Ethical and Environmental Committee (11th November 2014)

Appologies from: 

Biodiversity & Conservation Coordinator     Laura Barnes

Sustainability Action Assistant                       Julia Kendal

All members introduced themselves to the group and in particular, the Environment Manager NS introduced himself to the group and explained his role.

Maxime Jullian was the only candidate running for the BEES Coordinator position. Henceforth he is elected to sit on the E&E Committee. MJ proceeded to explain his background, particularly his successful internship in China running a very ambitious water project with fellow colleagues and his ambitions for this position on E&E.

Energy and Water Coordinator (SM) will step down after Blackout on the 14^th of November.

Sustainability Action Coordinator and Energy and Water Coordinator therefore remain unfilled positions. Discussion to advertise these positions at Blackout on the 14^th.

In light of open positions, members were requested to volunteer to step in and attend meetings. ELC volunteered to attend Sustainability Action meetings along with LCB until Energy and Water Coordinator is elected. Suggestion that LB attend Swap Shop meetings due to her interest in fashion until Sustainability Action Coordinator is elected.

LCB updated the committee that the findings of the EcoCampus audit with NS resulted in advice to focus on a certain area of SUSU’s Ethical and Environmental Policy and develop Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and evidence of change. The following decision made by Sustainability Zone Committee was to focus on Waste and Purchasing of Goods and Services. BT confirmed that this does not mean that the committee will not be supported on other projects but that the committee will be working towards a higher goal within the organisation. LCB requested a meeting with PG to follow up this decision and work to develop a plan for the upcoming year. LCB also invited PG to a meeting which will commence at 10:30am on the 17/11/2014 with a waste representative from Southampton City Council to discuss future projects and collaboration.

Regular E&E twitter updates:

TH continues to monitor twitter feed. Blackout tweet planned for Friday the 14/11/14. LCB asked if the committee wanted to maintain the Green Forum which existed from past committees. Members decided against this and the Green Forum will be deleted.

Blackout:

SM gave an update of Blackout, that all planning is going smoothly and ready for Friday the 14/11/14.

Charity Fashion Show:

BT said that no meeting has been planned to follow up on the planning of the Charity Fashion Show.

Housing Energy Project:

LCB updated that this project is still in its infancy and informed the committee of the resources which the Environment Centre (tEC) can provide (water aerators, reflective panels, rubber tubing insulation, door draft insulation etc.) and that E&E may be expected to pay an amount of money towards these resources if we would like to distribute them. LCB requested further feedback from the committee about how this project should take form. Members decided that an online campaign would be best, with resources available online and an awareness campaign. LCB to contact tEC again to discuss the committee’s decision and the logistics of the campaign.

Waste Wars:

NS and PG have been in contact about the planning for Waste Wars. A date has been set for the 25^th of February and the Cube has been booked.

WSA Transport update:

MP gave an update of his meeting with the Transport Manager. Buses would need 30-40 people each way and would be expensive. Members decided that an online survey would be required to fully investigate whether this would be feasible and would have enough use. Discussion around a minibus being more feasible.

Swap Shop:

Would be taken on by open position, therefore no progress yet. Waiting for result after Blackout position advertising.

SUSU Audit:

LCB highlighted results of the EcoCampus audit with NS again. A second suggestion included doing a student audit of SUSU and submitting it by the end of the year. It was confirmed that BEES has conducted a similar audit and that MJ will bring this audit to the next E&E meeting for the committee to look at.

LCB raises that it is important to remain aware of comments on the SUSU discussion page

BT to follow up on the re-design of the E&E logo

NS to add TH to the invite list for the Carbon Management Plan meetings

LCB rose the date and time for the next Sustainable Resource Management meeting

LCB confirmed that the next E&E meeting will be on week beginning 10/12/2014

ELC confirmed that she needs to re-audit the SUSU shop

Discussion about water projects:

Agreement from all members that water projects should be investigated further. Ideas for replacing all disposable plastic water bottles on campus with recycled and multi-use bottles, water audit, water conservation resources from tEC possible to place in SUSU bathroom facilities

LCB to send Ethical and Environmental Policy to all members

BT raises that the SUSU website Sustainability Section requires content to be added to it. LCB raises that a Guide to Sustainable Living was made by Sustainability Action which could be added to the website along with resources from tEC. All members to think of content to be added to the website.