Lovely Professional University strives hard for fulfillment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as established by the United Nations in 2015 to address the most pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges facing our world. University follows guidelines for 17 interconnected goals provide and adheres to comprehensive framework for achieving a more sustainable and equitable future for all through education, activities and research. Universities/Educational Institutions can be viewed as ‘small cities’ due to their large size and the various complex activities, which can have direct and indirect impacts on the local environment. Universities have long been leaders of change – catalysts for social and political action as well as centers of learning. Universities not only educate most of the world’s future leaders, decision-makers, teachers but also advance the boundaries of knowledge. Also, as major employers and consumers of goods and services they play a significant role in sustainable development on national as well as on global level.
Universities being the hub of young people, therefore, they can mobilize them to future sustainable development goals. University should emphasize the importance of energy conservation, renewable energy, waste management, conservation of water, waste management, green commuting, and supporting land ecosystems by implementing these strategies in the curriculum and daily activities of the university for sustainable development. Lovely Professional University is committed to take a green campus initiative by using the analytical approach in different phases by paving the ways to build leadership in teaching, learning, research and partnerships with the local and national communities to achieve sustainable development and promoting efficient natural resource management, developing sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices and biodiversity.
The scope of these guidelines is to provide a roadmap with background and a broad conceptual framework for planning/implementing green campus strategies for sustainable development that includes energy conservation, renewable energy, waste management, conservation of water, green commuting, supporting land ecosystems, and educational programs for capacity building.
- Optimization, monitor and regulation of the use of energy by identification of energy wastage, and energy performance index
- Establishment of efficient waste management practices for plastic, electronic, and biomedical, waste etc.
- Integrate and implement environmental management practices to support, conserve and restore the ecosystem, biodiversity, natural habitat and promote sustainability practices into our day-to-day operations.
- Ensure optimum land use, water management, and the conservation of natural resources.
- Empower and motivate staff and students through environmental awareness programmes.
- To provide the current campus facilities with national and international energy performance standards.
- To follow the national/international standards in building infrastructure and use of electric gadgets.
4.1 Energy wastage identification:
Energy wastage identification is a typical challenge so it is necessary to ensure efficient and optimized use of energy to reduce carbon emissions. University shall conduct an energy audit to optimize the consumption of energy throughout the university. Different zones shall be created within the university for the calculation and management of energy density. Each zone shall be having a set of buildings, based on the utilities and load of power consumption. The effective initiative shall be taken to reduce energy consumption per square meter. Therefore, the university shall take the following innovative actions for the identification of energy wastage:
- Identification of high energy consumption zones
- Identification of devices and equipment consuming high energy
- Identification of load distribution in different zones
- Identification of inadequate use of power consumption
- Identification of essential and non-essential operation
4.2 Renewable energy:
Now-a-days, renewable sources of energy are getting popularity due to clean energy generation. There are some advantages also because of more affordable, reliable and efficient with time. At present, promotion of the use of these sources is an important aspect to stop the exploitation of natural resources and to protect the planet from environmental pollution. Therefore, the university shall introduce and increase the use of different sources of renewable energy within the campus in a phased manner. The following sources and systems of renewable energy shall be installed:
- Solar power
- Solar water heating systems
- Solar distillation plants
- Biogas Plant
- Solar irrigation system
4.3 Partnership for clean energy:
Lovely Professional University is dedicated to explore all possibilities for healthy, clean and green environment. Therefore, University shall work with responsible organizations and industries to establish the clean energy solutions system like,
- Collaboration with different NGO’s/industries to solve practical problems related to energy and the environment
- Collaboration with industries working for clean/efficient energy solutions
- Promotion of collaborative research with industries related to the energy sector to develop more efficient renewable energy production system
4.4 Consultancy for the carbon-intensive energy industries:
- A committee shall be constructed to provide consultancy to the industries using carbon intensive energy specifically coal and oil.
- Committee shall evaluate the requirements of the industry and also responsible to provide timely solution
- Committee can appoint any person from the university having the qualification and expertise according to the requirements
- Committee shall recommend industries for the use of renewable energy
- Committee shall also guide the University to explore the divesting investments from carbon-intensive energy industries
Nurturing a Plastic-Free Environment: Advancing Campus Sustainability through Waste Management Practices
Lovely Professional University shall enforce rigorous measures, entailing an absolute ban on plastic goods, to champion environmental conservation by prohibiting the utilization of plastic products and materials in daily activities. This proactive initiative shall result in the transformation of LPU into a plastic-free campus, through the adoption of alternative facilities like water units to eliminate the reliance on plastic water bottles, use of cloth bags, paper bags instead of plastic goods in the campus is another crucial aspect of this ban on plastic which shall aligning seamlessly with LPU's dedicated commitment to cultivating a sustainable and environmentally responsible community.
