NIH considers green alternatives when purchasing goods and services, and we choose environmentally friendly labeled options whenever possible. We also encourage students, staff, visitors, and guests to use public transportation when traveling to NIH.
We recognize that various aspects of our operations impact the climate. Through both small and large initiatives, we strive for continuous improvement, and our certification as an Eco-Lighthouse is evidence of our ongoing efforts.
Prerequisites and framework for a climate plan
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) are the world's action plan to eradicate poverty, combat inequality, and stop climate change by 2030. They consist of 17 goals with 169 underlying targets.
The Paris Agreement is an international climate treaty aimed at ensuring that countries around the world can limit climate change.
Universities and University Colleges Act regulates the operations of state and private universities and university colleges in Norway. The law states under § 1-1, letter d), that universities and university colleges in Norway aim to contribute to environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable development.
NIH's strategic plan sets guidelines for the entire university college's operations, and among other things, how we will work with sustainability.
Green NIH
Green NIH is about how we work with concrete measures for the climate plan and sustainability in our daily operations.
Procurement and Purchasing
NIH will set specific environmental requirements when purchasing goods and services. When purchasing goods, quality and reuse should be prioritized, and the products should have good environmental properties with the lowest possible environmental impact. The strategy must reflect §7-9: Regulations on Public Procurement (Procurement Regulations) - Part I. General Provisions - Lovdata.
The Public Procurement Act and NIH
The government has set the goal of minimizing environmental impact associated with public procurement. The environmental policy includes specific requirements for state enterprises within prioritized product groups. The Public Procurement Act (in Norwegian) requires that state officials and public institutions organize their procurement practices in a way that helps reduce harmful impacts on the environment and promote climate-friendly solutions and products where relevant.
According to NIH's procurement policy, we will only enter into agreements with suppliers who can document that they operate within the required legal and ethical frameworks for businesses. Where applicable and possible, NIH shall set sustainability requirements for suppliers or use environmental and climate measures taken by suppliers as award criteria suitable for minimizing NIH's environmental impact. NIH's suppliers and contractual partners must be able to document good health, safety, and environment (HSE) policies within their operations and must comply with labor law requirements for their employees. The goods purchased must not be produced or manufactured by companies suspected of violating national and/or international regulations (e.g., concerning child labor and the use of endangered plant and animal species). NIH shall have a holistic approach to procurement so that the procurement agreements encompass the entire university college.
Climate Accounting
Climate accounting is a useful tool for identifying which activities result in the highest greenhouse gas emissions. A climate account is used to assess which measures are most effective in minimizing the climate footprint. As a certified Eco-Lighthouse, NIH automatically receives a climate account calculated by LUMA (in Norwegian), based on data that the organization has registered. The climate account is updated annually.
Energy consumption (the largest source) and transportation are the primary sources of NIH's carbon dioxide emissions.
Travel Policy
NIH aims to reduce our air travel by 20 % from 2024 levels by 2028. We encourage employees and students to choose environmentally friendly travel options and to utilize established travel advice.
NIHs travel recommendations for students and employees
Is the trip necessary?
Consider alternatives. Can the trip be replaced by digital solutions?
Travel as green as possible
Trains are often better than flights, and public transport is preferable to personal cars. If driving is necessary, carpool whenever possible.
Combine multiple activities
Can a conference abroad be combined with research? Can the stay be extended to include other relevant meetings?
Find committee members nearby
Consider travel distance for defenses, mid-term assessments, and exams. Choose examiners and opponents who do not need to travel far by plane. Make climate assessments for invitations from distant institutions. Can digital communication be a solution?
Local colleagues
Take climate considerations into account when appointing part-time professors. Regional colleagues are preferred over those who must travel long distances. Longer and less frequent visits are better than short and frequent ones.
Encourage students to undertake longer stays abroad
Longer study and research stay often yield better results. Encourage the greenest possible travel.
Internal meetings and regional seminars
Hold gatherings and seminars in locations easily accessible by public transport. Plan [the trip] so that employees can combine travel with working hours. In this case, trains are a better option than cars.
Make it a sport to choose the best travel methods
Inspire and encourage each other to choose climate-friendly transport ("What if we take the train together to the conference in Berlin?"). Perhaps flying one way could be a solution? Rent an electric car instead of taking a taxi.
Energy Consumption
NIH is actively working to reduce energy consumption on campus and increase the proportion of renewable energy. Our goal is to reduce water consumption in the swimming pool by 10 % by 2027 and by a total of 20 % by 2028. Additionally, we aim to reduce data storage by 10 % per person over the same period. We are working on raising awareness about data storage and AI.
Events and Catering
Our ambition is to host as many green events as possible. We have purchased mobile sorting units for waste, and we are serving more vegetarian food. We are also working to limit physical materials, ensure good information about source sorting, and minimize the use of disposable items. After each event, we document the sustainable choices that have been made.
