Policy
The University of Bristol first adopted an environmental policy in 1997 and this was updated 2003.
In 2009 the University agreed a new sustainability policy and strategy. This policy identifies 6 key aims with associated strategies identifying 13 objectives and 24 targets.
Key targets include:
- Energy -15% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2016 from a 2007/08 baseline
- Waste - To reuse, recycle and compost 65% of total waste produced at the University by 2016.
- Transport - Develop a framework to support staff and students travelling to the University using sustainable modes of transport. Achieve 85% (baseline 2007) and 96% (baseline 2008) respectively by 2016 for sustainable modes of transport.
- Download a copy of the current sustainability policy and strategy of the University of Bristol (PDF 88KB).
- The University published the latest version of its Carbon Management Plan in March 2013.
Update On Progress With Environmental Targets
Sustainability reports annually to the University's Estates Committee with regard to progress on Environmental Management and the University's Environmental Policy targets.
Reports and Executive Summaries:
2006 (PDF 104KB)
2007 (PDF 94KB)
2008 (PDF 440KB) (Sustainability reported as part of The Estates Report no copy available)
2009 (please see page 34 of the report)
2010 (PDF376KB) (Please see page 24)
2011 (PDF 971KB) Also available to download Sustainability Annual Report 2010/11
2012 Sustainability Annual Report 2011/12 (PDF 22.3KB)
Objectives, Targets and Programmes Implementation Plans
Annual implementation plans that relate to the policy and strategy are shown in this section.
2012-2013: Energy, Waste, Transport, Water, Biodiversity, EMS, Communications, Sustainable Construction, Sustainable Procurement and Teaching & Research.
2011-2012: Energy, Waste, Transport, Water, Biodiversity, EMS, Communications, Sustainable Construction, Sustainable Procurement and Teaching & Research.
2010-2011: Energy, Waste, Transport, Water, Biodiversity, EMS, andCommunications.
2009-2010: Energy, Waste, Transport and Water.
Bench Marking (Corporate Responsibility Index)
The University has been involved in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for many years and since 2005 has been measuring its activity in this area via the Business In the Community (BITC) CSR and Environmental Index.
In 2005 the University of Bristol participated in a pilot project to test the appropriateness of Business in the Community’s Environment Index for the Higher Education Sector. The index provides organisations a framework to compare environmental performance with peers, and can be used as an internal management tool to understand a company’s environmental impact and identify gaps in performance.
The project was funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and delivered in partnership with Business in the Community (BITC) and the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC). The findings of the project can be found in the ‘Universities that Count’ Report.
Reports 2005/06 - Environment , Sector Report
In 2007 the University agreed to participate in the BITC Corporate Responsibility Index as part of a regional initiative with HERDA SW. The CR Index is the UK’s leading benchmark of responsible business and helps companies to integrate and improve responsibility throughout their operations by providing a systematic approach to managing, measuring and reporting on business impacts in society and on the environment. The results of this are published below.
Reports 2007 - CSR, Environment, Sector Report.
Since 2008 the University has taken part in the sector wide Universities that Count Project. Again undertaking the CSR and now ESR index as developed by BITC for the Higher Education Sector.
Reports 2008 - CSR, Environment, TLR, Sector Report 2008
The University has been commended by the index for its approach to Risk Management, its "Positive Work Environment" programme under staff development and its activity of climate change. Finally in 2008 the University was the first out of the Russell Group Universities in terms of Teaching,Learning and Research.
The 2009 Universities that Count Report
In 2010 the University is taking a year out from completing the index to focus on delivery. In particular delivering the Carbon Management Plan, a Sustainable Procurement Policy and further Student Engagement.
Sustainable Procurement
The University has the following strategy and has recently signed up to the Workers Rights Consortium and has set up a Staff/Student liasion group.
Green Education Declaration
The University has signed a new declaration on sustainability. (PDF223KB) The Green Education Declaration proposed by People and Planet, sets out actions that support Carbon Management and activities to address climate change, these include support for the climate change bill, setting of targets and a commitment from the University to reduce carbon emissions.
For more information on the current signatories for the Green Education Declaration
The University of Bristol is committed to the West of England Carbon Challenge (PDF 582KB)
The University has signed up to the 10:10 commitment.
Note: some of the documents on this page are in PDF format. In order to view a PDF you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader 