DEVELOPING AN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT STRATEGY FOR THE NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

Abstract

Sustainability in an organization’s culture has long been associated with the private sector. More recently, colleges and universities worldwide are investing money and resources into improving their internal environmental performance. The National University of Singapore (NUS) is also part of this global campaign to achieve campus sustainability. This study proposes a systematic and strategic framework for NUS to adopt in order to realize the university’s commitments to sustainability. The study investigates current environmental initiatives and sustainability targets established in NUS and in leading universities worldwide, and subsequently develops an environmental management strategy for the University based on campus sustainability best practices and applicability to Singapore. The Strategy proposes objectives, targets and actions the University should undertake. The analysis of the University’s current environmental program in the absence of a strategic framework finds that the sustainability efforts of the University concentrates in sustainable building design and energy use, with less focus on other aspects of campus sustainability such as stakeholder participation and sustainable procurement. The study proposes several recommendations, including the adoption of an environmental management strategy similar to the one developed, in order to advance NUS’ efforts in achieving sustainability.