July 2022
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This conference focused on the way forward for reducing the environmental impact of the UK higher education sector.
The agenda brought out latest thinking and the approaches that HEIs are taking to reduce their carbon footprint, including in the areas of:
- university estates
- investment and financial portfolios
- research practices
- travel and mobility
As HEIs looked at opportunities and issues across their value chain, delegates discussed best practice for the creation of institutional targets, strategies and action plans, and considered next steps for HE operations and practices.
It was also an opportunity to assess the strategic direction of the HE sector as a whole in the area of sustainability.
Delegates examined the implications of commitments published by UUK in Confronting the climate emergency - with pledges from UK universities to set targets in line with Government carbon reduction targets for emissions under their own control, and those that come indirectly from commissioned goods and services.
Overall, areas for discussion included options and next steps for:
- strategic direction - planning and implementation for environmental sustainability - best practice - knowledge exchange and sector coordination - alignment with wider policy
- investment, finances and sustainability - divestment - protection of financial stability - impact of the pandemic and proposed changes to HE funding
- the estate and operations - reducing campus emissions - identification and measurement - procurement - working with suppliers - support - financial impacts of sustainable practices
- research and academic culture - working arrangements - networking - knowledge exchange
- travel and mobility - remote learning - digital assessment - placements - carbon budgeting, measurement practicalities and best practice - impact on staff and students - international students
We were 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.
The discussion brought together stakeholders with key policy officials who attended from DAERA, NI; the Department of Finance, NI; and the Welsh Government.
