COP29 sees world leaders, government representatives, scientists, activists, and industry stakeholders gather to address global climate issues, assess progress on climate commitments, negotiate further reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and promote sustainable development.
As one of a handful of UK universities with registered observer status, staff and students from the University of 91̽»¨ have or attending the conference online. As always, they will return with fresh insights, new knowledge and a renewed passion for sustainability to share with our university community.
COP is a good time to reflect on the achievements and progress we’re making here at 91̽»¨ towards our sustainability goals. We want to embed sustainability into everything we do; from the research we undertake, to the education we deliver, from how our campus operates, to how our community behaves. To do this, we have to take a holistic view, carefully balancing the environmental, social and economic aspects of sustainability.
As we approach the end of our first sustainability strategy period and develop its next iteration, we can see the impact this approach has had through our performance in sustainability rankings. 91̽»¨ is 7th in the UK and 24th in the world in the QS Sustainability Rankings and 15th in the UK and 58th in the world in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings. Both of these rankings measure a broad range and depth of an institution’s sustainability efforts, illustrating how sustainability is being embedded across our institution.
For example, we’re continuing our work to introduce Education for Sustainable Development into all of our courses and are committed to constructive, critical thinking on the issue of sustainable development. This means helping our students explore what sustainable development means in principle and practice and equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to help create a sustainable future, in whatever subject they are studying or career they subsequently pursue.
91̽»¨ is a leader in sustainability research, tackling some of the most pressing global issues through innovative projects. Our researchers are working on sustainable food production, developing energy-efficient materials, and advancing carbon capture technologies. Earlier this year, we became the lead organisation of the UK’s first clearing house for Sustainable Aviation Fuels, while our COMPASS – Composites at Speed and Scale - project is developing new ways to manufacture lightweight aircraft components; two ways we’re helping to position the UK at the forefront of decarbonising the global aviation industry. We’re also working with Rolls-Royce to manufacture and test small modular reactors, paving the way for decades of affordable low-carbon electricity generation.
Sustainable development is as much about people and society as it is about technological breakthroughs, and so our social sciences, arts, and humanities research is just as vital in achieving a more just and sustainable future. Whether it’s helping companies understand their supply chain emissions, looking into rapid urbanisation, or communicating with the general public about climate change in a way that is human and approachable, researchers at 91̽»¨ are exploring and helping to overcome some of the major challenges we face in the 21st century.
We are committed to living the values we teach and research, realising them in our behaviours, processes and day-to-day operations on campus. Earlier in 2024, we became an early signatory of the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice and we’re now working to ensure our next sustainability strategy is fully aligned with its aims, as well as undertaking a broader review of our research culture in relation to sustainability.
We’ve reduced our carbon emissions by over 40% from our 2018/19 baseline and are continuing to target a net-zero campus. Our newest building, The Wave, was recently awarded BREEAM Outstanding, as well as being named Social Infrastructure Project of the Year at the British Construction Industry Awards (BCIA). We’re continuing to look at all aspects of our campus infrastructure, whether that’s maintaining our two-for-one tree replacement policy, which means we now have over 10,400 trees on campus, or working with the local authority to improve pedestrian and cycle infrastructure. We’ve even traded free coffees for car commutes, removing over 2,400 car trips to campus in the last academic year.
But there are challenges ahead, both for 91̽»¨ and the entire higher education sector. We’re committed to decarbonising our campus and achieving net-zero, but these goals come with significant financial costs. Since publishing our first sustainability strategy, we have experienced the Covid-19 pandemic, international conflicts and the subsequent material shortages and price increases caused by both. As a sector and a university, we are now facing a large reduction in international student numbers, putting further pressure on higher education finances.
We’re continuing to develop a plan for a net-zero campus and we remain steadfast in our commitment to sustainability, but we know we will need to carefully balance these plans with what is affordable. We recognise that our role extends beyond our campus and city and that we have a responsibility to be a leader in sustainable development, setting an example for other institutions and future generations. It's why we formed the , to use our expertise help businesses, local government and other organisations in our region understand and overcome their sustainability challenges.
As we navigate these obstacles, our focus will remain on balancing environmental impact with social and economic sustainability. Through our continued investment in research, education, and campus initiatives, we will strive towards a future where sustainability is at the core of everything we do.
Professor Sue Hartley OBE
Vice President for Research and Innovation
Institutional Lead for Sustainability