Institut Suprieur de Gestion

Sustainable Development, Business & Society

Environmental Consulting Project To Chilean Higher Education Institutions

Author's name: Paola Caneo C. Place of writing: Paris, France Date of submittal: Tuesday, 19 July 2011

Term paper submitted for accreditation for the course: "Sustainable Development, Business & Society", Professor, Eric Britton, Jun 9, 10 and 11, 2011

Abstract Nowadays in Chile is clear the needs for stop the environmental degradation, professionals and government people are showing lack of real awareness about it, is why it is has decided to focus on both environmental education as on change awareness and on sustainable development of Chilean professionals of the future

Having identified the problem seeks to give solution through the creation of a consulting firm that serves the educational establishments, explains the methodology to assess each institution previous to start and also each project planned to develop, moreover the gain that would have the institution.

Table of Contents Page Abstract Table of Contents Introduction Facts The idea The company Draft of action plan Featured projects Gain for higher education institutions Outcome 2 3 4 5 6 6 7 9 14 15

Introduction

Given the current deterioration of the environment and how little is done in Chile to counteract or at least stop it, is born the idea of educating society. In Chile, many still do not believe or ignore what is happening to the planet and the impact that today we are producing every and each one, that is why is born the idea to educate the Chileans, but How to capture the attention of big business and government men? How to change mindsets that have been fifty or sixty years thinking in the same way? The answer to these questions I have not, that is why I chose to go down and focus on those who are not yet part of the working masses, but are about to do. It is also true that I could have focused on children, however, I think new generations are much more aware of environmental damage as well as old and there are several programs focused on environmental education of young children. On the other hand this is a major investment that will pay off in thirty years, when those five year olds today will be taking decisions of a company or are forming their own and I think the thing is more urgent. So I decided to focus on those who are studying in higher education today, who in a few years will be entering the workforce and maybe in ten years will be in charge of important decisions within their companies, or maybe they will be working within the government, then the planned is on sowing the seeds of sustainable development, environmental care and have a new generation whose maybe managed to stop and to counteract the damage that for years we produced to our planet Earth, at least they will have the tools to manage a sustainable development.

I.

Facts

Chilean higher education today Nowadays the Chilean educational system after secondary school, in the higher education is divided into three types of institutions: o Technical Training Centres (TTC) o Professional Institutes (PI) o Universities (U) All graduates of secondary education may choose between these three options or a fourth; the education in the armed forces which can deliver through its educational institution titles and academic degrees. According to statistics from 2009 the number of students enrolled in first year by institution is: Institut ion TTC PI U TOTAL Source: own Pollution in Chile today Chile was ranked as the most polluted country with worse environmental condition belonging to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) according to their ranking in May 2011. Dale Jamieson said Chile has doubled its emissions of pollutants from 1990. "Chile will be a big loser from climate change. Lose the most distinguishable features of the landscape, glaciers will recede; will be reduced capacity to generate electricity. This will impact the copper industry, which is a plaintiff in energy and water".1
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Quant ity 77 43 59 179

N of students enrolled 110.007 189.597 535.643 835.247

Extracted from the statements of the environmental studies expert Dale

Jamieson, issued in the framework of the seminar "Climate Change: Leadership 6

II.

The idea

With these background and taking into account that in December 2002 the National Assembly of the United Nations declared the decade 2005-2014 would be the "United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development" As a solution (to the problems identified) is planned to create an environmental consulting firm that cater for the Chilean higher education institutions, since that is where future professionals in the country are, and still has time to generate a change in mindset.

The company: an environmental consulting firm Vision Develop our work in a professional environmental consultant, with a high profile, with commitment, responsibility and integrity allows us to maintain a reliable and solid company, able to provide a sustainable tomorrow within the Chilean education market delivering the best services for our customers according to their quality policies and not just the current Chilean legislation but also the international one. Mission Provide advice and consultancy Chilean environmental education sector, with the aim of contributing to sustainable development of our customers and as a consequence of Chilean society, promoting environmental care through tools such as the constant recycling, renewable energy management, environmental education and development projects that provide solutions to current environmental problems. In addition to complying with environmental regulations and legislation Chile and worldwide. We offer our customers competitive advantage to their activities, protecting the environment and achieving a sustainable future. Objectives and new paradigms," organized by the Centre for Integral Leadership from the Universidad de Santiago de Chile (Usach) in 2008. Source: emol.com La accin global organizada es la real solucin al calentamiento

o Decrease the pollution produced in the higher education institutions and thus be an example to the whole community. o Create an environmental moral in Chilean professionals of the future to be able to become aware and take responsibility for their environmental impact. In order to-morrow in their jobs to take into account the environmental impact produced by their business and seeks sustainable development for the country and the world.

