Sustainable Business Management

This report discusses the aspect of sustainability management in the context of University of Bedfordshire. It covers sustainability initiatives, management systems, key performance indicators, current practices, comparison with other institutions, and the aspects and impacts of sustainability practices.

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

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Table of content
Introduction 2
What is sustainability 2
Environment management systems and KPIs of University of Bedfordshire 3
Current practices in the University regarding sustainability 3
Comparison with other educational institutions having higher ranks in sustainable index 4
Aspects and impacts of sustainability practices 5
Aspect Impact table 5
Opportunities and challenges in terms of sustainability for University of Bedfordshire 12
Recommendations 13
Conclusion 14
References 15

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Introduction
The current report discusses the aspect of sustainability management in context of University of
Bedfordshire. This report will take into consideration the initiatives that are related to
sustainability and complemented by outreach activities in aspects of academics, operations and
stakeholders. The report will discuss the elements of sustainability, management systems and
key performance indicators of the University of Bedfordshire. Discussions will be meet regarding
current practices and compare it with other organisations having better rank in sustainability
index. The impact as well as aspect of sustainability practices will be discussed in order to
identify the opportunities as well as challenges that University of Bedfordshire faces.
Recommendations will be suggested by taking into account the different aspects of
sustainability management in University of Bedfordshire.
What is sustainability
The most potential catalyst for implementing sustainable development ideologies for the
upcoming generations is higher education. The importance of sustainability has begin to emerge
as a commercialized entity as people believe that higher education institutions and Universities
are the key to bringing a sustainable future (Figueiró and Raufflet, 2015). In order to bring about
the pace for the increasing and exponential magnitude of Technology growth and
development,The human beings have interacted with a number of factors which in turn has
resulted in threatening the sustainability of the societies. The current generation of human
beings uses half of the freshwater available in the world and the activities have affected weather
as well as climate. Major natural system existing in earth have a touch of human activity.
Over the last several decades, International initiatives as empathetically emphasised on the fact
that education is critical and vital for societies trying to become sustainable. According to
Hoover and Harder (2015). this change in perception has affected universities as well as other
Institutions in Higher Education. These institutions have align their principles and practices with
the concept of sustainability. The universities Have a very significant impact in the
transformation of the society towards sustainable practices. As the natural system of the planet
weakens due to the increasing human activity due to the inability of the existing institutions
available to meet the challenges to do long term planning as they are dominated by individual
interests and the Bureaucracy is fragmented by authority as well as responsibility which is much
more suitable for allocating resources when in abundance but not when in scarcity.
The four primary dilemmas that the society faces today can be essentially considered as moral
choices. These dilemmas are to alleviate poverty, to remove and the gap between the rich and
the poor by controlling the use of political violence and manipulation and to change the existing

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pattern of consumption as well as production in order to achieve transition to sustainable model
(Stough et al. 2018). The current generation is an prepared both philosophically as well as
institutionally to respond to the above mentioned challenges which in turn will affect the world
for the future generations. The need of the hour for educational institutions such as University of
Bedford is to prepare the students to live in a world as it will be in future by encouraging the
individual students to embrace the responsibilities of a sustainable future.
Environment management systems and KPIs of University of Bedfordshire
In order to systematically as well as comprehensively document the impact of an organisation
on the environment, environment management systems and KPIs are used. According to
Viegas et al. (2016), the primary and most important function of environmental management
systems are to reduce the impact of the activities of Organisation on the environment. University
of Bedfordshire cited the same reason for implementing search management systems across all
the campuses of the Institution. Previously The university was chosen for implementing a
management system which was aligned with the environmental management systems of British
Standard and this means that the institution has been certified to the above mentioned standard
in the year 2013. Recently the institution has transition from the British Standard to Eco campus
environmental management system which is one of the more recognised systems operating in
the sector of Higher Education.
The Eco campus has been selected as a national management system which makes use of
award schemes for supporting sustainability development and implementation in the sector of
Higher Education. This scheme allows University of Bedfordshire to be responsible for
addressing the key issues pertaining to environmental sustainability which also includes carbon
reduction. The institution has received the external certification for Eco-campus in the year
(2018) and has continuously strived to obtain better certification. In order to benchmark the
implementation of Sustainable ideas it is necessary to keep track of the key indicators of
performance that will help in defining the result in a physical as well as numerical fashion. Few
necessary key performance indicators that are tracked by University of Bedfordshire
consumption of utility, flow, waste, water, education, transportation and lastly energy and
changing climates (Dlouhá et al. 2017).
Current practices in the University regarding sustainability
University of Bedfordshire has extensively undertaken numerous initiatives that helps the
institution to follow a plan of sustainability. The University has a dedicated waste disposal
system that collects renewable and nonrenewable waste generated from the campus and keeps
it for further segregation. The institution also takes part in recycling activities and makes use of

