Evidences
15.2 Supporting land ecosystems through education
AIT has conducted Events about sustainable use of land Support or organize events aimed to promote conservation and sustainable utilization of the land, including forests and wild land.
Source 1:Workshop on AIT WILD LIFE AND ECOSYSTEM CONSERVATION (Hybrid) – Asian Institute of Technology
AIT has established policies to ensure that food on its campus is sustainably farmed. AIT is committed to providing sustainable food on its campus and actively reducing food waste, emphasizing the importance of reducing waste to landfill and sustainable food procurement and provision. The institution has set specific goals, such as minimizing food waste per person by 30% from a 2022 baseline by 2026 and encouraging a 25% increase in organic food production and non-organic composting from the same baseline. These policies and goals reflect AIT’s dedication to sustainability and responsible food practices within the university environment, showcasing its commitment to environmentally friendly and ethically sourced food on campus.
Please refer to Annex 6, on Food Use and Waste (page 15).
AIT works directly to maintain and extend existing ecosystems and their biodiversity, of both plants and animals, especially ecosystems under threat.
Since 2018, the Natural Resources Management (NRM) program, housed within the Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS), School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), has fostered a deep collaborative relationship with the Ban Tha Wang Sai Community Forest. This enduring partnership has been instrumental in various endeavors, including resource assessment, field research, and local development initiatives.
Source 1:NRM and Ban Tha Wang Sai Community Forest – Asian Institute of Technology (ait.ac.th)
Source 2:NRM engages in the Rayong Botanical Garden – Asian Institute of Technology (ait.ac.th)
AIT have Sustainable management of land for agriculture and tourism (educational outreach) Offer educational programme/outreach for local or national communities on sustainable management of land for agriculture and tourism.
Source 2:Natural Resources Management – Department of Development and Sustainability (ait.ac.th)
15.3 Supporting land ecosystems through action
AIT has a policy in place to ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems associated with the university. The policy, outlined in Annex 5 – Nature and Ecosystems, emphasizes AIT’s commitment to maintaining 70% of the current forest cover with multiple tree species and improving waterways to provide a green living environment and habitats for fish and wildlife species. AIT also aims to create “no-touch” areas on campus, which are left natural and untouched by maintenance staff to become habitats for various species. Specific goals include managing individual trees to maintain a 90% healthy natural ecosystem by 2030, restoring 90% of the forest ecosystem along the waterways to protect soil erosion and improve water quality, and conserving 90% of the appropriate space as habitats for fishes and different wildlife species. This policy underscores AIT’s dedication to environmental conservation and the responsible use of terrestrial ecosystems associated with the university.
Please refer to Annex 5 on Nature and Ecosystems (page 13).
Source: AA-1-2-9 AIT Sustainability Policy
The AIT (Asian Institute of Technology) demonstrates a comprehensive commitment to the conservation and protection of local biodiversity, including species listed on the IUCN Red List and national conservation lists. AIT’s Nature and Ecosystems Policy emphasizes its dedication to creating a green living environment that offers habitats for fish and wildlife species. Furthermore, the policy aims to maintain a significant portion of the campus as “no-touch” areas, allowing for the preservation of various species. The institution has set ambitious goals, such as managing individual trees to maintain a healthy ecosystem and undertaking the enrichment planting of native trees, particularly IUCN red-listed species. These initiatives reflect AIT’s proactive approach to monitoring, protecting, and enhancing the habitats of species in areas affected by the university’s operations. Reporting and oversight measures are in place through the Office of Facilities and Asset Management, the Sustainability Club, and the SU Campus & Environment unit, with the Vice President for Administration (VPA) responsible for this area.
In summary, AIT’s Nature and Ecosystems Policy aligns with the objective of identifying, monitoring, and safeguarding IUCN Red Listed and nationally listed conservation species in areas influenced by the university’s activities. Through this policy, AIT demonstrates a strong commitment to fostering biodiversity conservation and habitat protection, ensuring the coexistence of its campus operations with local wildlife and ecosystems.
Refer to Annex 5 – Nature and Ecosystems (Page 13)
Source: AA-1-2-9 AIT Sustainability Policy
AIT have Local biodiversity included in planning and development Include local biodiversity into any planning and development process.
Source 1: Botanical Garden Campus Towards Net Zero – Asian Institute of Technology (ait.ac.th)
Source 2:AIT Green Buildings – Office of Facilities and Assets Management
AIT is dedicated to maintaining its natural ecosystems, and as part of this commitment, the university has a comprehensive policy aimed at reducing the impact of alien species on campus. This policy includes measures to protect and preserve the campus’s native flora and fauna from invasive species, ensuring the well-being of the local ecosystem.
Please refer to Annex 5 on Nature and Ecosystems (page 13).
