Sustainability
The University has refreshed its strategic plan to further recognise that sustaining and enhancing the wellbeing of people, places and the planet are amongst the most important challenges we face today.
Our sustainability goals and processes
Sustainability has a significant role within the day-to-day operations across all our campuses and we endeavour to include sustainable development in all of our practices.
Annual data is provided via the Estates Management Record and is available at: HE Provider Data: Estates Management | HESA
Sub-Strategy 6 approved by the Vice-Chancellor’s Group, with the Climate Change & Carbon Reduction Strategic Group responsible for steering implementation. Annual reports will be provided to the Vice-Chancellor’s Group.
The Carbon Management Plan and Sub-Strategy 6, Future Proofing the University are reported to the Safety, Health & Environment Committee which includes membership of the three recognised Trade Unions, Professional Services, Academic representatives and the Students’ Union.
We recognise the urgent need to reduce carbon from our own operations, our influence within the supply chain and the regional leadership we can provide. As a result, sustainability is one of the six strategic priorities for the university to 2028 and UCLan declared a Climate Emergency in 2019.
The University has been active in sustainability but we recognise the need to increase our efforts in Scope 1 & 2 (our direct emissions) and also Scope 3, the indirect emissions resulting from our waste management, travel, water use and procurement.
To help us manage and mitigate at both the local and global level our environmental impacts (adverse or positive changes to the environment) caused by the things we do our ‘aspects’ such as travel, waste, land development and buildings, use of natural resources, procurement and pollution, the University has implemented an Environmental Management System (EMS) which has been accredited since October 2010 to the internationally recognised ISO14001 certification.
In 2007 we produced our first Carbon Management Plan and have continued building on these initiatives. Our current Carbon Management Plan 2020-2023 describes our ongoing activities to reduce carbon emissions, with a £200k annual budget for initiatives within the plan. We are undertaking a comprehensive review with a building condition survey and decarbonisation study which will form the basis of a new Carbon Management Plan for 2024-2028.
We are working within the higher education sector’s target by reducing scope 1 and 2 (direct) emissions by 78% by 2035 and achieving net zero by 2050 at the latest, with scope 3 (indirect) emissions to be reduced as soon as possible.
Annual progress is reported via Carbon Management Update Reports:
Our Travel Plan, updated annually contains measures and targets to reduce solo car usage and encourage more sustainable travel choices in order to contribute to the overall reduction of carbon emissions generated by travel to the University. Through the implementation of our plan, we are working hard to help make our University campuses a healthier and sustainable place in which to work, study or visit.
The main objectives of the plan are:
- To reduce the environmental impact of the University's travel demands.
- To reduce the number of single occupancy cars arriving at the University.
- To improve the choice of transport options available.
- To ensure maximum utilisation of the University resources.
The anticipated benefits of the travel plan are numerous and include:
- By promoting and improving sustainable methods of transport such as public transport, walking, cycling and car sharing we can reduce its carbon footprint.
- Through a reduction in the amount of carbon produced, which contributes to climate change, we are benefiting the global environment.
- The local environment also benefits from improved air quality through reduced pollution levels and noise reduction.
- Reduced congestion around campus and ease of access and car parking means that commuters, visitors, deliveries and local residents can all benefit from shifts in travel modes.
- By changing from an often stressful and expensive solo car journey to more sustainable modes, commuters can take advantage of individual costs savings and health benefits.
Sustainability initiatives
We’re dedicated to reducing our carbon emissions and we’re always looking for new and innovative ways that really make an impact. If you have an idea, however big or small, please contact us and let us know.
We also would like to hear about any issues or energy matters which could be improved. You can report any arising issues in University buildings by emailing the Estates Team.
Our Strategic Plan to 2028 includes a number of key objectives which relate to sustainable food, to promote mental, physical, social and ecological wellbeing and to inspire healthy choices. We will minimise consumption of resources whilst considering sustainable procurement. Our catering service has undertaken several projects and initiatives and has forthcoming plans for 23/24 to continue to develop and promote sustainable food. We work closely with the Students’ Union on sustainable food growing and cooking projects. Please see our Healthy, Sustainable and Safe Food Policy for further information.
UCLan Catering - Foster / Harrington Refectory
- Refectories use as much compostable food packaging as possible, which is made of plant-based, recycled and biodegradable material.
- Currently 75% of the food supplies in the kitchen are from local suppliers, for example milk from local dairies, free-range eggs, and meat from a local butcher.
- Food suppliers are requested to use biodegradable or reusable packaging wherever possible.
- Refectory menus feature a variety of healthy and sustainable food options including daily vegetarian and vegan choices. The menu is regularly changed to promote sustainability and encourage students to explore plant-based options.
