INSPIRE Prospectus - University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Delivering for a Sustainable Wales
INSPIRE
Sefydliad Arfer Cynaliadwy, Arloesi ac Effeithlonrwydd Adnoddau
The Institute for Sustainable Practice, Innovation and Resource Effectiveness
Prospectus
Putting sustainability at the
heart of the new University’s
strategic vision 2011 - 2014
Where higher education
in Wales began

INSPIRE
DELIVERING FOR A SUSTAINABLE WALES
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The University of Wales Trinity Saint David is…
• “aiming to deliver for a sustainable Wales”
locally, regionally, nationally and internationally
and
• “aiming to be the University of choice for
discerning students and staff of the future”
Contents
1. Introduction
2. University of Wales Trinity Saint David context
3. Vision: sustainability, employability, internationalisation, culture and lifelong
learning
4. Governance
5. Teaching and learning for sustainable development
6. Living within our own environmental limits
7. Engagement, advocacy and leadership
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1. Introduction
The concept of sustainable development (SD) is fundamental in ensuring that our physical environment is in a good enough
condition for human needs to be met. SD is increasingly being used as a philosophical framework and planning tool for
better decision-making that can lead to the development of better services, creating more benefit with less resource. SD is
about ensuring well-being and a better quality of life thinking about the impacts of today's actions on future generations
and protecting and enhancing the natural environment by learning to live within our environmental limits.
In 'Our Common Futures' 1987, the World Commission on the Environment and Development chaired by Dr Gro Harlem
Brundtland, the Director General of the World Health Organisation, defined sustainable development as "development that
meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. This
definition has been picked up worldwide, reflecting an increasing concern that actions are being taken across the globe
which put this concept in peril. The idea of acting more sustainably has emerged in response to global concerns about social
justice as well as the state of the planet. In particular, current concerns focus on the threat to human wellbeing presented by
climate change at the same time as concerns remain about the integrity of ecosystems. Acting sustainably is about
balancing social, environmental and economic needs in a way that does not compromise future generations.
Wales has had a legislative commitment to have a sustainable development scheme since the establishment of the National
Assembly for Wales in 1999. The Welsh Government has historically supported the UK Framework for Sustainable
Development, which transposes the Brundtland definition into five key areas: living within environmental limits, ensuring a
strong healthy and just society, achieving a sustainable economy, promoting good governance and using sound science
responsibly. The Welsh Government itself uses five headline indicators to underpin its commitment to the UK Framework;
economic output, social justice, biodiversity conservation, ecological footprint and wellbeing, each of which has a metric
attached. A further 24 individual performance indicators under these headings are reported on annually.
The Welsh Government's current scheme, 'One Wales, One Planet' published in 2009, is ambitious that Wales should be an
exemplar in sustainable development. It recognizes that the ecological footprint of Wales, i.e. the relative scale of our
consumption as a nation, is already three times more than that available to us, effectively meaning that we need three
planets to sustain our use of resources. The government of the day proposed therefore that 'Wales should become a one
planet nation by putting sustainable development at the heart of government; creating a resilient and sustainable economy
that lives within its environmental limits and only using our fair share of the earth's resources to maintain our lifestyles'
Now, the Welsh Government has announced that it will legislate to ensure that Sustainable Development is not only the
central organising principle of government, but also that of the public sector in Wales. This legislative commitment will be
monitored externally by a new independent sustainable development body.
In taking this agenda forward, Wales is following in the lead of successful global businesses, e.g. Unilever, Proctor and
Gamble and on a UK level, Marks and Spencer's, Cooperative Stores Ltd and others, who recognize and state publicly that
being sustainable for the longer term is good for business. Declining natural resources will increase in price so investing in
the green economy or greening the economy makes both economic and social sense. Integrated reporting on sustainability
is becoming the norm.
A key challenge to a modern university is to create appropriate teaching and knowledge exchange programmes to ensure
that the knowledge we develop meets policy and user needs within society, and to set an example in doing so. In addition,
there is currently a pressing challenge to address a transition to a low carbon society within a rapid time scale.