Waste Management and Source Sorting
NIH aims to achieve a sorting rate of 70 % by 2025 and reduce waste by 20 % by 2028.
Initiatives
We will have better labeling at waste collection stations and create engagement through information campaigns. We sort many waste products, mainly food waste, soft and hard plastic packaging, cardboard, paper and carton waste, glass and metal containers, and general waste. We will ensure the reuse of electronic waste, batteries, chemicals, and polystyrene.
We aim to reduce the use of disposable tableware, limit printed materials, and decrease food waste. We will also reduce the loss of rubber granulate infill on the artificial turf field by 10 % by 2026 and are working towards replacing rubber granulate by 2030.
Campus Operations
We will manage outdoor areas and building facilities with sustainability and biodiversity at the fore. Our janitorial services aim to increase the proportion of Ecolabeled cloths by 100 % and increase the share of Ecolabeled cleaning detergents by 50 % by 2026.
Organization
Sustainability is a shared responsibility, and everyone must contribute to achieving the goals in the climate action plan. We need to inform as well as raise awareness and engagement among employees and students about what individuals can do. This can be achieved through training and promotional campaigns. We will:
- Anchor climate, environmental, and sustainability efforts in our organization’s culture and structure
- Ensure a fully defensible psychosocial and physically healthy work and student environment
- Promote alcohol-free events
- Encourage a healthy and active lifestyle
- Increase focus on mental health
- Ensure good risk management and preparedness
- Committee for Equality, Inclusion, and Diversity (ULIM) - Norges idrettshøgskole
Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE)
NIH shall be an inspiring and generous organization with professionally skilled and engaged employees in all university college functions. Small academic environments in various fields require employees to be flexible and adaptable. NIH's values of collaboration and respect should shape the NIH culture.
The work environment is created daily through collaboration and dialogue, where all employees and students share responsibility for actively contributing to a good working environment. Employees and students should receive necessarythe necessary training and sufficient competence to manage HSE challenges in their own work and study situations.
HSE is a leadership responsibility at all levels and is integrated into all management. NIH leaders should have the knowledge, confidence, and willingness to prioritize HSE efforts.
Safety representatives have a supervisory function in HSE work.
Examples of HSE Initiatives
- Work Environment Survey (ARK)
- Follow up on findings from the national survey of bullying and harassment
- Conduct prevention training for unwanted sexual behavior and harassment for all employees.
- Safety and Preparedness
- IA work: follow-up on absenteeism, training in first aid, HSE, and CPR for employees
- Leadership development in HSE
Research
From our Strategic Plan
NIH's research shall support sustainable development for individuals and society. Our research will deepen the knowledge needed to improve the health, quality of life, and living conditions of the population. The research will investigate how physical activity, sports, and outdoor life can be conducted in ways that do not exceed the individual’s or the environment’s capacity. Altogether, NIH’s research aims to provide a better knowledge base for developing a future-oriented education, sports, and leisure sector.
Laboratory Operations
The laboratories have their own criteria, set within their respective fields, much of which is related to HSE. Reviews are conducted regarding reuse of equipment, waste management, and storage of chemicals. The laboratories are required to conduct annual risk assessments related to this.
Examples of Projects with a Sustainability
Many of our research projects are indirectly linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This includes research that examines gender, inclusion, and topics related to good health and quality of life. See our research projects Scientific projects - Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. In addition, we have some projects with a specific sustainability perspective:
- Sustainable Development Goals through Sports - Norwegian School of Sport Sciences
- Ethical Sustainability Communication in International Sports
- Climate and Sports - Norwegian School of Sport Sciences
- Work for Safe Sports in Southern Africa (DAiSI) - Norwegian School of Sport Sciences
- Which Soft-Shell Jacket is the Most Sustainable? | UTEMAGASINET.NO
Education
From our Strategic Plan
All of our educational programs will incorporate sustainability topics that are relevant to each specific program. We aim to educate students with the knowledge, skills, and understanding to implement ethically responsible practices that promotes equity and contributes to strengthening individuals and society. Ethically responsible practice considers individual, social, and environmental factors.
All of our degree programs include current sustainability themes, which are tailored to each disipline. NIH course offerings with on sports and sustainability include:
- Sports and Sustainability, in Norwegian and in English, The course
- Outdoor Life, Society, and Sustainability (in Norwegian)
Examples of How Sustainability is Integrated into NIH's Curriculum
Sustainability content is part of NIH's curriculum, and the focus lies in how our students can carry the principles of sustainability into the workplace. Outdoor Life Education consistently spotlights sustainability and the use of local environs as its arena.
In addition to raising the level of awareness [in the student body], NIH will implement several concrete measures.. NIH set a goal to reduce new purchases of training and outdoor equipment for teaching. We will do this by conducting an audit of our needs, facilitating the repair of equipment, buying used items, and collaborating with student organizations. Students alreadyhave already established marketplace for used textbooks.