Our sustainability performance

Our Sustainability Policy includes performance indicators and targets for all aspects of our operational environmental sustainability. These are presented in the table below along with a current performance update and a link to historic performance data.

Theme Performance indicator Target Responsibility Performance update Status Performance data
Energy & Carbon Management Direct (scope 1) carbon emissions 100% reduction (zero carbon) by 2035 compared to 2019 Head of Sustainability 32% reduction (22/23) On track Direct carbon emissions charts
Energy & Carbon Management Indirect (scope 2 electricity) market-based carbon emissions Maintain zero carbon Head of Sustainability Zero carbon (22/23) Completed Indirect carbon emissions charts
Energy & Carbon Management Indirect (scope 3) carbon emissions 100% reduction (zero carbon) by 2045 compared to 2019 Head of Sustainability 52% increase (22/23) Off track Direct carbon emissions charts
Energy & Carbon Management Buildings energy efficiency kWh/m2 10% improvement by 2026 compared to 2019 (target = 192 kWh/m2) Head of Sustainability 17% improvement (22/23) On track Direct carbon emissions charts
Water Non-residential buildings water efficiency m3/staff & student FTE Top quartile performance compared to the HE sector Head of Asset Management 22/23 consumption was 10% greater than 21/22 sector top quartile Off track Water consumption charts
Emissions & Discharges ISO 14001 non-compliances related to legal obligations and accidental releases 0 Head of Sustainability 0 (2023/24) On track ISO 14001 performance
Travel Staff & student commuting scope 3 carbon emissions Quantify baseline emissions by July 2024 and set a 2030 reduction target by July 2025 Head of Sustainability 13,706 tCO2 (23/24 baseline) On track To be updated after more time and data is generated
Travel Student and staff drive alone rate Lowest rate compared to comparable universities and local authorities in the same area Head of Sustainability 13% (23/24, lower than comparable organisations in Cambridge, Chelmsford & Peterborough) On track Travel performance charts
Travel Business travel scope 3 carbon emissions Quantify baseline emissions by Dec 2026 and set a 2030 reduction target by July 2027 Head of Sustainability TMC trial underway in HEMS & International Office On track To be updated after more time and data is generated
Responsible Consumption & Production Waste to landfill Maintain 0% Head of Facilities Management 0% (2022/23) On track Waste and recycling performance
Responsible Consumption & Production Reuse, recycling and composting rate 60% by 2026 Head of Facilities Management 46% (2022/23) Off track Waste and recycling performance
Food Meat consumption on campus 100% by 2030 Head of Catering, Hospitality and Events 20% completed (Sep 2024) On track Food performance
Food Soil Association's Food for Life Served Here Silver certification by July 2026 Head of Catering, Hospitality and Events Bronze certification achieved Aug 2024 On track  
Purchasing Purchasing spend within East of England 25% Head of Procurement 25% of impactable spend On track Purchasing performance
Purchasing Purchasing spend with SMEs 30% HEPA target Head of Procurement 41% (2022/23) On track Purchasing performance
Purchasing Suppliers >£50k completing a sustainability action plan 100% by 2030 Head of Procurement 20% completed (Sep 2024) New To be updated after more time and data is generated
Purchasing Suppliers >£50k completing a carbon reduction plan and providing carbon data 100% by 2030 Head of Procurement 28% completed & 28% in progress New To be updated after more time and data is generated
Biodiversity Owned land covered by a biodiversity management plan 100% by 2030 Biodiversity Steering Group New target. No relevant activity during the reporting period New To be updated after more time and data is generated
Biodiversity Biodiversity Net Gain associated with new developments 10% Head of Projects Applies to developments with planning permissions granted after Feb 2024 New To be updated after more time and data is generated
People & Culture Staff participation rate in ARUgreen 50% Head of Sustainability Jan 2025 - currently 41.5%. This has decreased since last year due to the merger with Writtle Off-track ARUgreen performance
Buildings Sustainability standards of new buildings & major refurbishments (>£5m) BREEAM Excellent. Passivhaus Certification. Whole life carbon assessment (RICS) Head of Projects New target. No relevant activity during the reporting period New BREEAM performance
Buildings Sustainability standards of refurbishments (<£5m) BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit-Out Excellent. Passivhaus/Enerphit Certification Head of Projects New target. No relevant activity during the reporting period New To be updated after more time and data is generated
Climate resilience Resilience of new buildings & major refurbishments (>£5m) BREEAM Wst05 credit attained (Climate change adaptation strategy appraisal) Head of Projects New target. No relevant activity during the reporting period New To be updated after more time and data is generated