Draft of action plan First of all to adapt the project to each study centre must conduct a research involving all groups in the institution in order to determine what projects will be developed and in what order of importance to finally deliver a scheme that involves the entire process dates and specific goals. The means of evaluation will be both observation and surveys and analysis of documents. The three groups to evaluate are: o students o teachers o administrative Staff Factors to examine are: a. Treatment that is given to environmental issues in each plan of study: For it will be reviewed each syllabus for each subject from each specialty within the surveys of both teachers and pupils will include a question that investigates this specific topic. Time: a maximum of six syllabus could be reviewed and analyzed per day Basic requirements: have a written syllabus per each subject validated by the authorities of the institution. b. Sustainability within the law of the institution: It will review the internal politics of the centre of studies in search of those statutes who help improve the sustainability or who help increase the pollution generated. For example, the fact that be prohibited to deliver an assignment printed on both sides of the page or send it via e-mail. Time: a minimum of four days and a maximum of eight. Basic requirements: have a policy written and validated by the authorities of the institution. c. Sustainability within the customs of the institution:

Through observation and questions embedded in the survey, it will explore about their habits and practices common in terms of sustainability issues, for example, the saving of water and electricity. Time: five days of observation, plus the time to takes to develop the survey (which is not more than three weeks). Basic requirements: permission to observe the behaviour within the institution plus to allow the development of surveys within the three groups. d. Notions of sustainability and environmental protection issues: Seeking to inquire into the three groups are the concepts which they know about it, who manage it and who are completely unaware about it. It will be known through the survey. Time: depends on several factors however should not be more than three weeks. Basic requirements: the permission to develop surveys within the three groups. e. Expectations of the project: The idea is to see in the three groups the level of interest generated by the projects to be implemented in order to infer the level of support which will have in the future. Time: depends on several factors however should not be more than three weeks. Basic requirements: the permission to develop surveys within the three groups.

Summarizing seeks to know o The know about the topic, (How much know about it?) o How is applied in day to day (How much immersed in the culture of the institution is?) o How much is in the law written? o How much is in the law unwritten? o Is there green culture? o Which are the expectations about the project? 10

All this in order to determine o How much previous work (information) must be prepared before starting projects o How much information should be submitted before and about what is necessary to report? o With what project should begin to be more successful? o In what order and date may be carried out each of the projects

Having these minimum data can be develop a study about the institution and create the outline of things to do with each of their steps in the tentative dates. Each of these studies can be carried in parallel by taking four to eight weeks depending on the size of the educational

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Featured projects

1. Recycling Program 2. Promote: through educational videos, posters, etc. o Waste Minimization o Optimizing the Use of Potable Water o Optimizing the Use of Electric Power 3. Virtual library (including papers and notes) 4. Events to share study materials at the beginning of each semester (notes, guidelines, photocopies, etc.) 5. Lectures, conferences and workshops on sustainability, ecology, business and society 6. Modification of university policies (delivery of virtual work, allow print on both sides, etc) 7. Introduction of the topic in the net of each program 8. Installations of photovoltaic panels and vertical gardens

Details of each project:

1. Recycling Program Steps to implement the recycling program: i. Knowing the system's waste facility is essential to know how are managed the waste produced by the institution, and it will work with them involved.

Waste's route: The garbage go to different deposits, after is necessary to know who removed it from there and where it is taken and what would be its final disposal.

Involved: 12

We should know who they are and what responsibilities and duties they have.

o o o

Administration: because they are in charge of the cleaning staff. Cleaning staff: responsible for the internal movement of waste. Trash Removal Company: is responsible for removing the garbage out of the establishment.

