More information
on the EMAS environmental management system at the University of Graz
The environmental management system serves the systematic handling of environmental aspects, opportunities and risks and the fulfillment of legal obligations. It is supported by the Rectorate and managed by various functions and teams:
- Top-level management at the university is assumed by the Rector.
- The Environmental Manager is the Director of Resources and Planning.
- The department Environmental Management is responsible for sustainability issues at the University of Graz, coordinates the following teams and the Climate Protection Advisory Board, and implements environmental projects at the university together with the relevant departments.
- The environmental team is made up of people from various administrative departments in which key environmental projects are implemented.
- The sustainability team discusses sustainability issues across the university.
- The Green Buddies are the contact persons for sustainability in their area and are in constant contact with the environmental management of the University of Graz.
- The Climate Protection Advisory Board supports the Rectorate in the decision-making process for climate protection measures at the University of Graz.
System boundaries
The environmental management system applies to the entire University of Graz with all its locations as well as to all employees who have a direct employment relationship with the University of Graz.
The following areas are outside the system boundaries:
- Students are considered an important stakeholder group, but are not part of the environmental management system.
- Non-university organizations and units that are rented at the university (catering businesses, copy store, etc.).
- Departments of other universities that cooperate with the University of Graz but are not under the management and/or administration of the University of Graz.
- Processes that are carried out by external companies are considered outsourced processes. These include building cleaning, winter services, security services, construction activities, etc.
Legal compliance and voluntarily binding obligations
Compliance with the University's environmental legislation is monitored by the Legal Compliance System of the Prevention and Safety Department department. Relevant legislation includes waste law, water law, environmental information law, chemicals, hazardous goods and radiation protection law, occupational health and safety law, boiler and pipeline law and event law with the Green Meetings.
At the Directorate for Resources and Planning there is a register of voluntarily binding obligations. This records, for example, collaborations with other universities, such as the Alliance of Sustainable Universities, the environmental management systems, works agreements and resolutions of the Rectorate, such as the Climate Protection Advisory Board.
Environmental matrix
The environmental aspects and environmental impacts of the university's activities are presented in the environmental matrix. Based on a life cycle analysis, environmental impacts that are upstream or downstream, such as disposal and procurement, are also considered. It serves to determine environmental goals by identifying the significant environmental aspects.
Stakeholders
We have identified our stakeholders as part of the environmental management system and are in contact with them. We also try to actively involve staff and students in particular. Staff have the opportunity to contribute to improving the university's environmental performance as part of the sustainability team or as Green Buddies. All staff are also addressed via intranet articles, internet articles and training courses on the topic of sustainability. Student initiatives and organizations can also participate in the sustainability team.