• 'Not-Zero-Net-Zero' Framework of Netaji Subhas Open University.

Preamble

Netaji Subhash Open University (NSOU) recognizes that to achieve excellence in teaching and research it is imperative to promote a culture of environmental responsibility by protecting the local environment through managing its activities, buildings and campuses. The Environmental Policy has been drafted to assert the University’s commitment to environmental issues and to display its intention to address those issues through continual improvement in environmental practices.

The University will act in accordance with environmental legislation and officially approved codes of practice in the country, and will make sincere efforts to minimise its adverse environmental impact and maximise the effective use of its resources by framing an Environmental Plan which sets out a range of objectives and targets related to its significant environmental impacts. It will minimise risks and impacts through the development of robust and documented systems to implement, measure, monitor, and disseminate excellent environmental performance both within its operations and to the broader community catering the needs of students throughout the state of West Bengal.

Policy Statement

"Provide responsible stewardship of the environment by committing to highest possible levels of performance in environmental compliance and practices by incorporating sound environmental management policies and practice into the functioning of all academic and administrative departments".

Applicability

This policy shall apply to all campuses of NSOU, and each employee and student shall be made a partner in implementing the policy.

The policy does not directly apply to all the 149 Study Centres, which are independent institutions with their own environmental policies and initiatives. However, in implementing this policy the University seeks to work collaboratively with the Study Centres to achieve its aims.

Objectives

• Promote sound environmental management policies and practices in the work ofall Faculties, Departments, and other institutions, and provide safe and healthy environment to the staff and students;
• Promote environmental awareness and sensitivity amongststaff and students by sensitizing how their actions can affect the environment;
• Implement policies and procedures that contribute to a reduction in the University’s carbon footprint;
• Ensure the compliance with all applicable environmental legislations/regulations.
• Operate effective waste management proceduresbased on the  five R's Principles (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover and Repair)
• Reduce as far as practicable the consumption of energy and encourage use of renewable energy;
• Reduce as far as practicable the consumption of water and reduce leakage;
• Recharge groundwater through rainwater harvesting in all campuses;
• Incorporate best practice in the management of environmental impactsin the procurement of resources;
• Avoid use, wherever possible, of environmentally damaging substances and materials;
• Maintain the grounds and buildings of the University in an environmentallyfriendly way;
• Reduce any harmful environmental impacts of University sites, buildings, and future developments or refurbishments.
• Maintain the biodiversity within the University premises.
• Ensure that the environment does not suffer as a result of various activities undertaken by the University.
• Encourage modes of transport by staff and students which minimise theenvironmental impact and to examine the operation of hired vehicles;
• Collaborate with appropriate external organisations to improve the understanding of environmental problems and their solutions.
• Encourage greater commitment to multidisciplinary research in environmental issues at local, national and global level.
• Promote and encourage University’s involvement in local environmental initiatives/schemes.
• Protect and enhance the natural environment by reducing direct environmental impact.
• Continuous monitoring and sharing of environmental indicators with stakeholders to ensure commitment towards continual improvement in environmental performance.

Policy

NSOU shall achieve these objectives by:

• Stewardship:
  • Adopt a pro-active approach, place environmental aspects as one of the prime consideration in decision-making process.
  • Ensure efficient and optimal use of resources such as land, water, fuel, construction materials etc., especially the non-renewables.
  • Spearhead waste management by reducing, re-using, recycling, recovering and safe disposal.
  • Adopt more environment friendly and energy-efficient inputs.
  • Provide innovative technological solutions to environment related issues.
  • Take up environmentally befitting projects in areas of climate change, renewable energy, water resources, biodiversity etc under Sustainable Development initiatives.
  • Adopt principles of green procurement by incorporating appropriate provisions in contracts and procurements.
• Compliance and Assurance:
  • Shall comply with all relevant environmental legislations/regulations, standards and other codes of practice.
  • Shall establish system for reporting environment related parameters, deviations and constraints to management.
• Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Shall engage all stakeholders to exchange views on environmental concerns and mitigation measures.
• Capacity Building:
  • Shall ensure all employees and students are made environmentally aware, to enable them to integrate its principles into their activities and decisions.
  • Shall develop environmentally relevant undergraduate and postgraduate courses building on those courses currently offered to ensure inclusive education.

Review

This policy shall be reviewed at appropriate time, but not later than once in five years.

Kalyani Regional Centre

Durgapur Regional Centre