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Sustainability

General Statement

This College accepts the first principle of the Rio Declaration which states that:

"Human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable development.

They are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature. (UNCED, 1992)"

The College will therefore promote the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, minimise environmental pollution in all its activities and, where possible, influence and encourage others to do so.

Environmental Policy

To this end Linacre College is committed:

  1. To improve energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption associated with domestic and other college activities, including lighting, air and water heating and refrigeration. It will also take account of the concept of embodied energy where it is pertinent to purchasing policy and waste management.
  2. To minimise consumption of water, energy and materials; to consider the cradle-to-grave impact of all products and services purchased, giving preference to those which, not incurring excessive cost, attempt to minimise their environmental impact. To encourage suppliers to provide the College with environmentally friendly goods and services.
  3. To embrace the Precautionary Principle in the use of chemical products, such as domestic chemicals, detergents and pesticides. This refers to known hazards controlled under health and safety regulations, as well as unknown hazards to health and the environment.
  4. To reduce material and organic waste and to facilitate the reuse and recycling of paper, glass, aluminium, plastics and organic refuse generated by College activities, using the most environmentally effective means.
  5. To promote an awareness of environmental issues within the College and University, and to encourage participation of College members in environmental matters.
  6. To maintain and develop close links with the Environmental Change Institute and other relevant bodies.
  7. To continue to invest a proportion of its capital on the basis of ethical and environmental criteria and to adjust that proportion as financially appropriate for the College.
  8. To consider and act to minimise the environmental impact of all new developments, taking into account noise and light pollution, visual impact and habitat degradation.


(Environmental Working Party, April 1995)