Sustainability Training for Staff

The HKUST Sustainability Network plays a vital role in advancing sustainability actions and policies on campus. Comprising representatives from various offices, departments, and schools, the network serves as a social backbone, sharing ideas, providing updates, celebrating successes, and offering feedback on new initiatives. The objectives of the Sustainability Network are to foster collaboration, share best practices, and engage colleagues in sustainable office practices.

To equip our Sustainability Network Representatives with the necessary knowledge and skills, we provide regular trainings in collaboration with external speakers and our Sustainability/Net-Zero Office. Recent training sessions have covered topics such as biodiversity impact, waste charging scheme, and the Sustainable Smart Campus Initiative. These trainings empower representatives to incorporate sustainability principles into their office operations and serve as advocates for change within their respective departments.

The Green Team is an integral part of our sustainability efforts, offering students and staff the opportunity to actively participate in creating a more sustainable campus environment. By joining the Green Team, members become part of a community-driven initiative aimed at operating our campus in a more efficient, environmentally-friendly, and healthy way.

Members of the Green Team are involved in real, hands-on projects that improve our campus and community. They contribute ideas for campus greening projects, which can be implemented by the team members themselves or forwarded to relevant operations offices for consideration. The Green Team also provides training in organic gardening techniques, allowing participants to cultivate their own sustainable practices while fostering a connection with nature.

Objectives:

• Staff have access to a series of training modules designed to increase their learning in sustainability. 

• This online module series provide staff with insights on Life Cycle Thinking and how it can help them navigate their way through decision-making process based on life cycle analysis, life cycle cost analysis, and systems thinking. 

Life Cycle Thinking for Sustainability 

Life Cycle Thinking for Sustainability is an online module designed to empower our staff with the knowledge and skills needed to make sustainable decisions. Through this accessible and engaging training, we aim to enhance the understanding of sustainability concepts and equip our staff with practical tools for incorporating Life Cycle Thinking into their decision-making processes. 

Access the course by emailing lifecyclelab@ust.hk. 

Content:

1. Introduction to Life Cycle Thinking

This section highlights the importance of understanding the long-term impacts of decision-making processes, using examples from HKUST's construction and vehicle choices to illustrate the significance of life cycle thinking.

2. Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)

This section explores the concept of Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and its application in measuring the environmental impact of a product throughout its various life stages.

3. Systems Thinking

This section delves into the concept of systems thinking, explaining how it enables a holistic understanding of interconnected components within a system.

4. Life Cycle Costing

This section explores the concept of Life Cycle Costing and its significance in making informed decisions regarding operations and investments. It highlights the limitation of solely considering the initial cost and emphasizes the importance of analyzing the life cycle costs and long-term benefits of a project or product.

5. Influence within HKUST

This section focuses on discussing the mechanisms to influence and integrate Life Cycle Thinking (LCT) within organizations, specifically highlighting the initiatives undertaken by HKUST. The video highlights various departments within the organization and the specific actions they can take to promote sustainable practices and incorporate LCT.

Coming soon...