Environment Management Plan (EMP) Engagement

Thanks to the feedback, thoughts and idea-sharing of hundreds of staff and students, the Environmental & Sustainability Initiatives Team is better equipped to both meet and prioritise the goals of the EMP. The EMP will determine the strategic direction of environmental initiatives over the next three years at UOW. The Draft EMP was launched by the Vice-Chancellor on World Environment Day, 2 June Celebrations and the EMP was approved by Council 3rd December 2010.

	SURVEY CLOSED Thank you to the 546 respondents. Survey details and prizes>>	May 10-24
	FOCUS GROUPS CLOSED Thank you to the 77 participants who attended one of 9 great focus groups.	May 12-27
	BRIEFING SESSIONS Thank you to the 118 participants who attended World Environment Day or 1 of 3 of our briefing sessions.	June 2-14
Other	Thank you also to the... -609 people who passed on their comments on the ground to our King & Queen of Green. -20 people who called us or sent a direct e-mail regarding the EMP and their feedback to us.	May 10-June 14

Origin and Approvals Pathway

January 2009 - Environmental & Sustainability Initiatives Unit established.
June 2009 - The Environmental Advisory Committee begins. Later in 2009 ESI & EAC look at an outline for the plan and manage consultation.
May - June 2010 - UOW Staff and Students Consultation.
June 16 2010 - Environmental Advisory Committee Approves EMP.

Next Steps

August 18 2010 - Academic Senate Standing - EMP submitted for Agenda.
September 8 2010 Academic Senate - EMP submitted for Agenda.
October 15 2010 - UOW Council - EMP submitted for Agenda.
December 3 2010- UOW Council Approves EMP

Resources & Reports from the Feedback

EMP Feedback - An overview of your top 3 commentaries over 7 categories (ppt)

The Briefing Session PowerPoint briefly outlines the top 3 areas of concern/comment that were made during the consultation process. Prior to the release of the consultation process ESI and the Environmental Advisory Committee worked on expanding the current themes of water, energy, biodiversity and waste and recycling. The new functions were well supported by your comments – for example in the focus groups many of you commented that ‘waste and recycling’ was too narrow and we need to start looking at the whole loop from procurement to disposal of all types of goods that we purchases. This is reflected in the new function ‘Materials Management’. The top 3 were each chosen after all survey, focus group, and on the ground commentary were compiled. Every comment made was categorised (seriously!) and the most popular were extrapolated. For each category we also looked at what particular issues were most important. For example comments about Energy were popular in the survey, but more specifically you talked about reduction, renewable, alternatives and carbon management.

Transport
Many of you commented in the final briefing sessions that Transport was the most obvious omission. We understand that many of you expected specific items on Transport in our plan other than what is implicit in the Energy Management function. In our discussions with EAC, it was agreed that all commentary was to be forwarded for consideration to the existing UOW Transport Management Plan. It was decided that it was best to incorporate the main comments for sustainable transport into the existing plan - as opposed to having the comments sit outside of the plan. Ultimately this is a positive outcome. ESI as they do now, will continue to work very closely with Tom Hunt who manages the Transport project to achieve positive environmental outcomes. Currently the ESI Team and Tom meet weekly and have a track record in coordinating transport oriented environmental outcomes. We know Tom will welcome the comments you have shared.

For further details on the plan, stages of engagement or for any queries please email environment_team@uow.edu.au.

Last reviewed: 13 January, 2011