Top 5 achievements

1

We are 1st in the UK for Climate Action

We were proud to be ranked in the top 3% globally (42nd out of 1,406 institutions) in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2022, the only global benchmarking scheme that assesses universities against their contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Within this, we ranked 1st in the UK for three SDGs: SDG13 Climate Action (13th globally); SDG8 Decent Work & Economic Growth (4th globally) and SDG12 Responsible Consumption & Production (4th globally). Later in November 2021, we were awarded the national THE DataPoint Merit Award for our exemplary environmental action in the sector based on the data we submitted to (THE) Impact Rankings 2022.

4

Installed more low and zero carbon technologies

We have continued to invest in low and zero carbon technologies this year. This includes installing a new solar PV array on the roof of Jurassic House, further installation of LED lighting across the estate as well as upgrades to our Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) and High Voltage transformers which have both increased our electricity efficiency. These three projects are estimated to save around 72 tonnes of CO2e per year.

5 We supported our Eco Entrepreneurs

We’ve continued to expand our awareness-raising and engagements with students and staff through various media and activities. We launched our Eco Entrepreneurs Fund, supported by Santander and BU, to fund £9,000 for student and recent graduates who are launching or growing business ideas which address the climate and ecological crisis. We also held the inaugural Climate Justice Challenge and rolled out Carbon Literacy training to 75 staff, students and alumni.

2 Completed our first curriculum mapping against the climate and ecological crisis

In autumn 2021, we used a detailed approach to map how the units taught across our four faculties align to the UN SDGs and the climate & ecological crisis. This was our first university-wide mapping of environmental content which found that 88% of courses align to the SDGs and 40% of courses achieve our CECAP aim to have content on the crisis at each level of study. The Sustainability Academic Network are using these to further support academic staff to achieve this target.

3 Embedded climate action within Estates Development

We have embedded the CECAP into our new Estates Development Framework (EDF). This included a new specific programme of projects to progress towards net zero over the revised EDF period with £1.25million of funding committed between 2022 and 2026.

To summarise our progress in numbers this table shows where we are against our KPIs for 2021/22:

Performance this year

36% Reduction in GHG emissions across all scopes. Progress towards net zero.

62% Electric Vehicle fleet

6% On campus renewable electricity

15% On campus heat from renewable and low carbon sources

100% Purchased renewable grid electricity using REGO backed tariff

59% of total energy from renewable, low carbon and REGO backed purchased renewable energy

88% of courses align to the UN SDGs

40% of units at each level of all programmes to have content which addresses the climate and ecological crisis

Top 3% Ranking against institutions in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2022

66% of non-residential and non-construction waste recycled

11.7kg /FTE

Total non-residential and non-construction waste per head (kg per full time equivalent)

Target and date

13% by 2021/22, 50% by 2030/31

100% by 2025

10% by 2025

Heat Decarbonisation Plan will set target

100%

Heat Decarbonisation Plan will set target

100% by 2025

100% by 2022/23 academic year

Top 15%

85% recycling rate

20 kg waste per Full Time Equivalent (FTE)

73% of construction waste recycled 95%

2% of water from rainwater harvesting

Target to be agreed