Our Environment
As part of Kangan Institute's commitment to environmental initiatives, this page will give you information on our latest environmental projects, events, awards and funding grants.
Background
Kangan Institute has long been living and breathing Sustainability. Since the turn of the century, the Institute has implemented a range of projects that have enforced the organisations values and ideals; that Institute cares about the Environment, about future generations. By studying at Kangan Institute, you not only gain knowledge, skills, and ultimately a key to the future, but also have the opportunity to make a great difference to the impact you have as an individual, and collectively as a TAFE student, on the Environment.
Environmental Policy
PDF Document - 62.7 Kb
The Future
As part of the Institutes Key Objective, to become "Leaders in our approach to Environmental Sustainability", a new Sustainability Policy and Action Plan has been developed and is currently under review. It is hoped that upon the Policies implementation, the Institute will continue to steer toward Sustainability, and generate successful, environmentally positive outcomes from the Action Plan.
Sustainable Campus Group
With the Sustainability Covenant now closed after the very productive and successful three year period, the final report has just been produced and approved. Throughout the course of the Covenant, it was found that there was a need to tailor a model of sustainable development, specific to the Education Sector. Kangan Institute, along with other members of the Sustainable Campus Group (a conglomerate of education providers), are now embarking on a new mission; a Pilot Program with the aim of developing a sustainable model of operations, including a Campus Rating System, and data monitoring and reporting scheme for the Education Sector.
Kangan Institute is the only TAFE Institute participating in the Pilot Program; our Institute is seen as the leader in perpetuating Environmentally Sustainable outcomes in the TAFE Sector.
More information regarding the Sustainable Campus Group and the progress of the model will be posted on the website in the near future.
Sustainability Covenant Final Report
PDF Document - 223Kb
Ecological Foot-printing
Kangan Institute has developed an Ecological Foot-print calculator, and is one of the few known Institutes undertaking Carbon/Ecological Foot-printing. During 2008 was 9.6586 global hectares per staff member.
Sustainability Reporting
Kangan Institute was one of the first educational institutes in Victoria to produce a stand-alone Sustainability Report, Making the Connection, in 2004, and has continued to report annually on Triple Bottom Line principles in its annual reports.
Events: What's On?
CO2@KBT
Kangan Institute Staff and Students showed great enthusiasm and support for the Institute's first major Environmental Event, CO2@KBT.
Over 60 staff and students attended the event, including our CEO, Ray Griffiths, CFO, Richard Turnbull, and many others from a wide range of departments.
Staff and students learnt about Climate Change in an Australian context. They were also informed about what they can do to tackle the issue of Climate Change, and were given the opportunity to make an 'Environmental Pledge'.
To make the Environmental Pledge, staff and students had to write down three things that they were going to do to change the way their lifestyle impacts the Environment. The Environmental Pledge Cards will be returned to all who participated in the coming months, as a reminder of the commitment they have made to the Environment and to changing their ways.
As an added bonus, for every person that attended, a tree will be planted at the next National Tree Day planting event.
Thank you to all who attended, you now all have the knowledge and power to go fourth and change the world, forever!
Earth Hour 2009
This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world's first global election, between Earth and global warming.
For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote - Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.
This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.
Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome's Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.
In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you're from, but instead, what planet you're from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing every day.
We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations.
VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour.
Earth Hour - Saturday March 28, 2009 8:30 - 9:30pm
Useful Links
- Environment Protection Authority
- Sustainability Victoria
- Greenhouse Challenge
- Automotive Centre of Excellence
Courses
Three brand new courses are going to be added to the Institutes scope of registration in the coming months. These are:
- Home Sustainability Assessment: This course will provide training for home sustainability assessors which will lead to accreditation of assessors and employment opportunities, such as working for consulting firms, energy/water companies, local councils, state/federal government, or be given the opportunity to start their own business when coupled with TCI299 - Small Business: Starting a Home Business.
- Home Thermal Assessment: More information to come shortly
- Short Course in Environmental Management Systems: More information to come shortly
Contact Us
Contact James Drougas, Workplace Environmental Coordinator, on 9279 2566 or jdrougas@kangan.edu.au for more information on Kangan Institute's environmental initiatives and courses.
