The University of Western Australia 12 October 201111 April 201117 March 2011
Finance and Resources
Facilities Management
Sustainable Development Plan for 2011-2014
Finance and Resources, Facilities Management
Version
Document History
0.1 / Authored by Helen Whitbread and Geraldine Tan
0.2 / Reviewed by Helen Whitbread and Gordon Walsh
0.3 / Reviewed by Scott Logan and Rob McCormack
0.4 / Revised to include operational projects and financial modelling
0.5 / Reviewed by Bob Farrelly and FPG (FM)
Operational Priorities Plan For 2009-2013 Contents
The University of Western Australia – Facilities Management
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Introduction 1
Context 1
Strategic Direction 1
Guiding Principles 1
Development of the Plan 1
Structure of the Plan 1
UWA Sustainable Development Plan 2011 - 2014 1
Energy...... 4
Water...... ….6
Recycling...... 9
Transport...... 13
Built Form...... 15
Landscape...... 18
Procurement...... 20
Communication and Engagement...... 23
Appendices
Appendix 1: Roadmap for Sustainable Development at UWA
Appendix 2: Sustainable Development Workshops Results
Appendix 3: Operational Initiatives
Appendix 4: Financial Modelling
Appendix 5: UWA Sustainable Development Summer Scholarships 2010/11
Appendix 6: Sustainable Development Plan Timeline and Capital Cost Summary
Appendix 7: Sources of Information
Sustainable Development Plan 2010 - 2013
The University of Western Australia – Facilities Management
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Sustainable Development Plan 2011 – 2014 (SD Plan) provides a strategic plan to guide the University’s sustainable development for the next 3 years. The SD Plan addresses a key Operation Objective within the OPP, which is to “make UWA an environmentally sustainable community”, while being mindful of the other aspects of sustainability, i.e., social and economic sustainability. The SD Plan approaches sustainable development in the areas of:
· Operational and technical aspects (principally in Facilities Management)
· Policies (to be administered by Faculties, Sections, Schools,.)
· Research (Faculties, Research Centres)
· Communication and community engagement (all areas)
The SD Plan is structured into 8 focus areas, namely, Energy, Water, Recycling, Transport, Built Form, Landscape, Procurement and Communication and Engagement. With the exception of Procurement and Communication and Engagement, the strategic and operational objectives within each focus area have been guided by consultative workshops conducted in 2010, and encompassing all sections of the University.
Within each focus area, the strategic objectives, operational objectives and implementation strategies are outlined. These inform the strategic direction of the SD Plan. The SD Plan also proposes some initiatives to help achieve the operational objectives. These initiatives are supported by preliminary feasibility studies and high-level financial modelling. These initiatives form the operational section of the SD Plan. The operational section of the SD Plan is provided within the Appendices and is subject to ongoing review to finalise costs. Once finalised, the operational initiatives will be considered within the annual budget review.
The key recommendations arising from the Plan are:
· To accept in principle the proposed targets pending further detailed feasibility studies and annual review, in order to demonstrate UWA’s commitment to sustainability and maintain its standing within the GO8 and international universities community
· To develop, ratify and implement sustainability policies within each of the key focus areas. This is to be done in consultation with key stakeholders and reviewed by a working party to ensure that they are in line with the University’s strategic direction
· To support the planning of a user pay system in the areas of Energy, Water and Built Form (space)
· To develop a ratings / measurement tool for Built Form and Landscape in order to develop baseline data and assess the performance of future initiatives in those areas
· To support further planning and business modelling of initiatives to assess their financial viability. If adopted, the funding for these projects will be subject to approval through the annual budget and planning review
· To develop sub-Plans for Transport (completed), Recycling and Communication and Engagement, in order to provide further details and costed recommendations in those focus areas.
· To support student scholarships in sustainable development research
Sustainable Development Plan 2010 - 2013
The University of Western Australia – Facilities Management
Introduction
This UWA Sustainable Development Plan 2011 – 2014 (SD Plan) outlines the University’s plans to progress the sustainable future that is clearly articulated in the University’s Operational Priorities Plan (OPP) 2009-2013. OPP strategies have been formulated with due consideration to the expected impacts on the University’s triple bottom line (social, environmental and economic). The OPP also includes a specific operational objective which aims at making the University environmentally sustainable with a focus on meeting the requirements of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act.
The SD Plan translates the University’s commitment to sustainable principles and practices into a set of clear plans and programs designed to advance the University’s vision of a more sustainable future. The SD Plan covers all facets of University life, from teaching and research activities, building and infrastructure, to community engagement and procurement, establishing optimal sustainable development for an expanded university.
