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ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

1. Policy Context/Background
Environmental and sustainability issues have been recognised as being of vital importance across
the world. This is reflected in regulations, guidelines and requirements issued by governments,
public and commercial organisations and funding bodies such as HEFCW. It is also increasingly
demanded by current and potential students. The Institute has long recognised the need to comply
with environmental requirements and has summarised its actions and ambitions in the
Environmental Policy. The policy is in line with the Toyne Report as well as legislative and
regulatory requirements.

G. Purpose
The policy sets out a number of areas where action, including continuing monitoring of the
Institute¶s environmental impact is required. Many of these areas are covered by existing policies
and practices.

3. Responsibilities
Particular responsibilities are placed on the Estates, Commercial Services, and Finance
departments. Responsibilities are also placed on academic staff developing new programmes.

4. Definitions
There are no specialised terms used in this policy.

5. Scope
The policy applies to all operations of the University and requires action by all staff and students.

6. Relationship with Other Existing or Planned Policies

This policy draws on the draft Estates Strategy for a number of issues including waste
Management; energy; water; construction and refurbishment; and emissions and discharges. It
also draws on the Institute¶s purchasing policy.

7. Additional Guidance
Further guidance is available from Derek Jones (School of Science & Technology: ext 3098).

8. Publication
This policy will appear on the public pages of the Glyndŵr University website and will be available
in hard copy on request from the Institute.

9. Racial and Equity Impact

No assessment for the racial and equity impact has as yet been made.

10. Environmental Policy

Glyndŵr University is the leading provider of higher education in North East Wales with
approximately 8,000 students. It is acutely aware of its close links with the community and is
committed to making a significant impact on the social and economic development of the region.
As such it places a high priority on meeting its environmental responsibilities. Glyndŵr University
will establish an Environmental Management System which will enable it to minimise its
Environmental Impact and operate as closely as possible to the principles of "Sustainability.´
Glyndŵr University¶s Environmental Impact will be monitored and objectives and targets for
improvement established. Glyndŵr University's Environmental Performance, and this policy, will
be subject to annual review by the Sustainability Forum in order to ensure continual improvement
of performance and compliance with all legislative and regulatory requirements. This policy and
the resulting Environmental objectives, targets and reviews will be made open to all through
Glyndŵr University and public libraries, the Internet, School Offices and dedicated notice boards at
Glyndŵr University.
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Glyndŵr University will inculcate environmental awareness in all of its staff and students through
ongoing awareness campaigns together with the monitoring of all taught programmes to see where
sustainability and global citizenship could be further incorporated.

Glyndŵr University will minimise its use of energy by improving energy conservation measures,
training staff and students in the better use of energy and by the phased introduction of more
efficient boilers and energy management systems and equipment.

Glyndŵr University will maintain its existing buildings and estates in good condition and will add
further buildings and estate facilities without detriment to the Environment and the amenity of the
locality. All new buildings projects will be subjected to a BREEAM assessment and an "excellent"
rating will be set as a target for such an assessment.

Glyndŵr University will minimise its use of resources such as paper by encouraging more efficient
use of materials and the reusing or recycling of materials where possible.

Glyndŵr University will encourage the use of public transport, bicycles and lift-sharing for staff and
students and the use of video and telephone conferencing where appropriate and will minimise the
environmental impact of its own transport fleet by purchasing vehicles of appropriate engine
capacities using low-emission fuel.

Glyndŵr University will ensure that it minimises the generation of waste by addressing the use, re-
use and recycling of materials in-house, disposes of its general wastes externally with regard to the
best recycling practices and disposes of chemical/biological wastes in accordance with prevailing
legal regulations.

Glyndŵr University will minimise its use of water by ensuring that all systems operate efficiently
using recycled water where possible and by educating staff and students in the better use of water.

Glyndŵr University will ensure that outputs to its drainage systems comply with anti-pollution
regulations and do not pose an environmental hazard in the event of the accidental spillage of any
potentially polluting materials on-site.

Glyndŵr University will maximise the biodiversity of the campus by judicious planting of native
species and provision of nest boxes and refuges for birds and insects.

Glyndŵr University will review its purchase policy to ensure that the materials it purchases have
minimal environmental impact and that its suppliers are addressing their own environmental
impact.

Eur Ing Helen James

Chair, Sustainability Forum

Sept 2010c