Environmental sustainability and development policy

This Environmental Sustainability and Development Policy sets out the principles by which we will embed sustainable development, the EMS and ESMS across our campuses. They are:

• The development of the EMS and ESMS in response to the identified sustainable development and environmental impacts and risks, in order to continually improve environmental performance and sustainability.
• The integration of processes which support the EMS and ESMS into our day-to-day operations, ensuring relevant issues are addressed whilst continuing to provide a high standard of education and training to all our students.
• The awareness of and compliance with all relevant legislation, regulations, codes of practice and local or special requirements.
• The promotion of awareness and understanding of sustainable development and environmental issues to staff and the provision of environmental training where appropriate.
• The promotion of awareness and understanding of sustainable development and environmental issues to students through our communications, and by encouraging the integration of sustainability into the curriculum.
• The promotion of improved sustainable development and environmental performance among key stakeholders and interested parties through communication of relevant policies and procedures.
• The exchange of initiatives and best practice within the local community, local authority and other Further and Higher Education institutions.
• The Development of a Sustainable Event Management System to address the growing need for environmentally responsible event planning and execution across our university's diverse range of events, including sports competitions, student recruitment fairs, and academic conferences.

By embedding sustainability, we aim to mitigate and manage our environmental impacts by:

• Reducing carbon emissions in line with the Energy Strategy and decarbonisation plan.
• Improving resource efficiency in accordance with the waste hierarchy of Prevention, Reduce, Reuse, Repair/Refurbish, Recycle, Anaerobic Digestion and Energy Recovery to prevent Disposal to Landfill.
• Reducing water consumption and improving water.
• Preventing pollution through emissions to air and discharges to water.
• Implementing procedures for sustainable construction, refurbishment and maintenance of buildings and the estate.
• Purchasing sustainable goods and services where practicable in accordance with Purchasing Procedures and Sustainable Procurement Guidance.
• Encouraging the adoption of sustainable methods of transport for staff, students and visitors whilst on, visiting, or commuting to the campus and when representing the University.
• Delivering catering which considers sustainable development and the environment as part of our Sustainable Food and Beverage Policy.
• Respecting and enhancing biodiversity as part of estates management strategies.
• Establish our university as a leader in sustainable event management in higher education.

By embedding sustainable development we aim to:

• Support the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a signatory of the SDG accord.
• Deliver sustainable events through our ESMS.
• Support the University in delivering equity, diversity and inclusivity.
• Develop students who have a high degree of sustainable development awareness so that they can take responsibility for sustainable actions in themselves and others.