The University of Hertfordshire educates 24,000 students and employs 2,500 members of staff across three campuses and its other satellite sites. In providing high quality educational, research and work facilities the University recognises the importance of embedding continuous environmental improvement into its business model and ethos.

It is a responsible organisation that aims to be a centre of excellence in environmental management. Its commitments to implementing best environmental practice are demonstrated through:

• An environmental management system that seeks to manage environmental risks and continually improve environmental performance.
• Meeting, and wherever possible exceeding environmental legislative and other requirements.
• Reducing the University's contribution to climate change by implementing a systematic programme of projects and initiatives.
• Preventing pollution, minimising waste, increasing recycling and using natural resources efficiently.
• Implementing a Travel Plan to encourage reduced dependency on single occupancy car travel to and from the University and between its campuses.
• Ensuring that new developments take into account sustainable construction principles.
• Implementing a sustainable purchasing policy and strategy that favours sustainable purchasing practice.
• Managing the University's estates to maintain, enhance and create wildlife habitats.
• Encouraging the integration of environmental issues into the curriculum.
• Promoting environmental awareness and responsibility amongst staff and students and providing training as appropriate.
• Engaging with the higher education sector and wider community to promote environmental best practice.
• Regularly reviewing the University's environmental performance and Policy and using this as a frame work to set associated policies,
• procedures and annual objectives and targets.

The Board of Governors and the Office of the Vice Chancellor have ultimate responsibility for the environmental performance of the University. All staff and students share this responsibility. They are supported by the University's Environment Team and Committee who promote best practice and continual improvement and monitor performance.

Prof R J T Wilson, Vice Chancellor

June 2007