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Sustainability updates

We provide updates on our plans and policies on a regular basis. Each update relates to a specific policy that we have in place to support our environmental goals as outlined in our Environmental Strategic Framework.

Environmental Sustainability Annual Review

Our plans and policies

Updates

SMART targets

How do we measure up against our sustainability targets?

Waste and Recycling

Target updates
Target	Measureable	Target 2024 - 25	Target 2023 -24	Target 2022 - 23	Progress 2021 - 22
Annual reduction in the volume of scheduled (GW/ DMR) waste per staff/student FTE produced on site	Monthly reporting on volume of waste produced through the use of data obtained from refuse company	40 kg per Student and Staff FTE	45kg per staff and student FTE	50kg per staff and student FTE	55.3 Kg per staff and student FTE
Annual increase of recycling rate on campus (collected on site)	Monthly reporting on volume of waste produced through the use of data obtained from refuse company	60%	50%	40%	33.3%
Maintain 100% diversion from landfill for scheduled waste each year	Monthly reporting on volume of waste produced through the use of data obtained from refuse company	100%	100%	100%	100%

Water/Wastewater

Target updates
Target	Measureable	Target 2024 - 25	Target 2023 - 24	Target 2022 - 23	Progress 2021 - 22
Annual reduction in volume of water/wastewater	Monthly reporting on volume of water supplied and associated wastewater from monthly invoices from water supplier, based on actual meter readings	39,000 cubic metres	41,599 cubic metres	Realistic annual baseline of 43,752 cubic metres established, with projected potential savings of 13,130 cubic metres estimated	Accurate, transparent billing system/portal set up with new water retailer

Travel and Transport

Target updates
Target	Measureable	Target 2024 - 25	Target 2023 -24	Target 2022 - 23	Target 2021 - 22
Reduce expenditure on business travel per staff FTE	Ensure all travel data is recorded, through available tools. Ensure all companies are able to provide required data when requested.	£160 per staff FTE UK travel £75 per staff FTE international travel	£170 per staff FTE UK travel £80 per staff FTE international travel	£180 per staff FTE UK travel £84 per staff FTE international travel	£191 per staff FTE UK travel £88 per staff FTE international travel
Reduce the number of parking permits issued (as a % of staff/student numbers)	Annual data reporting	18%	19%	20%	Not recorded
Increase the EV within the University fleet	Vehicle log	80%	67%	67%	0%

Sustainable Procurement

Target updates
Target	Measureable	Target 2024 - 25	Target 2023 - 24	Target 2022 - 23	Target 2021 - 22
Increase the percentage of impactable spend in the Staffordshire Postcode area	Engage with local suppliers to increase this percentage over time – annual data from finance system	20%	18%	16%	15%
Increase the value of impactable spend (as %) with SMEs	Engage with SME suppliers to increase this percentage over time – annual data from finance system	55%	54%	53%	52%
Reducing the Scope 3 emissions associated with influenceable activity (including estates and facilities, information technology’ laboratories and professional services)	Working with suppliers to understand supply chains, changing methods of working to reduce actual Scope 3 emissions – annual data from finance system with conversion factors applied	21,090t CO2e	22,202t CO2e	23,370t CO2e	24,600t CO2e

Biodiversity

Target updates
Target	Measureable	Target 2024 - 25	Target 2023 - 24	Target 2022 - 23	Progress 2021 - 22
Have increased delivery of Woodlands Forest School environmental education teaching activities by 100% on 2022/23 baseline	Create outreach programme with local schools – maintain records of training sessions	150% on baseline	100% increase	Baseline of deliver of sessions to be established	NA School was not in operation in this year
Achieve annual Biodiversity Net Gains through corporate projects and by maintaining and improving on *Wild Staffs* actions including: continuing wildflower borders, managing green walls and planting new trees across campus	Biodiversity factor measured on annual basis using specialist consultants	10% increase on 2022/23 baseline	5% increase on 2022/23 baseline	Baseline to be established	NA
Maintain an attractive campus for wildlife at Stoke	Achieving Hedgehog Friendly Campus status 0 annual assessment	Achieve Silver award	Maintain Bronze award	Maintain Bronze award	Bronze award achieved

Sustainable Construction

Target updates
Target	Measurable	Target 2024 - 25	Target 2023 - 24	Target 2022 - 23	Progress 2021 - 22
All new builds to comply with University’s standard on carbon neutrality	Creating, implementing and maintaining standards for all new build projects. Project by project basis	New builds to be net carbon neutral over the first 20 years of their economic life	NA	NA	First new carbon neutral building completed (over 60 year life)

Carbon Emissions

Target updates
Target	Measurable	Target 2024 - 25	Target 2023 - 24	Target 2022 - 23	Progress 2021 - 22
Reduction of Scope 1 and 2 emissions to net zero by 2030. This is a strategic priority for the University within the Strategic Plan 2022-27 published in 2022.	Setting of targets based on proposed/planned interventions for reduction of operational energy demand of university estate, and projected emissions factors of grid electricity. Source data from external energy purchasing consortium used for procurement of energy	3206 tCO2e	3623 tCO2e	4056 tCO2e	4226 tCO2e Measurement and verification of emissions to create baseline of 4226 tCO2e for 21-22

Community Engagement

Target updates
Target	Measurable	Target 2024 - 25	Target 2023 - 24	Target 2022 - 23	Target 2021 - 22
To engage with local communities and collaborative organisations and be known as leaders and partners in sustainability and carbon reduction, to create real impact	Achievement of Carbon Literacy awards – on-going compliance	Maintain Carbon Literacy Silver award including delivery of training to staff, students and local community	Achieve Carbon Literacy Silver award including delivery of training to staff, students and local community	Achieve Carbon Literacy Bronze award	NA