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2. University of Wales Trinity Saint David context
In 2010, following the merger between Trinity College and Lampeter University, the merged University of Wales Trinity Saint
David was successful in securing a place on the Higher Education Academy’s “Green Academy” programme. The Green
Academy programme aims to support participating universities in embedding sustainable development throughout their
operations. The programme was oversubscribed and Trinity Saint David joined other successful institutions (Southampton,
Worcester, Swansea, Nottingham, Canterbury, Keele and Bristol) to take this agenda forward. The Green Academy ‘Fit for the
Future’ framework outlined below aims to embed SD through the curriculum, campus, community and culture of the
university including research and innovation, governance and key performance indicators:
• The development of curriculum-related delivery to ensure students at the University and its partner institutions are provided with
the knowledge, skills and attitudes that will equip them for their future contribution to the economy, community and environment
• The development of a campus that reflects the highest standards of environmental performance and contributes to the
social and economic capacity of the University and the wider community
• The contribution to the community in which the University operates, with special regard to the issues of sustainable rural
communities and the development of south west Wales as a low carbon region
• The development of a research and innovation capacity focused on core strengths of the University, related to the
organisational objectives and linked to a strong network of external partners
• The integration of sustainable development within the governance structure, operating systems and key performance
indicators of the University. An important objective is to ensure that this approach underpins the financial viability of the
institution in reducing operating costs, improving the attractiveness of the University to potential students, and increasing
the capacity to attract external investment.
Each university participating in the Green Academy was encouraged to have a big idea about embedding sustainability in the
institution. In February 2011, Trinity Saint David announced that the new university was ambitious to lead the Welsh agenda on
sustainability and was seeking expressions of interest to develop a new Wales Institute for Sustainability focused on action and
research to drive social, environmental and economic outcomes. The university called for proposals to:
- support the development of the area as a low carbon region,
- develop specific sustainability practice in a rural setting
- develop cross-society exemplars of sustainability in practice
- influence the practice of the current and new institution
- support development of the ESDGC agenda in Wales
- develop partnerships with other organisations/institutions with a similar agenda
Some 50 expressions of interest were received and in March, the bid from Jane Davidson supported by Peter Davies and Andy
Middleton to take this agenda forward was agreed. (Jane Davidson was previously the Minister responsible for Sustainability
in Wales, Peter Davies is the current Commissioner for Sustainable Futures in Wales, Andy Middleton is the Managing Director
of TYF, a sustainability, education and adventure company based in St David’s).
The impact of the Green Academy programme on the participating universities is being evaluated by an external team in 2012
to provide the higher education sector with objective evidence of how effective change can take place in a university as well
as offering exemplars of effective practice in greening the HE curriculum. Trinity Saint David intends to lead the field as a result
of taking its sustainability commitment forward across the whole university. As a result of the proposed merger between the
University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Swansea Metropolitan University and the University of Wales from August 2012, the
role of INSPIRE, the new Institute for Sustainable Practice, Innovation and Resource Effectiveness at Trinity Saint David, has
been extended to work with all the component parts of the new institution.
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3. The vision
Commitment:
• The University of Wales Trinity Saint David, will provide a high quality, bilingual, educational experience for a diverse
community of learners, contributing positively to the social, economic and environmental needs of Wales, locally,
regionally, nationally and internationally.
• Five key elements: sustainability, employability, internationalisation, culture and lifelong learning will underpin the unique
university experience we offer.
• We will deliver our contribution by focusing on our teaching, research and knowledge exchange as well as how we
conduct ourselves in delivering that mission.
• Our core mission is 'delivering for a sustainable Wales, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally'
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David has put sustainability at the heart of its new strategic plan as part of its journey of
transformational change; part of the new university's vision is "delivering for a sustainable Wales locally, regionally,
nationally and internationally.”
This is a tremendously exciting agenda. The University of Wales Trinity Saint David already has two campuses in Carmarthen
and Lampeter as well as having over 1000 students in London. The new university, when fully transformed next year, will
have two vibrant campuses in Swansea following the merger with Swansea Metropolitan University. The combination of pre
and post 1992 institutions will give it both traditional REF research capability as well as more applied research capability. It
will host the largest teacher education and training centre in Wales. It will have faculties covering all the disciplines and truly
be a 21st century institution with a 21st century agenda.
Trinity Saint David’s radical vision of the creation of a dual sector university - a new regional educational group structure
which will deliver transformational change in south west Wales - is laid out in ‘Transforming Education, Transforming Lives’.
