training and lifelong career development opportunities for staff members.

 

(vii)

Resources Management

 

 

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To exercise prudence in the use of University resources, including funding and land, to achieve cost effectiveness, value for money and a sustainable future.

 

 

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To implement sustainability objectives in the most resource-efficient manner, making wise use of available funding and land, and benchmarking against best practices, in the pursuit of the University’s educational and research mission.

 

 

 

Energy Policy

 

1.

The University seeks to improve continuously the energy performance on campus and to provide a congenial environment for teaching, learning and scholastic activities. Whilst the University is committed to ensuring that all activities run by the University are conducted in an energy-conservation manner,

 

(a)

the University, as a socially responsible institution, endeavours to improve energy and operation efficiency and minimize consumption whilst satisfying the University’s needs; and

 

(b)

the University, as a higher education institution, will raise the energy conservation awareness among staff and students and set the University as a model in energy conservation education and management.

 

Energy Conservation Guidelines

 

2.

In pursuance of this commitment, the University has adopted a set of guidelines for energy conservation which apply to classrooms as well as hostels.  For details, please visit:

http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/cpso/documents/energy_policy.pdf

3.

All members of the University should conserve energy by taking the following actions:

 

 

Do’s and Don’ts for Students

 

(i)

Do adopt energy saving practices and cooperate with the Energy Wardens of your department / unit to carry out the energy saving measures advocated by the University.

 

(ii)

Do set air conditioning temperature control between 25.5°C±2°C for classrooms, hostel rooms and activity rooms, and 27°C± 2°C for communal areas, e.g. corridor, in summer months.

 

(iii)

Do turn off air conditioning after class or normal office hours.

 

(iv)

Do open windows for free air cooling and use fans to improve ventilation, and switch off air conditioning when outdoor ambient temperature is below 20 °C.

 

(v)

Do book classrooms, lecture theatres, function rooms, etc., according to the number of participants.

 

(vi)

Do confine your booking of classroom/lecture theatre on Sundays and public holidays to Yasumoto International Academic Park as far as possible in order to reduce energy wastage arising from unnecessary or inefficient operation of central air conditioning system in other buildings.

 

(vii)

Do enable the automatic switch-off programme on personal computers or notebooks to turn off the monitors automatically after 5 minutes or less of inactivity and the computers or notebooks automatically after 15 minutes or less of inactivity.

 

(viii)

Do turn off unused equipment, especially before weekends and holidays.

 

(ix)

Do dress appropriately for the season to minimize the need for cooling or heating.

 

(x)

Do adopt natural lighting where possible.

 

(xi)

Do adjust the lighting level according to the level promulgated in the Energy Conservation Guidelines.

 

(xii)

Do purchase energy efficient products, e.g. appliances with Energy Label Class 1 and/or other approved codes, whenever possible.

 

(xiii)

Do use the stairs to walk up one floor or walk down two floors instead of using the lifts.

 

(xiv)

Do walk to cover short distances instead of taking school bus.

 

(xv)

Don’t use air conditioning and portable heater at the same time.

 

(xvi)

Don’t forget to close doors and windows when air conditioner or dehumidifier is on.

 

(xvii)

Don’t forget to cancel booking for rooms that are not to be used.

 

 

 

Environmental Policy

 

The University seeks continually to improve the environmental quality of the campus to provide a pleasing environment for teaching, learning and scholastic activities.

 

The University is committed to ensuring that all activities run by the University are conducted in an environmentally responsible manner and has adopted the following guidelines in pursuance of this commitment:

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We endeavour to build a clean and green sustainable campus congenial to the fulfillment of the missions of the University.

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We seek to comply with all applicable environmental legislation, standards and regulations.

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We avoid, reduce or control environmental pollution arising from our activities and require our contractors to adopt and implement similar environmental measures.

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We seek continual improvement in the efficient use of energy and other natural resources.

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We raise environmental awareness among staff and students and set the University as a model in environmental education and eco-management.

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We ensure good management practices by reviewing them regularly and ensure that they are tuned to the changing internal and external circumstances.

 

 

 

Tree Preservation Policy

 

The University endeavours to care for and protect trees and preserve a green environment on the CUHK campus. For further information, please visit: http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/cpso/go!/resources/tree_preservation_on_campus.pdf

 

 

 

Green Purchasing Policy

 

The University is committed to purchasing green products that have a reduced negative effect on the environment and/or human health when compared to similar conventional products while maintaining the principles of value for money as well as open and fair competition. Similarly, hired consultants and contractors are required to specify/adopt the same green purchasing requirements in their design and installation works. For details, please visit:

http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/cpso/go!/resources/green_purchasing_policy.pdf

 

Waste Management Policy

 

The University recognizes the environmental impact of the products and services we use, in particular our ecological footprint and the waste impact on our local and global environment.

 

As a socially responsible educational institution committed to sustainable development, we strive to reduce these impacts by adopting sound and pragmatic procurement and waste management practices, as well as engaging our stakeholders by raising awareness, promoting sustainable behaviour and embracing the ‘Polluter Pays’ principle, wherever appropriate.

 

The University’s Waste Management Policy is based on a ‘waste management hierarchy’ which emphasizes a ‘6Rs’ principle – Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair and Recycle/Recover. We accord top priority to waste reduction at source and encourage cyclical use of resources with disposal as the last resort. The ‘6Rs’ principle, elaborated in the Waste Management Guidelines, is adopted with reference to the developments in waste management which are relevant to a university setting.

