Sustainable strategy
Our sustainability vision - by embedding sustainability in all aspects of university life, we will enable our university community to create impactful positive change for society and environment.
Our commitments
Sustainable campus
Commitment - we will ensure that the organisation’s environmental sustainability ambitions are effectively embedded into strategic decision-making processes and communicated to colleagues throughout the organisation
Key activity
- Sustainability Governance structure
- Sustainability in Programme and Project Management
Commitment - we will be Net Zero Carbon by 2038 through reducing energy use, decarbonising our estate and fleet, purchasing zero carbon electricity and seeking to increase use of onsite renewables
Key activity
- Net Zero Carbon Roadmap and Buildings Decarbonisation Plan
- Environmental and Energy Management System
Commitment - we will monitor, report and take action to address scope 3 carbon emissions:
- We will limit transport emissions by reducing the need to travel, encouraging walking, cycling and the use of public transport and managing the demand to travel by car
- We will reduce emissions from business aviation travel
- We will reduce the impact of our resource use, embracing the principles of a circular economy
- We will reduce the impact of our supply chain through a Responsible Procurement Strategy
- We will reduce the negative impact of our food provision
Key activity
- Sustainable Travel Plan
- Responsible Procurement Policy
- Waste Management/Circular Economy Plan
- Sustainable Food Policy and Action Plan
- Environmental and Energy Management System
Commitment - we will develop a position and approach to offsetting emissions with prioritisation of emission reductions
Key activity
- Net Zero Carbon Roadmap
- Offsetting Policy
Commitment - sustainable development will be a key principle of our Campus Connectivity Plan
Key activity
- Sustainable Construction Framework
- Climate Resilience and Adaptation Plan
Commitment - we will continue to recognise the value that our green space offers and enhance biodiversity
Key activity
- Green Flag Award
- Environmental and Energy Management System
- Biodiversity and Landscape Management Plan
Commitment - we will meet all environmental compliance obligations and maintain continual improvement in sustainable operations
Key activity
- Environmental and Energy Management System
Our performance indicators
- Absolute carbon emissions – scope 1, 2 and 3 (tCO2e)
- Energy intensity (kWh/m2/year)
- Waste generation (kg/staff & student FTE/year)
- ISO 14001/50001 certification
- Green Flag Award
- Biodiversity metric
Sustainable Impact
Commitments - we will develop a strategy to embed Education for Sustainable Development into all taught programmes in a meaningful way
Key activities
Commitments - we will make sustainability a key theme of University of Salford research and track our positive impacts in relation to the UN SDGs
Key activities
- Innovation Strategy
- Equity in Research Task and Finish Group
Commitments - we will increase the sustainability of all research and innovation practice
Key activities
- Environmental Sustainability Concordat
Commitments - we will support sustainability research and innovation on campus
Key activities
- Living Lab approach
Commitments - we will reduce the impact of our supply chain through a Responsible Procurement Strategy
Key activities
Commitments - we will embed principles of sustainability within partnership activities and share best practice
Key activities
- Innovation Strategy
- Climate Action Barometer in International Education pilot
Commitments - we will ensure that the university, as an investor, is part of the solution to climate change and biodiversity loss
Key activities
Performance indicators
- Responsible Futures accreditation
- Curriculum mapping reporting
- Investment reporting
- THE Impact reporting
Sustainable communities
Commitments
- We will ensure that the organisation’s sustainability ambitions are effectively communicated to colleagues throughout the organisation and beyond
- We will use our academic and professional expertise to provide training, advice and support to staff, students and community
- We will coordinate initiatives and campaigns to advocate for a sustainable future
- We will coordinate community projects and outreach events to advocate for and enable a sustainable future
- We will specifically coordinate community projects and outreach events to advocate for sustainability with local groups that support people with protected characteristics
Key activities
- Sustainability Communications and Engagement Strategy
- Sustainability related outreach
- Sustainability community projects
Commitments - continue to support regional sustainability through our role in local partnerships
- Salford Climate Action Board
- Salford Social Value Network
- Energy Innovation Agency
- GM Civic Universities Agreement
Performance indicators
- Sustainability Awards
- Outreach and community projects delivered
- Sustainability related external events
- Sustainability related external media
- Sustainability related engagement measures
Our Measures of Success by 2030
- Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions reduction of 81% (from 2005/06 baseline)
- Maintain ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 certification
- Biodiversity Net Gain on all new developments and on campus overall
- Green Flag Award maintained
- Education for Sustainable Development is embedded into all taught programmes
- Maintain People and Planet University League first class position
- Reporting impact against all Sustainable Development Goals
Our delivery principles
Within the Sustainability Strategy we acknowledge the three pillars of sustainability: social, economic and environmental and their interconnectedness. The university already addresses economic and social sustainability in areas such as access and participation, our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement of Ambition, our work to close the gender pay gap and commitment to the Can't Buy My Silence Pledge. Our Sustainability Strategy is focused on environmental sustainability; however, social and economic impacts and opportunities will be embedded in implementation. For example, there are significant opportunities to support social sustainability and equity, diversity and inclusion through our Education for Sustainable Development and Research as well as our Ethical Investment, Responsible Procurement and Sustainable Construction frameworks.
