Environmental Policy

JCU respects our relationship with the natural environment and its life-sustaining ecosystems and recognises the need to maintain and restore a rich biodiversity. The University acknowledges the adverse impacts that human activity can impose and takes actions to prevent degradation of our natural systems, while supporting the repair and recovery of those systems.

The University commits to the following principles and practices:

1. Fostering the sustainable use of the Earth’s resources by “treading lightly”
2. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are global goals designed to be a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all” and set to be achieved by 2030.
3. Effective Energy Management that aims to minimize our environmental impact, reduce costs, and promote sustainability through optimized energy efficiency in all aspects of our operations, including buildings and equipment. Invest in energy-efficient technologies and implement best practices in energy management.
4. Effective Water Management that dedicated to implementing effective water management practices across our operations. This involves actively conserving water resources by reducing waste, utilizing water -saving technologies, equipment and encouraging water-conscious behaviours among our stakeholders.
5. Effective Waste Management that adheres to the principles of 3 Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. The University aim to minimize waste generation by implementing efficient practices and optimizing processes. We encourage responsible consumption habits among stakeholders, actively promoting the reuse of materials and products to extend their lifespan and reduce the need for new resources. We support recycling initiatives by providing the necessary infrastructure and resources for proper sorting and recycling of waste materials, thereby minimizing the amount sent to landfills or incineration.
6. Reducing our carbon footprint by actively seeking ways to offset and mitigate any remaining emissions. Through comprehensive carbon management practices, including emission reductions, carbon offsetting, and investments in sustainable initiatives, we strike to minimize our impact on the environment and contribute positively to global climate efforts.
7. Managing, monitoring and measuring environmental performance and establishing objectives and targets to minimise these impacts.
8. Communicating our environmental performance to Stakeholders through the WHS & Environment Meeting and Report. Reducing the consumption of resources associated with operations (e.g. energy, water, paper).
9. Considering environmental aspects in the procurement of products and services through vendor selection and endeavouring to ensure suppliers/contractors meet high standards of environmental performance.
10. Ensuring that all new capital works programs incorporate comprehensive environmental sustainability initiatives.
11. Committing to the principles of pollution prevention and continual improvement.
12. Recognising that all staff have a responsibility to assist the University to meet the commitments in this policy.
13. Empowering staff to minimise our environmental impacts through raising staff awareness and encouraging participation in environmental management practices (particularly through the Earth Hour and Environmental Week).
14. Working closely with our employees, contractors, suppliers, clients, students and the community to develop and implement environmental initiatives.
15. Providing leadership to the community and industry by demonstrating best practice methods of delivering sustainable initiatives.
16. Complying with ISO14001: 2015 Environmental Management System with all relevant and applicable environmental registration and regulation.
17. Relevant policies are documented, implemented and maintained. Communicating this policy to all employees, contractors and other stakeholders as well as making this policy available to the public. Policies are reviewed regularly to ensure that it remains relevant and appropriate to the University for continuous improvement.
18. Maintaining and enhancing biodiversity at our campuses and sites, particularly in natural areas.
19. The University acknowledges climate change as a critical issue and will integrate its impacts into our strategic planning and operational practices.
20. This policy will be available to all University stakeholders.