1 camprosa 2012 suncity house in order, legal compliance as a prerequisite to greening campuses...

1CAMPROSA 2012 SunCity

House in Order, Legal Compliance as a Prerequisite to Greening

Campuses

CAMPROSA Sun City , 10 September, 2012

Johan G Nel

Centre for Environmental Management &

Faculty of Law

North-West UniversityPotchefstroom Campus

Private Bag X6001POTCHEFSTROOM

2520

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Contents and Introduction

Introduction Making universities more sustainable

Lessons learned Getting started - First things first

What are the issues Compliance management

Then onto the low hanging fruits Some low hanging fruits – smaller footprints

Where to from here? Conclusion


What is Meant by Sustainability?

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Existing Models

All life and economic activities depend on The natural

resource base with ecosystem services

Quality of life Vibrant

economies, and Good

government

Good Government

Vibrant Economies

The Social System

Natural Resource Base

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What is Sustainability?

Moving towards a more sustainable state means that all four elements of sustainability need to be addressed

Sustainability is Not an arrival point It remains a journey of improvement of

Environmental performance Social investment Sound finances and Good governance

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Sustainability Links with the Green Environment

Sustainability elements Reduce resource use intensity

Improved efficiencies

Reduce harm to the environment Prevent pollution Prevent degradation

Protect the earth systems vitality, diversity and functionality Biodiversity Ecosystem services

Prevent and reduce waste


Making Universities More Sustainable

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Making Universities More Sustainable

Like any other organisation universities are also challenged to embark on trajectories that are more sustainable

The key question is: What may the most appropriate

trajectory be from which to launch and negotiate this movement towards a more sustainable future?

Use a modified generic, rostrum transition model

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TRANSITION TOWARDS A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Waste / costs / non-compliance - Conflict with NGOs - Civil Society

Compliance – Secrecy reactive/protectionist policies

Pollution prevention – cleaner production - public information strategies

Management systems - eco-efficiency - effectiveness Social Corporate Investment Projects

Management system integration - SCR

Product & service stewardship - Partnership experiments

More sustainable products/ services and communities

Unprepared Aware/reactive Pro-active MainstreamingMature highly

integrative

Optimised & Mainstream Sustainability profile

Compliance – preactive - labour reforms/staff equity

Triple bottom line experiments - GRI

?

INCREASED

VALUE

Legal Compliance Impact ManagementTowards Sustainable Production,

Consumption & Communities

1960 1996 2000+

Resilient Partnerships - Responsive Livelihoods

Mainstream academic - Research & Community

Service Programmes

Low hanging fruits and beyond – Win-win

solutions

House in order – Retrospect - Prospect


Lessons Learned

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Lessons Learned

Our competitors have started a long time ago

We need to progress through these phases

No leap frogging but fast tracking is possible


Getting Started – First Things First: Ensuring Legal

Compliance

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integrative




?

INCREASED

VALUE



1960 1996 2000+



Service Programmes


solutions



What are the Issues?

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Key Environmental Legal Requirements that may Apply to Most Universities

Estate Management Application of herbicides and

pesticides Appoint a registered PCO Ensure use of registered products Manage risk exposures to staff and other

passive targets Manage waste of lapsed product,

containers and contaminated washing water

Storeroom management and labeling

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Estate Management Water use authorisations

S21 Water uses General authorisations (GAs) Existing lawful uses

Waste water management Specifications for municipal sewers Potential lagoons – agricultural and rural

properties French drains and soak aways

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Estate Management Erosion control Fencing – game Veld carrying capacities

Veld fire management

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Water sources Beds and banks Wetlands Boreholes

Heritage Resources

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Biodiversity Management Alien invasive management Genetically modified organisms

(GMOs) Bioprospecting authorisations Threatened or protected species

(TOPs) Game and wildlife on campusses

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Waste Management Hazardous waste Waste management hierarchy

Avoid Minimise/reduce Reuse Recycle and recover Energy Recovery Responsible disposal

Incinerators Waste disposal sites Waste storage areas

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Hazardous Substances - Chemicals Life cycle management

Transport – inbound Off loading Storage Labeling and information SDSs Decanting Decentralised storage Internal transport Use Disposal Container management

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Hazardous Substances - Other Radio-active sources Other controlled devices (Group 3)

X-ray units Electronic accelerators Neutron generators Electron microscopes Laser equipment, etc.

PCBs - transformers Ozone depleting substances Asbestos Bulk hydrocarbons Other bulk chemical

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Campus planning, development, upgrades and maintenance EIAs and authorisations Green building requirements Municipal requirements

Waste management Effluent control Flammable stores

Contractor control Waste management Social justice and access


Compliance Management

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Compliance Management

Establish the state of compliance Legal compliance audit

Becoming compliant Environmental management plan

Remaining compliant Monitoring and measurement Trending Non-conformity management Inspections Reporting


Then on to Picking the Low Hanging Fruit – Early Win-Win

Opportunities

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integrative




?

INCREASED

VALUE



1960 1996 2000+



Service Programmes


solutions



Some Low Hanging Fruits – Smaller Footprints

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Reduce Footprints

Improved energy efficiency Reduce the carbon footprint Improved water consumption Drive the solid waste hierarchy Enhance biodiversity and ecological

integrity Manage all sources of potential

pollution

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Improve Energy Efficiency

Calculate the base line carbon footprint for all energy uses

Energy efficient buildings and infrastructure Design new ones i.t.o. the new building

regulations Audit existing energy use Generate an energy plan to improve

efficiency, implement and track progress

Various strategies

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Improved Water Consumption

Audit water uses and identify water use saving possibilities

Generate a water management plan and implement and track progress

Opportunities Gardens Residences Buildings Cleansing, etc.

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Drive Solid Waste Management Hierarchy

Ensure hazardous waste is managed in terms of legal requirements

Audit service providers Manage waste transfer stations Drive the waste hierarchy

Avoid Minimise/reduce Reuse Recycle and recover Energy Recovery Responsible disposal

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Enhance Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

Eradicate or manage aliens and invasive species

Protect special features Wetlands Biodiverse areas Sensitive habitats Surface water features Plant indigenous and drought resistant

species Control use of herbicides and

pesticides

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Manage All Potential Sources of Harm

Hazardous chemical substances Storage Effluent

Dangerous goods

Biological agents

Storm water


Where to From Here?

From Small Victories to Large Scale Transformation

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integrative




?

INCREASED

VALUE



1960 1996 2000+



Service Programmes


solutions


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integrative




?

INCREASED

VALUE



1960 1996 2000+



Service Programmes


solutions



Conclusion

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Conclusion

Universities have an important role to play as a leader in any transition towards a more sustainable future

Key Phases in this transformation House in order – Retrospect – Prospect Low hanging fruits and beyond – Win-win

solutions Mainstream academic - Research &

Community Service Programmes Resilient Partnerships - Responsive

Livelihoods

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Conclusion

But the first priority is

To get house order first!


Thank You!

1 camprosa 2012 suncity house in order, legal compliance as a prerequisite to greening campuses...

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