The facilities of the Green Campus come under the following groups:
The purpose of the Office of Green Campus at Pondicherry University is to promote sustainability and responsible environmental management on campus, with a view to reducing the institution’s environmental footprint and contributing to global efforts to combat climate change and to reverse the RED. . The initiative seeks to create a sustainable and environmental friendly campus that promotes awareness and education about sustainability issues and fosters a culture of environmental responsibility and stewardship among students, faculty, staff, and the wider community.
The scope of the Office of Green Campus at Pondicherry University is broad and comprehensive. It encompasses all aspects of campus life, including academic programs, research activities, operations and facilities management, and community outreach. The scope includes the implementation of sustainable practices in all areas of campus life, from energy-efficient buildings to sustainable transportation options, to waste reduction, upcycling, recovery and application programs.
This is an important and ambitious undertaking that reflects the University’s commitment to sustainability and responsible natural resource management and pollution abatement. Through the implementation of sustainable practices and the promotion of environmental awareness and education, the University is contributing to global efforts to combat climate change and achieve the targets set out in the Sustainable Development Goals and Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The University’s vision, mission, pillars, and scope for the Office of Green Campus provide a roadmap for achieving the important objectives and ensure that Pondicherry University remains a pioneer and leader in sustainable campus practices and environmental stewardship in ‘sustainable cities and nation building’.
The Green Campus Initiative at Pondicherry University is aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, which calls for urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. The University recognizes that climate change, loss of biodiversity, and pollution as the most pressing environmental challenges facing the world today, and that universities have a critical role to play in addressing these challenges. By promoting sustainability and responsible on-campus resource management, Pondicherry University is contributing to global efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change and achieve the targets set out in the Global Goals.
At Pondicherry University, our vision for the Office of Green Campus is to create a model campus that not only embraces sustainability and environmental responsibility but also serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for future generations of environmental leaders to address the urgent challenges posed by the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution in tandem with the Sustainable Development Goals. Our ultimate goal is to contribute to the preservation of our planet’s ecosystems and the well-being of all its inhabitants.
The mission of the Office of Green Campus at Pondicherry University is to foster a culture of environmental responsibility among our community, including students, faculties, staff, and the public by inculcating environment-conscious behavior. We strive to achieve this by implementing innovative practices and initiatives that encourage participation in reducing our ecological impact, restoring ecosystems, and combating climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. We aim to promote water conservation, food sustainability, waste reduction, energy sustainability, and carbon neutrality to create a sustainable and resilient campus. Our efforts extend beyond our university as we seek to inspire and collaborate with others to address global environmental challenges. Additionally, we aim to establish our campus as a living laboratory for environmental solutions.
- Awareness
- Green Initiatives
- Standard Operation & Transformation
- Dissemination
- Fund Raising & Outreach
I. Environmental Justice: Article 51A(g) of the Indian Constitution mandates that it is the fundamental duty of every citizen to safeguard and improve the natural environment, which encompasses forests, lakes, rivers, wildlife, and the overall welfare of all living beings. The provision also stresses the significance of showing empathy towards the environment. In addition, environmental justice involves guaranteeing equitable treatment and meaningful participation of all individuals, regardless of their age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic status, in the formulation, execution, and enforcement of environmental laws, rules, and policies. II. Principle-15 of the Rio Declaration: Principle 15 of the Rio Declaration states that in cases where there are potential threats of significant or irreversible damage, the lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as an excuse to delay taking cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation. Given the inherent limitations of resources such as time and funding on a global scale, taking preventive steps to halt and reverse environmental degradation in all areas will prove to be crucial. III. Tipping Theory The tipping theory proposes a paradigm shift towards the notion of ‘Doing the Good’ as opposed to ‘Stopping the Bad’. Rather than solely concentrating on preventing harm, this approach emphasizes the significance of taking proactive steps to facilitate positive environmental change. This approach entails going beyond merely averting negative consequences and actively promoting sustainable practices that encourage a shift in attitude toward transformation. IV. Picking Up Low-Hanging Fruit The term “picking low-hanging fruit” pertains to addressing simple and easily achievable actions or solutions that can yield a positive impact on the environment. By focusing on such readily available opportunities for improvement, we can make swift headway towards environmental sustainability in a manner that promotes nature positivity. Given the significance of every small action, even seemingly trivial individual efforts can collectively bring about a substantial positive impact on environmental and social well-being while paving the way for a sustainable future for generations to come. |
Compliance/ Governance
- Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016
- Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016
- Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016
- Hazardous Waste Management Rules, 2016
- E-Waste Management Rules, 2016
- Sanitary Napkin Waste Management Guidelines, 2016
- Construction & Demolition waste Management Rules, 2016
SDG goal-specific policies
- Green Protocol for Educational Institutions, organizations, industries and residences
- Green Protocol for Wetlands
- Solid Waste
- Plastic Waste
- Sanitary Napkin Waste
- Biomedical Waste
Sustainable Development Goals
- Sustainable Development Goals
The Role of Universities and their Leaders Facing the Grand Challenges of Climate Change and Sustainability
- Training and capacity building for the compliance of green protocol @ Puducherry
- Universities Facing Climate Change and Sustainability, supported by the Körber Foundation, on behalf of the Global University Leaders Council.
- International Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Program
- Talloires Declaration
- Sustainability Literacy Test
Books
- Encyclopedia on Sustainable Development Goals, Springer Publisher.
- Higher Education and Sustainable Development Goals, Emerald Publisher
