Introduction
APAIE is committed to promoting a culture of sustainability within the organisation by managing our operations in a manner that minimises our environmental and ecological footprint. This document outlines our commitment to these ideals through our goals, and the actions that will be taken to achieve them.
- We adhere to the United Nations Brundtland Commission’s definition of sustainability as ‘meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.’
- We strive to promote and engage in sustainable practices at APAIE events and other engagements with the APAIE community.
- Policies and procedures will include our adherence to sustainability.
- Our advocacy is also reflected in APAIE’s signing of the Climate Action Network of International Educators CANIE Accord.
President’s Statement
It is imperative that we all take action to promote environmental sustainability in our organisations. APAIE acknowledges that the climate crisis is a product of people’s actions and inactions, and that the consequences are devastating for our planet. There is also a disproportionate impact of environmental degradation on vulnerable communities. We know that climate change and social action are inextricably intertwined. Therefore, we must strive to remedy this situation and commit to much needed reform in our organisational processes and procedures.
APAIE acknowledges and values the wisdom of Indigenous elders in contributing to sustainable practices such as management of the land and waterways and conservation. Indigenous voices must be a part of the solution.
APAIE acknowledges the work of many Higher Education Institutions in their commitment to sustainable practices. They demonstrate that this sector has a crucial role to play in addressing environmental challenges and working for a more just society.
Through interdisciplinary research, knowledge exchange, and joint initiatives, universities in this diverse Asia-Pacific region are pooling resources and expertise to tackle pressing sustainability issues and its inherent social justice challenges. These collaborative partnerships help to foster innovation and hope, and they provide solutions that are both locally relevant and globally applicable. When we act together, we can be formidable. But we still have much more to do.
APAIE is a proud signatory of the CANIE Accord.
We will continue to evaluate our procedures as we strive to create programs and events which promote sustainable practices according to the Accord and the requirements for a healthier planet.
We encourage our partners to join us in this endeavour and we welcome feedback.
Professor Venky Shankararaman
President, APAIE
Priorities, Goals and Actions
As a signatory to the CANIE Accord, APAIE has chosen to commit to the following principles as stipulated in the Accord. As these principles are achieved, the APAIE employee responsible for climate action will review these commitments, and with the consent of the Advisory Council and Executive, endeavor to increase our commitment to these and other principles at a more advanced level.
1. Leadership and Influencing
| Action | Implementation |
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Embed climate action in organisational missions and strategies, policies and frameworks including official strategic documents (Article 4, Action 4)
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Publish a climate action plan within 12 months of signing the CANIE Accord. (Article 4, Action 6)
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Promote and commemorate commitment to the CANIE Accord. (Article 4, Action 7)
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Encourage international education stakeholders to become signatories. (Article 4, Action 14)
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2. Travel
| Action | Implementation |
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Replace physical meetings with online ones when possible and logical. (Article 6, Action 30)
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Signatories that deliver conferences and other events should offer virtual participation options. (Article 6, Action 33)
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3. Facilities, Operations and Procurement
| Action | Implementation |
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Ensure climate action is a responsibility in at least one person’s position description. (Article 7, Action 44)
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Implement flexible and equitable work from home options. (Article 7, Action 46)
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Replace printing and shipping marketing materials with digital marketing technologies. (Article 7, Action 47)
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4. Climate Education
| Action | Implementation |
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Include climate action as a theme at conferences and events. (Article 8, Action 62)
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