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Environmental sustainability engagement strategy

Policy information

  • Responsibility of: University Secretary
  • Initial approval date: June 2023
  • Reviewed on: June 2024
  • Review date: June 2025
  • Approved by: Vice Chancellor's Executive

Contents

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1. Introduction

1.1 Environmental sustainability should be an integral part of every individual's role and actions. The University of West London (UWL) encourages its staff and students to take action for sustainable development on campus as well as support the local community.

1.2 UWL’s environmental sustainability engagement strategy aims to encourage positive behaviour change by cultivating a culture of conscious environmental responsibility amongst staff, students and the local community.

1.3 The University’s EcoCampus Platinum Award Environmental Management System (EMS) is used as a tool for implementing a positive behavioural change programme and continuously improving environmental sustainability performance.

2. Engagement objectives

2.1 Objective 1 – Inform:

2.1.1 UWL will inform staff and students about the University's sustainability goals, challenges, and successes. We will provide clear and regular updates on the full range of sustainability actions and opportunities available at the University.

2.2 Objective 2 – Increase engagement:

2.2.1 UWL will increase engagement by staff and students in on-campus environmental sustainability initiatives by encouraging involvement.

2.3 Objective 3 – Empower:

2.3.1 UWL will inspire and empower staff, students, and the local community to take action on environmental sustainability inside and outside of campus, in order to adopt a sustainable lifestyle at home and in their future careers.

3. Engagement baseline (2018/19)

3.1 Baseline 1 – Green campaigns:

3.1.1 In 2018/19, there was one staff and student green campaign.

3.2 Baseline 2 – Environmental Review Board (ERB) attendance:

3.2.1 In 2018/19, the average number of staff, students, and contractors engaged in monitoring environmental issues through the ERB was 18.

3.3 Baseline 3 – Local community engagement:

3.3.1 In 2018/19, the total number of activities and campaigns in the local community was one. 

4. Status on the 2022/23 engagement objectives

4.1 The University has delivered on all its engagement objectives and targets set out for the academic year 2023/24.

4.2 Below shows the status of the 2023/24 engagement objectives as of 28 May 2024:

  • Objective: Increase engagement

    Target: 

    For 2023/24, increase the number of staff and student green campaigns to seven.

    Status: 

    The University delivered campaigns on the following themes to both staff and students:

    1. Veganuary
    2. Future foods, future plates - Beans is How
    3. Earth Day
    4. No Mow May
    5. Eating our way to extinction film screening
    6. Climate fresk workshop
    7. Circular economy workshop

  • Objective: Increase engagement and empower

    Target: 

    • Increase the Staff Sustainability Network membership to twelve.
    • Increase the total number of local community engagement activities and campaigns to five.

    Status: 

    • The Staff Sustainability Network has expanded hugely over 23/24 with over 60 staff now signed up as members.
    • The University delivered the below community engagement activities:
      • Sustainable Food Event series – The University has collaborated with local community organisations Act for Ealing, Ealing Transition and Ealing Food Partnerships to organise 4 events which were open to the public to attend. All events had the aim of raising awareness about food security, local, sustainable food sourcing and healthy diets. 
      • Volunteering – staff and students volunteered with 92 local community partners and charities between June 2023 to May 2024, staff and students logged a total of 3,732 hours volunteering, taking part in activities such as tree planting, litter picking, up-cycling and canal cleaning.
      • School Biodiversity Audits – the University, in collaboration with Equans, delivered biodiversity lessons and undertook biodiversity audits with students across 5 schools in Hounslow.

5. Engagement targets for academic year 2024/25

5.1 Target 1 – Increase sustainability awareness campaigns: 

5.1.1 Increase the number of staff and student sustainability campaigns to eight. 

5.2 Target 2 – Educate and empower through the delivery of training and workshops: 

5.2.1 Host three climate fresk (or alternative) workshops for staff and students.

5.3 Target 3 – Continue collaborations with the local community:

5.3.1 Collaborate with the local community on at least five engagement activities.

6. Monitoring and reporting 

6.1 UWL has a £1,000 budget for sustainability engagement activities this year.

6.2 Engagement reporting: 

6.2.1 All staff members are encouraged to report their sustainability engagement activities via these channels: 

  • Environmental Operations Group (EOG) 
  • Sustainability Management Board (SMB)
  • UWL Sustainability Hub 

6.2.2 Reporting can include but is not limited to participation in sustainability events, initiatives, projects, or any sustainable practices implemented.

6.3 Progress tracking

6.3.1 The University will track and monitor progress of the engagement activities at the EOG and SMB meetings.

6.3.2 It is the joint role of the Environmental Operations Group (EOG) and the Sustainability Management Board (SMB) to devise and deliver the environmental sustainability engagement strategy and report to the Vice Chancellor’s Executive on progress. 

6.4 Communication:

6.5 Progress towards achieving identified objectives will be communicated to all staff and students through the EOG, SMB and UWL Sustainability Hub.  

6.6 Updates on the engagement objectives and targets will be included in the Annual Sustainability Report.

6.7 This strategy is reviewed on an annual basis.