 

We are committed to putting in place effective waste management that exceeds the legislative and regulatory requirements. We emphasize implementing procedures to prevent immediate and future pollution or harm to health, and continually improving our performance.

 

Waste Management Guidelines

 

The University has adopted a set of guidelines for waste management. The key principles are highlighted below:

 

Rethink

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Think twice before buying.

Refuse

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Avoid making unnecessary purchases.

Reduce

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Purchase items that can be effectively reused/recycled/repaired.

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Go for items with minimal packaging.

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Avoid food waste when dining or organizing events by not ordering excessive food.

Reuse

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Give unwanted items to parties who can make use of them.

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Use reusable cups, dishware and tableware at meetings and events.

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Support the University’s ‘Bring Your Own’ campaign.

Repair

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Attempt to repair items before replacing them, whenever possible.

Recycle/Recover

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Separate usable resources from wastes at source, whenever possible.

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Support on-site composting at university canteens/restaurants by separating food waste properly.

 

 

For details, please visit: http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/cpso/documents/waste_management_policy.pdf

 

Guidelines for Sustainable Event Planning and Management

 

The University is committed to sustainable development and recognizes that events could have a substantial impact on the environment.  As many events are hosted by the University on or off the campus, a set of ‘Guidelines for Sustainable Event Planning and Management’ is provided for event planners’ reference to help departments/offices/units and student bodies incorporate environmental considerations into event planning. The guidelines were approved by the Committee on Campus Sustainability (CCS) in February 2013.

 

The key principles or action items of the Guidelines are highlighted below for event planners’ special attention:

·         Adopt measures to reduce waste at source :

§  Go electronic and reduce paper consumption whenever possible and appropriate

§  Do away with single-serving bottled water and corsages

§  Choose products with minimal packaging

§  Avoid food waste; ask for less rice; avoid buffets; order food in an amount as appropriate to the number of participants; order a 6-course menu (instead of an 8-course one) in Chinese banquets

§  Promote ‘Bring Your Own’ and minimize the use of disposables like dishware and utensils

§  Avoid foam/polystyrene containers

§  Minimize the giving away of or do away with souvenirs

·         Facilitate waste separation and arrange in advance collection of recyclables

·         Energy Conservation – do our best to save energy:

§  Keep air-con temperature at 25.5oC + 2oC in summer months

§  Turn off lights, air-con and equipment after use

·         Sustainability-conscious food consumption: observe the relevant requirements under Section 4 (Mandatory ‘Green Actions’) of the University’s Green Purchasing Guidelines:

http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/cpso/go!/resources/green_purchasing_guidelines.pdf

·         Engage services of social enterprises that employ the disadvantaged or minorities; purchase fair trade/green products

 

Please refer to the full text of the guidelines at the following location:

http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/cpso/documents/sustainable_event_tips.pdf

 

Sustainability-Conscious Food Consumption

 

The University has since July 2013 implemented the ‘No Shark’s Fin’ Policy and later extended the ban to the consumption of other endangered species and food captured or harvested in ecologically unfriendly/unsustainable ways.  Such policy and ban apply to all activities that are either organized or paid for by the University, and for all University purchases, as well as meals served in club houses, canteens or restaurants operated by the University and the Colleges.  

 

Please refer to the relevant requirements under Section 4 (Mandatory ‘Green Actions’) of the University’s Green Purchasing Guidelines for details: http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/cpso/go!/resources/green_purchasing_guidelines.pdf

 

The policy document for the implementation of ‘No Shark’s Fin’ Policy is provided in the following weblink:

http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/cpso/documents/no_sharks_fin_policy.pdf

 

As a socially responsible institution of higher education, the University endeavours to set an example in adopting sustainability practices including sustainability-conscious food consumption to protect the environment and preserve the ecosystem as well as biodiversity.  While it is not possible to list out all food items of concern exhaustively, all members and caterers of the University are reminded to observe the sustainability-conscious food menu adopted by the Hong Kong Government and Sustainable Seafood Guide published by the World Wildlife Fund (http://awsassets.wwfhk.panda.org/downloads/wwfhk_seafood_guide.pdf ).

 

Smoke-free Campus

 

All indoor and outdoor areas of the University are required by law to ban smoking with effect from 1 January, 2007. The occupied residential units within the following staff quarters(2) are exempt areas as defined by law and permission to smoke in these premises has to be obtained from the University appointees assigned to reside in the respective residential unit:

(i)

University Residence Nos. 3-4 and 10-17;

(ii)

Vice-Chancellor’s Lodge;

(iii)

Staff Quarters A-E, G and S, Chung Chi College;

(iv)

Friendship Lodge, New Asia College;

(v)

United College Staff Residence, United College; and

(vi)

Ya Qun Lodge, Shaw College.

 

 

 

 

Notes:

1.

The most widely accepted definition of sustainable development is: development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.  See United Nations, Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development, General Assembly Resolution 42/187, 11 December 1987.

 

2.

Staff quarters will be considered as “Type 1 Private Quarters” for exemption if the whole block of the building in which the staff accommodation is situated only consists of such staff accommodation. For staff quarters also used by students or visitors, the whole block of the building will not be exempted. No exemption is granted for guesthouses, student hostels and the warden’s flats situated in the student hostels.