Embedding sustainability
Through support provided by leadership and the Sustainability Office we will embed sustainability principles into everybody’s business as usual. We make a lot of decisions as an institution, we want to make sure that sustainability is at the heart of those decisions and not a bolt-on. We will make sure policies and procedures support sustainable choices.
Collaboration
Our Strategy has been developed through collaboration and we will continue this approach in implementation. We will work collaboratively within and beyond the University to develop the right tools and resources our people need to enable sustainability. We will apply an equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) lens to our activities and collaborate with groups that champion EDI.
Knowledge sharing
We know there is good practice, great research and teaching, and real enthusiasm for the sustainability agenda. We will ensure that sustainable practice is recognised institutionally and that good ideas are easier to develop and implement. We will lead by example and share best practice to enable wider sustainable change.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), or Global Goals, are a call for action by all countries to promote prosperity while protecting the planet and provide a framework for action on sustainability globally. They recognise that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and address a range of social needs including education, health, social protection, and job opportunities, while tackling climate change and environmental protection.
We recognise the critical role that education has in delivering the UN SDGs and are using them as a framework for action by mapping our Sustainability Strategy activity to the relevant goals.
Our governance
Environmental sustainability is embedded within the university through high level commitment from university leadership and our University Strategy.
A number of university groups provide strategic direction, support and oversight for implementation of the university sustainability strategy. Overall responsibility for sustainability at University of Salford sits with the University Leadership Team Lead for Sustainability the Chief Infrastructure Officer and the Director of Sustainability.
Our progress
You can follow our journey through our annual sustainability reports. A summary of our performance is also included in the University Annual Report. You can see details of key activities in each goal area via the links below and through our Sustainability at The University of Salford blog.
We have also considered the outcomes of the SOS-UK Sustainability Skills Survey; we have produced a summary report for University of Salford respondents in the 2023-24 academic year.
Annual Sustainability Reports
2023-24 Annual Sustainability Report
In academic year 2023-24 we have established a Sustainability Office and Board to drive cross-institutional change as part of our Sustainability Strategy, which will be finalised in 2024-25. The strategy, developed through consultations, focuses on three key areas: Sustainable Campus, Sustainable Impact, and Sustainable Communities. Key principles include embedding sustainability in decision-making, collaboration, knowledge sharing, and supporting innovative ideas. The new team has initiated various projects, including the Education for Sustainable Development strategy. Despite a slight drop to 15th in the People and Planet University League, we have improved our overall score and continue to excel in several sustainability metrics. Efforts in energy, carbon, and biodiversity are on track, with more work needed in circular economy and sustainable travel.
Previous Annual Sustainability Reports
Working together for a Sustainable Salford
- Find out how you can be sustainable on campus
- University colleagues are also encouraged to complete the short Environmental Sustainability Induction e-learning module
- You can also check out a reading list created by our library colleagues
- Details of the support available to Salford residents to make greener choices from Salford City Council Greener Salford
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