That statement of intent has already been signed by Trinity Saint David, Swansea Metropolitan University, Pembrokeshire
College, Coleg Ceredigion and Coleg Sir Gar. The agreed unification with Swansea Metropolitan University, with its
specialisms in engineering, design and resource management will offer a far more holistic and multidisciplinary approach to
learning. That partnership also offers a new opportunity to bring further education provision in Swansea into this
overarching dual sector approach.
A key objective of the new collegiate university in conjunction with its HE and FE partners, will be to establish closer
academic partnerships with potentially all HE courses being validated by the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. FE
Principals will play a senior role in the strategic management of the university and be appointed as Provosts. A single FE/HE
educational plan will be created thus ensuring meaningful progression opportunities and a regional planning framework for
further joint innovation, knowledge transfer and research opportunities.
This new arrangement brings with it unprecedented opportunities for the university to incorporate a whole span of
sustainability related provision and research encompassing ecology and the environment, resource management,
education, the economics of consumption and production as well as technology, alternative energy and organizational and
spiritual dimensions. Being at the beginning of this process creates potential to develop and pilot innovative practices
across the education spectrum, from initial teacher training through HE and FE to adult learning and schools, as well as via
research and business and community engagement
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There is substantial public support for the sustainability agenda. In a general population poll undertaken by IPSOS Mori in
November 2011, 64% thought the needs of future generations were more important than the needs of any particular
generation such as their own or their children’s. 46% (the largest group) indicated that a healthy planet is the most
important legacy to hand on to future generations; 67% thought the UK Government has failed to consider future
generations enough in the decisions it makes today.
In relation to students, work undertaken by the HEA and the NUS to look at attitudes of first year students towards
sustainability demonstrates unequivocally that the students of today would like to see their institutions take this agenda
forward. The importance of the student-led People and Planet ‘Green League’ has been growing each year. Rikki Miller, TSD
Student President, wrote a message for students considering university choices for 2012, “In my view, if you care about
sustainability issues, there’s only one country to go to - Wales, and within Wales, only one university to go to, University of
Wales Trinity Saint David.”
The new university has a clear strategic message to differentiate itself. Five key elements underpin the university’s
aspirations for the students of the future
- sustainability
- employability
- internationalization
- culture
- lifelong learning
These elements reflect a differentiated offer; the student experience at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David post
October 2013 will deliver an understanding of the sustainability agenda in a country committed to this and enhance the
employability of individual students. Sustainability and employability will underpin the opportunities offered overseas and
through distance learning alternatives and the Trinity Saint David experience will be underpinned by a fundamental belief in
the importance of culture, both in the recognition that a change of culture will be needed to challenge ingrained
assumptions and practices as well as the strong cultural commitment to Wales and bilingualism. All of this will be predicated
on a culture of lifelong learning and demonstrate how a confederal university structure can provide progression routes at all
levels of people's lives through explicit relations with schools and colleges.
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4. Governance
Commitment
• The Governance arrangements for the university will reflect Trinity Saint David’s clear commitment to sustainable
development.
• The University’s Annual Report will include a Sustainability Statement
• A University-wide Sustainable Development Group will be established following a staff skills audit
• The University will become a signatory to the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Development Charter.
The Governance arrangements for the university will reflect Trinity Saint David’s clear commitment to sustainable
development in the new charter, strategic vision and the strategic priorities of the institution as well as within the
university's core values and core strategic vision. Leadership and responsibility for sustainable development will be
incorporated into the responsibilities of both the Chair of Council and the Vice-Chancellor. This provides a clear signal of
academic and operational leadership for this area and the importance of sustainable development to the university. A
Pro Vice-Chancellor with a responsibility for delivering on the key strategic messages of the new university, including
Sustainable Development, will be appointed to fully integrate sustainable development into all aspects of the new
university’s role including resourcing, job description development, roles/responsibilities and performance reporting.
The commitment at executive level is being matched by commitment through the governing body/university
committee structures. This commitment will also be made public through signing the Welsh Government's Sustainable
Development Charter.
