• Section 1 - Introduction
• Section 2 - Purpose
• Section 3 - Scope and Audience
• Section 4 - Definitions
• Section 5 - Principles
• Governance
• Risk management and planning
• Energy and Carbon
• Water
• Waste and Recycling
• Biodiversity and Landscaping
• Engagement, Education and Research
• Investments and Procurement

Section 1 - Introduction

(1) The University of Newcastle (the University) is committed to responsible management of environmental, social, cultural and financial resources so that current needs are met without reducing the capacity of future generations to meet their own.

Section 2 - Purpose

(2) This policy:

1. establishes principles for a University-wide approach to sustainable practices;
2. provides for continual improvement in environmental sustainability and effective management of environmental and climate risks;
3. provides for the management of compliance with applicable legislation;
4. establishes a framework for setting environmental sustainability objectives, targets and action plans; and
5. promotes environmentally sustainable investment practices.

(3) These responsibilities apply across the University's activities in Australia, including but not limited to:

1. ethical decision making in accordance with the Ethical Framework;
2. teaching and learning;
3. research;
4. governance;
5. the management of University campus and facilities; and
6. community engagement.

Section 3 - Scope and Audience

(4) This Policy applies to:

1. the University and its controlled entities operating within Australia;
2. all Colleges, divisions and operations within those entities, including but not limited to Research Centres and Institutes;
3. operational decision making by the University or its controlled entities that may impact the University’s sustainability, including but not limited to strategic planning, investment, procurement and infrastructure decisions;
4. University staff, students, contractors, vendors and suppliers; and
5. employees of controlled entities.

(5) This Policy does not apply to the University's offshore controlled entities.

Section 4 - Definitions

(6) In the context of this document the following definitions apply:

1. “sustainability” refers to the responsible management of environmental, social, cultural and financial resources so that the University's current needs are met without reducing the capacity of future generations to meet their own;
2. “Material Sustainability Impacts, Risks and Opportunities” refers to sustainability matters that may materially affect the University's reputation, continuity, legal compliance, or financial performance.

Section 5 - Principles

(7) The University will ensure the following principles are embedded across the University:

1. a visible commitment to environmental sustainability by University staff and leadership;
2. active promotion and delivery of environmental sustainability activities and learning opportunities for staff and students of the University and its controlled entities;
3. develop and implement an environmental sustainability plan that aligns with the objectives of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals 2015;
4. inclusive engagement of impacted stakeholders in the assessment of material sustainability impacts, risks and opportunities and the development of sustainability and climate targets;
5. transparent disclosure of the process and methodology used for sustainability and climate target development within the University's annual reporting;
6. allocation of the resources required to enable the achievement of Council-endorsed environmental sustainability commitments and targets;
7. monitoring and review of sustainability performance against commitments and targets by the Environmental Sustainability Committee;
8. continuous improvement in operational management and publicly reported environmental sustainability key performance indicators (KPIs);
9. transparent reporting on the University's performance against its environmental sustainability commitments and targets on an annual basis to University Council, Executive Leadership Team, and within the University's annual report.

(8) The areas in which the University will focus sustainability efforts include, but are not limited to:

Governance

(9) Appropriate and effective governance of the University's sustainability commitments, risks and opportunities will be achieved through:

1. Council retains overall responsibility for material sustainability impacts, risks and opportunities, and the University's future preparedness;
2. the Finance & Infrastructure Committee monitoring the disclosure of financially material sustainability impacts, risks and opportunities within the University's financial statements;
3. assurance of appropriate management and mitigation of material sustainability risks by the Risk Committee;
4. the Chief Operating Officer (COO) is responsible for implementing this Policy and incorporating material sustainability considerations into enterprise risk management, financial planning, capital allocation and investment decisions. The COO will ensure that relevant and decision useful information on sustainability-related risks, opportunities and performance is reported to the Finance & Infrastructure Committee, Risk Committee and Council, as appropriate to their governance roles and Committee Charters;
5. the Environmental Sustainability Committee overseeing the implementation of this Policy, setting environmental sustainability and climate targets and commitments, supporting appropriate stakeholder engagement and completing annual reporting of progress against public sustainability targets and commitments.