The utilization of plastic and electronic gadgets by students and staff within the university premises generates a certain amount of waste that shall be minimized and recycled to ensure a sustainable environment and enhance community health. Consequently, the university shall implement specific initiatives to attain a 100% waste-free campus, further solidifying its dedication to sustainability and the well-being of the community.
5.1 Wastewater disposal
- Wastewater from all buildings must be treated in in-house Sewage Treatment Plant. It must be ensured that the waste water arising from a lab needs to pre-treated with hypo as per standard Bio Medical Waste Management Guidelines 2018 and further amendments.
- The treated waster must be monitored for water quality check regularly.
- The treated water must be used for agricultural purposes, etc.
5.2 Waste segregation and disposal
:
- Examine waste figures and undertake a waste audit. Such as the types of waste generation; sufficiency for prevention measures undertaken to reduce waste generation and the already used preventable measures.
- Plastic-free campus by adopting alternative facilities like water units to avoid the use of plastic water bottles and encourage the use of cloth bags, paper bags instead of plastic goods in the campus.
- Identification of recyclable waste
- Increase the use of recyclable material.
5.3 Waste disposal by categorization of waste material
:
- Improvement in the waste management system for plastic, solid, electronic, biomedical and hazardous waste
- Implementation of government guidelines for disposal of biomedical and hazardous waste.
5.4 Trainings for waste disposal
:
- Training and awareness for the utilization of recyclable materials and waste management
- Regular awareness drives and sensitization workshops on the harmful impacts of various types of waste and training on waste management
Water is an integral part of human life. Natural resources are being exhausted to meet the increasing requirement of water because it doesn’t have a substitute. Therefore, recycling or reuse of water is important for sustainable development. University shall take the following initiatives for the water reuse within the campus.
6.1 Rainwater harvesting:
Implementation of water conservation method like rainwater harvesting by having reverse bores, leakage repairs, and condensate recovery.
6.2 Water reuse practices:
- Implementation of water reuse approaches like recycling used water via sewage treatment plant, water plants from condensate water etc.
- Implementation of water recycling techniques including dissolved air flotation, biological treatment, granular activated carbon, softening, disinfection, deionization and filtration etc.
- Compliance with government guidelines for the water discharge to protect the ecosystem
- Ensure the quality of potable water
Green transportation reduces carbon and greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution and parking space. Encouraging commuting supports a healthy work-life balance, and walking and biking have environmental and health benefits. Therefore, the university promoting commuting among the staff and students.
- Electrical and solar energy-based vehicles and shuttle services
- Promotion of the use of bicycle
- Staffs, faculties should use electric cars, electric cars or battery-operated transportation means
- Preparation of walkway and pedestrians within the campus
- Promotion of car pooling
Ecosystem services or nature-based solutions are efficient and cost-effective in comparison to technical infrastructures. The university must recognize the importance of land ecosystem and support by implementing the following activities:
8.1 Landscaping University with Green cover:
- University must consider planting more number of trees, potted plants, climber (green buildings), etc. to meet net carbon neutrality.
- Traditional agriculture practices and sustainable farming/organic farming for reducing the use of pesticides.
- Landscape operations with Cultivation of different species/variety of flora
- Conservation of natural resources like forests, native plants and herbs, etc.
- Categorization of land ecosystem
8.2 Reduce GHG emissions:
- Reduce Greenhouse gas emissions by less dependence upon fossil fuels
- Promote use of renewable energy
- Applying sustainability principles to design, building, refurbishment and operation of our building and to the management of our campuses and biodiversity reserves
- Use star rated appliances, promote natural use of light and ventilation, etc.
8.3 Protection of endangered species:
Protection of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species that includes both plant and animal species.
8.4 Other activities:
- Educational academic programme.
- Identification and categorization of alien species for maintaining the records and research-based strategies to reduce the impact of alien species on crops.
University shall promote the awareness related to the environment and sustainable development among the students, staff and local community. Therefore, university shall conduct following activities for creating awareness:
- Inclusion of courses and programmes related to clean energy, environment and sustainable development
- Organize training and workshops for the students, staffs, and local community including the rural population for challenges and opportunities related to the protection of the environment and conservation of energy
- Dissemination activities for local people, industry and school students on green economy and circular economy
- Promotion of digitization and e-governance for execution of different academic and administrative tasks
- Promotion research and development for the energy and environment using an interdisciplinary approach
In establishing these guidelines, the LPU reinforces its commitment towards green campus efficient energy management, water, natural resources and act as a role model for sustainable practices. The university shall set up a committee for action and evaluation of green campus. The university holds the right to amend any of the point of this guideline without any prior information and announcement.