Universities in Wales have already signed ‘A university leader’s statement of intent on sustainable development’. This
Statement outlines how universities plan to meet the challenges of sustainable development through
• Demonstrating strong and visible senior management leadership for sustainability
• Committing to the embedding of sustainable development into the institution's strategies
• Developing active links with partner organisations, external networks, business and international organisations to share
ideas and new approaches to sustainable development
• Identifying clearly defined and institutionally appropriate sustainable development objectives and targets that are linked
to sector and national targets
• Publishing an institutional carbon management plan including a target for carbon reduction from energy consumption
against a 2005 baseline. By doing so the institution will contribute to achieving the sector target of reductions in
emissions of 34% by 2020 and 80% by 2050 against a 1990 baseline
• Engaging staff and students to provide their ideas on how universities can help meet the challenges of sustainable
development
Once the clear lead from the top of the university has been established, a cross-cutting Sustainable Development Group
(SDG) will be established to guide sustainable development strategies and actions within the University. This group will
provide the link between those responsible for governance of the University and the operationalisation of the sustainable
development vision. Membership of the Group will include representatives from each School and Institute; representatives
from the student community on each campus; a representative of the University Council and external community
representatives who link the work of the Sustainable Development Group to external stakeholders (such as local and
national government).
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In the longer term, the Sustainable Development Group will advise on the following processes:
- Capacity building at an institutional level to ensure sustainable development principles are being applied appropriately
- Engaging with University committees
- Engaging with Human Resources to ensure all job descriptions, roles and responsibilities and performance evaluation
processes include sustainable development responsibilities where appropriate
- Working in partnership with Institutes and Units within the University to ensure sustainable development strategy
priorities are reflected in their activities.
- Identifying funding opportunities from Research Councils and others to develop an effective academic cluster
- Advising on curriculum offerings and programme design
The proposed merger between the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Swansea Metropolitan University and the
University of Wales is due to take place in August 2012. Following that merger, the new governing body will develop the
appropriate governance structures to take forward the sustainability agenda.
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5. Teaching and Learning for sustainable
development
Commitment:
• The university recognises the importance of developing sustainability literate graduates; it commits to engaging all
students with sustainability concepts and issues in an appropriate context through learning and enhancing their
employability.
• The University will develop a suite of sustainable development related degree programmes that build on the new
distinctive profile of the university. Each faculty will offer one new undergraduate and one new postgraduate course for
the 2013 student intake
• The University will embed sustainability into 15% of all students’ experiences by autumn 2013 creating a distinctive Trinity
Saint David ‘One Planet Curriculum’
• The University will develop a unique 10 credit sustainability ‘One Planet Skills Passport’ including a Social Enterprise
component for the 2014 intake, to be piloted in 2013 both within the University and through schools and college
partnerships.
From its inception, the new university has pledged to deliver a radical new model for the planning and delivery of education
to serve the educational, social, cultural and economic needs of the region. The Regional Learning Partnership and the
development of the dual sector university offer a range of meaningful education pathways and progression routes which
will enhance choices for a diverse cohort of students, provided the opportunities are underpinned by clear strategic
messages.
There are a number of overarching strategies that guide the University’s strategy with respect to teaching and learning. All
disciplines have a contribution to make to the sustainability agenda, but also, sustainability, with its many inter-related
strands (aesthetic, cultural, ecological, economic, environmental, social ethical, philosophical, political, scientific, spiritual
and technological) is inter-disciplinary. The learning of undergraduate and postgraduate students can therefore be enriched
by exposure to perspectives and insights from other disciplines and inter-disciplinary dialogue.
There are potentially four layers of sustainable development education in the University:
(1) specific degree/module provision (at under and post graduate level) and
(2) sustainable development education embedded within discipline specific degree programmes
(3) specific accredited courses to contribute to professional development frameworks and skills acquisition e.g with public
sector/businesses/voluntary sector
(4) partnership with schools and colleges
Wherever possible, these layers will be interwoven with action learning centred on real, pressing sustainability issues facing
the communities and employers in south west Wales.
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Existing courses and modules are currently being revalidated following the merger between Trinity College and Lampeter
University. By autumn 2013 each faculty aims to develop a new course with a major sustainability component. To take
forward the embedding agenda initially, 20 credits in each year (UG & PG) will be utilised to reflect this commitment, so that
the distinctive curriculum offer at University of Wales, Trinity Saint David by the autumn 2013 intake will be 15% of the total
student experience being delivered through a sustainability lens - a distinctive Trinity Saint David 'One Planet' curriculum.
This will be a unique offer.
