The Environmental Policy for Operations is written in accordance with law no. 70/2012 law on climate (icelandic: lög um loftslagsmál) and adheres to other laws and regulations on environmental issues with regards to operations.
This policy was approved by the University Council on the 8th of December, 2022.
The University of Iceland (UI) is a leading Icelandic university in Iceland and an active participant in the international scientific and academic community, as well as Icelandic industry and society. The University‘s core functions are: research, teaching and learning, and collaboration with society and industry, and sustainability plays a part in all of them.
The environmental policy for operations is adapted to UI‘s strategy that is valid at the time. It puts an emphasis on environmental factors in the operations of the university and defines goals and sets out an action plan in this area. The composing of this policy follows the work procedure on strategy development and implementation.
UI has set itself the goal of being a leading university and to become a global leader in the field of sustainability through teaching, research and knowledge creation and to lead the way in sustainable operations and carbon neutrality. Campus development, a healthy work environment and sustainable transportation options promote equality of access and a united, sustainable society.
It is the policy of UI to minimize the environmental impact of its operations, protect the environment, prevent pollution and to reduce emissions from its operations by introducing countermeasures. This environmental policy is written in accordance with law no. 70/2012 law on the climate (icelandic: lög um loftslagsmál) and adheres to other laws and regulations on environmental issues with regards to operations. The UI also aims to perform even better when possible with a focus on continuous improvement. To ensure that this policy has its desired effect, the ISO14001 management system will be implemented in the operations of UI. This policy is accessible both on UI‘s website and on its intraweb.
The University Council and the Rector approves the environmental policy for operations.
The Director of Central Administration approves the environmental goals for operations and action plan, in accordance with UI‘s strategy that is valid at the time.
The Director of the Division of Operations and Resources is responsible for proposing environmental goals for operations, an action plan and to both support and follow up on said goals.
Management within UI has a responsibility to adhere to this policy and to support UI in reaching its goals.
This policy applies to all operations within UI as well as to staff and students.
UI‘s performance with regards to the environmental impact of operations is specifically monitored and environmental goals are set and an action plan presented. These goals and the action plan apply to all staff and students with an emphasis on the following factors:
Performance with regards to environmental goals is monitored continually over the year, is compiled at least once a year through Green accounting and presented in the UI Environmental Report.
Revision of the university‘s performance with regards to environmental goals and its policy is conducted as per the procedure for execution of environmental goals for operations and action plan and is presented at a management review meeting.