Environmental and Climate Policy

Háskólinn á Akureyri (Mynd: Auðunn Níelsson)

The Environmental Council has operated at UNAK since the beginning of 2008. In the initial years, an emphasis was placed on achieving the Green Flag certification from Landvernd (Icelandic Environmental Union) and purposeful work took place on improving conduct, waste management and awareness of environmental affairs within the University. In the fall of 2013, the University then achieved, first among universities in Iceland, the Green Flag certification of Landvernd for successful work on environmental affairs. In December of 2016, the University signed the Climate Statement of the City of Reykjavik and Festa and thus committed to purposefully decrease greenhouse gas emissions, reduce creation of waste and measure results. The University has systematically attended to this task in recent years.

The Environmental and Climate Policy is set forth as part of following up on the good and important work that has been carried out in environmental affairs in recent years at UNAK. The policy looks to the future, reviews objectives, ways to reach those objectives and discusses the impact it is intended to have.

The Environmental and Climate Policy is strategic and describes how UNAK envisions the future of environmental and climate affairs at the institution. It is not intended to be binding in regard to those actions that are considered necessary and does not entail a commitment regarding time schedules that are presented. These are for guidance purposes and the Environmental Council will follow up on what is expected to be accomplished at each time, in collaboration with the Management Board.

Future vision 2030

The University of Akureyri sets an example for individuals and institutions in society and is a leader in environmental affairs. UNAK has purposefully shown consideration for the environment and nature in all decision making regarding teaching/education, research, management and operations since 2022.

UNAK seeks to reduce its carbon footprint with respect to greenhouse gas emissions, pollutants, waste of resources and all damage to nature and environment that the operation concerns. Ambitious work is undertaken in both environmental and climate affairs and the aim is always to achieve better results in daily operations. The University has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 45% based on 2019 and has bound carbon dioxide to match its emissions since 2023 with domestic carbon units and has thus supported the development of ecosystems and employment in Iceland.

Obligations and guiding principles

The University of Akureyri ensures that legal requirements set for the University concerning environmental protection are fulfilled. UNAK has implemented the Green Steps programme of the Environment Agency of Iceland that aims to minimise the carbon footprint of operations, and the University will ensure that it continues to fulfil the criteria of the programme. In addition, UNAK has signed the Climate Statement of the City of Reykjavik and Festa and thus commits to minimising its carbon footprint and waste, setting objectives related to this and reporting on results. UNAK received the Green Flag certification in 2013 and will continue the work in question; the Green Flag certification is renewed every two years. UNAK will furthermore look to the Environmental and Climate Strategy of Akureyri and support the aims of the town as appropriate.

Chief objectives

The University of Akureyri intends to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45% per full-time equivalent until 2030 based on 2019. The University will bind carbon dioxide to match its emissions from 2023 with domestic carbon units and will be a carbon neutral institution when domestic carbon units receive certification for this. The University will systematically reduce waste and increase the recycling rate to 80% by 2023 and adopt a focused procurement strategy that will lessen environmental impact and waste from the University.

Key factors in the Environmental and Climate Policy of UNAK

  1. UNAK will reduce the carbon footprint of the University by 45% until 2030 based on 2019.
  2. UNAK will become a carbon neutral institution from 2023.
  3. UNAK will reduce creation of refuse by 20% per full-time equivalent with an active procurement strategy and reuse of assets.
  4. The recycling rate of UNAK will be 80% by 2023.
  5. Climate and environmental affairs will be taken into account in all procurement of products and services.
  6. Emphasis is placed on environmental education of students and staff in order to influence the whole of society.
  7. Emphasis is placed on projects and research within the University contributing to increased knowledge and development of new solutions for the protection of climate and environment.
  8. Emphasis is placed on students and employees being active in public discourse about the policy area and thus disseminating information to the public and government.

Scope of application

This policy applies to the entire operations of UNAK and all buildings and transport under the auspices of the University. Where students pursue vocational studies, they are encouraged to adhere to this policy to the furthest extent possible.

Coverage

This policy extends to the following environmental factors:

Transport

  • Greenhouse gas emissions resulting from employees’ transport during work hours.
  • Greenhouse gas emissions resulting from employees’ transport to and from work.
  • Greenhouse gas emissions resulting from students’ transport to and from the University.
  • Greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the driving of rental cars, taxis and tour buses under the auspices of the University.
  • Flights by employees and students under the auspices of the University, both domestically and abroad.

Waste

  • Emission of greenhouse gases because of organic waste that results from operations in the buildings of the University.
  • Emission of greenhouse gases because of mixed waste that results from operations in the buildings of the University.
  • Appropriate disposal of recyclables and hazardous waste.

Energy

  • Use of electricity and hot water in the buildings of the University.

Procurement

  • Ratio of environmentally certified office paper.
  • Ratio of environmentally certified cleaning agents and detergents.
  • Ratio of environmentally certified stationery.
  • Ratio of environmentally certified cleaning services.
  • Ratio of environmentally certified printing services.

Chemical use

  • Overall management of procurement and disposal of all chemicals used in research and teaching.

Cafeteria

  • Ratio of vegetarian food in the cafeteria.
  • Waste from the cafeteria.

Objectives

1. UNAK will reduce its carbon footprint by 45% until 2030 from 2019 by:

  • Reducing emissions resulting from air transport by 50% until 2030.
  • Reducing emissions resulting from transport during work hours by 35% until 2030.
  • Reducing emissions resulting from employees’ transport to and from work; that is, 70% of employees will travel to work using environmentally friendly transport in 2025.
  • Reducing emissions resulting from energy use by 10%.
  • Reducing emissions resulting from waste by 50%.

2. UNAK will bind carbon dioxide to match the emissions of the University during each year from 2023 through carbon dioxide binding in Iceland.

3. UNAK will reduce creation of refuse by 20% with an active procurement strategy and reuse of assets.

  • Reduce paper use by 50% by 2030 based on 2019.
  • Increase reuse, such as in terms of electronics and furniture, by 25%.
  • Offer only reusable cutlery.

4. The recycling rate of UNAK will amount to 80% in 2023.

  • The recycling rate of UNAK will not be lower than 80% from 2023.

5. Take into account climate and environmental affairs in all procurement of products and services by:

  • Adhering to the new procurement strategy of government entities.
  • Purchasing only environmentally certified products and services where this is possible.
  • Reviewing work processes for procurement.

6. Influence society by emphasising environmental education of students and staff.

  • Adopt an educational policy on environmental affairs for employees.
  • Establish special instruction for first-year students on UNAK’s emphases in environmental affairs.
  • Organise regular instruction for the entire University.

7. Encourage projects and research within the University to contribute to increased knowledge and development of new solutions to protect climate and environment by:

  • Awarding recognition for teaching and research concerning environmental and sustainability affairs and promoting such efforts.

8. Encourage students and staff to actively participate in public discourse on environmental and climate affairs and thus disseminate information to the public and government by:

  • Organising an annual conference under the auspices of the University on affairs relating to sustainability.
  • Organising special incentive projects to encourage students and staff to write articles or promote issues through other means.

 

Approved in a meeting of the University Council on 16 December 2021.