Sustainability - Climate Action Policy

Policy Statement

As it engages with the world, An-Najah National University will continue as a leader in promoting and practicing sustainability. The University defines sustainability as balancing the needs and aspirations of the present with the preservation of choices for the future, while actively reducing the environmental and climate impact of its operations.

The University’s students, faculty and staff act on this commitment to sustainability in many ways: teaching, research and sharing of knowledge related to a healthy and safe environment; maintaining an ecological footprint that is respectful of nature through people- and planet-friendly supplies and buildings; and implementing fiscal and operational decisions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and encourage the judicious use of resources.

As part of its commitment to climate change mitigation and sustainable development, An-Najah National University conducts periodic energy, environmental and green audits as a continuous process to review, measure, and monitor its infrastructure and operational activities. These audits are supported by annual greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories covering Scope 1, Scope 2, and relevant Scope 3 emissions, forming the basis of the University’s commitment to achieve Net Zero Carbon Emissions.

Purpose

Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
Reduce the University’s carbon footprint by implementing a structured pathway toward Net Zero emissions across administrative, academic, residential, and recreational facilities. This includes eliminating Scope 2 emissions through renewable electricity, reducing direct fuel consumption, and addressing indirect emissions through operational improvements and sustainable mobility.

Energy and Resource Efficiency:
Adopt low-carbon operational practices in all campus buildings and infrastructure to achieve carbon neutrality. This includes investment in renewable energy systems (e.g., solar photovoltaic installations), energy-efficient retrofitting, smart monitoring systems, and optimized resource consumption to minimize environmental impact.

Water and Waste Management:
Adopt efficient water conservation and management practices, including greywater reuse, rainwater harvesting, and efficient fixtures. Implement sustainable waste management systems focusing on waste reduction, segregation at source, recycling, composting, and responsible disposal of hazardous and biomedical waste.

Sustainable Transportation:
Reduce emissions associated with commuting and university vehicles by encouraging public transport, carpooling, walking, and gradual transition toward low-emission and electric mobility solutions.

Societal Action, Awareness and Education for Sustainability:
Improve awareness of climate change and environmental responsibility through sustained, active learning activities connected to local problem-solving and responsible behavioral change.

Enhance awareness and understanding of climate mitigation and adaptation strategies among staff, students, and stakeholders through effective teaching-learning processes and community engagement initiatives.

Collaboration and Partnerships:
Foster collaborations across stakeholders to leverage expertise in environmental auditing, renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure, and climate policy to strengthen institutional mitigation efforts and promote low-carbon development.

Review, Monitoring and Reporting:
Establish robust processes to review, track and monitor key performance indicators including greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1, 2, and relevant Scope 3), energy consumption, renewable energy generation, water usage, and waste diversion rates. Publish periodic carbon emissions reports to ensure transparency and accountability.

Adaptation and Resilience:
Adopt sustainable practices in design, construction, and management to enhance campus resilience to climate risks. Develop and periodically update a Campus Climate Action Plan addressing mitigation, adaptation, and disaster risk reduction.

Integrate Environmental Education and Sustainable Practices in Curricula and Research:
Impart Climate Change Education (CCE) through advanced curriculum delivered via formal, informal, and non-formal approaches, including field projects, case studies, and higher-degree research. Develop credit-based courses and invest in multidisciplinary research focused on climate mitigation, renewable energy, environmental protection, and sustainable development.

Promote Research Aligned to SDGs:
Identify environmental challenges at local and regional levels and conduct research that supports mitigation and adaptation strategies, contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7, SDG 11, SDG 12, and SDG 13.

Scope

This Policy shall apply to all faculty members, scientists, staff, research scholars, students, administrative units, and operational facilities at An-Najah National University and its campuses.

Procedure/Practices

One of the core values of An-Najah National University is “Environmental Responsibility.” The University embraces the principles of sustainable development to ensure that any adverse environmental impact resulting from its operations is systematically identified, minimized, and mitigated.

The procedures and practices followed by the University are as under:

• Set specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) targets aligned with the Net Zero commitment.

• Develop and implement a structured Climate Action Roadmap outlining mitigation strategies, assigned responsibilities, timelines, and measurable outcomes.

• Conduct annual greenhouse gas inventories to monitor carbon emissions and evaluate mitigation progress.

• Adopt sustainable practices in all operations at all levels of the University, including energy use, transportation, thermal control, procurement, water conservation, and waste management.

• Invest in renewable energy systems and smart technologies to eliminate reliance on fossil fuel-based electricity and reduce direct fuel consumption.

• Promote sustainable transportation through infrastructure, awareness campaigns, and institutional incentives.

• Implement effective solid and liquid waste management strategies to reduce waste generation and increase recycling and resource recovery.

• Enhance water conservation through efficient fixtures, reuse systems, and landscape management using indigenous plant species that support carbon sequestration and air quality improvement.

• Ensure continuous monitoring and improvement through periodic audits, performance benchmarking, and policy review to align with evolving climate standards and institutional targets.

• Engage stakeholders internally and externally to strengthen institutional climate action and promote shared environmental responsibility.

• Integrate sustainability considerations into procurement, infrastructure planning, and capital investment decisions to ensure long-term environmental performance.

Responsibilities

President

As the Head and Chief Officer of the University, provides leadership, commitment and institutional support for the University’s Climate Action and Sustainability Policy, including oversight of the Net Zero pathway.

University Sustainability Advisory Committee

Provide strategic oversight of the University’s sustainability commitments and carbon neutrality targets.
Review greenhouse gas inventories and performance indicators.
Recommend and drive forward sustainability-related policies, procedures and action plans.
Support integration of sustainability and climate mitigation into daily operations and long-term strategic planning.

Effective Date: October 12, 2016
Review Date: January 15, 2025