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North Coast TAFE > About us > Ecological sustainability > Practising ecological sustainability
 

Practising ecological sustainability

As a land owner, a resource user and an educational organisation, North Coast TAFE recognises a responsibility and capacity to not only operate in accordance with ecological sustainability, but also work with others (individuals, communities, enterprises) to do the same.

This committment has been affirmed in North Coast TAFE's Charter and Ecological Sustainability Policy and is demonstrated through the partnerships, initiatives and learning opportunities that spread across our geographic footprint. Learn more about North Coast TAFE's committment to ecological sustainability.

Managing our footprint

With 17 Campuses and an organisational reach from Great Lakes on the NSW Mid North Coast, to Kingscliff at the top of the Northern Rivers Region, we have a big footprint - both physically and ecologically.  North Coast TAFE takes stewardship of resources seriously and is working to responsibly manage energy and water use, reduce waste to landfill, mitigate pollution risks, travel less, purchase goods and services ethically and manage campus grounds sustainably

Over time good ground has been made in reducing energy use - North Coast TAFE now uses 44% less energy per square meter and 19% less energy per student than in the year 2000.  Thanks to technology and a greener fleet, North Coast TAFE's vehicle fuel footprint has reduced by 18% since a peak in travel in 2006.

 Initiatives in Action
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Power from the Sun!
North Coast TAFE now has around 180kW worth of solar panels harvesting energy from one of our most renewable resources - the sun!  Each one of North Coast TAFE's 17 campuses now has (at least) one fully operational solar generation system, with additional systems now in place to boost the delivery of renewable energy qualifications and demonstrate the the use of clean energy systems in a range of industry applications.
Sustainability Advantage Program
Currently a Bronze Member, North Coast TAFE has been a partner in the NSW's Government's Sustainability Advantage Program since 2007.  The programs Environmental Risk & Responsibility Module has seen the integration of environmental risk into the organisations Occupational Health and Safety Management System; and the Resource Efficiency Module has led to some substantial energy efficiency works at Kingscliff Campus.  North Coast TAFE is also an active participant in both the Northern Rivers and Taree Industry Clusters, acknowledging a place as one of many organisations, looking for a sustainability advantage

Investing in our energy efficiency

Although solar power is a key part of a clean energy future, it's only a small piece of what we're doing to reduce our energy footprint.  A $2.5million capital works program, which included substantial lighting retrofits, replacement of inefficient air conditioning, commercial refrigeration and welders to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions has helped North Coast TAFE achieve a 10% energy saving from 2010 to 2011.