Our sustainability journey
We are dedicated to changing for the better, and we want to inspire this change across the University and beyond. Learn more about our efforts by following the journey below.
What we've done so far
As well as our sustainability-focused societies and Green Reward app we have also achieved the following in our journey to a more sustainable future:
Moving forward: the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
The University is committed to following the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. In short, the SDGs provide a blueprint for sustainable development and a sustainable future, which set out targets to end poverty, protect the planet, and achieve prosperity for all by 2030. The goals are being integrated into the curriculum, including during the annual Sustainable Development Goals Teach In national campaign.
Glossary
Scope 1: All direct emissions from the activities of an organisation, e.g. fuel consumption, fleet vehicles. Scope 2: Indirect emissions from electricity purchased and used by the organisation.
Scope 3: All other indirect emissions occurring from sources the organisation does not own or control e.g. procurement, business travel, waste and water. Environmental net gain: A measure of the overall positive impact on the environment.
What we've done so far
As well as our sustainability-focused societies and Green Reward app we have also achieved the following in our journey to a more sustainable future:
Our four institutional goals
Intro paragraph?
Goal 01
Carbon net zero for all scope 1 and scope 2 emissions by 2040. Our first goal is to be carbon neutral for scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2040, with a 75% reduction by 2030. Here’s how we’re making that happen:
● All our campuses are powered by 100% renewable energy. Each year the solar power we generate is enough to power around 300 homes and cuts our annual carbon footprint by 260 tonnes.
● In response to calls from students and staff the decision was made to sell our two holdings in oil and gas companies, so we no longer invest in fossil fuels.
● £100k has been allocated for cycling facilities at our Devon sites, with plans for improvements in Cornwall supported via the Bike User Group.
● Carbon literacy training is currently in development and will be available to all staff and students, launching next academic year.
● The University is looking to continue homeworking and building greater support for the best working and learning opportunities for staff and students.
Goal 02
Carbon net zero for scope 3 emissions by 2050. Our second goal is to ensure we have data analytics so that we can reduce scope 3 emissions by 50% by 2030 with a plan to reach net zero by 2050.
Goal 03
Policy of environmental net gain for our estates, region and the globe. Our third goal is to pursue a policy of ‘environmental net gain’ on our estates, and to use our research and education to deliver environmental net gain within region, country and across the globe.
Goal 04
Be a leader in national and international sustainability rankings by 2025. Our fourth goal is to be recognised as an Environment and Sustainability leader across the University sector, nationally and internationally.
Moving forward: the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
The University is committed to following the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. In short, the SDGs provide a blueprint for sustainable development and a sustainable future, which set out targets to end poverty, protect the planet, and achieve prosperity for all by 2030. The goals are being integrated into the curriculum, including during the annual Sustainable Development Goals Teach In national campaign.
What we've done so far
As well as our sustainability-focused societies and Green Reward app we have also achieved the following in our journey to a more sustainable future:
Our four institutional goals
Intro para?
100% renewable energy
All our campuses are powered by 100% renewable energy. Each year the solar power we generate is enough to power around 300 homes and cuts our annual carbon footprint by 260 tonnes.
Divested from fossil fuels
In response to calls from students and staff the decision was made to sell our two holdings in oil and gas companies, so we no longer invest in fossil fuels.
Investment in active travel
£100k has been allocated for cycling facilities at our Devon sites, with plans for improvements in Cornwall supported via the Bike User Group.
Carbon literacy training
Carbon literacy training is currently in development and will be available to all staff and students, launching next academic year.
Continued working from home
The University is looking to continue homeworking and building greater support for the best working and learning opportunities for staff and students.
Goal 02:
Carbon net zero for scope 3 emissions by 2050.
Our second goal is to ensure we have data analytics so that we can reduce scope 3 emissions by 50% by 2030 with a plan to reach net zero by 2050.
Goal 03:
Policy of environmental net gain for our estates, region and the globe.
Our third goal is to pursue a policy of ‘environmental net gain’ on our estates, and to use our research and education to deliver environmental net gain within region, country and across the globe.
Goal 04:
Be a leader in national and international sustainability rankings by 2025.
Our fourth goal is to be recognised as an Environment and Sustainability leader across the University sector, nationally and internationally.
Moving forward: the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
The University is committed to following the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. In short, the SDGs provide a blueprint for sustainable development and a sustainable future, which set out targets to end poverty, protect the planet, and achieve prosperity for all by 2030. The goals are being integrated into the curriculum, including during the annual Sustainable Development Goals Teach In national campaign.
The foundations
Our journey started with our climate emergency declaration, and the resulting White Paper Report, detailing 288 recommendations to transform the University into a leading climate conscious institution.
Our climate agenda
Our E&CE Team have been working hard to set the scene to achieve the targets outlined in the White Paper Report by producing a bespoke E&CE Policy. Students have played a major part in this process and are continuing to help us shape our climate agenda.
Our goals
The policy outlines our main environment and climate emergency goals which broadly focus on reducing our carbon emissions, protecting and enhancing the natural environment and becoming climate action leaders, sharing our expertise to progress together regionally, nationally and beyond.
Moving forward
Despite the huge amount of progress we have made so far, we are still in the early stages of our Environment and Climate Emergency journey. We have lots of exciting projects in progress, so stay tuned via our E&CE Newsletter to find out more.
What we've done so far
Our four institutional goals
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Moving Forward: the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
The University is committed to following the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. In short, the SDGs provide a blueprint for sustainable development and a sustainable future, which set out targets to end poverty, protect the planet, and achieve prosperity for all by 2030. The goals are being integrated into the curriculum, including during the annual Sustainable Development Goals Teach In national campaign.
100% renewable energy
All our campuses are powered by renewable energy. Each year the solar power we generate is enough to power around 300 homes and cuts our annual carbon footprint by 260 tonnes.
Hundreds of trees planted
As part of the Woodland Trust’s Big Climate Fightback, Grounds staff worked with students and the wider community to plant hundreds of trees.
Divested from fossil fuels
In response to calls from students and staff the decision was made to sell our two holdings in oil and gas companies, so we no longer invest in fossil fuels.
Investment in active travel
£100k has been allocated for cycling facilities at our Devon sites, with plans for improvements in Cornwall supported via the Bike User Group.
Students tackle global issues: Challenges Online
Project week where 67 interdisciplinary student-led groups created solutions to real-life issues such as reducing carbon footprints through behaviour change, with some ideas feeding directly into future plans for campus life. Almost 400 students took part globally. Why not register your interest for Challenges Online 2021?
The White Paper report
The report, published in November 2019, contains over 200 recommendations from students and staff, including our leading environment and climate experts. It highlighted the need for transformational change in our operational practices and behaviours across the entire institution, including what we buy, waste, eat, teach and more.
We aim to be sustainability and climate change leaders regionally, nationally and internationally and have therefore committed to the delivery of the four key goals recommended by the white paper:
GOAL 01
Carbon net zero for scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2040.
GOAL 02
Carbon net zero for scope 3 emissions by 2050.
GOAL 03
Policy of environmental net gain for our estates, region and the globe.
GOAL 04
Be a leader in national and international sustainability rankings by 2025.