HE senior mgrs_Apr18 - Bournemouth University

that begin to address some of the questionsposed by the environmental sustainability andclimate change issues. Increasingly we seeuniversities declaring their sustainability intentionsin mission statements and promotional materials.Senior management must ensure that theseaspirations are delivered in practice by taking thelead and making unequivocal public statementsabout the relevant values of their institution. Theymust help their universities to think collectivelyand constructively about how they will adapt tothese challenges. They must harness theenthusiasm of their staff and lead by example todeliver bold sustainability statements. They will behelped by key agencies with which they engageencouraging and supporting moves towardsgreater sustainable development, whilstrespecting the critical line between institutionalautonomy and creating a climate for change.The signs are encouraging but there is a verylong road to travel.Geoffrey Copland,Formerly Vice-Chancellor of theUniversity of Westminster, retired 2007.Dr Geoffrey Copland, CBE was the foundingChair of World Cities Universities network thatamongst other issues is concerned with issuesof environmental sustainability in major worldcities. He is Chair of the HEFCE SteeringGroup on Sustainable Development in HigherEducation and also Chair of the UniversitiesUK Steering Group for Greening Spires.42The Global UniversityThe role of senior managers