AIT have Collaboration for shared land ecosystems Collaborate with the local community to maintain shared land ecosystems.
Source 2:Project (sumernet.org)
15.4 Land sensitive waste disposal
The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) is dedicated to water conservation and sustainability, with a focus on responsible water usage and management. AIT’s Water Supply/Resource Policy underscores the commitment to operating in an environmentally sustainable manner, aiming to reduce water usage by 15% based on floor area compared to the 2022 baseline by 2026. Additionally, AIT has set the goal of developing facilities to harvest 20% more rainwater and greywater by 2026 compared to 2021. These measures are integral to AIT’s broader commitment to water sustainability.
In parallel, AIT’s Waste Water Policy emphasizes wastewater treatment and the responsible use of resources. The policy outlines the objective of treating at least 70% of used water on campus for reuse by 2026, compared to the 2021 volume. AIT is also working towards transforming wastewater facilities into systems that generate 5% of the institute’s energy, in the form of biogas for cooking and/or electricity generation. These proactive steps reflect AIT’s dedication to maintaining water quality, reusing water resources, and managing wastewater in an environmentally friendly manner.
Please refer to Annex 2 – Water Supply Resource (page 9) and Annex 3 – Waste Water (page 10)
Source: AA-1-2-9 AIT Sustainability Policy
Evidence 1
The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) has made a resolute commitment to address plastic waste and promote sustainable waste management on its campus. The Solid Waste and Plastics Policy underscores AIT’s dedication to minimizing waste, avoiding the depletion of natural resources, and reducing environmental impact. AIT aims to achieve 100% waste segregation in academic areas by 2024 compared to the 2021 baseline and implement waste segregation in 50% of residential areas by 2024. Moreover, the institute has set ambitious goals for plastic waste reduction, aiming for a 100% zero plastic policy for non-biodegradable plastics by 2030. By 2025, AIT aims to reduce plastic use across the campus by 50%, with a target of zero single-use plastics starting in 2022. These measures align with AIT’s broader sustainability commitment, promoting responsible resource consumption and minimal waste generation.
Furthermore, AIT’s Internal Operations Policy extends sustainability efforts to the core operations and decision-making processes within the university. The policy seeks to institutionalize sustainable initiatives throughout management and decision-making activities, with a goal of increasing these initiatives by 20% across all units by 2026. AIT is also working on developing a paperless administrative system, further demonstrating its commitment to reducing resource consumption and promoting sustainable practices across all aspects of university operations.
Created on 8 Dec 2021
Comment: Please refer to Annex 4 – Solid Waste and Plastics (page 11) and Annex 12 – Internal Operations (page 27)
Source: AA-1-2-9 AIT Sustainability Policy
Evidence 2
The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) is deeply committed to environmental conservation and sustainability, as evident from its comprehensive AIT Environment Policy. This policy encompasses a wide array of objectives and practices designed to minimize environmental impacts across AIT’s operations. It emphasizes responsible waste management, efficient resource use, and the reduction of adverse environmental effects. The policy encourages the efficient and responsible use of resources, with an emphasis on preserving and enhancing the campus’s flora and fauna while minimizing waste production. These environmental commitments illustrate AIT’s dedication to environmentally sustainable practices and align with its broader mission to create a green and responsible campus environment.
Created in January 2013
Reviewed annually
Evidence 1
The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) has demonstrated a strong commitment to environmental sustainability through its AIT Environment Policy. While the policy primarily focuses on water supply and resource management, it also reflects AIT’s dedication to responsible environmental practices across various aspects of campus life. The policy emphasizes minimizing environmental impacts, waste production, and hazardous waste. It advocates using resources efficiently and responsibly, all of which are principles that can be extended to the management of hazardous materials. This alignment with broader environmental goals highlights AIT’s commitment to environmental responsibility in various areas, including waste disposal and hazardous materials management.
Created on 8 Dec 2021
Comment: Refer to Annex-2 Waste Supply/Resource (page-09) and annex-3 Waste Water (page-10)
Source: AA-1-2-9 AIT Sustainability Policy
Evidence 2
the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) has a comprehensive environmental policy that covers waste disposal practices, including hazardous materials. The AIT Environment Policy reflects the institute’s commitment to environmental conservation and the minimization of environmental impacts resulting from its activities. The policy encompasses a wide range of objectives and measures to ensure responsible waste management, including the identification and responsible disposal of hazardous wastes on campus. AIT is dedicated to minimizing waste production through waste reduction, reuse, and recycling, in addition to regulating the treatment and disposal of solid and liquid waste. The policy also highlights the need to eliminate the release of pollutants through discharge controls and ongoing environmental impact assessments. Overall, AIT’s Environment Policy underscores the institute’s strong commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability across its operations.
Created in January 2013
Reviewed annually
