TY - JOUR AB - What system does a university need to optimise its progress to sustainability? Discusses the gradation of approaches possible for a university as it strives to improve its environmental performance. Argues that an environmental policy plus mechanisms for its implementation can be adequate, and endorsement of a single formal EMS need not be necessary. Illustrates this with progress at Lincoln University, the smallest public university in New Zealand. Lincoln University introduced its environmental policy in 1992, but its full implementation was delayed due to pressures on the tertiary sector in New Zealand. However, a new policy has now been adopted and an environmental task force established. Also briefly addresses the following topics: why have an environmental policy?; the establishment and content of the Lincoln University environmental policy; putting the policy into practice – an example based on waste reduction; and a discussion of the main obstacles to progress, in the current university climate. VL - 5 IS - 2 SN - 1467-6370 DO - 10.1108/14676370410526215 UR - https://doi.org/10.1108/14676370410526215 AU - Spellerberg Ian F. AU - Buchan Graeme D. AU - Englefield Russell PY - 2004 Y1 - 2004/01/01 TI - Need a university adopt a formal environmental management system? Progress without an EMS at a small university T2 - International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education PB - Emerald Group Publishing Limited SP - 125 EP - 132 Y2 - 2024/04/25 ER -