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combi heating for the heating needs of the university. University of Bedfordshire has also
installed solar panels which are essential for cutting down on electricity from traditional energy
source which makes it a greener and more efficient system for lighting and air conditioning
needs.
The institution also has a very systematic and dedicated rainwater harvesting system which
makes use of the rooftop area of the university building for rainwater collection and this
rainwater is further collected in a tank which has a capacity of 600 thousand litres. A fraction of
the water collected is used for flushing toilet and other cleaning activities. The rest of the water
is further purified and fitted with antimicrobial agents to make the water potable or drinkable. In
order to minimise energy consumption due to using Elevators, University of Bedfordshire has
initiated a lift campaign which asks the individuals getting in the elevator if they can use the
stairway. The environmental management system implemented by the University of
Bedfordshire helps in monitoring the numerical data in order to tweak with the existing setup
tour greatly increase the efficiency.
Comparison with other educational institutions having higher ranks in sustainable index
University of Bedfordshire has attained Global recognition due to its attempt to implement the
sustainable practices in higher education. However, according to the ranking system of the
sustainability index, the institution ranks 11 in the United Kingdom. The top performer
mentioned in the index is the Nottingham Trent University and is closely followed by Manchester
Metropolitan University and the University of Brighton. The environmental General Manager of
Nottingham Trent University has proclaimed that the reason the institution’s commitment for
reducing carbon emissions go beyond the paradigm of environment is because the students
believe that they have an edge in terms of career opportunities if they consider the
environmental challenges that they may face in the future. However the individual performance
of the Institutions does not summarise the commitment of Higher Education institutions in the
United Kingdom towards sustainable practices and development (Wood et al. 2016).
It should be noted that quarter or even less number of universities present in United Kingdom
are committed towards their promise of carbon reduction In the coming years. This inability to
commit to the targeted figure has declined to nearly 40% Even though that 42 institutions based
in United Kingdom have already made commitments to divest from endowment in future from
companies dealing with fossil fuels. It should be noted, as observed by Christie et al. (2015),
that the reason commitment from such institutions have been shaky is due to declining
Government support as well as incentives complemented with decreasing number of University
staff who are dedicated to environmental and sustainability activities. The government

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environmental initiatives have also declined overtime and this has lead to serious issue in
commitment of higher education institutions in the United Kingdom.
Aspects and impacts of sustainability practices
By reviewing the literature it is clear that a sustainable University Campus actually implies good
balance between the environmental, social as well as economic goals in terms of policy making
as well as long term impact of the present day activities on the campus. Sustainability has been
characterized by growth in economy which is in turn based on the Social Justice as well as
efficiency while using natural resources (Ceulemans, Lozano and Alonso-Almeida, 2015).
Hence, the sustainability practices should include division that in order to achieve sustainability
goals it is needed that all the stakeholders corporate and participate in the same. Just like cities
the universities also have a wide range of complex activities as well as operations that have
significant environmental impacts which until recently has been overlooked from the
perspectives of social as well as environmental responsibility. According to Lozano et al. (2015),
the activities as well as operations related to University required constant monitoring in order to
identify the potential impact on the environment. Use of laboratory and workshops, energy as
well as chemical used, ground and building maintenance all required hands-on monitoring and
review.
Since the universities are responsible for significantly contributed to the development of the
society, they hence have a special responsibility towards the society particularly in context of
Sustainable environmental protection as well as resource use. By demonstrating sustainable
practices in the University Campus, there is a chance that it will become a model for the alumni
of the Institution to take sustainable initiatives elsewhere in the society (Schoolman et al. 2016).
Hence it is necessary for University of Bedfordshire to promote a development pattern that is
compatible with biodiversity, environmental safety, ecological balance as well as integrational
equity. According to O’Byrne, Dripps and Nicholas (2015), the concept of sustainability needs to
be served as a way to configure the campus as well as the various activities of the university so
that the members present in the institution are able to meet their economic and intellectual
needs by expressing their greatest potential in the present as well as in the future.
Aspect Impact table
Aspect Impact Current practice Recommendation
Biodiversity ● To create
more than
● A phase II
Ecology audit
● It is
recommended

