Strategy for Creating an Environmentally and Ecologically Sustainable Campus at Stellenbosch University

Strategy for Creating an Environmentally and Ecologically Sustainable Campus at Stellenbosch University

Strategy for Creating an Environmentally and Ecologically Sustainable Campus at Stellenbosch University 2013 – 2018 Facilities Management Property Services In collaboration with: Stellenbosch University Energy Working Group Stellenbosch University Water Working Group Stellenbosch University Facilities Management Stellenbosch University Sustainability Institute Stellenbosch University Sustainability Office EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report provides a strategic formulation for an environmentally and ecologically sustainable campus. The reader should bear in mind that the study was based largely on existing national and international research and that, as a result, several knowledge gaps still exist and need further research in order for this to become a sound and comprehensive guide. Impacts caused by human activities negatively influence our global climate, the resources used and changes in the earth’s ecosystems. We have to search for ways to address this issue and efforts from all levels of society need to contribute to the attainment of a sustainable environment. Stellenbosch University (SU) can make enormous contributions in operational management, research and possible solutions through its staff and students, who should be vigilant about their everyday actions softening the impacts on the environment. This report provides information on eight elements influencing the environmental pillars of sustainability within Facilities Management. These elements, including their goals and initiatives, comprise energy, water, biodiversity and landscaping, pollution, carbon foot printing, green procurement, green buildings and green maintenance. With regard to energy, this report emphasises that investment in renewable and energy- efficient projects is necessary to reduce the greenhouse gases (GHGs) and the impact on resources caused by SU due to its consumption of energy. Goals include a reduction in GHGs and energy consumption, the expansion of buildings while adhering to our electricity capacity, 20% energy usage from clean renewable sources by 2020, a change in the behaviour of staff and students and the incorporation of energy-efficient green-building principles in respect of new buildings and significant upgrades. In the section on water, the emphasis is on water resources for irrigation and the more efficient and wiser use of water in the landscape. The harvesting of rainwater and grey water for irrigation is a possible solution and needs investigation to reduce the demand on resources. Water supplied by Stellenbosch Municipality is used for human consumption, sanitation and the cleaning of buildings and equipment. Water-conservation initiatives are thus inevitable and part of the efficient use of water resources. Goals include a 10% reduction i in water usage per unit, an increase in the quality of discharged water, a 30% reduction in water usage for irrigation and a reduction in run-off into the environment as storm water. The part on biodiversity and landscaping includes habitat fragmentation and green belts, sustainable landscapes and land conservation and environmental areas. Green belts act as shelter for and enable the movement of wildlife, purify the air, protect aquifers, which enable water to be absorbed into the ground, enable carbon-dioxide sequestration and form important ecological zones that cool the surrounding environment. Goals include 30% of the total area of SU being kept as environmental corridors and 10% of this being managed as ecologically important zones. The current layout of landscapes needs to be changed into a more integrated soft and hard landscape with water wise species, thus reducing impact on resources. Goals include 80% indigenous trees, 50% low water-use plants and 20% endemic veldt types and hard landscaping materials to be used in new and upgraded landscapes. Environmental areas of concern, such as Stellenbosch Mountain, river corridors and open areas on SU’s Welgevallen experimental farm, need to be managed in a way that is to the advantage of fauna and flora and that serves the recreational and educational purposes of the community. Goals include the conservation of indigenous vegetation in demarcated areas, the zero tolerance of invasive species, a reduction in erosion encompassing 90% of the area and the attraction of wildlife. The section on pollution includes a reduction in carbon emissions from vehicles and air travel, the measurement of air quality and the management of waste. Goals include a reduction in carbon emissions, the provision of alternative transport, research into alternative fuels and mitigation efforts both on and off campus. The measurement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon-dioxide and oxygen ratios, and dust quantities will provide data that can be managed to fall within legislative and environmental limits for air quality. The part on waste describes the importance of taking