Environment and sustainable development

Together we are all facing a challenge, but also an opportunity, to contribute to achieving a sustainable society. Through education, research and in collaboration with other actors in society, Halmstad University plays an important role in creating conditions for and contributing to a more sustainable societal development.

Sustainable development policy

Sustainability and sustainable development are some of the greatest challenges of our time, and every decision, measure and action has a sustainability dimension. Halmstad University has adopted a policy for sustainable development. Through education, research and in collaboration with other actors in society, the University contributes to sustainable societal development.

Halmstad University is considered to be of the best universities in Sweden when it comes to environmental issues and energy efficiency. However, this does not mean that the sustainability work is complete. The University works actively with sustainability issues and the policy is part of this work.

Policy for sustainable development at Halmstad University

Halmstad University prepares people for the future by creating values, driving innovation and developing society. Research and higher education are important forces in society, not least to find solutions to societal challenges. By being a role model and through concrete educational and research efforts, the University can contribute to environmentally conscious, energetic and well-educated people participating and influencing society’s development from a sustainability perspective.

Internal collaboration and participation must permeate the University’s work to promote sustainable societal development.
Sustainability aspects, including equality work, must be taken into account in the University’s overall strategy documents and activity plans.
Collaboration with students, the surrounding society and other stakeholders where the work can promote sustainable societal development must be stimulated and supported.
Internationally competitive multidisciplinary research for sustainable innovations and sustainable societal development should be encouraged.
All complete educational environments must offer students educational elements in sustainable development.
The University must manage natural resources and work towards a sustainable campus environment.
The environmental legislation must be a minimum requirement in all University activities.

Environmental management system

Like other government agencies, Halmstad University has an obligation to work with sustainable development. Sustainable development must be promoted in order to ensure current and future generations a healthy and good environment, economic and social welfare and justice.

Through the vision and goals, the University will work for a good living environment and through knowledge and research accelerate and further develop a sustainable society. The University has joined the Climate framework for higher education institutions which has been prepared in collaboration between Swedish universities.

The University’s environmental management system aims for long-term work with sustainable development by integrating environmental considerations into ordinary activity planning and quality assurance work, both in education, research and administrative support as well as in collaboration with the surrounding society. The environmental management system provides structure for environmental work and helps the organisation to handle the various parts of planning, implementation, follow-up and improvement of University activities.

Environmental goals, sustainability goals and activities

Every year, the University Governing Board points out priority areas within, among other things, sustainability. These are supplemented with Vice-Chancellor assignments that concretise the goals.

The work with the environment and sustainable development must be based on overall goals and assignments, the University’s policy for sustainable development, environmental investigation, the climate framework and other guidelines that concern environmental aspects. The sustainability aspects must affect both direct and indirect impacts and be linked to Agenda 2030.

Sustainability goals and activities are developed further by the University’s four Schools and the administrative support in plans, quality rassurance eports and educational programme follow-ups.

Evaluation will take place in annual reports, quality assurance reports and the annual report.

Environmental audit and investigation

Environmental audits must be carried out annually. During the environmental audits, a review is made of how the University complies with the requirements that exist in the area of environment and sustainable development. This applies to requirements in laws and regulations as well as voluntary commitments that Halmstad University has chosen to adopt. Design and implementation are described in more detail in a separate audit plan.

According to the ordinance, an investigation must be made of the environmental impact that the University’s internal and external activities may lead to (environmental investigation). The environmental investigation will be kept up to date by reviewing and updating it in the event of significant changes in the University's activities or at least every fifth year. The investigation will contain information on the environmental requirements in law and other statutes that concern the University.

Communication and education

The environmental and sustainability work must be communicated to employees and students. In order for employees and students to be able to influence the environmental and sustainability work, the communication also aims to capture suggestions and opinions.

The Ministry of Education, the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and the Swedish Higher Education Authority follow up the University’s work by reviewing quality systems and through thematic evaluations.