- Coffee served is a Rainforest Alliance Certified Coffee which promotes more sustainable agricultural production and responsible supply chains.
- All eggs are free range and Freedom Food Accredited and fish is Marine Stewardship Council
- All our bananas are Fairtrade and a range of products are sold.
- Unsold food from refectories is discounted at the end of the day, and any remaining food is collected by a food waste recycler.
We engage with the TUCO buying consortium to share good practices. TUCO is committed to promoting the learning and development of catering and hospitality staff and provides quality standards, advice, and information to those working in catering. In addition, UCLan catering has started to implement the Menus of Change Programme and its Healthy, Sustainable Menus Principles. It guides the food industry about many aspects of sustainability in catering, such as nutrition, environmental science perspectives on optimal food selection, and consumer preference trends.
Edible campus
The plants and trees around campus were carefully chosen to provide habitat for birds, bees, and other wildlife, allowing students to appreciate closeness to nature while learning and benefiting from edible food. We have an orchard on campus with pear, plum and apple varieties.
Healthy eating
In 2023 Student Services ran a Time Out Tent, a drop-in space on campus open to all, where the social prescribing leads from the GP surgery attended and provided resources on healthy eating and cheap recipes.
Our UCLan Staff Health Champion Network have undertaken Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) training in understanding health improvement, and are able to provide advice and signposting on healthy eating.
Students' Union
The University has supported the Students' Union activities by providing space on campus and facilities. The SCRAN and Secret Garden project (details below) have been combined into a new volunteering initiative ‘Grow & Eat’ to benefit those who want to start growing their food, learning gardening and cooking, selling produce on campus and contributing to our sustainable development.
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SCRAN initiative started in 2018 as a social enterprise to provide on-campus cooking classes and raise awareness about food and sustainability issues. SCRAN has a regular stall at our Students' Union Craft and Food Fair on campus, selling food cooked from sustainably sourced ingredients. Healthy and sustainable recipes and cooking videos are available on SCRAN's Instagram to help students get started on sustainable cooking and eating journeys. |
Secret Garden is an internal courtyard area in Foster Building used as an allotment space for growing vegetables and fruits. |
Community fridge
The community fridge initiative offers a place where students can access healthy and sustainable food while saving money and, most importantly, reducing waste. The community fridge provides an innovative and collaborative solution to reduce food waste and creates an opportunity to unite the student community.
Our Students’ Union regularly organises craft and food markets on campus.
Sustainability is one of the key priorities in the UCLan strategic plan that runs from 2021 until the institution's 200th anniversary in 2028. Read our policy to find out more.
Responsible procurement
The University has an annual turnover in the region of £225 million, of which c£85 million is spent on goods and services to support the running of the University with a further £25 million on average on its capital program. We, therefore, have a significant opportunity to work with our supply chains to deliver additional benefits to the University’s students, local residents, businesses and communities.
The University ensure that decisions taken by the University on the procurement of goods, works or services are undertaken in line with our commitments set out in this code under the following themes:
- Delivering social value
- Improving environmental sustainability
- Promoting ethical sourcing practices
- Encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion
- Accessibility
The following social value outcomes are the priority areas the University has identified as best able to support the University, its students, local residents, businesses and communities.
- Opportunity: We know employment has many benefits – from creating life chances to the related physical and mental health consequences of being employed. We want suppliers to take a part in helping:
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- UCLan students to develop skills to support their personal development and employment when they leave education; and
- Local unemployed residents back into meaningful employment.
- Locality: Demonstrating visible commitment to the University’s local neighbourhood by volunteering time or skills to support local voluntary groups in making local neighbourhoods thriving places
- Environment: Making a difference to the University and the local community by making a positive contribution to a healthier environment.
While the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 only requires relevant authorities to consider social value in service contracts (and goods or works contracts where there is a services element), the University will also apply the approach to goods and works contracts with a total contract value over £150,000.
The University is a member of the North West Universities Purchasing Consortium (NWUPC), which operates under the banner of UK Universities Procurement Consortia (UKUPC), a body dedicated to improving both the quality of procurement and the level of collaborative procurement across the HE sector. Together these consortia have published a shared Sustainability Policy to which all members, including the University, are committed. UCLan is a member of Electronics Watch via NWUPC Ltd.
The University has been awarded Bronze Carbon Literate Organisation status after a successful carbon literacy pilot took place in 2021/22. Colleagues undertook training across professional services to enable them to be more confident in having conversations within their teams about climate change and carbon reduction. Each delegate undertook a pledge for their own individual actions, and a group action with their team. The training will be rolled out to the senior management team in 2023/24.
Colleagues joining the University are provided with details of our sustainability policies in induction events ensuring they have the information they need to be sustainable in their roles. Information is provided to all colleagues on the intranet. A dedicated area on the Student Hub provides advice and information to students on ways to be sustainable.