Risk management and planning

(10) The University will:

1. identify and assess potentially material sustainability impacts, risks and opportunities relevant to its activities, stakeholders, and financial position;
2. ensure that risks are assessed and entered into the appropriate Risk Register, in accordance with the Risk Management Framework, and are then subject to review;
3. integrate material sustainability considerations into enterprise risk management and operational management processes, with clear accountability and oversight;
4. incorporate material sustainability considerations into financial planning, capital allocation and investment decisions, proportionate to exposure and maturity; and
5. report on material sustainability impacts, risks and opportunities in accordance with applicable legislation, government policy, and regulatory requirements.

Energy and Carbon

(11) The University will continue to reduce its absolute emissions in line with its commitment to decarbonisation.

(12) The University, including its controlled entities, where applicable, will:

1. report greenhouse gas emissions under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Scheme;
2. evaluate strategic opportunities for on-site renewable energy installation and battery energy storage;
3. assess the factors that influence staff behaviours and decision-making related to travel, to inform evidence based emissions reduction initiatives and behaviour change strategies; and
4. engage with suppliers and work with them on strategies for emissions reduction and improved emissions reporting.

(13) In implementing the University's Investment Policy the University will evaluate opportunities for portfolio investments aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and use divestment, where possible, as a means of further decarbonising the University's investment portfolio.

(14) In implementing the Procurement Policy the University will assess the sustainability practices of potential suppliers and where appropriate may give preference to those suppliers who can demonstrate alignment with the University's sustainability goals.

(15) In developing the University's built environment, the University will implement design approaches that include sustainability principles and practices. This includes but is not limited to building refurbishment and retrofit, new builds and public realm works.

Water

(16) The University and its onshore controlled entities will:

1. aim to reduce mains water usage in existing facilities, minimise water-intensive land management and vegetation landscaping choices, and implement feasible measures to re-use water;
2. comply with the guidelines and standards for water management, as required by local, state and federal governments, and seek to protect the waterways, wetlands, and coastal areas upon which the University operates;
3. prevent the pollution of water systems and aquatic ecosystems; and
4. incorporate measures to minimise water consumption and increase efficiency and reuse in new buildings and site developments, where feasible.

Waste and Recycling

(17) The University and its onshore controlled entities will:

1. establish and implement a circular-economy action plan to increase the diversion of the University's general solid waste from landfill, including recyclable, food and organic waste;
2. educate employees, staff, students, contractors and community on waste and recycling through a variety of mechanisms and resources;
3. minimise the use of plastic and single use items;
4. establish preferred suppliers, in accordance with the Procurement Policy, who are aligned with the University's sustainability goals; and
5. dispose of hazardous waste in accordance with applicable regulations and statutes.

Biodiversity and Landscaping

(18) The University will:

1. integrate First Nations knowledge into the management of the University's bushland campuses;
2. proactively reduce the risk of bushfires;
3. protect and conserve the biodiversity of the native flora and fauna on campuses; and
4. protect and conserve the wetlands and aquatic ecosystems upon which the University and its controlled entities operates.

Engagement, Education and Research

(19) The University will:

1. seek to maximise opportunities for students to develop knowledge, build capability in and actively participate in environmental and First Nations sustainability practices as part of their campus experience;
2. establish and lead partnerships with local, regional and global stakeholders to deliver environmental sustainability research innovation projects;
3. engage with the wider University community to address sustainability challenges through the University's teaching, learning and research activities;
4. support University Colleges, Schools, Research Centres and Institutes to engage with our communities and partners to improve knowledge and practice in sustainability; and
5. increase staff and student awareness of University environmental sustainability initiatives to achieve strong stakeholder awareness, engagement, and behaviour change.

Investments and Procurement

(20) The University and its onshore controlled entities will ensure investment and procurement activities support the delivery of environmental sustainability objectives and broader institutional values by:

1. integrating environmental sustainability considerations, including climate-related risks and opportunities, into investment decision-making processes, consistent with the University's risk appetite, data maturity and statutory obligations;
2. aligning investment practices, where practicable, with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and support the transition to a low-carbon, environmentally responsible economy;
3. actively considering environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors when managing investments, including through engagement, portfolio construction and, where appropriate, divestment strategies;
4. implementing procurement practices that minimise environmental impact across the lifecycle of goods and services, including consideration of energy use, water use, waste generation, emissions and biodiversity impacts;
5. assessing the practices of suppliers and contractors and give preference, where appropriate, to those who demonstrate alignment with the University's sustainability objectives and ethical standards;
6. embedding sustainability criteria into significant procurement, contracting and tendering processes, proportionate to risk, value and market capability; and
7. collaborating with suppliers and industry partners to encourage innovation and continuous improvement across sustainability performance over time.