Morning, Thursday, 14th July 2022
This conference focuses on the way forward for reducing the environmental impact of the UK higher education sector.
It will be an opportunity to assess progress and consider next steps for HE operations and practices.
The discussion comes with commitments published by UUK in Confronting the climate emergency - with pledges from UK universities to set targets in line with government reduction aims for emissions under their own control, and those that come indirectly from commissioned goods and services.
As providers begin to look further at reducing emissions across their value chain, delegates will discuss best practice and latest thinking on the creation of institutional strategies, targets and action plans.
Overall, areas for discussion include options and next steps for:
- travel & mobility - remote learning ◦ digital assessment ◦ placements ◦ carbon budgeting, measurement practicalities & best practice ◦ impact on staff & students
- academic culture - working arrangements ◦ research ◦ networking ◦ exchange ◦ key issues
- the estate & operations - reducing campus emissions ◦ identification & measurement ◦ procurement & working with suppliers ◦ support ◦ financial impacts of sustainable practices
- investment, finances & sustainability - sustainable & responsible investment ◦ divestment ◦ protecting financial stability ◦ impact of the pandemic & proposed changes to HE funding
- strategic direction - planning & implementation for environmental sustainability ◦ best practice ◦ knowledge exchange & sector coordination ◦ alignment with wider policy
We are pleased to be able to include keynote sessions with Professor James Longhurst, Assistant Vice Chancellor: Environment and Sustainability, UWE Bristol, and Chair, EUAC; Professor Judith Petts, Vice-Chancellor, University of Plymouth; and Chair, Universities UK Climate Task and Finish Group; and Alison Robinson, Deputy Executive Chair and Director of Corporate Affairs, Natural Environment Research Council.
