Sustainability policy

This policy outlines our management approach and sets out four long-term goals for 2030. It applies to all our activities and stakeholders and will be implemented through an environmental management system. Progress will be reported and reviewed annually.

Background

As a higher education provider, we have a major role in supporting students and staff in developing skills to respond to global challenges. Students are our future leaders and decision-makers and will be integral in responding to climate change.

Purpose

This policy outlines our management approach to:

• protect the environment.
• prevent and minimise pollution.
• fulfil our compliance obligations.
• ensure that sustainable development underpins all that we do.

The approach will ensure we reach our 2030 sustainability goals, objectives, and targets as outlined in the leadership for sustainability strategy 2022 – 2026.

Scope

This policy applies to:

• employees
• students
• visitors
• suppliers
• relevant interested parties

Policy commitment

We are committed to developing objectives and targets to measure and report sustainability performance in the following four areas.

Leadership for sustainability

We will be a thought leader in climate change and sustainable development.

Academic innovation and impact

We’ll equip students and colleagues with the knowledge and skills to shape a more sustainable future. We’ll deliver high-quality research and innovation to contribute to the world’s sustainability agenda.

Sustainable campus and practices

We’ll embed sustainability into our campus, practices and processes by:

• achieving zero carbon targets.
• maximising social value.
• futureproofing the organisation.

Engagement and partnerships

We’ll add value to our local, national, and international engagement activities.

Roles and responsibilities

The sustainability policy and leadership for sustainability strategy will only succeed with the active support of our entire community.

A range of boards and committees are responsible for:

• the oversight, implementation, and review of the policy and strategy.
• ensuring effective leadership and communication to progress its implementation.

People, Finance and Resources Committee

• Agreeing and approving:
  • the sustainability strategy and policy.
  • future amendments and revisions to policy and strategy.
• Receiving reports and information relating to the implementation of the policy and strategy.
• Monitoring progress against the strategy and policy.

University Executive Group

• Receiving reports and information relating to the development, implementation, progress, and review of the policy and strategy.
• Scrutinising requests and recommending approval of projects to the People, Finance and Resources Committee.

Academic Board

• Receiving and providing comments on reports and information relating to the development, implementation, progress, and review of our policy and strategy, focusing on our academic activities.

• Endorsing and recommending the relevant committee group or board for a range of activities that are integral to the progression of our policy and strategy.

• Considering, advising, and recommending a range of matters related to integrating Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in taught and research degrees, and research activities to address the sustainability agenda.

Education Committee

• Receiving and providing comments on reports and information relating to the development, implementation, progress, and review of the strategy and policy, focusing on our academic activities.
• Advising the academic board on issues related to integrating ESD into student education.
• Approving a range of institutional procedures related to integrating ESD on behalf of the academic board.

Research Committee

• Receiving and providing comments on reports and information relating to the development, implementation, progress, and review of the strategy and policy, focusing on our academic activities.
• Providing leadership and advising the academic board on our approach to aligning research outcomes and impacts to the sustainability agenda.

Internationalisation Committee

• Receiving and providing comments on reports and information relating to the development, implementation, progress, and review of the policy and strategy, focusing on our international activities.

• Provide leadership on our approach to aligning the international and sustainability agendas.

Sustainability Strategy Group

• Providing strategic leadership on all aspects of the policy and strategy.
• Receiving and providing comments on reports and information relating to the development, implementation, progress, and review of our policy and strategy.
• Advising and recommending a range of activities and proposals that progress the delivery of the strategy and policy to the University Executive Group, and other committee groups or boards.
• Reporting on the progress made towards implementation and the achievement of the key performance indicators to the University Executive Group, and other committee groups or boards.

Estates Strategy Board

• Receiving and providing comments on reports and information relating to the development, implementation, progress, and review of the policy and strategy, focusing on our estate and infrastructure activities.
• Providing leadership on our approach to aligning the estate agenda and impacts to the sustainability agenda.

Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (PVC) for Sustainability

• Providing strategic oversight and ensuring implementation of the policy and strategy, with a focus on education and research.
• Reviewing, reporting progress, and proposing amendments to the strategy and policy, if required.

Assistant Director of Facilities Management and Sustainability and Head of Environment and Sustainability

• Providing strategic oversight and ensuring the implementation of the policy and strategy, with a focus on a sustainable campus and practices.
• Reviewing progress and proposing amendments to policy and strategy, if required.

Engagement

Students, staff, and external stakeholders will be engaged in the ongoing oversight, review, and development of the sustainability policy and strategy including:

• Co-opted Sustainability Strategy Group membership positions for staff and students.
• Actively providing learning opportunities through our research, educational, and extra-curricular offering related to the projects and actions we must deliver to realise our 2030 strategic vision.
• Creating mechanisms and platforms for collaboration and knowledge sharing in relation to the delivery of this strategy.
• Consulting with our academic and professional colleagues.

Framework for delivery

The policy will be implemented through our environmental management system which is certified to ISO 14001. This provides a framework for continual improvement in sustainability performance and the environmental management system. The goals and objectives outlined in the strategy are supported by key enabling projects and actions that must be undertaken to progress towards realising the policy and strategy.

Resources

We commit to supporting our sustainability ambitions with appropriate levels of investment, including financial, in our:

• people
• facilities
• services
• systems

A budget to resource staff, and their professional development, and to undertake a range of projects and activities that are integral to the delivery of this policy. It will be reviewed, allocated, and published annually on our website.

Monitoring, reviewing, and reporting progress

A review of the sustainability policy and leadership in sustainability strategy will occur annually as part of our environmental management system process.

We’ll measure its performance and progress towards achieving the commitments outlined in the policy and strategy through a range of associated key performance indicators and targets.

Progress will be reported to our leadership boards, committees, and groups. As part of the annual review, we may update the policy and strategy to accommodate changes in the higher education sector or our operating environment.

We will publicly report progress on the policy and strategy through:

• our annual reports and financial statements.
• an externally verified annual sustainability statement.  

Policy owner/author: Sustainability Team (EFCD)
Version number: 3.0
EIA date: March 2022
Approved by: Sustainability Strategy Group
Approved Date: 27 January 2022
Date last reviewed: January 2024
Date of next review: January 2025