Context
The SD Plan has been developed in the context of the University’s direction articulated in the OPP with specific focus on making UWA an environmentally sustainable community. An overview of the OPP, and how this plan aligns with the overall direction described in the OPP, together with the guiding principles underpinning the SD Plan and steps taken to develop this plan are provided below.
Strategic Direction
The SD Plan has been formulated in the context of the University’s mission to “advance, transmit and sustain knowledge and understanding through the conduct of teaching, research and scholarship at the highest international standards, for the benefit of the Western Australian, Australian and international communities” and its vision to “achieve international excellence”. The University has articulated its vision with the following defining characteristics:
· High quality, as the pervading criterion for all our activities
· Comprehensive, with a broad teaching and research profile in the arts, sciences, and professions
· Selective, within a comprehensive base, to develop particular areas of research strength and emphasis
· Research-intensive, with a strong teaching and research nexus across all our disciplines
· Internationally focussed, for both the content and standards of our activities
· Technologically innovative, to maximise our flexibility
· Responsive, to meet the needs of the community, our students and our graduates
It has been developed to advance the direction articulated in the OPP which includes the following over-arching Strategic Objectives:
· To improve the quality of the student learning experience;
· To improve the quality and impact, and productivity of research and research training;
· To improve the University’s positioning and reputation, and to develop strategic relationships and community engagement; and
· To develop our people and resources.
The SD Plan addresses a key Operational Objective, namely:
PR6: To make UWA an environmentally sustainable community
The SD Plan builds on the associated implementation strategies articulated in the OPP (listed below).
Implementation StrategiesPR6.1 Develop a University strategic framework for environmental sustainability
PR6.2 Operate within local, national and international environmental legislation and standards
PR6.3 Increase the understanding of sustainability amongst our staff, students and community
Guiding Principles
The development of this SD Plan has been guided by the following principles and associated pathways:
Critical Principles / PathwaysThe University as a role model / By leading through research and practice in sustainable development initiatives
Clarity of goals / By setting and communicating ambitious and realistic goals for all aspects of the University to maximise sustainable development potential
Building on the University’s research strengths / By achieving excellence in research that can proactively contribute to solving complex problems involved in creating a sustainable organisation and world
A precautionary approach to environmental sustainability / By ensuring the lack of full scientific understanding is not used to justify postponing measures designed to prevent likely irreversible environmental damage
Commitment across all levels of the organisation / By considering sustainable development issues in the University’s decision-making, planning and management processes
Inclusiveness and integration / By seeking engagement and participation from the University’s community in all aspects of sustainable development
Shared responsibility for outcomes / By promoting and encouraging sustainable development ethos to ensure every member of the University community is aware of their responsibilities
Benefits being shared by all / By fostering sustainable development values in our students and staff, through research, teaching, and operations
Development of the Plan
In 2009 the University of Western Australia introduced three key initiatives to significantly advance a commitment to ensuring sustainable development of the university into the future.
The first of these was the introduction of the Vice Chancellors Sustainable Development Committee (VCSDC) comprising a broad cross section of the university’s research, education and administrative community. Following the appointment of the VCSDC, a planning workshop was conducted to canvas key principles and goals to guide the development of a Sustainable Development Plan for The University of Western Australia resulting in a Roadmap for Sustainable Development at UWA, shown in Appendix 1.
The second key initiative was the formation of a new Environmental Sustainable Development (ESD) business unit within Facilities Management. The primary focus of the ESD Business unit is to work with representatives from across the University to develop the UWA Sustainable Development Plan, the third key initiative.
In 2010, a series of consultative workshops, encompassing a broad cross –section of the University community, were carried out in key focus areas of sustainability to inform the SD Plan. The results of these workshops are shown in Appendix 2. In 2011, the University will launch the Sustainable Development Plan 2011 – 2014 which will prioritise its sustainability initiatives for the next few years and help it meet its environmental goals.
Structure of the Plan
The SD Plan has been structured into 8 focus areas. These focus areas are Energy, Water, Recycling, Transport, Built Form, Landscape, Procurement and Communication and Engagement.
For each focus area, the whole of UWA baseline data has been provided where available. In most cases, the baseline year of 2008 was chosen, as the mandatory National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act (NGER) was introduced that year, giving rise to more stringent record keeping and reporting standards. Most G08 Universities have also adopted the 2008 baseline. A key performance indicator (KPI) (e.g., ‘tonnes of greenhouse gases emitted’ for Energy) was chosen as well as proposed reduction targets. The proposed targets strongly correlate with the Sustainable Development targets of other G08 Universities.
