Effective Date: 01.06.2022

Introduction

The Open University of Sri Lanka, established in 1980, has conferred degrees to several students since 1990. The Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) is the premier Open and Distance Learning (ODL) University in Sri Lanka. It offers study programs only through ODL.

The University strives to manage environmental issues by proactively addressing them and encouraging university staff and students to participate in environmental management activities. In addition, it’s expected to enhance environmental awareness and increase the sense of responsibility, skill and practices for environmental conservation.

Scope and Application:

This policy applies to all the faculties, institutes, students’ residential facilities, units, centres, other service provided entities and all the permanent, temporary, and intern staff. 

Key Policy Principles

The University shall commit to maintaining an environmental performance beyond what is required by the legal and other requirements and work collectively to monitor, control, and prevent pollution arising from the various activities of the university. 

The university shall conduct its activities ensuring compliance with relevant environmental legislation, policies, and regulations existing in the country. 

The university environment and environmental impacts of the institution’s activities are managed through a pre-defined Environmental Management System continuously updated and maintained. 

Take proactive measures to reduce energy consumption through improved energy conservation, efficiency improvement, and the use of renewable energy. 

Introduce new practices to reduce water consumption through implementing water-efficient fixtures and introducing new water conservation strategies. 

Introduce rainwater harvesting and promote wastewater collection, treatment and reuse for gardening purposes.

Adopting innovative methods in preventing or minimizing environmental impacts associated with chemical, clinical, and other forms of solid waste management, and establishing standardized chemical waste collection and storage from the laboratories and transporting them to registered companies. 

Manage its land sustainability through proper planning of land use, and sustainable forest management, and reduce water and carbon footprints through appropriate actions. 

Practice the 3R concept (Reduce, Reuse & Recycle) to reduce the environmental impacts associated with resource utilization.  

Facilitate proper disposal of electronic wastes by creating a continuous disposal channel for responsible recyclers. 

Promote environmental awareness and responsibility amongst all staff and students through awareness campaigns and training programs.  

Managing the University to create and enhance wildlife habitats through the formulation and implementation of a Biodiversity Action Plan. 

Reducing negative impacts on climate change through the implementation of various projects including a Carbon Management Plan.

Minimize environmental impacts through environmentally friendly procurement plans. 

Promote sustainable construction principles in new building constructions and refurbishments and practice green building principles in new constructions. 

Preventing pollution by managing and reducing emissions to air and discharges to water resources. 

Responsibility

The students, staff and other stakeholders have a great responsibility to achieve the objectives set out in the environmental policy.