Environment Panel

The Environment Panel is a panel of the Buildings and Estates Sub-Committee (BESC) of the Planning and Resource Allocation Committee of Council and reports to the Sustainability Steering Group.

The panel's purpose is to provide a forum for the exchange of information and discussion of matters relevant to the implementation and development of the University's Environmental Sustainability Policy. The Panel's membership has representation from each academic division, the Safety Office, the Conference of Colleges and the student body and liaises closely with the Environmental Sustainability Team.

We welcome ideas, suggestions and feedback from all members of the University about the environmental policy and the University's impact on the environment.

Remit of the Environment Panel


1. There shall be an Environment Panel, which shall consist of:

  1. a Chair, appointed by the Buildings and Estates Sub-Committee

  2. a representative of the University Safety Office

  3. a domestic bursar, appointed by the Conference of Colleges

  4. one other person appointed by the Conference of Colleges

  5. a nominee of the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division

  6. a nominee of the Medical Sciences Division

  7. a nominee of the Social Sciences and Humanities Divisions (collectively)

  8. one student member appointed by the Executive of the Oxford University Student Union from among their own number

  9. one student member appointed by the Executive of the Oxford University Student Union from among the members of its Environment and Ethics Committee

The panel shall have the power to co-opt up to three additional members for such periods as it see fit.

2. The purpose of the panel is to provide a forum for the exchange of information and discussion of matters relevant to the implementation and development of the University's Environmental Sustainability Policy.

3. The panel shall, in particular, consider:


  1. the environmental implications of University [and College] policies, activities, and proposals

  2. steps, including administrative measures, that the University [and the Colleges] could take to improve environmental performance

  3. how to encourage consideration of environmental factors in the University's [and the Colleges'] decision-making and activities

  4. changes to the targets adopted under the Environmental Sustainability Policy that appear to the panel to be desirable from time to time

  5. ways in which the University's estate and operations could be better adapted to the impacts of a changing climate

4. The panel shall keep itself informed of developments in local, national, and international environmental policies.

5. The panel shall advise on matters within its remit via the Sustainability Steering Group, to which body it shall report at least once each year.

Appointed members of the panel hold office for three years and are re-eligible.

Members shall give up their membership if they cease to hold the qualification by virtue of which they were appointed.

Casual vacancies shall be filled by the panel for the remainder of the period of office of the person being replaced.

The panel shall have the power to co-opt up to three additional members who shall hold office for three years and shall be re-eligible.

Approved by PRAC on 23 February 2010