The strategic section of the SD Plan outlines the strategic objectives as well as operational objectives and associated implementation strategies. The operational section of the SD Plan provides a list of proposed initiatives or recommendations to help achieve the performance targets and is shown in Appendix 3.
Within Appendix 3, the estimated reduction in KPI and the financial details of the initiatives are provided. The estimates provided are highly indicative due to the difficulty in predicting actual system performance, staff and student responsiveness and the variability between sites and buildings. Furthermore, all costs are ball park figures, derived from feasibility studies carried out by external consultants, advice from internal technical expertise or student research findings. The financial evaluations of the initiatives are provided in Appendix 4, together with the general parameters and assumptions used in calculations and modelling. Although indicative, the information provided, such as discounted payback periods, assists with decision making regarding project viability and prioritisation.
Subsequent to the adoption of the Strategic SD Plan, detailed operational plans in the form of Project Initiation Documents (PIDs) or Sustainable Development sub-Plans will be submitted for endorsement through the university governance system. In addition to the sub-Plans, the SD Plan is supported by various Facilities Management annual operational, business and management plans and programs, which are the coordinated efforts of various sections within Facilities Management. These documents will contain more detailed information and provide an annual review of the SD Plan.
UWA Sustainable Development Plan 2011 - 2014
Focus Area: Energy
Strategic Objective: To demonstrate commitment to achievement of world’s best practice in energy conservation, management and research
Description: Energy use at UWA comprises approximately 80% electricity, 15% gas and 5% from other fuels. Electricity use at UWA comprises approximately 20% in lighting, 15% in central chilled water production and distribution, 25% in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) and other mechanical services and 40% in equipment, such as computers and research equipment. Gas is mainly used in hot water and heating water boilers (90%) and in kitchens and research equipment (10%). 95% of UWA energy is procured from energy retailers, Alinta and Synergy. The electricity rate increased by 17% in July 2010 and the gas rate increased by 80% in March 2011 as a result of contract renewals (3 and 5 year terms respectively). Another factor that will affect energy costs is the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS). There is currently uncertainty surrounding the CPRS, however, for the purposes of financial analysis, a rate of $10 per tonne of CO2-e emitted, imposed from 2012 onwards, has been assumed.
Baseline Data: 43,000 tonnes CO2-e emissions (2008 levels)
Proposed Targets: 20% reduction (i.e., 34,400 tonnes CO2-e emissions) by 2020 from 2008 levels
37% actual reduction (from 2020 levels)
Figure 1. UWA Greenhouse gas (CO2-e) emissions from energy use
Sustainable Development Plan 2010 - 2013 Page 71
The University of Western Australia – Facilities Management
Operational Objectives (Energy)
Operational Objectives / Implementation Strategies / Stakeholders / Timeframe / Operational Initiatives (Appendix 3)Executive endorsement of Energy related policies and procedures / · Develop or update a set of energy related policies and procedures consistent with the UWA policy framework
· These policies may include but are not limited to the following:
· Energy conservation policy
· Building management and occupation policy
· Travel related policies (e.g., fleet vehicles and air travel)
· Seek endorsement and ratification of policies via the appropriate approvals process / FM / University Secretary / 2013 / E1
Monitoring and reporting of energy consumption for each building / · Installation of monitoring and reporting hardware and software
· Develop a plan to introduce reporting system to building users, including display location and exposure, education and awareness program, etc. / FM / 2013 / E3
Reducing energy use through user accountability (user pay system) / · Develop a plan of a user pay system
· Seek support and feedback of stakeholders
· Engage Finance Officer to implement and administer system / FM/ FS / Faculties and Sections / 2013 / E2
Improving energy efficiency of buildings / · Review viability of technical improvements in building services, e.g., lighting, air-conditioning
· Where viable, submit for inclusion in annual Life Cycle Renewal or Minor Works capital budgets / FM / 2014 / E4,E5,E6
Improving energy efficiency of equipment / · Review viability of technical improvements in equipment
· Develop PIDs for approvals and implementation / FM / 2014 / E7
Increasing the percentage of energy produced from renewable sources / · Conduct feasibility studies for on-site or off-site renewable energy generation
· Develop PIDs for viable renewable energy projects / FM / Graduate Research School / Faculties / TBA / E8
Sustainable Development Plan 2010 - 2013 Page 71