Sustainability is incorporated in the UCLan Student Charter.
The university commits to investing in a sustainable future and considers impact on the climate in all that we do. Students are encouraged to play their part in culture change for sustainability. The University takes part in an annual green week, in conjunction with the Students’ Union.
Further detail about our engagement activities can be found in our Engagement Strategy.
Written by: Helen Cutts, Head of Sustainability
Last updated: May 2023
Review date: May 2024
Contact us
Introduction
At the University of Central Lancashire, we are committed to becoming an exemplar in UK higher education for our regional championing of environmental awareness, as outlined in our Sustainability Strategy, Priority 6: Future Proofing our University. One of the core objectives within our Strategy is to ‘take a ‘whole university’ approach to cultural and behavioural change in all areas and at every level of our work.
Through engaging with our colleagues and students on sustainability we will empower individual and collective action to support our sustainability ambitions. We will develop processes to ensure sustainability is embedded in our curriculum design and will showcase the research we undertake into sustainability.
Our objectives:
- Engage colleagues and students with our Sustainability Strategy, Priority 6: Future Proofing our university.
- Equip colleagues and students with the knowledge and skills to take transformational sustainability action both on campus and at within their
- Develop our approach to embedding sustainability into the curriculum through the Curriculum Framework.
- Develop training programmes for colleagues to provide clarity on the expectations and techniques required to embed sustainability into university operations.
- Showcase important milestones and highlight successes – internally and externally - on our sustainability journey.
- Utilise University academics to speak on a range of important sustainability issues, thereby positioning UCLan as an expert in the sustainability field.
- Promote UCLan research which examines sustainability issues, showing that as a University, we are contributing to advancing our knowledge and understanding of issues like climate change, recycling etc.
- Assist in making UCLan a destination of choice for staff and students who are seeking a university which is tangibly committed to creating a greener and more sustainable campus / student experience etc.
We have student representation on our Climate Change & Carbon Reduction Strategic Group, our Student Voice Steering Group and our Healthy and Sustainable Food Group. Representatives from the Unions are on our Health, Safety and Environment Committee.
Colleague engagement activities
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Activity |
Responsibility |
Resources |
Timeframes |
Reports into |
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Carbon Literacy Network |
Sustainability Team |
Quarterly meetings |
Year-round |
Sustainability Team |
|
Green Lab Ambassadors |
LIS |
Monthly meetings |
Year-round |
LIS SHE Committee |
|
Sustainability Seminars |
Institute of Citizenship, Society and Change |
Seminar programme |
Term time only |
Sustainability Committee |
|
Travel events |
Sustainability Team |
Various active travel events |
Year-round |
Sustainability Committee |
|
Internal communications |
External Relations |
News stories, thought pieces, Vice-Chancellor updates |
Year-round |
Sustainability Committee |
Student engagement activities
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Activity |
Responsibility |
Resources |
Timeframes |
Reports into |
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Volunteering |
Students’ Union |
Various opportunities via website |
Term time only |
Sustainability Committee |
|
Community Fridge |
Students’ Union |
Shop within the Students’ Union |
Term time only |
Sustainability Committee |
|
Secret Garden |
Students’ Union |
Gardening and growing events |
Term time only |
Sustainability Committee |
|
Travel events |
Sustainability Team |
Various active travel events |
Year-round |
Sustainability Committee |
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Communications |
External Relations |
Student newsletter, Student Hub articles, Digital screens |
Term time only |
Sustainability Committee |
The University reviews its curriculum in line with a new Institutional Curriculum Framework which came into operation from September 2020. The framework provides the vehicle for curriculum content discussions at a subject level and drives the manifestation at a course level. The institutional review is a cyclical process of consideration and review for courses.
Approval against the Curriculum Framework includes consideration of embedding sustainability within each programme. Progress is reported through Academic Quality and Standards Committee. The Curriculum Framework is a key component of UCLan’s Strategic Plan – Leading the Way in Modern Learning (Priority 2).
Sustainability is one of the key themes included in the Curriculum Framework, drawing on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Course leaders and academics can access resources through the Curriculum Framework interactive site, including the ability to upload resources for others to use.
An initial working group for embedding sustainability in the curriculum has been established in 2023 and work will continue to build on the existing resources within the Curriculum Framework interactive site.
Professor Mark Dooris is Education for Sustainable Development Lead.
Ruth Connor
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Ruth is the lead for Sustainability on Vice-Chancellor's Group.
Mike Sheppard
Director of Estates and Capital Projects
Mike oversees the Sustainability Team, the delivery of the Estates Enabling Strategy, Carbon Management Plan, Energy Policy and delivers actions within the Strategic Plan to 2028 relating to Priority 6, Future-proofing the university.