There is also a major opportunity for the university to develop a suite of accredited courses to assist the public sector and
others to understand what sustainable development applied to decision making looks like, and also to specifically develop a
10 credit skills passport which can be made available at level 4 upwards. This could be a prelude to a 'One Planet Skills
Passport' sustainability core curriculum module taken by all students in the post 2014 intake which includes a work
placement in a social enterprise. As the focus would be specifically on employability, such a model could then be offered
also by the university to distance learning students and developed alongside professional practice frameworks to develop
awards at post professional level. This would have significant marketing appeal at a time when there is an emphasis on the
benefits of social enterprises and employability more widely. Students will benefit from being able to enhance their CVs with
work experiences, particularly when employment opportunities for young people are shrinking. A social enterprise
experience for all students could give them the edge over others.
In view of the Welsh Government's commitment to have legislated on sustainable development as the central organising
principle of government by 2014, there are particular opportunities for the University of Wales Trinity Saint David to lead the
way in creating new courses either on our own or in partnership with others to enhance understanding of the sustainability
agenda in the public sector.
There are many opportunities to take this agenda forward through Trinity Saint David's University's innovative, sector
leading Going for Gold/AUR - the Associate Faculty of the University- which provides bilingual opportunities for secondary
school pupils across South and Mid Wales to study at university level. Over 30 secondary schools participate currently in the
scheme which has benefited 800 pupils since its launch. The scheme is a clear demonstrates of TSD's commitment to
widening access to higher education and to Welsh medium higher education in particular.
The modules offered include study skills, curriculum based studies that contribute to the Welsh Baccalaureate as well as
other courses related to the A Level curriculum. Amongst the many benefits to pupils is the opportunity to develop
transferable skills that they will need at their choice of university as well as the opportunity to develop their knowledge and
understanding of their chosen subjects.
The accredited Level 4 Modules support pupils as they develop their communication skills, their learning and study skills
and their analytical skills. Developing a distinctive 'One Planet' sustainability TSD curriculum will also be piloted through the
'Going for Gold/Aur' programme.
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6. Living within our own environmental limits
Commitment:
• The University commits to practices that minimise the possibility of negative environmental, economic and social impacts;
seeks to improve the environmental performance of the learning environment, to meet and where possible exceed
national and international guidelines for sustainability; to achieve eco-branding of its facilities; to enhancing the
ecological integrity of its campus landscape; to report annually on its achievements and to reward students who embrace
this agenda and are prepared to be active in participation and monitoring.
• The University will measure the environmental impact of each campus and draw up an annual report to improve
performance
• The University will publish a clear action plan on how it intends to live within its environmental limits in 2012
• The University commits to achieving Green Dragon Level 5 on all its campuses and achieving a first class rating in the
People and Planet Green League by 2013
• The University will make opportunities available for students to win bursaries /scholarships if they make a 'One Planet
Living' commitment when they come to the University
Universities seeking to take forward this agenda must demonstrate continuous improvement to be publicly recognised.
Decisions taken in accordance with environmental management schemes often lead to reduced costs in the future if a life
cycle analysis of the decisions is undertaken and improved staff and student relations. Trinity Saint David's environmental
framework will be based on good governance; addressing specific significant environment impacts i.e. energy use and
generation; waste; water; transport and travel; focusing on the impacts of our core business of teaching and research and
engagement with all members of our University community and wider stakeholders. A clear understanding about Trinity
Saint David University's intentions to use sustainable transport, recycle waste on campus, eat locally sourced food, support
fair-trade, save energy and save water will give students and others confidence that the University is serious about its
commitments. Moving from the current achievement of Green Dragon Level 4 on the Carmarthen and Swansea campuses to
Green Dragon Level 5 on all campuses and committing to achieve ISO 14001 because of its recognition outside Wales will be
an important part of taking this agenda forwards.
None of this agenda can be taken forward without the active participation of students. This requires a commitment to work
together so that any new schemes introduced are managed successfully and as simply as possible. Recycling for example is
well supported in other universities where the bin designation is very clear and recognisable (ie the bins are always in the
same order) and where students are incentivised to monitor. Without clear intentions being communicated appropriately,
there is a danger that at best, there is insufficient buy in to propositions to make environmental and energy changes, and at
worst, active non-cooperation. All changes will be discussed with the students' union representatives prior to being
introduced.
