Environmental Sustainability Group terms of reference

The Environmental Sustainability Group was formed in January 2020 to create a focus for the development of the University’s policies and approaches to environmental sustainability.

The main purpose of the group is to create a forum for discussion and get a wide range of feedback.

Responsibilities and process

1. Monitor the University’s environmental sustainability performance in external league tables and identify potential areas for improvement.
2. Monitor the University’s chosen basket of KPIs on an annual basis and identify potential areas for improvement.
3. Monitor external developments in the areas of environmental sustainability and climate change and bring forward suggestions and ideas for discussion.
4. Create and maintain a framework which sets out the University’s strategic objectives in relation to environmental sustainability and provide a focus for the collecting of evidence of progress (including case studies).
5. Provide feedback in order to develop and maintain policies.
6. Provide students and staff with opportunities to input into the development and delivery of the Environmental Sustainability Strategy and initiatives, for example through consultation and surveys.
7. Develop guidance for students and staff to help them to understand their own responsibilities in helping achieve an improvement in Staffordshire University’s environmental performance, specifically around the theme of consumption, lifestyle and workstyle.
8. Monitor, promote and support innovative solutions to reducing environmental impact.
9. Provide input on ways to communicate achievements within the University and to external stakeholders, the local community and future students.
10. Provide input on the branding and marketing of environmental sustainability initiatives including ensuring their prominence on the University website.
11. Provide input to the University’s annual report.

Membership

• Chaired by a member of the Executive
• Representatives from schools and services
• Representatives from the Students’ Union

Meeting frequency

The Group will meet monthly.

Reports to

Senior Leadership Team through the sharing of the minutes of meetings and the presentation of draft recommendations, including projects and policies.

Administration

A member of the Executive administrative support team will provide administrative support to the Group.