Sustainability Policy

The University of Suffolk is committed to being a leader in sustainable development and environmental responsibility and will work with partners towards the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Our vision is to educate current and future decision-makers, applying academic study and research to help solve sustainability issues faced by society and improve the health and wellbeing of the community we serve. We will work with partner organisations to facilitate wider discussion and promote emerging transformative practice through conferences and events.

The University requires its activities to meet or exceed the requirements of applicable environmental standards, regulations and guidelines and we will implement our own sustainability improvement programmes and practice that address the climate emergency, biodiversity loss and waste elimination.

The University commits to:

• Achieve carbon neutrality for scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, with a net zero target for remaining Scope 3 emissions by 2050.
• Work toward a zero-waste policy, defined as 5% or less going to landfill by 2030.
• Enhance habitat biodiversity on the estates which the University manages.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant environmental legislation and regulations.
• Ensure sustainability is fully understood by staff, students and key stakeholders and is embedded within university strategy, planning, and activities.
• Create partnerships that further sustainability, including prioritising working with organisations that can help us achieve more sustainable outcomes.
• Provide educational and research opportunities and carry out activities that seek to minimise negative impacts and promote sound sustainability practice.
• Ensure that sustainability and biodiversity opportunities are identified and implemented when considering land use, development, and construction.
• Regularly review our activities and their impact and take action to address any issues identified.
• Put social wellbeing and environmental impact reduction at the heart of our growth strategy.

This policy is endorsed by the University’s Senior Leadership team and Board and will be reviewed annually.

Professor Jenny Higham
Vice-Chancellor and CEO
September 2024