responsibility for a reduction in general food, biological and chemical waste and for sorting for the recycling and the safe disposal of such waste, resulting in the minimisation of the volumes destined for landfill sites. Goals include a reduction by 80% in general waste destined for landfill sites, a reduction in GHGs from waste and the education of people in waste management. ii The section on carbon foot printing gives an overview of the assessment to be done to provide a GHG inventory in respect of the normal business conducted by Facilities Management. Property Services is to serve as the model for this assessment before it is rolled out to Facilities Management. The goal is to reduce SU’s carbon footprint to a neutral level by 2030. With regard to green procurement, ecological ignorance drives the unsustainable exploitation of resources and the non-environmentally friendly processes of manufacturing. In an effort to be more responsible, Facilities Management will embark on a programme using certified products from certified suppliers and service providers. The goal is to phase this in over a period and to purchase 80% certified products by 2018. The section on the construction of green buildings is important, as buildings impact on resources, use energy and water and produce waste and carbon emissions. Implementing guidelines that incorporate some of the principles of the Green Star SA Public & Education Building rating tool in planning and development phases will provide the opportunity to use resources more efficiently in the creation of healthier and more productive environments. The most important goal in this section is the development of guidelines incorporating several green-star building principles. In respect of green maintenance, focus is on methods and materials used for greater sustainability. This includes materials that are more energy and water efficient and more environmentally friendly. Goals include the use of 80% certified energy and water-efficient material when material is replaced. A programme for the reduction and recycling of building waste will contribute to the efforts of a more sustainable campus. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY i 1. BACKGROUND 1 2. VISION 3 3. PHILOSOPHY, SUSTAINABILITY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 3 3.1 Sustainability 4 3.2 Sustainable development 5 3.3 Three pillars of sustainability 5 3.3.1 Economic pillar (product) 6 3.3.2 Social pillar (people) 6 3.3.3 Environmental pillar (planet) 6 4. ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY 6 4.1 Energy 6 4.1.1 Introduction 6 4.1.2 Background 7 4.1.3 Specific initiatives: Past 7 4.1.4 Specific initiatives: 2013 to 2018 8 4.1.5 Goals 9 4.1.6 Strategy 10 4.1.7 Tactical plan of action 11 4.2 Water 12 4.2.1 Introduction 12 4.2.2 Background 13 4.2.3 Specific initiatives: Past 13 4.2.4 Specific initiatives: 2013 to 2018 13 4.2.5 Goals 14 4.2.6 Strategy 14 4.2.7 Tactical plan of action 15 4.3 Biodiversity and landscaping 17 4.3.1 Habitat fragmentation and green belts 17 4.3.1.1 Introduction 17 iv 4.3.1.2 Background 17 4.3.1.3 Specific initiatives: 2013 to 2018 17 4.3.1.4 Goals 18 4.3.1.5 Strategy 18 4.3.1.6 Tactical plan of action 18 4.3.2 Sustainable landscapes 18 4.3.2.1 Introduction 18 4.3.2.2 Background 19 4.3.2.3 Specific initiatives: Past 19 4.3.2.4 Specific initiatives: 2013 to 2018 19 4.3.2.5 Goals 20 4.3.2.6 Strategy 20 4.3.2.7 Tactical plan of action 20 4.3.3 Land conservation and the environment 22 4.3.3.1 Introduction 22 4.3.3.2 Background 22 4.3.3.3 Specific initiatives: Past 22 4.3.3.4 Specific initiatives: 2013 to 2018 22 4.3.3.5 Goals 23 4.3.3.6 Strategy 23 4.3.3.7 Tactical plan of action 23 4.4 Pollution 24 4.4.1 Carbon emissions 24 4.4.1.1 Introduction 24 4.4.1.2 Specific initiatives: Past 24 4.4.1.3 Specific initiatives: 2013 to 2018 24 4.4.1.4 Goals 25 4.4.1.5 Strategy 25 4.4.1.6 Tactical plan of action 26 4.4.2 Air quality 26 4.4.2.1 Introduction 26 4.4.2.2 Specific initiatives: 2013 to 2018 26 v 4.4.2.3 Goals 27 4.4.2.4 Strategy 27 4.4.2.5 Tactical plan of action 27 4.4.3 Waste 27 4.4.3.1 Introduction 27 4.4.3.2 Background 28 4.4.3.3 Specific initiatives: Past 28 4.4.3.4 Specific initiatives: 2013 to 2018 29 4.4.3.5 Goals 29 4.4.3.6 Strategy 30 4.4.3.7 Tactical plan of action 30 4.5 Carbon footprint 31 4.5.1 Introduction 31 4.5.2 Background 31 4.5.3 Specific initiatives: Past 32 4.5.4 Specific initiatives: 2013 to 2018 32 4.5.5 Goals 32 4.5.6 Strategy 33 4.5.7 Tactical plan of action 33 4.6 Green procurement 34 4.6.1 Introduction 34 4.6.2 Specific initiatives: 2013 to 2018 34 4.6.3 Goals 34 4.6.4 Strategy 34 4.6.5 Tactical plan of action 34 4.7 Green buildings (construction and the built environment) 35 4.7.1 Introduction 35 4.7.2 Specific initiatives: Past 35 4.7.3 Specific initiatives: 2013 to 2018 35 4.7.4 Goals 36 4.7.5 Strategy 36 4.7.6 Tactical plan of action 37 vi 4.8 Green maintenance 37 4.8.1 Introduction 37 4.8.2 Background 38 4.8.3 Specific initiatives: Past 38 4.8.4 Specific initiatives: 2013 to 2018 38 4.8.5 Goals 38 4.8.6 Strategy 38 4.8.7 Tactical plan of action 38 5.

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