14.5.1 Minimizing alteration of aquatic ecosystems (plan)
Srinakharinwirot University seeks to minimise alteration of aquatic ecosystems associated with its campuses by integrating water, wastewater and green-space management into its environmental policies and operations. Under the SWU Zero Carbon and SWU Zero Waste framework, the University promotes the reduction of water consumption by at least 5% annually, replacement of ageing water pipelines to reduce leakage, and the installation of water-saving fixtures, thereby lowering abstraction and unnecessary loss of freshwater. The University supports on-site treatment and reuse of wastewater, for example by treating effluent and reusing it for landscape irrigation, reducing polluted discharges and pressure on external receiving waters. In parallel, SWU implements tree planting and green area expansion on campus each year, maintains ponds and green spaces as functional ecosystems, and promotes waste separation and reduced general waste by 10% per year to lessen solid-waste leakage into drains and waterways. Together, these measures constitute an operational approach to campus development and resource use that aims to protect and maintain surrounding aquatic ecosystems, rather than significantly altering or degrading them.
Carbon Neutrality and Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions Policy, and On-Campus Waste Separation
(SWU Carbon Neutral & SWU Zero Waste)
Srinakharinwirot University sets a policy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2065 (SWU Zero Carbon), together with the promotion of waste separation within the university (SWU Zero Waste), as follows:
Reduce energy use within the university by decreasing annual consumption of electricity and tap water by 5% each year, and promote the replacement of light bulbs with LED types and the replacement of air conditioners with energy-saving label No. 5 models in all university areas.
Plant trees and increase green spaces on campus every year in order to increase the university’s carbon credit.
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5% every year.
Support the use of alternative energy sources such as solar cells and floating solar systems, and collaborate with external agencies on energy conservation.
Promote the renovation of existing buildings and the construction of new buildings in accordance with energy-saving and energy-efficient design principles.
Support the treatment and reuse of wastewater within the university, for example using treated water for watering plants.
Promote waste separation across all university areas and implement waste management measures to reduce the volume of all types of waste.
Provide education and raise awareness on waste separation among students and staff, and foster a sense of responsibility for waste separation among students, personnel, academic staff and business operators within the university.
Reduce general waste within the university by decreasing the amount of general waste generated on campus by 10% each year.
This policy is effective from now onwards.
(Update: 2 December 2021)
Source: https://rankings.swu.ac.th/Portals/96/Document/QS-Sustain/SWU-Carbon.pdf
SWU Green Campus: Water management page
Public webpage describing SWU’s campus water management, including measures to reduce water consumption, improve water-use efficiency, treat wastewater and reuse treated water (e.g. for landscape irrigation). The page is part of the SWU Green initiative and demonstrates the University’s systematic approach to managing water resources and limiting negative impacts on surrounding aquatic ecosystems.
Source: https://green.swu.ac.th/water