UoE sustainability journey
Here are some of the highlights we’ve already achieved since we first committed to taking action against the climate and ecological crises in 2019.
Signed the SDG Accord and Planetary Health Alliance.
Climate Emergency White Paper.
Environment and Climate Emergency Policy Statement published with a net zero target of 2040 across all scopes.
Environment and Climate Emergency Board formed – jointly chaired by our Registrar and Secretary and our Provost.
Committed to divest from direct investments in fossil fuel companies.
OPTION 2
Signed the SDG Accord and Planetary Health Alliance.
Climate Emergency White Paper.
Environment and Climate Emergency Policy Statement published with a net zero target of 2040 across all scopes.
Environment and Climate Emergency Board formed – jointly chaired by our Registrar and Secretary and our Provost.
Committed to divest from direct investments in fossil fuel companies.
2019
Signed the SDG Accord and Planetary Health Alliance.
Climate Emergency White Paper.
Environment and Climate Emergency Policy Statement published with a net zero target of 2040 across all scopes.
Environment and Climate Emergency Board formed – jointly chaired by our Registrar and Secretary and our Provost.
Committed to divest from direct investments in fossil fuel companies.
2020
Falmouth and Exeter Students’ Union Sustainability Week wins National Societies and Volunteering Awards.
Launch of Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF).
Falmouth and Exeter Students’ Union Sustainability Week wins National Societies and Volunteering Awards.
Launch of Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF).
2021
Net zero target brought forward to 2030.
Advocate Climate Taskforce formed.
Advocate Climate Taskforce formed.
Net zero target brought forward to 2030.
2022
Top 50 in the THE Impact Rankings.
Founding signatory of the Nature Positive University commitment.
Climate and Environmental Crisis Board formed (replacing the ECE Board).
100% of lab spaces achieved green accreditations. ESI Lab the first Exeter lab to attain LEAF Gold.
Top 50 in the THE Impact Rankings.
Founding signatory of the Nature Positive University commitment.
Climate and Environmental Crisis Board formed (replacing the ECE Board).
100% of lab spaces achieved green accreditations. ESI Lab the first Exeter lab to attain LEAF Gold.
2023
Top 20 in the THE Impact Rankings.
Green Futures Solutions launched.
First commercially sized air source heat pumps installed, replacing gas boilers at Byrne House and the Biosciences Greenhouses.
Swap Shops introduced in Cornwall.
More than 1,700 PV rooftop panels installed at Penryn Campus.
The Exeter MBA ranked #1 in UK and #10 globally for sustainability in the 2023 Better World MBA rankings.
Top 20 in the THE Impact Rankings.
First commercially sized air source heat pumps installed, replacing gas boilers at Byrne House and the Biosciences Greenhouses.
The Exeter MBA ranked #1 in UK and #10 globally for sustainability in the 2023 Better World MBA rankings.
2024
Top 10 in the THE Impact Rankings.
Received the Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership prize at the THE Awards.
Duryard 1,800 panel PV array comes online.
Formed Faculty and Professional Services Sustainability Committees to implement Local Sustainability Plans.
Publication of Circular Economy, Sustainable Transport and Nature Positive strategies.
Received Responsible Futures accreditation.
Founding signatory for the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice.
Submission of planning application for a wind turbine next to the Penryn Campus.
Top 10 in the THE Impact Rankings.
Received the Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership prize at the THE Awards.
Duryard 1,800 panel PV array comes online.
Formed Faculty and Professional Services Sustainability Committees to implement Local Sustainability Plans.
Received Responsible Futures accreditation.
Publication of Circular Economy, Sustainable Transport and Nature Positive strategies.
Founding signatory for the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice.
Submission of planning application for a wind turbine next to the Penryn Campus.
2025
Assurance of scope 1 and 2 data.
Gift it, Reuse it wins an Exeter Sustainability Award.
Launched Climate Strategy and revised net zero targets.
Gift it, Reuse it wins an Exeter Sustainability Award.