Source: University of Otago
Have your say on how we should invest our time and resources to help embed sustainability in everything we do.
Feedback is being sought on the draft Tī Kōuka Sustainability Strategic Framework 2030.
Seven strands are its core.
1: Te puaka tī, he tohu raumati – Education. Equipping students and staff to become more sustainable in their lives and work through our courses and our University becoming a living lab of sustainability practices.
2: E kore e riro, he tī tāmore – Research. Understanding knowledge is handed down through generations and the role research needs to take in the transition to a more sustainable future, with sustainability network of sustainability-focussed research themes, groups and living labs which link to Te Ao Māori.
3: Whāia te ara tī – Leadership and governance. Strong leadership and committed governance are essential to making significant progress and integrating sustainability into every decision that maps our course, while also incorporating Te Ao Māori concepts of sustainability.
4: He oraka kai te rua tī – Sustainable operations. Our services must have the commitment and skills to lead the way in sustainable practices, including procurement, accommodation, campus experiences, recruiting equitably and diversely, and becoming Net Carbon Zero.
5: Te tī e wana ake – Regeneration. We do not accept causing less harm is enough, we take a regenerate whole-of-systems approach to create a thriving future. Students choose Otago because of our sustainability culture and staff stay because we match their values.
6: Ka hau te tī – Regional and global impac. We need to have global sustainability relationships and disperse our knowledge – including by providing policy advice nationally and producing graduates with sustainability skills. We also need to recognise our obligations to Tiriti and our Pacific neighbours.
7: Te tī ka rito – Innovation. We need to work together to take a bold approach so new ways come from the old.
Our framework will become a compass to guide the creation of an implementation plan, Sustainability Office Head Ray O’Brien says.
This framework is our University’s second, the first (2017-2021) made significant progress but since then both expectations and the sense of urgency have increased.
The aim to achieve the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030 means entities across the world are joining forces to find solutions to the world’s biggest challenges, during the Decade of Action.
Submission our University’s sustainability framework to 2030 can be made via this link.
Submissions close on 12 September 2022.
Some information webinars have already been held and another will run on: Tuesday 6th September at 1:00pm.
The Sustainability Office is part of the Operations Group, which has three top priorities:
Enable – the University to achieve its visions and mission
Engage – with our students, each other, our customers and externally
Experience – of our students, our customers, and externally to be outstanding
