Policy for Climate Action for Sustainability

Policy for Climate Action for Sustainability

Policy for Climate Action for Sustainability
Approved Board of Management on 29th March 2022
Notification Notified by Registrar vide notification No. SRHU/Reg/OO/2022-58 (i) dated 5th April 2022
Next Review 2025-26
  1. Short Title & Commencement:
    1. This Policy shall be called the “Policy for Climate Action for Sustainability” of Swami Rama Himalayan University.
    2. This Policy shall be deemed to have come into force from the date of approval of the Board of Management of the University.
  2. Purpose:
    To become a climate-resilient, low-carbon, and environmentally responsible university, with Swami Rama Himalayan University (SRHU) integrating sustainability into education, research, operations, and community engagement.
  3. Scope:
    This policy applies to all academic units, administrative departments, research centers, hostels, healthcare facilities (if applicable), and all members of the Swami Rama Himalayan University (SRHU) community, including students, faculty, staff, contractors, and visitors.
  4. Guiding Principles:
    1. Environmental Stewardship: Responsible use and protection of natural resources.
    2. Equity and Inclusion: Ensuring fair access to resources and participation in sustainability initiatives.
    3. Evidence-Based Action: Decisions informed by scientific data and best practices.
    4. Continuous Improvement: Regular monitoring, review, and enhancement of sustainability performance.
    5. Collaboration: Partnerships with government, industry, civil society, and local communities.
  5. Strategic Objectives:
    1. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from campus operations.
    2. Improve energy efficiency and increase the use of renewable energy.
    3. Promote sustainable water management and biodiversity conservation.
    4. Minimize waste generation and enhance recycling and circular economy practices.
    5. Encourage sustainable transportation.
    6. Integrate climate action into curriculum, research, and outreach.
    7. Build climate resilience and preparedness across campus.
  6. Key Action Areas:
    1. Energy and Carbon Management:
      1. Conduct periodic energy and carbon audits.
      2. Set measurable targets for GHG emission reduction.
      3. Increase the use of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind.
      4. Promote energy-efficient buildings, appliances, and lighting.
      5. Implement green building standards for new constructions and renovations.
    2. Water Conservation and Management:
      1. Monitor and reduce water consumption through audits and smart metering.
      2. Promote rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge.
      3. Encourage water-efficient fixtures and reuse of treated wastewater.
      4. Protect and enhance water bodies within and around the campus.
    3. Waste Management:
      1. Adopt the principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle (3Rs).
      2. Implement segregation of waste at source.
      3. Minimize single-use plastics on campus.
      4. Promote composting of biodegradable waste.
      5. Ensure safe disposal of hazardous, biomedical, and e-waste as per regulations.
    4. Biodiversity and Green Campus Initiatives:
      1. Protect and enhance green spaces and native vegetation.
      2. Promote tree plantation and biodiversity conservation programs.
      3. Avoid activities that harm local ecosystems.
      4. Encourage nature-based solutions for climate adaptation.
    5. Sustainable Transportation:
      1. Promote walking, cycling, and the use of public transport.
      2. Encourage carpooling and low-emission vehicles.
      3. Gradually transition to electric or alternative-fuel campus vehicles.
    6. Sustainable Procurement:
      1. Prefer environmentally responsible products and services.
      2. Encourage suppliers to adopt sustainable and ethical practices.
      3. Consider life-cycle environmental impacts in procurement decisions.
    7. Education, Research, and Innovation:
      1. Integrate climate change and sustainability concepts into curricula across disciplines.
      2. Encourage interdisciplinary research on climate mitigation and adaptation.
      3. Support innovation and incubation of green technologies and solutions.
      4. Organize workshops, seminars, and training programs on climate action.
    8. Community Engagement and Outreach:
      1. Engage with local communities on sustainability and climate resilience initiatives.
      2. Promote awareness campaigns, observance of environment-related days, and student-led activities.
      3. Collaborate with governmental and non-governmental organizations on climate action projects.
  7. Governance and Implementation:
    1. Establish a Climate Action and Sustainability Committee to oversee implementation.
    2. Define roles and responsibilities at institutional, departmental, and individual levels.
    3. Allocate adequate financial and human resources for sustainability initiatives.
    4. Integrate climate action goals into institutional planning and decision-making.
  8. This policy shall be reviewed every three years or earlier if required to accommodate new educational practices, regulatory requirements, or emerging student needs.
  9. The University reserves the right to interpret, alter, amend, modify, cancel or withdraw any or all provisions mentioned herein above in this policy without any notice.
  10. In case of any dispute, the decision of the Vice Chancellor of the University shall be final and binding.
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International Endowed Chair Professor

Prof Rakesh Kumar

Prof Rakesh Kumar is the Founder and President of the Breast Cancer in Young Women Foundation (USA), dedicated to vaddressing the distinct issues affecting young women with breast cancer. He also serves as the International Endowed Chair Professor at the Cancer Research Institute of the Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences. Additionally, he holds adjunct professorships at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Dr Kumar earned his Ph.D. from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in 1984 and began his research career at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in January 1986. From 1988 to 2017, he held various academic and leadership positions —including faculty member, tenured professor, distinguished professor, endowed chair, department chair, and research leader—at esteemed institutions such as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. From 2017 to 2022, he served as the National Chair for Cancer Research for the Government of India and as a distinguished professor, continuing his innovative work in breast cancer research.

With nearly 40 years of research and professional experience, Dr. Kumar has made conceptual contributions to the field of cancer research (h-index 108, citations >50,000). He has authored over 325 peer-reviewed publications, edited or co-edited nine books, and delivered 290 invited lectures worldwide. His work has been featured on the covers of 18 major cancer journals and has been highlighted in institutional research reports of the MD Anderson Cancer Center.

A passionate educator and mentor, Dr. Kumar has guided 67 trainees throughout his career. He serves on the editorial boards of multiple leading cancer journals and has served on the editorial boards of 21 top cancer journals. His global reputation is further demonstrated by his participation in about 100 peer-review panels for cancer research funding in the US and internationally over the past 28 years.

Dr. Kumar's innovative research has earned him numerous prestigious honors, including the Hinkle Society Faculty Award at Penn State University (1994), the Dalla/Fort Worth Living Legend Faculty Achievement Award in Basic Sciences (2004), the Ranbaxy Research Award (2006), and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association of Indian Scientists in Cancer Research (2013), among others. Dr. Kumar's pioneering research continues to have a profound influence on the fields of oncology and breast cancer, opening up new opportunities for biomedical scientists and trainees worldwide.