Unitec to launch Environmental Sustainability Strategy

Unitec to launch Environmental Sustainability Strategy and $100,000
Fund

Unitec will launch its new Environmental Sustainability Strategy and a
$100,000 Sustainability Fund for staff and students at the Te Noho
Kotahitanga Marae on Thursday 2nd June.

With over 23,000 students and 1150 staff across campuses in Mt Albert,
Henderson, Takapuna and Newmarket, the strategy will be key in
transforming Unitec into an agent for positive environmental change.

The strategy comprises of four key areas, each with its own action
group and plan. The focus is around how Unitec can improve its
environmental impact in the areas of teaching, research, advocacy and
campus operations.

Unitec*s CEO, Dr Rick Ede says *Our vision is that every Unitec student
will leave with the tools and strategies they need to apply
sustainability in real-world situations. Because of our focus on
vocational and applied professional education and practically orientated
research, we have an enormous opportunity to have a positive impact on
the environment through real action.*

One of the first actions will be to distribute funds for student and
staff environmental projects. A pool of $100,000 has been allocated and
the recipients will be announced at the launch. *We*ve had a range of
interest in the fund from people who are looking at solar electric cars
to others who are focusing on environmental sustainable childcare, earth
based art installation, campus waste diversion, sustainable IT and
more*, says Dr Ede.

The implementation of an Energy Management System has also been
confirmed to provide Unitec greater control in effectively managing the
lighting, air conditioning, ventilation, computer and electricity usage
across all four of its Auckland campuses. This will be run from a
central location and connected to the institute*s timetabling system to
identify when rooms and buildings are in use.

*We will be using smart metering to access real-time information to
help us improve the way we manage our energy,* says Dr Ede.

The strategy will also introduce an online *Eco Portal* that will
incorporate information about the strategy and feature an 'Environmental
Ideas Bank', where staff, students and community members can contribute
ideas to help Unitec reduce its environmental footprint.

*This will be an interactive component of the Eco Portal, where
visitors to the site can vote on and rate the ideas that have been put
forward, see when they have been picked up and if they have been
implemented - when they are complete. It is about engaging with our
stakeholders and getting them excited about contributing to Unitec*s
sustainability mission,* says Dr Ede.

Ends.

© Scoop Media