See http://www.stuff.co.nz//blogs/ecocentric/2008/08/25/embracing-sustainability/ for
Anna Hughes, from the Centre for Sustainable Practice at Otago Polytechnic.In the spirit of the Olympics and taking pride in achievements and hard work, I’d like to “fly the flag” for Otago Polytechnic for “doing the right thing” and embracing sustainability. As the first tertiary institution in New Zealand to integrate sustainable practice across the curriculum, Otago Polytech has the big-picture goal that every graduate thinks and acts as a sustainable practitioner in their field.The process started back in 2004 and soon followed with a self audit for sustainability using The Natural Step framework and the efforts of staff and students. While this has not been without its challenges, it was made easier by the fact that this was a directive from the polytech’s CEO, Phil Ker. Leadership from above has the fantastic effect of really getting things happening and allowing passionate individuals to make the changes they had been attempting to make, sometimes against the mainstream.This has led to some cool sustainability-oriented projects that may give ideas to others including: the Living Campus Project, a nationwide Sustainable Habitat competition, as well as a waste exchange depot, recycling and composting system throughout the campus. Other initiatives include: securing funding to incorporate sustainable design and materials into the student centre, switching to Fair Trade tea and coffee in the main staffroom, purchasing eight “Poly Bikes” for staff to use to attend meetings in town and running “What’s Best” Expos to highlight that what is “best practice” by today’s standards is “sustainable practice”.To top it off, our department of design is one of only four educational institutions worldwide to sign the “Designers Accord”, a coalition of design and other innovation firms focused on working together to create positive environmental and social impact. Finally, Otago Poly has instigated the Otago Futures Forum, which aims to introduce new thinking for solutions to difficult issues and to facilitate networking across sectors.
It’s exciting to be involved with a forward, future-thinking organisation that with over 10,000 students will make a difference to the world. It may not be “gold medal” material but it’s great to see other organisations and businesses getting on board, many of whom are no longer asking “why” but rather “tell us how”.
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