SUSTAINABILITY ON CAMPUS BY IMPLEMENTING THE ISO 14001 FRAMEWORK

(Experiences From the first ISO 14001 Certified Latin-American Public University)

By Velzquez Luis, Zavala Andrea, Mungua Nora

University of Sonora

Presentations goal

This presentation is aimed at describing the role of the ISO 14001 standard in the Sustainability Management System in the University of Sonora for becoming a Sustainable University

The focus of this presentation will be on the fundamentals of becoming a sustainable university, details has been avoided. Lector interested in details is invited to read the full paper.

The University's geographic

Our Sustainability Travel

1992

2008
ISO 14001 Certification

Far, Far Away

TO SUSTAINABLE UNIVERSITY

A sustainable University
A higher education institution, as a whole or as a part, that addresses, involves and promotes, on a regional or a global level, the elimination and/or minimization of environmental, economics, societal, and health negative effects in the use of their resources in order to fulfill its main functions of teaching, research, outreach & partnership, and stewardship among others as a way to helping society make the transition to sustainable life styles.

Sustainability Vision

Sustainability Mission

Sustainability Policy

Education

Research

Outreaching and Partnership

Greening the campus

Non-Formal

Formal

Undergraduate

Graduate

Workshops Seminars Conferences

Certificate Master degree Doctoral degree Basic research Applied research

Greening of curriculum

Articles in international reviewed journals International and national networking

International and national student mobility

Regional sustainable production system Capacity Building Consulting service Technical Assistance Project demostration

Sustainability Management System

UNISONs ISO14001-based SMS

In July 2008, the UNISON has become the first public higher education institution to get the ISO14001:2004 certification not only in Mexico but also in Latin America.

Shortcomings in Implementing an EMS in a Public University

Shortcomings in the implementation

1. Sequential flow 2. Universitys structure 3. Standardization of substantive functions 4. Institutionalizing Sustainability

Shortcomings in Implementing an EMS in a Public University

Remarks
In order to become a sustainable university, the University of Sonora has implemented a Sustainability Management System rather than an Environmental Management System. This SMS was certified in July 2008 by a third-party audit firm. It is too soon to claim sustainability improvements derived for the SMS implementation; yet, quantitative indicators show improvements in environmental and cultural issues
Shortcomings in Implementing an EMS in a Public University

Remarks
9 The substantives functions of education, research, and outreach and partnership have been redesigned in order to be supportive and integrative and play a key and role for the success of sustainability initiatives.

Remarks
There is big difference between an EMS implemented in industry with an EMS implemented on campus, mainly because on campus a series of procedures is worthless if the EMS is not linked with the substantives functions of the university, mainly education and research. Student participation must be duty in any EMS for universities.

Remarks
ARE WE THERE, YET?

9 Even though the University of Sonora has been involved successfully in fostering NO, not yet! sustainability initiatives, it is true that being a Sustainable University is still far, far away

THANK YOU