The Hochschule Zittau/Görlitz: Germany’s first registered environmental management (EMAS) at an institution of higher education

Abstract

Most universities still consider the principles of environmental ethics and sustainable development on an academic level addressed at specific courses of studies or as part of research. Practical approaches to encourage individuals in a university community to accept responsibility for environmental improvements are rare. Implementation and maintenance of a standard environmental management system (EMS), however, may be useful not only to improve environmental protection but also to outline a university safe‐guarding a vision of the future. Structured environmental management systems must provide a defined and organised approach to the relevant activities such as clearly defined policy and objectives, clear‐cut responsibilities, documented systems, ongoing training, record, document control, internal audits, management reviews, and continual improvement. The Hochschule Zittau/Görlitz – University of Applied Sciences is the first German institution of its kind having in its entirety successfully undergone the full cycle of EMS requirements including validation and registration specified in the EC regulation 1836/93 (EMAS) which is the European equivalent of the international ISO 14001 standard. Particular concern is shown for active involvement and participation of students and employees during all individual phases of the environmental management system.

Citation

Delakowitz, B. and Hoffmann, A. (2000), "The Hochschule Zittau/Görlitz: Germany’s first registered environmental management (EMAS) at an institution of higher education", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 1 No. 1, pp. 35-47. https://doi.org/10.1108/1467630010307084