Informal Recycling: Refers to the collection of recyclable waste on a small scale, post-source classification, by a few individuals and aims to obtain resources through the selling materials. Waste Characterization: A recycling system seeks, among other things, value wastes that are usually discarded, for this is necessary to know what kind of waste is counted, where they are and in what quantities. Therefore it should make a characterization of the waste the institution. From the characterization is going to get important data like the type of waste generated, the proportions of different waste volumes and location. These data are important in determining the potential quantities for recycling, the need for containers and collection points, the frequency of removal and location of containers. In the steps above was made an internal analysis of the waste system, which identifies the strengths and weaknesses to implement a recycling system. Stakeholders recycling: Some of the important participants to consider are listed below: o o Recycling companies, buy recyclable materials. Charities, is another alternative to the output of recyclable materials. Collection centers are places that receive the recyclable waste, to then be taken to recycling plants.

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Municipalities and government, many municipalities that have recycling systems. NGOs, there are various environmental education. NGOs related to recycling and

Design a recycling system: After obtaining detailed information on the above, we proceed to design the recycling system according to the reality of the educational center. Some important aspects to consider when developing the design are: o o o o o o o Possible materials to be recycled Infrastructure Location Operation Removal of waste Signs (symbol) Education and Outreach Strategy

Prepare a report: Once it defined the project design will to produce a report about it, in order to ordering and synthesizing all stages of the project. This report seeks to summarize the entire project in a clear and comprehensive way, explaining what you want to do, how to achieve and who will be benefit. Implementation, to get to do the project is needed: Having the explicit support of the university, it is essential the support and participation of the authorities. Engage participation of those responsible, a successful recycling system requires the participation of several individuals. Like the regular garbage system, must be responsible for removing waste and responsible for coordinating staff. Dissemination, the project should be disseminated prior to release to get more support and prepare the community for the arrival of this. Launching is required to do an official launch of the initiative, announcing it and involving the whole community. Evaluation and monitoring, this stage is: 14

Periodic evaluation of the project should be especially the first months in order to help correct problems and adjust the frequencies of withdrawal, location and other aspects. It should also assess compliance with goals, if it were recovered than expected and the adequacy of the removed system. Feedback, comments identified in the assessment should be incorporated into the recycling system and thus make the changes necessary to solve the identified problems. Monitoring is necessary to define what happens to the recycling system in the future. 2. Promote: o Waste Minimization: The waste disposal undoubtedly produces air pollution, soil and / or water bodies. The way to reduce such pollution is to avoid anything that generates an unnecessary waste. The waste minimization also implies increasing the reuse of materials, or to maximize the usefulness of them within the institution. For example the reuse of sheets of paper, buy products that are minimally involved, among others. o Optimizing the Use of Potable Water: The responsible water management involves repair and maintain in good repair all plumbing leaks and loss control. In addition, of course, to disseminate best practices to lead to rational use. Optimizing the Use of Electric Power: As with water is necessary to take measures to ensure that the institution is energy efficient, such as modifying the design of offices and classrooms, in addition to educating the three groups in the educational institution. And in the long term, change the energy font for a renewable one.

We believe that education is the key in this process of transformation of the educative centre into a sustainable one. The promotion of these three points will be through the use of educational videos, posters, forums and conferences. 3. Virtual library (including papers and notes) It is designing a website containing all the documents on sustainability and the environment created by students from the educative centre, the aim is that in future every student has the ability to access this virtual 15

library that with the time will be growing and enriching it. Besides this space will contain documents related to environmental issues as a basis for reference and self study for those wishing to consult it. 4. Events to share study materials at the beginning of each semester Knowing that the Chilean university students using many photocopies of books and notes as work-guides in their studies, which will create an event, flea market type for the students, the main idea is to create a space to share their study materials and while promote fellowship among them, so they besides be saving time and money are contributing to environmental care. This will take place at the beginning of each academic semester 5. Lectures, conferences and workshops on sustainability, ecology, business and society In the context of environmental education, of both students and staff working in the institution, is necessary have the instances in which instruct on issues related to sustainability, the actual environmental damage, which measures we can take to stop this damage, the relationship of sustainability and both society, the trade and the current education, among others. For this project we try to create a network of experts who want to give their conference in various institutions that the company is advising, experts from various universities in Chile and abroad, as well as expert from ecological companies or environmental groups. For this it will to use all types of audiovisual resources such as videos, movies, short films, virtual conferencing, as well as various educational spaces as forums, debates, symposia, workshops, between others. 6. Modification of university policies There are many steps it can be taken in order to reduce the use of paper or other resources within the educational institution, but many of them are impossible to perform because of the current regulation of the same institution, is for them that it is vital to review and modify some points as the format required for delivery of tasks and assignments by students (eg to allow assignments to deliver printed on both sides of the leaf, with minimum spacing). In addition to that is necessary to promote the use of virtual platforms as a place of communication between teachers and students or between students themselves, and a space for the delivery of tasks as well. 16

