Environmental Sustainability

The University’s goals are to achieve Carbon Net Zero for Scopes 1 and 2 by 2030, and scope 3 by 2050, to improve biodiversity and to be recognised as major influencers on environmental sustainability matters.

This plan is lead by:

  • Sally McGill, Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Chief Exec and Exec Lead for Sustainability

UN SDGs

E-WEB-Goal-07
E-WEB-Goal-13
E-WEB-Goal-11
E-WEB-Goal-12
E-WEB-Goal-06
E-WEB-Goal-15

Overall approach

Environmental sustainability is one aspect of the University’s response to Environmental, Societal and Governance (ESG) issues and also to the broader agenda of sustainable development, as defined within the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2021, the University published its Environmental Sustainability: Strategic Framework, which was revised in June 2023, and which sets out the University’s objectives, vision and enablers for all aspects of environmental sustainability.  It also sets out how success will be measured. 

The main themes within the Environmental Sustainability Strategic Framework are: Built environment; Consumption, lifestyle and workstyle; Communities; and Education, research, innovation and enterprise.  The framework also recognises that the University’s responsibilities go beyond carbon reduction and include improving biodiversity and influencing as well.

Chart explaining how by improving biodiversity, achieving net zero and influencing, we can have a positive impact on our built environment, consumption, life style and work style, our communities and education research, innovation and enterprise.

Within the main themes, managers from all parts of the University take responsibility for environmental sustainability matters within their own areas of operations.  By embedding this responsibility across the University, we can achieve our goals. The main themes contain the following areas, each of which has its own policy, targets and operational priorities.

Carbon reduction chart covering our built environment including biodiversity, energy, construction and water to help achieve our carbon net zero scope 1 and 2 goals by 2030. To achieve carbon net zero for scope 3 by 2050, we will take into consideration t

The framework is also supported by an Environmental Sustainability Policy.

Progress against the framework is monitored in the Environmental Sustainability Annual Review.

in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

Top 5 for Social Inclusion

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

for First Generation Students

The Mail University Guide 2025

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021