Environmental Management System

EMS and ISO14001 

The University has maintained a formal Environmental Management System (EMS) for over a decade and was awarded its first accreditation to ISO14001 standard in 2015. 

ISO 14001 is the international standard for EMS, providing a structured framework for organisation to manage their environmental impacts, comply with legal requirements, and drive continual improvement. 

The scope of the University’s EMS is for the whole institution, i.e. covering any activities, including operations, research and teaching, that can have a significant impact on the environment. 

Supporting University strategy 

Our EMS is a key tool for supporting the University’s strategic goal of ‘intensifying our focus on sustainability, climate change and the future of our planet’, and for delivering the carbon reduction targets set out in the University Climate Action Plan. 

The University’s Environmental Policy Statement provides the foundation of our EMS, setting organisation-wide intentions and commitments on environmental performance, and providing the basis for objectives, compliance, and continual improvement. 

The EMS itself is documented in a series of internal procedures, registers and guidelines aligning with the requirements of the ISO14001, all of which are subject to regular updating and periodic review.  

Ensuring compliance and continuous improvement 

To ensure it remains fit for purpose and properly embedded in University processes, the EMS is subject to annual management review, together with regular internal and external audits to check compliance with the requirements of IS014001. 

The University’s EMS is owned jointly by the University’s Sustainability and Site Services teams, with the Circular Economy and Waste Manager having day-to-day responsibility for implementation. 

The University is currently working towards a renewal of the accreditation of its EMS to ISO14001:2015 standard, which was held on a continuous basis for more than ten years until April 2026.