Bill Hancox
Assistant Director, Estates Services & Capital Projects
Contact Bill
Bill oversees estate development, estate maintenance, and space and property management at the University. Environmental sustainability is embedded within these three areas of work, and specific carbon-reducing projects are progressed via a dedicated annual decarbonisation budget.
Helen Cutts
Head of Sustainability
Contact Helen
Helen is responsible for developing and delivering the University Sustainability Strategy, she provides guidance for colleagues and students to embed sustainability across the organisation and beyond.
Liz Campbell
Director of Safety, Health & Environmental Compliance
Contact Liz
Liz leads the Safety, Health & Environmental Compliance Team and the strategic implementation of the University’s accreditation to the Occupational Health & Safety Management System ISO45001 and Environmental Management System ISO14001. These are combined into a Safety, Health & Environment Integrated Management System (IMS) which is externally audited by the British Standards Institute (BSI) every 6 months to help reassure and demonstrate the University is managing its safety, health and environmental responsibilities correctly.
Pete Hill
Lead SHE Adviser
Contact Pete
Pete is responsible for day to day implementation of the University’s SHE Integrated Management System, accredited to the Occupational Health & Safety Management System ISO45001 and Environmental Management System ISO14001. The University has implemented an accredited EMS, since October 2010 to the internationally recognised ISO14001 certification.
Claire Lowe
Campus Development Lead
Contact Claire
Claire has a Masters in Environmental Monitoring and works across the three UCLan campuses on new developments and projects. Claire is involved in the rollout of the Carbon Literacy programme.
Jo Hall
Sustainable Travel Co-ordinator
Contact Jo
Jo leads the delivery of UCLan’s Travel Plan, promoting sustainable and active travel to contribute to the overall reduction of carbon emissions generated.
Ian Korneliussen
Zero Carbon Manager (interim)
Contact Ian
Ian leads the delivery of the Carbon Management Plan and oversees utilities at the University.
Sarah Robinson
Head of Estates Operations
Contact Sarah
Sarah’s areas of responsibility includes building services, waste disposal & recycling, event support, grounds maintenance, cleaning and caretaking, mailroom, parking and customer services. Sarah has taken part in Carbon Literacy and is leading a number of initiatives across campus to deliver sustainability targets.
Dave Genther
Campus Appearance Manager
Contact Dave
Dave is responsible for the external campus environment, including biodiversity and oversees the Waste and Recycling team. Dave is also a beekeeper, as our Student Centre has rooftop hives with around 100,000 bees.
Jackie Cunningham
Catering Services Manager
Contact Jackie
Jackie oversees sustainable food aspects of all our in-house catering services, including Marine Stewardship Council fish, Good Egg Award products, Rainforest Alliance coffee, daily vegan and vegetarian options at all catering outlets in addition to measures to reduce single-use plastic.
Jamie McDowell
Outdoor Team Supervisor
Contact Jamie
Jamie’s responsibilities include waste and recycling covering the full range of collection services from litter picking to removing large unwanted objects, working with contracted waste and recycling services to minimise landfill and increase recycling.
Professor Mark Dooris
Emeritus Professor and Education for Sustainable Development Lead
Mark co-leads the Healthy and Sustainable Settings Unit and was Co-Director of the Institute of Citizenship, Society and Change.
John is Co-Director of the UCLan Centre for Sustainable Transitions and Co-Director of the Institute of Citizenship, Society and Change and is a member of the University Climate Change & Carbon Reduction Strategic Group
Ulrike is a member of the University Climate Change & Carbon Reduction Strategic Group and Co-Director of the Institute of Citizenship, Society and Change.
Karl is the Director of the Centre for Waste Management and alongside academic interests leads two regional projects which engage SMEs to improve carbon efficiency within their organisations and products.
Charlotte has a dual role alongside her academic interests as Healthy University Advisor, developing and implementing a range of initiatives to develop a healthy, safe, active and sustainable campus.
Related research
Sustainability, Business and Enterprise
Sustainability, Business and Enterprise is one of our strategic research priorities, supporting our ambitious objectives to achieve research excellence, knowledge exchange and impact.
Institute of Citizenship, Society and Change
We are well placed to respond to urgent and profound questions concerning a sustainable future and relationships between individuals and communities.
Centre for Waste Management (CWM)
We are committed to the management of waste and developing resource efficiency to create a positive impact on the many associated environmental and commercial issues.
Research Centre for Sustainable Transitions
The UCLan Research Centre for Sustainable Transitions (CST) brings together engineers, social scientists, architects and psychologists to address the challenges of climate change.
Research Centre for Global Development (C4Globe)
The UCLan Research Centre for Global Development brings together researchers from all subject areas to develop robust and equitable research partnerships that will address major challenges to society.