Staff Sustainability Survey findings - 2015 Message from Professor Ned Pankhurst, Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor and Chair Sustainability Sub Committee of the Executive Group In the second semester 2015 we invited all staff to complete a sustainability survey. Thank you to those who took the time to provide feedback. It helps us to identify issues and opportunities to mature our sustainability commitment. In particular, respondents indicated that the top three categories that would enable them to undertake more sustainability activities in their workplace were: More awareness and training More management support and staff involvement More composting, recycling and waste management Each of these areas is receiving attention: Awareness and training: A new Sustainability Awareness module has been incorporated into the new staff induction process and is also available on the Sustainability website. A new Sustainability Hub for learning and teaching provides 440 sustainability resources for academic staff and students. A new Green Labs Pilot program has been launched this year in selected laboratories with the aim for best sustainable practice in Griffith Labs. Detail on the Green Labs Program has been incorporated into the Laboratory and Workshop Health & Safety module, and is also available on the Sustainability website. Management support and staff involvement This year we are revising Griffith’s Sustainability Plan and this item will be considered as part of the review. More composting, recycling and waste management As you will be aware Campus Life have been working on waste, recycling and composting this year. You can find out more details on Campus Life’s new Environmental Performance website which includes live data and tips on sustainable practice. A summary of survey findings is below for your information. Professor Ned Pankhurst Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor Chair, Sustainability Sub Committee of the Executive Group Summary of Staff Sustainability Survey findings 2015 The Griffith Sustainability Survey was conducted from Monday 28 September to Friday 16 October 2015. This is the second Sustainability Survey undertaken, with the first being conducted in 2011. The current Griffith University Sustainability Plan 2013-2015 is due for review and the findings from the present survey will assist in the review process. The 2015 survey had a total of 354 responses. In 2015, 50% - 77% of respondents were aware of the key sustainability initiatives (website, newsletter, Sustainability Week and pledge) and rated their performance between 67% and 83%. While the newsletter’s performance rated the highest, it was the least well known and will need to be further promoted. Awareness will continue to be a priority item. Respondents supported good practice with 52% - 95% indicating that they always or often support good practice. Top three practices: Reducing paper and plastics usage (93% - 95% of respondents indicating always or often) Energy efficiencies (76% - 94% of respondents indicating always or often) Recycling (63% -93% of respondents indicating always or often). Survey respondents were also asked to indicate their travel behaviour: 75% travel to and from the university by car, 14% of those have a passenger 65% travel 5 times from home to GU per week, 6% travel 6 or more times per week. Respondents listed additional operational items they were involved in. Items raised that were not already covered in the survey include: Sustainability awards in groups SIGH – Sustinability initiatives in Griffith Health • Griffith Sciences Sustainability Committee Awareness activities at the local level. Respondents indicated that the top three categories that stop them from undertaking more sustainability activities in their workplace were: Lack of management/staff support and commitment (54) Lack of time and resources (46) Reuse, recycling and waste (64). This included lack of recycling bins/infrastructure (34). Respondents indicated that the top three categories that would enable them to undertake more sustainability activities in their workplace were: More awareness and training (49) More management support and staff involvement (39) More composting, recycling and waste management (48) This included composting (14), e-waste (4), recycling process (5), recycling bins/infrastructure (27), other (3). Respondents identified the top three sustainability initiatives at Griffith: Composting and recycling (131) • Energy and reducing GHG emissions (116) Water conservation (50). For further information on sustainability initiatives: www.griffith.edu.au/sustainability