Policy Archives - Sustainability

Our sustainability year 23/24

By jackiesimpsonDec 16, 20240 Comments

Environmental sustainability is at the forefront of everything we do at the University of Reading. It’s one of our key strategic drivers, and we remain firmly committed to our institution wide approach to embedding sustainability across all of our activities. This ranges from ensuring that sustainable development principles are rooted throughout our teaching and research, that our research develops lasting solutions and that we spread our impact effectively across all spheres from local to global. Our latest Environmental Sustainability Report 2023/24 outlines the progress we have made. This report highlights the following areas of significant progress: 1st place ranking in…

Awards and Achievements, Compliance and Systems, Policy

Rising to the top of the green league

By jackiesimpsonDec 13, 20230 Comments

The University of Reading has been ranked as the number one University in the 2023/24 People and Planet University League, rising from 4th place last year. This is the first time the University has achieved 1st place and we’re enormously proud to attain this, out of 151 UK Universities which reflects our environmental leadership and institutional commitment to sustainability . We have attained the 1st class universities status consistently since 2019. Year 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 P&P Score 55% No league published 69.9% 75.8% 81.8% Our overall score in 2019 was 55%, and in 2023 this has risen to…

Awards and Achievements, Policy

Sustainability Champions Network (Future Page)

The University! has a dedicated team to manage sustainability across our campus. In addition, a number of groups, committees and senior management staff have sustainability responsibilities as detailed below (hover over the staff pictures for information on their experience and responsibilities). Progress against our sustainability objectives/strategy is reported to the Environmental Sustainability Committee (ESC), and to the University Executive Board (via ESC), through our annual Environmental Sustainability Report. Sustainability Champions Sustainability Groups and Committees Environmental Management Review Group (EMRG) This group is responsible for reviewing the Environment & Energy Management System (EEMS) and supporting the implementation of the system to…

Key Staff and Committees

The University has a dedicated team to manage sustainability across our campus. In addition, a number of groups, committees and senior management staff have sustainability responsibilities as detailed below (hover over the staff pictures for information on their experience and responsibilities). Progress against our sustainability objectives/strategy is reported to the Environmental Sustainability Committee (ESC), and to the University Executive Board (via ESC), through our annual Environmental Sustainability Report. Sustainability Staff Sustainability Groups and Committees Campus Operations Programme Board (COPB) This group is responsible for reviewing the Environment & Energy Management System (EEMS) and supporting the implementation of the system to…

University of Reading is now an official Race to Zero signatory

By jackiesimpsonJul 28, 20210 Comments

The Race to Zero global COP26 campaign seeks to mobilise leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions and universities for a healthy and resilient zero carbon recovery. This campaign seeks to build momentum for the shift to decarbonised economies in the run up to COP26. The University of Reading has joined over 500 other universities in becoming a signatory of this campaign, which provides a significant and unified signal to governments that this sector is committed to meeting their obligations under the Paris agreement. This campaign mobilises a coalition of different sectors which, together with 120 countries, represent the largest…

Compliance and Systems, Policy

Construction and Refurbishment

Construction & Refurbishment - Sustainability Strategy and Targets We recognise that construction and refurbishment of buildings provides the ideal opportunity to make design decisions which enhance the energy performance and sustainability credentials of a property and in our policy we commit to considering appropriate sustainable construction, energy and water efficiency opportunities in the design, modification, and refurbishment of new and existing facilities and maintenance practices where practical. Within our Environmental Energy Management System (EEMS) we have also set an objective to reduce the environmental impact of the institution’s capital projects (see objective 8 of our Environmental Objectives). As such, we…

Earth Day 2021

By naomiwadsworthApr 22, 20210 Comments

The publication of Rachel Carson’s “Silent Spring” in 1962 marked a watershed moment in our planet’s history, raising public awareness and concern for our environment, our wildlife and the links between pollution and human health. The emerging shift in public consciousness and societal values was provided a voice during the first Earth Day in 1970. Since its inception, Earth Day has marked important environmental events, including the signing of the 2015 Paris Agreement. This year the theme for Earth Day is ‘Restore our Earth’ bringing focus to climate change mitigation and actions we can take to restore our planet’s ecosystems.…

Behaviour Change, Policy

Annual Sustainability Report 2019/20

By lukecantellowNov 20, 20200 Comments

Our latest annual environmental sustainability report, covering the 2019/20 academic year, is now available here. The report summarises progress against our key sustainability targets over the past 12 months, reviews wider sustainability initiatives and looks to the upcoming year. This year, we have also had to take into account the impacts of Covid-19 in our reporting; so as well as reporting our absolute impacts on the environment, where possible, we have also included progress to the end of January 2020. Highlights By January 2020, the University had achieved a 44% reduction in its carbon footprint compared to its 2008/9 baseline. This…

Policy

Appendices Environmental Report 2019 – 20

1 - Carbon Management Scope 2 - CMP project tables 2019-20 3 - Emissions+energy breakdown vs baseline and last year 4 - Additional out of scope emissions 5 - Avoided emissions through renewable generation 6 - Waste management actions and projects 7 - 2019 20 Travel Plan Annual Report

In defence of ‘Net Zero’ Carbon

By danfernbankSep 30, 20200 Comments

“Net zero carbon" seems to be the new catch phrase in discussions on climate change action, but what does it mean, and is it just green wash? It's fair to say there are different interpretations of what 'net zero' means, and some frankly dubious claims being made about appropriate pathways to net zero. That said, there are good guidelines available which set boundaries and standards for robust net Zero plans, such as PAS 2060 and the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The University sees Net Zero Carbon as meaning: Cutting greenhouse gas emissions to as little as possible and then…

Energy and Water, PolicyCarbon, Energy, Sustainability, zero carbon