Students urge environment audits at colleges

Environmental audits must be drawn up for every college in Ireland, it was claimed today.

The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) demanded that college heads take the lead until the Government introduces legislation.

The proposals were outlined at the students’ national Environmental Conference, during which an environmental strategy for the year ahead was agreed.

USI said environmental auditing of every university and Institute of Technology will be essential if colleges are to reduce their overall environmental impact.

Environmental Awareness Officer Dave Curran said: “USI is calling for every major public facility, including colleges, to be required by law to commission an environmental audit.

“Until the Government legislates, college heads must take the lead and commission their own specialists.

“For a university or IT, a decent environmental audit should entail measuring overall environmental impact and sustainability.

“It would look at carbon emissions, the level of un-recycled waste, the ratio of trees and green spaces to students, and how well the campus blends in with the local environment.”

USI claims planners would be able to use the information gathered to inform improvements to public transport infrastructure, and to design new, environmentally friendly campus buildings and student accommodation.