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2000 square
metres of
green spaces
by the year
2020.
● To protect and
increase the
growth of the
flora and
fauna that has
been
identified in
the
biodiversity
audits.
has been
commissioned
for all the
main
campuses
which is
expected to
be completed
by 2020.
● In order to
create new
habitats and
encourage the
concept of
biodiversity
the institution
has ensuring
that all the
Constructions
that are being
Incorporated
make use of
green roofs.
● Collaborative
work with the
ground
maintenance
staff has been
initiated in
order to
ensure that
the best
practices for
to maintain
relationship
with the local
bodies such
as wildlife
trusts.
● This also
necessary to
ensure that
necessary
gadgets are
made
available for
promoting
biodiversity
improvement
work.

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maintaining
conserving as
well as
enhancing the
ecology as
well as
associated
habitats.
Recycling ● Constitution
has
committed to
recycle
hundred
percent of the
total
generated
waste by the
year 2020.
● The rate of
internal
recycling has
being
projected to
increase from
45 to 60% by
the year 2020.
● Density tuition
providers
external waste
recycling
points for the
staff members
as well as the
students.
● Campaigns
and trainings
have been
conducted to
raise
Awareness of
waste and
recycling.
● The institution
has also
increase the
facilities for
the staff as
well as the
students so as
they can
recycle the
● In order to
minimise
packaging
waste, the
institution
needs to take
part in
sustainable
procurement
practice which
comply with
the European
as well as UK
standards of
waste
regulation.

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waste.
● The University
of
bedfordshire
as also
implemented
the waste
hierarchy
comprising of
reduce reuse
and recycle.
Sustainable
procurement
● The carbon
emissions
from the
supply chain
network is
projected to
decline to
25% by the
year 2020.
● Assisting the
local economy
as well as the
community
with
sustainable
development.
● The institution
is trying to
minimise the
impact of the
procurement
process on
the
environment.
Introduction
as per the
TBL in terms
of
philosophical
turning around
for less
carbon
emission
● Training and
information
are provided
internally to
encourage
● It is
recommended
that institution
uses
ecologically
friendly
products
when and
where
available as
the first
option.
● The
purchases
should be
made from
local suppliers
if practical.
● In order to
make sure
that the
procurement

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sustainable
procurement
practices.
● The contractor
only awarded
to the
suppliers who
comply with
the
requirements
of the
environmental
PPQ.
● The institution
also ensure
that the
supplies that
are purchased
are procured
from
sustainable
sources.
process is
sustainable it
is necessary
to develop the
full life cycle
cost
procedure for
the product.
● The Institution
of on its to
promote the
policy of
reducing the
delivery
schedule
which defines
as Russia's
the best
practices for
raising the
Venice
pertaining the
issue.
● It is also
recommended
that the
institution
identifies
suppliers who
are accredited
to ISO 14001,
ISO 9001 for
use of

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recycled
products.
Solar panels ● The building
will be
subjected to
building
research
establishment
environmental
assessment
methodology
for Quality
Assurance.
● The project
will investigate
carbon
neutrality
possibility for
the institution.
● Investigations
are being
made in
context of
generation of
renewable
energy with a
minimum 10%
being
generated
from combi
heating and
power plants.
● The existing
campus and
infrastructure
has been
proposed for
improvement
by
refurbishing
the existing
department as
well as
construction
of new
buildings
which will try
to incorporate
methods of
micro
generation of
energy like
use of
photovoltaic
cells.
● All the project
need to be
designed in
such a
manner that
day the lowest
quantity
carbon
emissions.

