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Sustainability strategy

The university is committed to sustainability and to working towards the aims of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As part of this commitment the university has developed a sustainability strategy for the whole university in consultation with staff, students and other stakeholders. We have avoided a 'bolt-on' approach, instead focusing on integrating sustainability into the very fabric of the university.

 We seek to not only comply with current sustainability guidelines, but to become a leader in the field through adopting best practice. We are building on our teaching, learning and research strengths, whilst making º£½ÇÉçÇø (º£½ÇÉçÇø) a more sustainable organisation. Through this approach, we hope to minimise our environmental impact and create a healthy and inspiring place to work and learn.  

Sustainability policies and plans

º£½ÇÉçÇø has committed to embrace sustainability and work towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across all its activities and operations. Sustainability and the SDGs are a cornerstone of The Empowering University strategy and the University is a global hub for SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, the only UK university to be given this accolade.

The university is committed to improving the sustainability impact of its activities at the local, regional, national and global levels. The university has set out its commitments to sustainability in its policies and plans and has already made considerable progress in addressing sustainability issues through its travel planning, recycling and energy saving activities. Our current policies and plans can be accessed through the links below.

Sustainability targets

The university has set a series of targets in relation to sustainability to measure our progress in this area. Our targets cover the breath of sustainability issues including waste, green travel, engagement and carbon emissions. Progress against these targets are reported annually to the University Sustainability Committee and published in our annual sustainability report which you can find on this page.

View details of our targets

Strategy themes

Teaching

To help staff and students become responsible ‘global’ citizens in the face of the environmental challenges ahead of them.

Research

To develop groundbreaking and interdisciplinary research that advances knowledge on sustainability and establishes º£½ÇÉçÇø as a leader in this sector.

Built Environment

To reduce our environmental impact and be an exemplar of best practice.

Health and wellbeing

To ensure º£½ÇÉçÇø is a healthy, creative and inspiring ‘space’ to study and work.

Community Engagement

To establish º£½ÇÉçÇø as a beacon of best practice, a centre of research excellence for sustainability and an ambassador locally, regionally and beyond.

 

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Sustainability report 2022/23

Read the report

Sustainability governance

Sustainability governance is managed through the University Sustainability Committee (USC) which comprises of representatives from across the university community.

The USC provides strategic direction for the sustainability elements of the university’s Empowering University strategy and receives updates and progress reports on sustainability strategies and objectives. These updates are then reported to the University Leadership Board. The USC meets three times a year. Membership of the USC is listed below. Membership of the committee includes representatives from the students’ union, representatives from Trades Unions and representatives from faculty and directorates.

 

  1. USC members

    PVC Sustainability and Dean of Health & Life Sciences  
    Simon Oldroyd (Chair)

    A/Dir SDG Impact. Theme Dir Net Zero
    Mark Charlton (Deputy Chair)

    Education for Sustainable Development Forum Chair
    Andrew Reeves

    Senior Media Officer
    Claire Roberts

    Sustainability Manager
    Karl Letten

    Interim Assoc. Dean R&I
    Raffaella Villa

    Senior Assistant Librarian/Unison Union Environment Officer
    Phil Adams

    Senior Lecturer/University College Union representative
    Neil Brown

    Student Union (Academic Executive)
    Nyashadzashe Nguwo

    Head of Procurement
    Martin Satchwell

    Associate Dean (International)
    Manjeet Ridon

    Executive Personal Assistant to PVC
    Joanne Curtis

    Student Union Head of Income Generation & Enterprise
    Andrew Reynolds

    Student Union (Union Development Executive)
    Amir Iqbal