Strategies for sustainability
Shaping an approach fit for a global leader in sustainability
STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABILITY
Being a leader of sustainability in higher education demands effective leadership, robust governance and a range of policies and strategies which are both challenging and achievable.
We have set ambitious targets for meaningful change, charting a path towards global leadership in sustainable development in both our Leadership in Sustainability (2022 - 2026) strategy and our Sustainability Policy.
LEADERSHIP IN SUSTAINABILITY
A set of enabling strategies underpin the delivery of our core goals of excellent education and excellent research with impact helping us to realise our 2030 ambition, including investment in our people, campus and technology, commitment to sustainability, inclusion, and our local communities.
Our enabling strategy: Leadership in Sustainability (2022-2026) sets out how we will remain a leading, sustainable university and play our part in tackling the environmental and societal challenges facing our world. It builds on the great progress we have already made, defines our ambition to 2030, and gives us a definitive plan of action through to 2026.
We involved students, employees and the local community in helping to develop our Leadership in Sustainability strategy, read about how we did this.
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Resourcing the Leadership in Sustainability Strategy
Resourcing the leadership in sustainability strategy
The University commits to support its sustainability ambitions with appropriate levels of financial investment, and other resources, such as investment in our people, our facilities, and our services and 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 and the Leadership for Sustainability Strategy will be reviewed, allocated, and published annually on the University webpages, and the financial support identified for some activities will be progressed on a case-by-case basis.
The budget allocation for the year 2021/22 is outlined below:
Mainstream staffing: £283,000
Non-pay related activities and projects: £643,500 This budget funds staff who are working in dedicated sustainability roles and does not include academic members of staff.
This funds the delivery of projects and activities listed below:
- Biodiversity management and enhancement
- Carbon and energy management
- Carbon Literacy training
- Policy and strategy implementation
- Staff and student engagement, development and informal learning for sustainability
- Sustainable buildings, food, travel
- Recycling and reuse
- Water management
Developing our strategy
A participative and collaborative approach - we engaged our staff, students and external partners to help shape our Leadership in Sustainability strategy (2022-2026).Engage and contribute
It is vital that staff, students and a range of partners have a voice and are able to play a part in realising our vision to be a leading sustainable University. We involve our communities and Trade Union representatives, by way of invitation to the Environment Strategy Group, in the development, implementation and review of a range of sustainability strategy, policy, and decision-making. Most recently to help shape our Leadership in Sustainability Strategy 2022-26, develop our Carbon Management Plan (2020-2026), and as co-opted staff and student members on our Environment Strategy Group - all of which our vital in our journey to be a sustainable University.
Our Environment Strategy Group membership consists of leaders throughout the university, co-opted staff and student positions and Trade Union representatives who advise the University Exectutic Group on the strategic direction for the Leadership and Sustainability Strategy 2022-26 including the Carbon Management Plan and other relevent strategic areas of sustainable development.
If you have any questions or comments, or you would like to get involved in developing our policies or plans, please get in touch with our Sustainability Team.