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Water resources ● All the known
water leaks
have been
repaired
within 72
hours.
● Regular audit
have been
conducted
which are
reviewed by
the corporate
management
team.
● Rainwater
harvesting is
also being
considered for
conducting
major
refurbishment
projects.
● The University
of
bedfordshire
has
implemented
water saving
measures that
will help in
reducing the
annual water
consumption
of the
university.
● The university
measures
monitors as
well as
reduces water
consumption
across the
campuses.
● Rainwater
harvesting
systems have
been
incorporated
and used in all
the new
building.
● In order to
provide your
and safe
water it is
necessary to
ensure that
the local water
course as well
as the water
that is being
controlled is
protected from
pollutants.
● It is also
necessary to
make
students as
well staff
members
aware of the
requirement
for using
water
sparingly.
Emissions and
discharges
● There has
been a
reduction of
scope one
● There is a
annual
monitoring of
the emissions
● It is necessary
to ensure that
the copper
coil

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carbon
emission
generated by
combustion of
the fossil fuel
in the boiler.
● Investigations
have been
made to make
the boilers to
have a
minimum
operating
combustion
efficiency of
90% or above.
from the
combustion
equipments.
● The food
waste has
been
redirected
from
incinerators to
the local
anaerobic
digestion
plants.
interceptors
will be
regularly
empty in order
to prevent
control water
pollution.
● It is also
necessary to
identify as
well as mark
the water
drains on the
surface in
order to
ensure that
only rainwater
is being
discharged in
these
channels.
Opportunities and challenges in terms of sustainability for University of Bedfordshire
University of Bedfordshire enjoys a healthy campus environment which it has developed by
minimising the negative activities occurring in the campuses which essentially means
elimination of substances of toxic nature by reducing waste and effluent generation which in turn
will help in minimising emission activities polluting the environment. The transition of Bedford
University to adapt a sustainable approach has helped the economy of the university to prosper
by conservation of energy and resources as well as utilisation of raw materials which are
renewable in nature and is complemented by and environment management which is both
appropriate and efficient (Blowfield, 2012).
The fair learning environment in the University of Bedfordshire has greatly improved the general
well being of the existing University community and also promises to be equally Beneficent for

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the future community members. Sustainability practices will help in providing equal opportunities
to the variety of research and teaching ideas existing in the university so that they can
participate in activities of Campus development as well as sustainability. Hence, as mentioned
by Young and Dhanda (2013), it is necessary to make use of professional as well as systematic
management approach for environmental aspects which will help in minimising wasteful
consumption of resources as well as the negative impact of the activities in the campus which
will help in promoting campus sustainability. Since this type of approach and commitment is
lacking from most of the universities, the concept of sustainability and achieving sustainability
goals has become very difficult.
Recommendations
In order to deal with the growing crisis of lacking commitment towards sustainable development,
it is recommended that the University of Bedfordshire needs to formulate an integrated
approach that will help in improving the current level of campus sustainability (Casarejos,
Gustavson and Frota. 2017). Since the environmental issues have become much more complex
as well as interconnected two aspects of environmental sustainability it is very critical to
implement a systematic as well as integrated approach in the process of decision making,
management as well as investment. It is also necessary for setting certain sustainable
objectives that conform to the existing standards of Sustainable practices in higher education.
Hence it is recommended to reduce waste generation which in turn will help in reducing
depletion of resources as well as pollution. In order to have a positive result on the identified key
performance indicators it is necessary to promote awareness among the university employees
as well as the university community by providing a platform to those who wish to demonstrate
the commitment towards protection of environment. This will help the management to pursue
continual improvement in aspects of environmental sustainability performance. It is also
recommended to promote a voluntary and consensus approach while dealing with the
environmental issues which will help in providing a worldwide focus on the aspects of
environmental management. University of Bedfordshire needs to go beyond the regulatory
compliance in order to demonstrate their resolve towards sustainability.
Conclusion
In the present report the various aspect of sustainability management from the perspective of
University of Bedfordshire has been discussed. In order to have a greater understanding, the
report takes into consideration the several initiatives that have been undertaken by the
University of Bedfordshire for improving sustainability score by conducting outreach activities
which encompass the Academics, the operations as well as the stakeholders. In the present

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report the discussions have been made pertaining to the several elements of sustainability, use
of environmental management system and review of the key performance indicators for
University of Bedfordshire. Comparison have been also drawn between University of
Bedfordshire and other higher education Institutions which have a greater rank in the
sustainability index. The impact and aspect of the implemented sustainability practices have
been discussed which helped in identifying the challenges and opportunities that the institution
faces. On the basis of the overall summary of environmental sustainability practices of
University of Bedfordshire, certain recommendations have been suggested.

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