Sustainability at NTSU
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Public Strategy Planner
To embed an ambitious and transparent governance and leadership test structure for sustainability to ensure internal and external accountability
⬩Create a Sustainability Advisory Group comprised of staff and student staff
⬩Submit Green Impact Students' Union audit for external verification
⬩Achieve bronze EcoCampus status by the end of the 2023 academic year (as part of our progress towards ISO14001)
⬩Achieve Silver EcoCampus status (as part of our progress towards ISO14001)
⬩Review the job descriptions of elected officers to substantively embed sustainability ahead of the 2024 officer elections
⬩Incorporate sustainability into a review of NTSU governance structures
To lessen NTSU's impact on the environment by reducing the carbon emissions produced by our Scope 1, 2 and 3 activities to Net-Zero by 2040
⬩Establish NTSU's baseline carbon footprint for Scope 2
⬩Establish NTSU's baseline carbon footprint for Scope 3
⬩Publish our carbon footprint report annually, including a breakdown of our carbon footprint, progress towards milestones and comparison to our baseline year
To improve energy efficiency and reduce energy usage in NTSU spaces
⬩Work with UPP to arrange appropriate sub-metering for all SU spaces, providing us with accurate data on energy usage
⬩Lobby NTU and UPP for energy efficient changes to our lighting and heating within NTSU buildings
To reduce the amount of non-recyclable and non-compostable waste produced by our activities
⬩Introduce and deliver a campaign to improve recycling habits among students and staff
⬩Measure and create a plan to reduce the amount of single use plastics and disposable containers used across our venues
⬩Audit our current waste and recycling rates and publish the results
To identify and work with key partners who can add value to our work in sustainability
⬩Respond to environmental based consultations in the local area and influence Nottingham City Council
⬩Engage with our building owners (NTU & UPP) on regularly monitoring and acting on carbon emissions under our joint influence, and report on progress
To review our procurement procedures and ensure future purchasing is done ethically and sustainably
⬩Review the NUSSL ethical and environmental screening principles in line with the new NTSU procurement policy
⬩Review purchasing procedures for student groups, recommending local suppliers and sustainable alternatives
⬩Ensure all materials, furniture, fixtures and flooring used in facilities refurbishment are resource efficient, environmentally friendly, and (where possible) part of the circular economy
To engage students in sustainable activities and enable them to inspire change at NTSU
⬩Create a sustainability grant fund for affiliated student groups to apply for with projects that further the aims of the NTSU sustainability strategy
⬩Create opportunities to engage with students on the conservation and enhancement of local biodiversity in partnership with student-led groups and NTU
⬩Plan and deliver at least one major sustainability campaign annually to respond to students demands
⬩Consult with student council on the formation and progression of the NTSU sustainability strategy to help engage under-represented groups in our work
⬩Create opportunities for students to engage in consultation with NTSU and influence sustainable progress
Carbon Footprint
Our carbon footprint allows us to identify our biggest areas of negative impact on the environment. Our footprint is calculated in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e). In 2023/24 our total carbon footprint was 1850 tCO2e, this has slightly increased from our previous reporting year however we have largely increased our business activity.
Interested in finding out more? Take a more in-depth look at our 2023/24 carbon report below.
Find out how we calculate our carbon footprint here .
Carbon Reports
SAG:
The sustainability advisory group is a staff and student board who come together to discuss sustainability related issues within the SU. It comprises of student staff members and staff from all areas of the SU.
The aim of SAG is to ensure cohesion across the organisation in working towards the common goal of being environmentally conscious. Through providing our staff and student staff with a platform to discuss sustainability issues within all departments at the SU, we can use the combined effort to drive forward change and embed it into all future development.
The link to the outcomes from our last meeting is here .
ISO14001 through EcoCampus
We are currently on our journey to becoming accredited with ISO14001 through the EcoCampus scheme. ISO14001 is an international standard for Environmental Management Systems (EMS). These are frameworks that allow organisations to put systems and processes in place to ensure business activity acknowledges the negative environmental impacts it has. It ensures procedures are in place to minimise these impacts as much as possible so that the future of the organisation works as environmentally beneficially as possible.
Why is having an EMS beneficial?
- Allows us to demonstrate legal compliance
- Evidences action being taken to reduce our environmental impact
- Demonstrates control of high-risk activities
- Identifies opportunities for improvement
- Ensures continual improvement for the organisation
Working with EcoCampus
We are working with the EcoCampus programme to reach our accreditation. EcoCampus provides support, training and resources to aid educational institutions in implementing a fully working EMS. There are four stages to reaching ISO14001 accreditation within EcoCampus – Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. We are currently awarded Gold and have our Platinum audit coming up.
Gaining certification assures that NTSU systems help to effectively manage and mitigate environmental impacts and reach our environmental objectives.
- As part of our EMS it is essential to set out Environmental Objectives to measure progress and identify key areas for improvement. Access those here.
- Our EMS is available to all of our staff and students, with the EMS Handbook detailing the scope of our EMS and all of our processes and procedures. Staff and students can access the EMS handbook here.
Contact Abby
Got a question, an idea, or want to get involved with sustainability at NTSU? Abby would love to hear from you.
We aim to reply within a few working days.
