Sustainable Procurement
In 2018 the University of Bristol fully divested from fossil fuels investments. The Procurement team works with colleagues and suppliers alike to drive value and reduce risk across supply chains that serve the University. As a sign of the University's commitment to sustainability, the Procurement team has earned the CIPS Ethical mark and appears on its Ethical Register.
Investment Policy
Our investment portfolio is public, and we are transparent about our investment decisions. The finance team publishes documents related to the University’s Endowment Investment Policy and investment portfolio quarterly. You can find the current reports on the Endowment Fund Management page.
Social Value
Our Social Value Statement describes its approach and commitment to delivering Social Value as a Global Civic University, through working with suppliers and supply chains. For further information on the Social Value statement contact procurement-office@bristol.ac.uk.
Sustainable Sourcing Tools
The University is developing guidance and tools to aid sustainable sourcing decisions. For more information on the guidance or to request workshops contact sustainability-estates@bristol.ac.uk
Circular Economy
The university is adopting a Circular Economy approach to managing its resources. This will redefine how our institution manages its resources, away from a linear model of ‘make, purchase, consume and dispose’. Circular Economy Strategy (PDF, 123kB)
Sustainability Impact Assessments
Sustainability impact assessment, is a support tool to aid decisions in relation to policies, programmes, projects, strategies and action plans. This approach explores a combination of economic, environmental and social impacts and can help with strategic planning and risk management. The University has developed guidance Sustainability Impact Assessment and Whole Life Costing (PDF, 500kB) to assist with this planning. The guidance should be viewed from a life cycle perspective.
Whole Life Costing Guidance
This is simply a way of making the best possible decisions on behalf of The University. It offers an approach that supports critical thinking before a final decision is reached using practical examples. It is intended to help staff feel supported when making decisions.
These pages offer an outline of the ethos and approach in addition to tools and techniques that can be used to help improve decision making. We accept that no decision will be perfect but we are keen to employ a consistent approach to allow us to improve.
University wins three Fair Trade awards
In March 2019, the University of Bristol won three silver South West Fair Trade Business Awards! The awards recognised our achievements in the categories of Best Fair Trade University or College, Best Fair Trade Café or Restaurant, and Best Fair Trade Accommodation or Conference Centre. Read the full news story here!