Environmental Sustainability Annual Review

Success is measured by the targets set in the Environmental Sustainability Strategic Framework which sets out a vision for 2030. 

Progress to date has been RAG rated RED, AMBER and GREEN by managers responsible for those areas. 

Of the 11 areas reported:

  • 7 are assessed as green, meaning that significant progress has been made towards the 2030 vision
  • 2 are amber, meaning that some progress has been made, but not as much as would be needed to achieve the 2030 vision
  • 2 are red, meaning actions need to be taken

Notable successes

Carbon emissions (scope 1 and 2) 

Emissions from gas and electricity consumption of the Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford and London campuses have decreased from 6033 tCO2e in 2017-18 to 4040 tCO2e in 2023-24, a reduction of 33%. 

Waste management and recycling

Operational waste (excluding construction waste) has reduced from 70kg per staff/student FTE in 2018/19 to 35kg per staff/student FTE in 2023/24.

100% of scheduled waste continues to be diverted from landfill. The university continues to comply all waste legislation, which require specific waste disposal routes for specific waste types.

The percentage of waste recycled has remained steady at 33% in 2023/24, up from 12% in 2018/19.

Energy management

Overall energy consumption reduced by 5%, energy consumption relative to total GIA increased by 11 %, and non-residential energy consumption per student/staff FTE reduced by 14 % in 2023/24 relative to 2018/19.

caring-environment
recyclingicon

Sustainable construction  

Benchmarks have been set in the project agreement for both the refurbishment and new-build elements of the new Student Village and Hub, which was signed with Staffordshire Campus Living in July 2024.  The new Student Village and Hub are expected to completed in September 2026.

Biodiversity 

The principle of creating a Net Biodiversity Gain has been established and will be realised within the new Student Village and Hub project which will be completed in September 2026.  The planning application, approved by Stoke City Council in March 2024, commits the University to making a 13% net biodiversity gain within the Student Village and the associated new green (created when part of the existing student accommodation is demolished in 2027).  This exceeds the required 10% gain set as a statutory requirement for new planning applications.

Areas of concern

The red areas are Transport and Travel and Water Management.  Transport and Travel is because University staff and students remain heavily dependent upon cars for travel to and from University sites, with no obvious major improvements on the horizon. Water management is because of the historical issues with monitoring water consumption, which has been very poor, but which should improve from 2023-24 onwards. Without being able to monitor consumption accurately, it is not possible to propose or manage interventions.

2022/23 progress

Carbon emissions Scope 1 and 2
Measuring success

Reduction of Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions to net-zero by 2030

This is a Strategic Priority for the University within the Strategic Plan 2022-27 published in 2022

Progress to date

GREEN

Scope 1 and 2 emissions from gas and electricity consumption of Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford and London campuses have decreased from 6033 tCO2e in 2017-18 to 4040 tCO2e in 2023-24.

UN SDGs
E-WEB-Goal-07
E-WEB-Goal-13
E-WEB-Goal-11

Transport and Travel
Measuring success

Reducing the carbon footprint of staff and student travel by 50% by 2030

Progress to date

RED

The baseline carbon emissions for student and staff travel within the UK (commuting to and from the campuses) have been quantified in 2022 as:

  • Staff commuting 1,500 t CO2e
  • Student commuting 4,800 tCO2e

Sustainable consumption (procurement)
Measuring success

Increasing value of impactable spend (as %) with SMEs to 55% in 2023/24.

Increasing value of impactable spend (as %) with organisations with ST postcodes to 13% by 2023/24 and 20% by 2026/27 (this is a University strategic KPI).

Reducing the emissions associated with influenceable activity (including estates and facilities, information technology’ laboratories and professional services).

Progress to date

GREEN

The value of impactable spend (as %) with SMEs was 59% in 2023/4, an increase from the previous year of 56%.

The value of impactable spend (as %) with organisations with ST postcodes was 30% for 2023-24.  The prior year was 27%.  This exceeds the University KPI.

UN SDGs
E-WEB-Goal-12

Sustainable consumption (food and drink)
Measuring success

The University is aiming to become ‘Fairtrade’ accredited.

Progress to date

AMBER

The University is still working towards its Fairtrade accreditation.UN SDGs

E-WEB-Goal-12

Waste management and recycling
Measuring success

The target is to reduce Operational waste (excluding construction waste) to 30kg per staff/student FTE in 2025/26.

100% of waste will continue to be diverted from landfill.

The percentage of waste recycled will increase to 60% by 2025/26

Progress to date

GREEN

Operational waste (excluding construction waste) has reduced from 70kg per staff/student FTE in 2018/19 to 35kg per staff/student FTE in 2023/24.

100% of scheduled waste continues to be diverted from landfill. The university continues to comply all waste legislation, which require specific waste disposal routes for specific waste types.

The percentage of waste recycled has remained steady at 33% in 2023/24.

UN SDGs
E-WEB-Goal-12
E-WEB-Goal-13

Energy management
Measuring success

Increase in the % of energy taken from renewable sources to 100% by 2030.

33% reduction of annual building energy consumption per square metre of gross internal area (GIA) by 2030.

Reduction of energy consumption per full-time equivalent student/staff by 2030 in relation to a baseline year of 2018/19.

Reduction of Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions to net-zero by 2030.

Progress to date

GREEN

Overall energy consumption reduced by 5%, energy consumption relative to total GIA increased by 11%, and non-residential energy consumption per student/staff FTE reduced by 14 % in 2023/24 relative to 2018/19.

Water management
Measuring success

Reducing water consumption in both residential and non-residential buildings

Progress to date

RED

A baseline has been established in 2023-24. There has been a problem with the accuracy of water metering.

UN SDGs

E-WEB-Goal-06

Sustainable construction
Measuring success

Targets are set by project, based on prevailing external benchmarks

Progress to date

GREEN

Benchmarks have been set in the project agreement for both the refurbishment and new-build elements of the new Student Village and Hub, which was signed with Staffordshire Campus Living in July 2024.  The new Student Village and Hub are expected to completed in September 2026.

UN SDGs
E-WEB-Goal-07
E-WEB-Goal-11

Biodiversity
Measuring success

Measuring and ensuring Net Biodiversity Gain (NBG) with each new development

Progress to date

GREEN

The principle of creating a Net Biodiversity Gain has been established and will be realised within the new Student Village and Hub project which will be completed in September 2026.  The planning application, approved by Stoke City Council in March 2024, commits the University to making a 13% net biodiversity gain within the Student Village and the associated new green (created when part of the existing student accommodation is demolished in 2027).  This exceeds the required 10% gain set as a statutory requirement for new planning applications.

UN SDGs
E-WEB-Goal-15
E-WEB-Goal-13

Staff and student engagement
Measuring success

The University will run at least one major sustainability campaign each semester, for example, Sustainability week.

Progress to date

GREEN

There have been initiatives involving staff and students in each of 2021 (opportunity to pitch for funding for Sustainability Projects) and 2022 (Welcome Week challenges), and 2023.

Responsible investment
Measuring success

Reduce the carbon intensity of funds in which University money is invested, either directly or indirectly.

Progress to date

AMBER

The University has started to engage with organisations who handle and invest on behalf of the University, either directly or indirectly

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

Top 5 for Social Inclusion

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

for First Generation Students

The Mail University Guide 2025

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021