As this is a new agenda, we intend to set up a reward scheme for students who come to us being prepared to make a 'One
Planet Living' commitment' - a promise to be active on these issues during their university experience. With the support of
the Students' Union, we are reviewing the range of bursaries and internships managed by Student Services to create new
opportunities to promote one planet living from September 2012. The Students' Union itself is actively participating in the
NUS/EUAC Green Impact Awards.
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The university has been successful in coming from a no-score position to achieving a 2:2 in the People and Planet Green
League last year. This is a particularly important league table as it is used regularly by students and staff when determining a
university's environmental commitment. Trinity Saint David's commitment to achieving Green Dragon Level 5 will
automatically add 0.5 to our score. To achieve that, we will now need to publish a publicly available annual environmental
report; designate internal auditors and put in place appropriate regular monitoring arrangements. As the Green League
benchmarks universities, we will also need to demonstrate continuous improvement to hold our position.
A critical element in the success of universities in the Green League is the extent of buy in across the university's senior
management. This is much more than an estates issue. Substantial changes will need to be made across all aspects of the
university environment. They will need to be planned and delivered over a specified timeframe taking a long term view of
financial, social and environmental costs when choosing between alternative options. Actions that will demonstrate the
university's commitment are as follows:
1. Environment Management and Compliance
• To establish a formal system for measuring the university's environmental impact; to prevent pollution and ensure full
compliance with relevant environment legislation now and in the future. To commit to active changes in existing
practices in relation to reducing carbon, consumption and waste and to report annually
2. Carbon Management
• To use energy more wisely and reduce our dependency on fossil fuels in line with reductions being delivered
through the UK Climate Change Act and the Welsh Climate Change Strategy, ie to achieve 80% reduction against
1990 levels by 2050 and 34% reduction against 2005 levels by 2020.This requires a carbon management plan.
3. Goods and Service including procurement
• To review our procurement practices so that we optimise local and regional procurement .This could include having a
purchase policy with criteria recognising the quality and sustainability/environmental stance of supplier which we
actively promote; ie a Croeso/welcome TSD/Welsh Produce policy, favouring local, sustainable, and environmentally
accredited suppliers, particularly looking at recycled goods and Fairtrade. There is an opportunity to move away from
the HEFCW consortium contract (where we currently procure about 90% other than bread and milk) with the new
critical mass from the merger.
• Launderettes need looking at as the machines are washing well above the recommended 30 degrees
4. Buildings and IT
• All new buildings should achieve BREEAM excellent; materials should be chosen which minimise adverse
environmental impact with a preference for recyclable materials wherever appropriate; each year a minimum of one
student building and one delivery building should be made energy efficient and introduce renewable energy; site
waste management plans should be introduced
• IT: a Power Down and Wake System (PAWS) will be piloted initially on the Lampeter Campus. We will introduce local
power management for students' access machines and refurbish server rooms in line with the server room standard
to reduce cooling/power consumption costs and have a “raise awareness campaign” to encourage users to turn off
systems/power/lights when not in use. Increased use of video conferencing and Skype for multi campus meetings
and planned replacement of lighting such that empty rooms automatically power off lights will also add significant
budget and carbon benefits
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5. Waste Management
• To commit to reduce the amount of waste year on year and will agree specific targets for recycling in the next waste
tender to achieve 70% recycling on campus by 2015 and zero waste to landfill by 2020. We will support local re-use
initiatives, ensure recycling bins are located in key locations and undertake a student awareness raising campaign to
encourage behaviour change. Particular actions should be taken in relation to food waste as a matter of urgency, e.g.
to send food for composting/energy and reintroducing a previous campaign to weigh students' wasted food
6. Travel and Transport
• To develop solutions to reduce travel and transport impacts generated by the University through a Green Transport
Plan and reduce single occupancy car use including car-parking incentives, car-share and park and ride facilities. We
will introduce travel plans predicated on car share/public transport use for all campuses including video conferencing
as part of carbon management scheme for travel and introduce cycle to work employee benefit schemes and covered
cycle racks. The new university's business travel policy will reflect support for lower emission travel.
7. Biodiversity and landscape
• To protect, preserve and enhance the biodiversity on the university estate and review the landscape masterplan
already developed for the Lampeter campus to enhance the existing biodiversity and create a mini nature reserve.
