Sustainable Development and HEFCW

Higher Education Academy ConferenceEdinburgh, 24 January 2006

Alyson Thomas, Senior Economic Development Manager, HEFCW

Policy Context

Government of Wales Act (1998) – National Assembly for Wales assumes unique responsibility for SD

Welsh Assembly Government’s Sustainable Development Scheme (2000): A Sustainable Wales – Learning to Live Differently

Sustainable Development Action Plan 2004-2007 - includes a commitment to education for sustainable development

Wales Spatial Plan (2004) - sustainable futures for communities and regions

UK Government’s SD Strategy (2005): Securing the Future

Welsh Assembly Government consultation

Education for Sustainable Development – A Strategy for Wales

To cover all sectors (school, youth, FE and WBL, HE, adult and continuing education)

September to December 2005 HEFCW input:

Ready to respond but need debate on Level of “direction” Costing and phasing The UK context (partnership approach)

HEFCW Corporate Plan commitment

By 2010 HEFCW “will have enabled the [Welsh HE] sector to embed sustainability in its overall strategic planning to ensure that in all aspects of their activities HEIs deliver sustainable impacts, as measured by the various plans requested from HEIs by the Council”.

HEFCW’s responsibilities

WAG remit letter: To support implementation of

Sustainable Development Action Plan (through ESD Strategy - when published)

To mainstream principles of SD into the way business in conducted (eg estate management, procurement processes, programme activities)

HEI Strategies and Plans

Institutional Strategic Plans HEIs asked to address Welsh Assembly Government duties towards,

among other things, sustainable development Some evidence of embedding: eg “SD is one of six organisational

principles/values underpinning the strategic plan of the new university”

Third Mission Strategies Covers HEIs’ contributions to economy, society, culture HEIs asked to reflect broad sweep of WAG policy Again, evidence of sustainability drivers: eg “key to our strategy is to

promote in a sustainable manner a comprehensive approach to community regeneration” (post 92 HEI)

Estates Strategies Due in 2006; similar approach to be adopted

Examples from HE sector

Courses and modules (PG/UG) - eg environmental sciences; environmental sustainability; practical sustainability, etc, etc

Research centres – eg Institute of Environmental Sustainability (UW Swansea); Aber BioCentre; Sustainable Environment Research Centre (Glamorgan), etc

New collaborations - eg Wales Energy Research Centre; strategic research operations

Embedding – eg “Education for sustainable development and global citizenship: towards an integrated approach in North Wales” (project at UW Bangor)

Other activities/1

HE Academy – reminder of HEFCW’s involvement in WAG agenda; work with Wales Adviser

HEPS evaluation (Cardiff University was a partner)

SIGnet Group

Forum for the Future – high level briefings for Wales?

Science Strategy for Wales – SD intrinsic in its 3 strands: health developments low carbon energy systems enabling sustained economic and social renewal

Other activities/2

NAO Wales report on energy management in the HE sector – specific criticisms

Partnership Agreement with the Carbon Trust (development and dissemination of best practice; bespoke consultancy services on specific energy/water issues)

Work with EAUC – to identify energy best practice

Specific funding allocation to HEIs – to meet immediate legislative requirements (in discussion)

Taking the agenda forward

Expectations of 2006-07 remit letter

Requirement for HEFCW to define its engagement with SD agenda more clearly

WAG ESD Strategy must therefore be soundly based

Need clarity on role of HEFCW and HEIs in, arguably, 3 areas: Addressing green/environmental issues Embedding SD across HEI strategic planning Delivering financial sustainability in all of this

Working with HEIs – what it means in practice; addressing concerns

Contacts

Dr Alyson Thomas Higher Education Funding Council for Wales alyson.thomas@hefcw.ac.uk

tel: 02920 682303

Gabriel JezierskiSenior Adviser (Wales)Higher Education Academy

gabriel.jezierski@heacademy.ac.uk tel: 07917 899129