7. Introduction of the topic in the net of each program This is about added in each subject a links with sustainability or environmental issues, moreover each student must present at least one of the assignments given during the semester related to environmental issues, the idea is to soaking the students with the care for the environment and the responsibility that has everyone in this issue. 8. Installations of photovoltaic panels and vertical gardens To help change the institution toward clean, renewable energy and sustainable photovoltaic panels were installed so obtaining electricity from solar energy. On the other hand we are planning also install vertical gardens in the case of not having enough space for green areas, thus it is also contributing to beautify the institution and to reduce the stress of its inhabitants. 9. Measure and reduce carbon footprint Is planned to measure the carbon footprint of each institution before starting to make each of these projects, the idea behind the measure is that all who are part of the community are aware of the environmental impact their behaviour has on the environment, from that point we will work to implement a reduction program tailored to each share and depending on the institution results.

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Gain for higher education institutions o Saving money First of all the institutions that require the services of the consulting firm will be saving money by reducing their consumption of electricity, water, printing, etc. But otherwise must also consider the payments required by the consultant. After all the savings will depend on the current level of pollution and waste that is generating of every educational institution. o Corporate Social Responsibility Each institution is itself a company and by the hiring of the consultant will be contributing to their sustainability, the environment and therefore the improvement of society and quality of life. Beyond being in compliance with the dictates of the law of the country, the institution will be considering the society in which it is embedded and therefore being socially responsible. o Prestige Each of the projects that plan to conduct will provide for greater prestige to the institution and its reputation will improve, and as a result is obtained following: Green marketing (eco-marketing) Greater competitiveness Facilitates alliance with others universities

Given the number of institutions of higher education that exist in Chile, the competition among them is very high and each wants to stay ahead. Then the institutions that are submitted to the consulting firm as well as being more competitive in the country will also improve its image to foreign universities which will provide them with creating any kind of joint with them.

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III.

Outcome Results This company is a project that has not yet been conducted, but they are expected to meet the goals it has set the company, although the targets are difficult to measure and are very long term. Anyway we would expect a single result for each institution consulted and each project undertaken independently would measure its effectiveness and evolution. Another way of monitoring the results is through the carbon footprint, which can be remeasured at the institution each year.

Conclusions Try to implement environmental projects in a university being a student of the same it, is very difficult, as I experienced in Chile, however is urgent the realization of such projects throughout the educational establishment, provided that we conceive as a teaching space for both the student community to the community in which they operate. That is why I got the idea to create a consulting company that cares exclusively for the establishment of higher education. I think it's a realistic approach to focus the problem and the solution. While waiting to perform, I think of more projects for insertion and improving existing Furthermore, as it develop each of the ideas in this assignment came to me new questions and the only way to answer them is through the application field of each project, but I also realized how necessary it is to start now with the execution of them, either in universities or colleges, whether in Chile or other countries, the effect will network trying to change a young also are switching to a family and soon a business, the more it awakens is achieved the easier it is increasingly.

Recommendations Is recommended:

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Pilot test in one or more institutions before marketing the service, in order to learn from the mistakes in the field and make necessary repairs. Continuously update each of the projects given how fast technology advances and are expected as the technologies that are more environmentally friendly. Maintain constant contact with all advised institution and constant evaluation of each project implemented.

Suggestions Is suggested: o o o Create strategic linkages with government agencies who are responsible for higher education institutions Partnering with companies providing the services used (eg, recycling collectors, dealers of solar panels, etc.) In the future extend the project to schools (secondary and primaries)

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