Environmental Management Planning Committee
Annual Report—2000

Introduction

This report is submitted by the ANU Environmental Management Planning Committee (EMP) and details initiatives undertaken to improve environmental performance within University activities during the period 1995-2000.

The EMP Committee was established in mid 1998, by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Deane Terrell, with a brief to implement the principles of the University Environmental Management policy. The committee membership consists of representatives of various groups, including University management, general and academic staff and students. The current committee members are:

Professor Henry Nix (Chair)	CRES
Mr Chris Burgess	PVC (Administration)
Mr Warwick Williams	Director, Facilities and Services
Mr David Carpenter	Environmental Officer, Facilities and Services
Ms Su Wildriver	PARSA Representative
Mr Stephen Altree-Williams	OH&S Officer
Mr Brian Burke	Manager, University Purchasing and Contracts
Ms Judith Huppatz	Resources Manager, RSPhysSE
Mr Bart Meehan	Executive Officer, Facilities and Services
Mr Don Graham	Executive Officer, ITS
Mr Roger Burritt	Senior Lecturer, Department of Commerce
Ms Gabrielle Breen	Student Association Representative
Fr. Colin Fowler	Master, John XXIII College
Ms Amanda Hart (Secretary)	Group Administrator, Facilities and Services

The Committee developed an environmental management strategy covering the period 1999-2001. This strategy has been given the title ANUgreen and includes a number of objectives for improving the University’s performance in the following areas:

Energy Management
Waste Management
Water Management
Air Quality Management
Bio-diversity Management
Community Awareness

The strategy was approved by the Vice Chancellor in April 1999 and funding for implementation of various initiatives was identified in the Capital Management Plan 1999-2009. However, implementation of objectives set down for 1999 was delayed when designated funds within the CMP were "frozen" during the University’s Enterprise Bargaining process.

When funds were finally released in late 1999, the Committee commenced the process of formally launching the strategy to the University community.

Period covered by report

A number of environmental initiatives were implemented during the development of the environmental policy and plan. Therefore, for the sake of completeness, this report covers projects undertaken during the period 1995-2000.

Community Awareness

As indicated earlier, the Environmental Management Strategy was given a more marketable title, ANUgreen. This title will be used as part of all media produced to promote environmental initiatives on campus.

The ANUgreen program was formally launched by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Terrell and Senator Robert Hill, Minister for the Environment and Heritage on 16 March 2000. The launch, which was attended by a number of invited guests from the University community and public and private sectors, received both electronic and print media coverage and proved to be a successful mechanism for promoting environmental issues within the University community.

Other community awareness initiatives implemented during the past 12 months include:

The establishment of an Environmental Excellence Award to be presented to staff and students who have undertaken projects to improve environmental performance on campus. The award will be presented at the Conferring of Degrees ceremony in September each year, with the inaugural award due in 2000. The award will take the form of a medallion and $1000 and up to 3 awards will be presented each year. The ACT Commissioner for the Environment has agreed to assist the EMP Committee is assessing nominations.
Development and launch of an ANUgreen website (www.anu.edu.au/facilities/anugreen)
Publication of a brochure titled "Energy Management", which is designed to encourage individuals to be better energy managers.
Sponsorship of the ANU Green Guide, produced by the Student Association’s Environment Collective
Sponsorship of the production of calico bags for distribution to students during "Orientation Week". The ANUgreen logo and website details were printed on the bags.
Various advertisements, publicising the ANUgreen program and the website details, placed in the Student Diary and Woroni.

The Committee also commissioned an environmental risk audit of the Acton and Mt Stromlo campuses. The audit was conducted by a post graduate student of CRES, Ms Su Wildriver, using a methodology developed as part of her studies. The report identifies potential areas of risk, including breaches of relevant environmental legislation and opportunities for improvement. Copies of the recommendations will be forwarded to Deans and Directors.

Water and Energy Management

As part of the launch of the ANUgreen Program, the Vice-Chancellor signed an agreement committing the ANU to becoming a participant in the Commonwealth’s Greenhouse Challenge Program. The primary aim of this program is to encourage various organisations from the public and private sectors to reduce their overall greenhouse gas emissions. The University has committed to reduce its emissions by a minimum of 5% by 31 December 2002. As part of achieving that commitment it recently agreed to purchase 2% of its total energy requirements from renewable sources (ie. hydro, biomass and photovoltaic).

Other initiatives undertaken by the University in the past 3 years include:

Water audits completed of all University buildings. These audits identified a number of savings and problems, including a major leak in a pipe under the foundations of HC Coombs Building. The leak was repaired saving approximately 12 million litres of water per year.
Auto sprinkler system established in the area surrounding Menzies Library and thereby significantly reducing water consumption
Reverse osmosis filtered water system installed in BOZO eliminating the need for 10 x water stills and reducing water usage by 700%.
Water recycling systems installed in the ponds located in the Haydon-Allen/Copland complex and in the Physics/Psychology area. Estimated saving: 24K litres of water per year
Toilets refurbished in the following areas (Refurbishment included the installation of water conservation technologies such as dual flush systems, motion sensors on urinals and the replacement of cisterns with "aqua flush valves"):

