RBS Launches Green Office Challenge

As part of its new Ethics, Social Responsibility and Sustainability Strategy, developed after many months of effort by the RBS Ethics Committee, RBS launched its green office challenge this October. The challenge aims to help the School of Business reduce waste and encourage greater environmental awareness in the workplace. The challenge was introduced to faculty and staff by Dean Yi Zhihong and Associate Dean Mao Jiye at the October 9 All-School Meeting.

All School offices are participating by tracking their actions to reduce energy, water and material use by filling in a scorecard every semester.  The scorecard, based on international best practices, was developed to suit RBS’particular circumstances by the Ethics Committee. Offices also are identifying their most successful actions and areas for improvement. Offices will be able to learn fromeach other’s’ actions increating a green office environment.

In addition, the General Office is instituting a resource management audit system to track use of materials such as paper and water bottles. New actions include setting up recycling facilities for ink cartridges and centralizing water dispensers so that less water is thrown out. Results will be collected in a database, and offices will be able to measure their efforts over time.

The Green Office Challenge is currently limited to staff offices. When the Ethics Committee has a chance to review the results of the pilot phase, the challenge will be expanded to faculty offices as well.