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Belfast Met launches ambitious new Sustainability & Climate Action Framework
Belfast Met has today published an ambitious and comprehensive 2030 Sustainability & Climate Action Framework.
The framework takes Belfast Met’s long-held commitment to sustainability to a new level by embedding it across every aspect of the College’s operations. At its heart is the overall, long-term goal to be a sustainable and net zero carbon college before 2050.
Interim Principal and Chief Executive of Belfast Met Damian Duffy said: “This is an exciting and ambitious document and one which builds on the significant progress made to date in realising our Sustainable by Nature strategic objective.
“We are focused on making a positive impact on the environment, economy and communities we serve. This framework will underpin our wider vision of being a College of Choice for learners, an Employer of Choice for talent and a Partner of Choice for employers and business.”
Organised around 11 cross-cutting themes, the document sets out a series of objectives in areas such as Sustainable Leadership, Teaching & Learning, Energy & Climate Change, Water & Waste Management, Procurement & Contracts, Sustainable Construction & Refurbishment and Partnerships & Engagement. Taken together, these will root sustainability within all of Belfast Met’s plans and activities at all levels and across all four campuses.
“This new 2030 framework reflects and reinforces the College’s commitment to use our role as educators to inspire, celebrate and advance the sustainability agenda,” said Temporary Chair Michele Corkey. “Developed within the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, it is designed to work at both an aspirational and practical level.”
Chief Operating Officer Aidan Sloane adds: “Our new Sustainability & Climate Action Framework 2030 sets out how we will tackle the current and future challenges we face to become a more sustainable college and play our part in creating a more sustainable world.
“I look forward to its full implementation, the benefits of which will feed into wider national and international objectives on sustainability and climate change.”
Delivery of the 2030 Sustainability & Climate Action Framework is coordinated and undertaken by the Estate & Sustainability Management department within the College.
Head of Department Peter Kane said: “The framework is supported with an annual action plan setting out key activity for each year. Our goal throughout is to embed sustainability into our core function, whilst setting ambitious goals for reducing our carbon emissions through our carbon management projects, sustainable construction and refurbishment projects.”