Environmental/sustainability policy statement

Birkbeck, along with the other Bloomsbury Colleges, is committed to the responsible use of energy, water and other resources with the aim of minimising any negative impacts on the environment whilst maintaining operational goals and an acceptable working/living environment for staff and students.

The colleges are committed to continuous improvement in environmental performance, achieving best practice benchmark standards for higher education establishments wherever practicable. The colleges are committed to meeting, and where possible exceeding, all relevant environmental legislative and other requirements.

To this end the colleges will provide senior level commitment, an appropriate management structure and cost-effective resources to achieve these standards which will contribute to environmental improvement and long term sustainability, including:

• implementing a formal environmental management system and controls*
• reducing the use of natural resources and the emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2)
• promoting environmentally responsible procurement of goods and services
• minimising waste production and reducing the environmental consequences of waste through re-use and re-cycling
• avoiding or limiting wherever practical the use of environmentally damaging substances, materials and processes
• preventing pollution where possible and reducing pollution through the responsible management of toxic, chemical and hazardous waste;
• minimising any adverse environmental impact of new development
• recognising the benefit of green spaces and working to enhance the ecological value of the estate
• communicating within the Bloomsbury Colleges and to the outside community on environmental performance and best practice

This policy is supported by specific policies,  targets and plans for improvement within the individual Bloomsbury Colleges.

This policy will be made available to staff, students, and the community and will be part of a broader campaign to promote awareness and understanding of environmental issues.

This policy will be reviewed annually. The Environmental Manager is responsible for ensuring compliance with this policy, supported by the Environmental Management System Implementation Project Board.

This Environmental Policy will be supported by and implemented through the detailed sub-policies and the Bloomsbury Colleges Shared Environmental Targets.

The colleges are committed to incorporating sustainability into the curriculum where possible. If any academic department would like help on how to incorporate sustainability within their subject - either as a specific lecture or overall - please contact greenthing@bloomsbury.ac.uk.

*The Bloomsbury Colleges are working towards certification to the international Environmental Management System standard ISO14001 using the BS8555 phased approach.