Our environment and social responsibilities

Policy and Performance

The south-west Our Environmental and social responsibilities are encompassed within our sustainability ambition. To help realise this ambition and to judge and report on our performance and impact the University refers to a number of externally validated schemes. These pages outline our approach, list our policies and strategies and report on our performance, including in relation estate management and environmental performance.

We have adopted a tri-cameral approach to take forward our sustainability agenda, for which we won the 2011 Green Gown Award for Continuous Improvement - Institutional Change.

Teaching and Learning: through our Teaching and Learning Directorate and Centre for Sustainable Futures we will develop our learning and teaching, scholarship and enterprise activity to inform and illuminate sustainability understanding and practices;
Research: through the Institute for Sustainability Solutions Research we will engage with local and regional organisations, both public, private and third sector and the range of national, international and virtual research communities in advancing the sustainability agenda;
Operations: through the Office of Procurement and Sustainability we will develop and manage sustainable resource strategies for our estate, procurement of goods and services, and travel and transport arrangements

Universities that Count - silver In 2007, 2008 and 2009 the University completed the Environmental and Social Responsibility Index, a “... voluntary, sector-led benchmark of responsible practice – based on Business in the Community’s (BITC) Companies that Count programme".

The index has allowed the University to judge its sustainability performance year on year, as well as against other institutions. In 2009 it achieved a silver banding. During 2011/12 the University is particpating in the replacement Learning in Future Environments (LiFE) scheme.

BM Trada certificate In 2009 the University received ISO 14001 accreditation for its Environmental Management system, one of few Universities to do so.

This externally validated system encompasses:

" ...all activities on the campus, including: food preparation; provision of heating, lighting and water for university buildings; chemical waste; management of workshops; management of aquaria; management of small vehicles; sustainability issues; the development of environmental curriculum content for degree and postgraduate courses; cleaning services and waste management; (and all general buildings' facilities)."

ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certificate.

Green Tourism Gold In 2010 The University achieved the gold standard for its conference, exhibition and meeting facilities activity through the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS). Validation from students came through the student-led People and Planet's Green League. The University of Plymouth topped the league in 2010, coming fourth in 2011.

The annual People & Planet Green League table ranked Plymouth University in the top spot for 2010 - number one out of 133 universities. The University also retains the accolade of being the league's top overall performer since it began in 2007. Plymouth University is committed to the sustainability agenda, our ambition is to be a customer focused, socially responsible organisation, demonstrating sustainability in our activities and ensuring our graduates are aware of economic, environmental, social and ethical issues, including the importance of social enterprise, community engagement and volunteering.

The prestigious Green Gown Awards recognise exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities and colleges across the UK.
News: Plymouth University turns competition green with envy after major sustainability success

The UI Greenmetric Ranking of World Universities 2012 saw the University of Connecticut, the University of Nottingham, University College Cork, Northeastern University in America, and Plymouth selected as global leaders. News: Plymouth ranked in global top five for green credentials