Sustainable Development

Operations must be conducted in a resource-efficient and environmentally conscious manner. In its sustainability work, BTH shall work in a systematic way in an environmental management system that covers the entire university's operations.

Organisation and responsibility for sustainability at BTH

BTH has a well-organised system for working with the environment and sustainability. It is based on clear documents and processes that govern how we work, such as:

• Policy for sustainable development: Decided by the university board and sets the direction for our sustainability work.
• Environmental review and sustainability goals: Identifies our challenges and sets concrete goals.
• Procedures: Help us to follow up and implement our work in practice.

The Board of Governors is responsible for setting the overall direction through the policy, while the Vice-Chancellor decides on steering documents within the environmental management system.

Operational responsibility for environmental issues lies with the university's sustainability coordinator, while responsibility for social aspects, such as the work environment and gender equality, is delegated to the coordinator for the work environment and gender mainstreaming.

This structure ensures that our sustainability work is effective and embedded at all levels of the organisation.

Policy for sustainable development

Blekinge Institute of Technology (BTH) has the vision to create a better world through knowledge, competence and innovation in digitalisation and sustainability with the mission to promote sustainable development in its activities, which means that current and future generations are ensured a healthy and good environment, economic and social welfare and justice.

• Education for the future:
  Students will gain both knowledge and understanding of how they can contribute to sustainable development in their future professional roles. In addition, the program will provide them with the opportunity to develop values and attitudes related to sustainability.
• Research with societal relevance:
  BTH's research shall have high societal relevance and contribute to developing knowledge and skills that support sustainable development.
• Setting an example in its own operations:
  The university shall set an example through its own operations. This includes high ambitions in areas such as energy use, purchasing, travel and a working environment for both staff and students that is characterized by trust, meaning and diversity.
• Work environment and gender equality:
  BTH shall actively promote work environment and gender equality, both as independent issues and as an integrated part of sustainability work.
• Compliance with legal requirements:
  The university shall ensure that all statutory requirements for environmental management and other relevant rules are followed.
• Clear objectives and responsibilities:
  Objectives and responsibilities for the systematic work on sustainable development are specified in the university's environmental management system, which is established by the Vice-Chancellor.

Environmental management system

BTH's environmental management system creates a clear framework for conducting systematic and strategic sustainability work. It brings together the goals, responsibilities and procedures required to ensure that the work is effective and sustainable. The system is a central part of the annual assessment of the university's strategic efforts and forms the basis for BTH's action plan for the coming year.

Purpose and objectives

Purpose
The purpose of the Environmental Management System is to help BTH work strategically with sustainable development through concrete and well-planned measures. This means that:

• BTH will contribute to society's transition towards sustainability.
• At the same time, the work will strengthen the organisation's own sustainability and resilience.

The goals

• Ensure that BTH meets the requirements and goals set out in national regulations and recommendations.
• Achieve the university's own environmental and sustainability goals.
• Establish a systematic approach that leads to the improvement of measurable results and reinforces the positive effects of the university's actions.

The system also helps BTH to play an active role in achieving the Agenda 2030 and Sweden's environmental goals through actions in the three dimensions of sustainable development:

• Ecological sustainability: Promoting resource management and environmental protection.
• Social sustainability: Building inclusive and equitable structures.
• Economic sustainability: Supporting long-term economic stability.

The environmental management system covers all of the university's activities, including education, research and internal processes.