NUS and the Environment

NUS like all large organisations has an impact upon the environment and through the economy upon wider ethical behaviour. NUS can also play a valuable role in highlighting action individual students and student groups who care strongly about an environmental, ethical or international issue can take within their Student Union. In an increasing globalised world the membership of NUS needs to stand up to say 'This is our world and our education - we will not let anyone take it from us'.

NUS - its environmental impact

NUS is a huge organisation with a large environmental impact. NEC members and NUS staff find long-distance travel essential to performing their jobs - both within the UK and internationally. NUS produces vast amounts of printed material. However this environmental impact has never been measured. NUS, and its associated trading consortium, NUS Services Ltd. are also major facilitators for commerce - providing business with a student market, and students with better deals. These too can have environmental and ethical impacts. This has been most clearly recognised in NUS and NUSSL in their boycott of Nestle over its marketing of babymilks.

Paul writes:

Supporting student unions

Supporting students

Students and student groups are often active within environmental groups like People and Planet or Conservation Volunteers. NUS has been working increasingly closely with People and Planet, supporting their 'Shared Planet' Conference in Autumn 2001.

Paul writes:

I will continue to provide support for student groups around the country. I will ensure that students are given accurate information about what they can do to try and make a difference to the world.

Internationalism and NUS

Students have historically been at the forefront of campaigns for peace, justice and the environment around the planet. In an increasingly globalised world, and with increasing numbers of international students, NUS members from around the world will be affect by events internationally.

Paul writes:

NUS is one of the biggest Students Unions in the world. When its members have a view on an international issue, it needs to express that view to Government forcefully. On issues that students get involved in, from third world debt, to fair trade and ethical foreign policies, NUS needs to be there supporting its members. As a member of the NEC, I will provide that support.

Our world, our education

The same international issues that can affect the environment, particularly trade issues, could also affect our education. The World Trade Organisation - the body governing international trade - sees unnecessary Government regulation and 'interference' as protectionism to be opposed. Environmental regulation as well as direct state funding of education are seen as 'barriers' to free trade. The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) will be re-negotiated in the coming year. It will have environmental impact around the world as well as implications for tertiary education in the UK.

People and Planet GATS briefing (rtf format)

Paul writes:

As a member of the National Executive Committee I will ensure that NUS urgently researches the impact on UK tertiary education of the renegotiations of the GATS agreement. I will ensure that NUS produces a briefing to help students and student groups campaign on the wider social and environmental implications of GATS renegotiation. For too long GATS and international trade negotiations have gone on behind closed doors. When they affect students - students need to have information and have their say!

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