Tree planting will be undertaken on all campuses wherever possible, to manage land to create wildlife corridors. We
will look to create allotment opportunities and enhanced local facilities contributing to biodiversity.
8. Resource Use
• to reduce water consumption and actively look at ways to enhance water retention eg rainwater harvesting
9. Engaging Staff and Students and Achieving Behaviour Change
• to develop initiatives that engage staff and students in understanding how they can reduce their consumption of
resources and cut carbon emissions, and specifically encourage People and Planet representation in the student body
structures and to encourage staff/students to participate in the new Sustainable Development Group.
10. Monitoring and audit procedures
• We will use existing committee structures to report regularly to the Senior Management Team, the Senate and the
University Council and to encourage similar reporting structures within the Students' Union
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7. Engagement, Advocacy and Leadership
Commitment:
• The university commits to the corporate social responsibility agenda; recognises its role in promoting the sustainability
agenda across south west Wales and more broadly, welcomes opportunities to participate in sustainability partnerships
and seeks opportunities for national and international engagement with the sustainability agenda through collaboration
with other institutions
• The University commits itself to using Fairtrade produce and to supporting the annual Fairtrade fortnight in partnership
with others
• The Regional Learning Partnership will undertake a sustainability impact audit to underpin a regional vision around
sustainable development issues
• The University will specifically look for partnerships with local authorities, voluntary organisations and businesses in
relation to sustainability
• The University Sustainable Development Group will identify which external awards are most appropriate to reflect activity
The university has been active in developing partnerships with the student communities on both campuses and now needs
to develop this relationship further in the context of developing the sustainability agenda. This has included a commitment
to supporting Fairtrade events and in particular the annual Fairtrade fortnight. The University intends to formalise
partnerships for sustainability with the Students' Unions on each campus through a Memorandum of Understanding to
ensure that there is a clear strategic partnership message.
The university is also looking to develop constructive relationships with local authorities, local businesses and local
representative structures of voluntary organisations to link their activity to learning opportunities through the Regional
Learning Partnership. Through its commitment to the Regional Learning Partnership, the university, with its partners, will
jointly develop a vision for how we understand our inter-relationships around sustainable development issues and, once this
is achieved, to publish that vision. The vision will be underpinned by an action plan and a performance measurement
system to guide partners' activities in this area.
The university intends to recognise and promote the economic benefit that is generated by Trinity Saint David University
and to engage our local community in a dialogue about how to ensure that this benefit is maintained. The University
intends to pilot this approach with an economic, social and environmental study of its impact in Lampeter to inform a
potential partnership on joint aims with Transition Llanbedr Pont Steffan.
Trinity Saint David University's commitment to this agenda means that it will be able to act as an exemplar of sustainable
development practice in Wales and more widely and to promote the principles of sustainable development at international,
national, regional and local levels. By taking the necessary steps to embed sustainability at the heart of the institution's core
mission, the university is creating an enhanced opportunity for our students and staff to recognise and tackle imaginatively
unsustainable practices. Having sustainability at the core of our vision will enable us to provide a general reference point,
language and concepts for all students to engage across their disciplinary experience. Our goal is that our educational
activities lead to a more promising and secure future within a more socially just, healthy, prosperous and biodiverse world.
Over time, we would expect the university to gain substantial recognition for its commitment. We will actively participate in
key external rewards systems. At a glance, this will enable us to achieve national and international recognition for what we
aim to do and strengthen the University's credibility in this field.
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INSPIRE
DELIVERING FOR A SUSTAINABLE WALES
We want the student experience at TSD to be unique; each academic and professional subject has an important contribution
to make in advancing sustainability as an education priority. By ensuring that 15% of the student experience at TSD is
viewed through a sustainability prism, we ensure that the world has more curious and inquisitive learners to contribute to
ensuring that the right decisions are taken to ensure all of our long term futures and that more learners here than elsewhere
will have the analytical skills to play their role.
Delivering for a Sustainable Wales
INSPIRE
Sefydliad Arfer Cynaliadwy, Arloesi ac Effeithlonrwydd Adnoddau
The Institute for Sustainable Practice, Innovation and Resource Effectiveness
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David is…
• aiming to deliver for a sustainable Wales locally,
regionally, nationally and internationally
• aiming to be the University of choice for
discerning students and staff of the future
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