Haydon- Allen Building
Copland Building
Physics
Engineering
BOZO
Law
AD Hope Building
Drill Hall Gallery
University Maintenance
RSAA
"Make up" water tanks servicing 25 toilets in ITA were decommissioned and replaced with dual flush systems.
Water recycling systems installed in RSC, JCSMR, RSES and RSPhysSE (the water is used to "cool" scientific equipment, such as electro microscope and X rays)
Water reuse systems established at Mt Stromlo and Siding Springs to process sewage and waste water for the irrigation of the sites.
Dispersion ponds established at Mt Stromlo (Woolley Building) to capture stormwater for use on site.
Replacement of tap fittings in hand basins (as required) and the introduction of aerators on all taps, which reduce water consumption by up to 40%.
The installation of energy/water efficient shower heads on all showers
Identifying and replacing/decommissioning inefficient hot water systems in the following areas (for example, replacing hot water storage "calorifer" vats with dual element systems and decommissioning of redundant hot water services) :

Engineering
RSBS
Geology
RSES
BOZO
RSAA
The replacement of all existing lighting systems with "low loss ballast" systems in the following areas:

All lecture theatres and tutorial rooms
Haydon Allen Building
Hanna - Neumann Building
Copland Building
Engineering
AD Hope Building (part)
Forestry
BOZO
RSES (part)
RSC (laboratories)
Biochemistry (part)

The new lighting systems are more energy efficient, in that they use 33% less energy to start up and reduce total energy usage by up to 50%. Generally, they last twice as long as traditional lighting systems and as a consequence there is a significant reduction in waste light fittings. PCBs were also removed with the old lighting systems.

Replacement of large mechanical plant (such as air conditioning units and cool rooms which use CFCs as a refrigerant) with more energy efficient equipment:

JCSMR
BOZO
Biochemistry
Geology
Chemistry

Installation of lighting motion sensors in Menzies Library, all lecture theatres and tutorial rooms
Installation of skylights to promote use of natural light in the following areas:

RSC Workshop
Faculties Teaching Centre
Forestry
Installation of solar efficient (reflective) coating on the roofs of the following buildings, to reduce cooling loss (reduces temperature in the roof space by up to 15 degrees):
Upgrading of BAS28000 Building Management System. The new version now allows for better control of energy use in buildings (ie. allows system start/stop times to be defined to the minute)
Thermal insulation installed in all roof replacement programs at RSPhysSE, JCSMR, Law, Chemistry, Physics and Psychology, RSC (Workshop) and Engineering

In addition to the above, the Facilities and Services Division has redrafted its "Design Guidelines for Consultants", placing an increased emphasis on the importance of ESD principles being included in design submissions. While budget often limits the extent to which these principles can be incorporated into the final design there has been some significant successes in recent building projects. These include:

Innovations Building: Design includes internal voids which improve air circulation and funnel natural light through the building

Ian Ross (FIET) Building: There were difficulties orienting the building to face North and consequently the final design was a compromise that addressed the siting requirements of the Buildings and Grounds Committee and maximised the use of winter sun. Additionally, some windows were double-glazed and the building design included ventilation shafts that promote natural ventilation. As a consequence, only teaching spaces required air conditioning.
Graduate House: Double brick was used to increase thermal mass. The residents' rooms were designed to capitalise on cross ventilation and all have sun screening. Consequently, airconditioning of rooms was not required.
CS&IT: All windows are double glazed
RSISE: All windows are double glazed
Sir Roland Wilson Building: Windows double glazed on the southern side of the building. Energy efficient lighting systems and airconiditioning plant installed and skylights included in building design to promote use of natural light.
Student Services Building: Energy efficient lighting systems installed and skylights included in building design to promote use of natural light.
RSES: Specialised sunscreening used on East and West facing windows and substantial overhang built into all eaves. Thermal insulation placed in roofs and walls.

Finally, the Facilities and Services Division has recently commissioned a consultant to complete a energy conservation study of selected buildings (Menzies Library, BAMBI and RSC). The report, which is due in late April will identify inefficient plant and practices in the sample areas and offer suggestions for improving energy conservation. The consultant will also be developing software that allows the University to benchmark energy usage in buildings against a global standard.

Waste Management

Over the past 3 years, a campus wide recycling system has been established to recycle paper products, metals plastics, grease and glass. Since 1996, the amount of material recycled has grown from an estimated 90K kgs per year to 400K kgs per year. However, there is still 700K kg per year of waste being sent to landfill and consequently, the environmental strategy has several objectives aimed at reducing the overall amount of waste produced and wherever practical, recycling the remainder.

Initiatives implemented include:

A report was commissioned to assess the viability of establishing an organic recycling unit using vertical composting technology similar to that in use at the University of NSW.

Environmental Accounting students participated in a series of waste audits of campus activities. These audits formed part of the assessment for the unit and the recommendations from their reports were utilised in the development of the University Waste Management Strategy.
A review of waste management practices was conducted as part of the environmental risk assessment of the Acton and Mt Stromlo campuses.
A team has been established to review the current waste management and recycling arrangements and re-write the contract specifications, placing an emphasis on recycling over waste disposal. The new contract will be re-let by 31 December 2000.

Finally, a team consisting of Facilities and Services staff and undergraduate students is currently redesigning the recycling bins used on campus. As part of the new design, colour coded bins will be used and integrated units (that is, units including bins for the recycling of glass, paper, metals and plastics) will be established at key locations on campus.

Conclusion

In the next year, the main focus of the EMP will be to promote community awareness. However, there will be a number of specific projects undertaken including new waste management arrangements, the introduction of innovative storm water systems as part of the design of new building and various energy and water conservation initiatives.

To conclude, the Committee believes that over the past few years there has been significant progress in environmental management on campus, particularly in the areas of water and energy conservation. However, in order to establish the University as a best practice model for environmental management, a high level of corporate and community commitment must be maintained.

31 March 2000