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Environmental Sustainability Assessment of An Academic Institution in Calamba City
Environmental Sustainability Assessment of An Academic Institution in Calamba City
Environmental Sustainability
Assessment of an Academic
Institution in Calamba City
Pancho E. Ercilla
University of the Philippines-Los Baos
[email protected]
Introduction
Since the Earth Summit in 1992, sustainable development
has been centered on the political agenda, and the education
sector was not considered as an important institution
contributing to Sustainable Development (SD) and not even
defined as one of the stakeholder groups. However, the World
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Methodology
Study Site
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Source:http://www.mapsstreetview.com/Philippines/Calamba/
satelliteview.php
Instruments
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Data Collection
Environmental Audit
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Define Objectives:
environment:
Design *Waste generation and environmental management
Environmental *Materials used in building maintenance and other
Audit operations and activities *Energy used
*Water consumption
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Prioritization Matrix
Data Analysis
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Footnotes:
(a)
all aspects related to the use of energy/electricity
(b)
hazardous waste and medical waste that have potential threat to the environment
and health of the public including household hazardous chemicals based on
Republic Act 9003
(c)
all aspects that produce recyclable and non-recyclable solid waste to the
environment during its operations
(d)
all aspects related to the use of materials such as papers and other solid items
(e)
aspects that require the use of chemicals, whether hazardous or non-hazardous
(f)
all aspects that produce biodegradable waste such as leftover food, vegetable
trimmings etc.
(g)
all aspects that produce wastewater effluent that could impair the water quality
of the surface water
(h)
all aspects that use water for its operations
(I)
all aspects that use fuel such as gasoline, diesel, and fuel for cooking.
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Table 3 continued
Key Initiative Implementation Documentation/
Sustainability Monitoring Of
Indicator Progress
Economy
Economic Employment, Implemented Administrative
Value Income Handbook
Generated
Socially Allow Student/ Implemented Administrative
Responsible Employee loan Handbook
Investment
Purchasing Prefer to purchase
Consideration cheaper items Optional None
Courses
Sustainability- Environmental Implemented Course Outline,
Related Science, Curriculum
Courses/ Environmental Development/
Subjects Engineering Students NSTP
NSTP projects
Sustainability- None None None
Focused
Research
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Conclusion
The topmost significant aspects of the college were the use
of electricity, generation of hazardous and solid wastesfrom
college laboratories and building maintenance, and use
of materials. The majority of these aspects were not fully
addressed by the current environmental programs and projects
of the college since there were no documentation and regular
monitoring of progress. Most of the environmental efforts
were for regulatory compliance and short-term basis only;
therefore, short of sustainability. Relevant environmental
laws were implemented by the college; however, proper
observance was not evident considering that some of these
environmental laws could enhance its sustainability practices
such as Republic act 9003 (Philippine Ecological Solid Waste
Management Act of 2000) and Republic act 9275 (Philippine
Clean Water Act of 2004). The college also integrated
environmental concerns in their academic and extension
programs, and research. However, similar to other programs,
most endeavors were for compliance purposes only with the
present ordinances of concerned government agencies and
authorities, and there were no efforts to further enhance such
compliance to develop the students to become advocates of
environmental protection and sustainability.
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Recommendations
To further improve compliance with environmental laws
and commit itself to achieve environmental sustainability,
the college must support the establishment of a systematic
approach like EMS to organize all its projects and programs.
Extension projects and programs of the college should also
center on environmental sustainability to communicate
its significance to the public. The result of the study must
be used as the basis for the establishment of such system.
Furthermore, consultation with the stakeholders must
be carried out to come up with a holistic environmental
sustainability plan or EMS plan. To encourage colleges and
universities to improve their environmental sustainability
while complying with National Environmental Awareness
and Education Act of 2008 (R.A. 9512), the Commission on
Higher Education should provide incentives for HEIs that
incorporate EMS in their management and operations.
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References
Alshuwaikhat H., Abubakar I. (2008). An integrated
approach to achieving campus sustainability:
Assessment of the current campus environmental
management practices, Journal of Cleaner
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jclepro.2007.12.002
Brix A., Brydon T., Davidian E., Dinse K., & Vidyarthi S.
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Chan, W. W., & Ho, K. (2004). Hotels environmental
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Clarke, A. & Kouri, R. (2009). Choosing an appropriate
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able+and+ecofriendly+school
Department of Environment and Natural Resources. (2011).
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schools.ph, 2011
Klein, K. (2002). University of Saskatchewan sustainability
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