Environmental Sustainability Plan 2025 to 2030

Zero-carbon, net-zero carbon, or carbon neutral?

The terminology and definitions of zero carbon, net-zero carbon, and carbon neutral have caused confusion for the public and even disagreements over the credibility of these definitions amongst the scientific community. It is therefore important to clarify the definitions used in this report.

Zero carbon

The easiest to define, but difficult to achieve in practice. No carbon would be produced by a process or organisation.

Carbon neutral

Carbon can be emitted by a process or organisation, as long as it is equally offset elsewhere. Offsetting could involve implementing or investing in a scheme anywhere in the world which reduces carbon emissions by an equivalent amount.

Net-zero carbon

Carbon can be emitted by a process or organisation, as long as an equivalent amount is removed elsewhere. Examples of removal could include large-scale forestation projects or carbon capture and storage (CCS). Despite net-zero carbon causing the most technical problems, this is the term that has recently proliferated in the media and has also featured in legislation. It is important to note that the initial stage for the University, regardless of which definition is applied, is to reduce emissions as far as possible before offsetting or removing the remaining emissions. It is expected that during the lifetime of this plan, the University will still be at the emissions reduction stage before an offsetting strategy for the remaining emissions is implemented.

Emissions measurement and scope

For consistency and credibility of carbon and other greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions measurement, we will align our reporting against this plan with the GHG Protocol, which categorises emissions related to an organisation in three different scopes.

Scope 1

Relates to GHG emissions that arise directly from the University’s assets or operations, such as the combustion of natural gas in our heating boilers or fuel in University vehicles.

Scope 2

Relates to GHG emissions that arise indirectly from the University’s assets or operations, such as purchased electricity, which is used in the University’s buildings, but is generated elsewhere.

Scope 3

Relates to all other sources of GHG emissions that occur indirectly as a result of the University’s operations. Examples include business travel, commuting by staff and students, waste disposal, and procurement-related emissions. NB: When ‘emissions’ or ‘carbon emissions’ are referred to in this plan, this typically applies to carbon dioxide equivalent emissions (CO2e) in line with the GHG Protocol.

Our commitment is to achieve Net Zero Carbon for Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2040, and Scope 3 emissions by 2050.

Measure of success

• A reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions of 38%
• 38% reduction by 2029/30 compared to 2022/23 baseline. This equates to a reduction of emissions down to 2,725 tonnes CO₂e in 2029/30

We will

• Continue to invest in measures to improve building efficiency
• Increase onsite renewable energy generation
• Prepare heating systems and buildings for future low carbon solutions
• Ensure new builds and refurbishments contribute to our carbon reductions

Key targets

• Scope 1 & 2 emissions reduced to 2,725 tonnes CO₂e in 2029/30 with an interim target of 3,386 tonnes CO₂e in 2026/27
• Reduce energy use per m² by 10% by 2030
• All refurbishments to achieve SKA rating of Silver by 2030
• All new buildings will aim to achieve BREEAM Excellent by 2030

We've already made great progress in reducing our carbon emissions, and by 2023/24 we've reduced Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 67% compared to 2005/6. This has been achieved through investment in energy efficiency projects, such as LED lighting, Building Management Systems, and investing in renewable energy, including 1.25 MWp of Solar PV arrays and two buildings heated by Air Source Heat Pumps. These measures are now saving around £750,000 per year.

A further £4.25m has been allocated between 2025 and 2030 to support the Carbon Management Plan.

Our commitment is to reduce the proportion of staff who commute by single car occupancy and to reduce emissions from start and end of term commuting by students and from business travel.

Measure of success

• Carbon emissions from commuting to reduce to 6,000 tonnes
• This equates to a reduction of around 4% per year from the 2022 baseline to 2030

We will

• Work with local agencies to enhance low-carbon travel solutions for staff and students
• Run campaigns and workshops to educate staff and students about the benefits of sustainable travel and how to make low-carbon choices.
• Promote the ‘green travel hierarchy’ for business travel and establish a carbon offset programme for necessary business travel
• Promote shared transport options, such as rail travel, ride-sharing schemes or coach services, for students travelling long distances at the start and end of term.
• Carry out Bi-annual travel surveys to monitor progress
• Implement carbon budgets for business travel

Key targets

• 5% of staff commuting by bike by 2028
• 100% of fleet vehicles EV or plug-in Hybrid by 2028
• 10% reduction in emissions from business travel by 2030 from 2023/24 baseline
• 5% reduction in emissions from students at the start and end of term by 2030 from 2022/23 baseline

We are committed to promoting sustainable travel, recognising the significant environmental and health benefits it provides. We've achieved Cycle Friendly Employer Gold status and recognise that encouraging sustainable travel supports the reduction of carbon emissions, improves local air quality, alleviates traffic congestion, and strengthens local communities. This aligns with the University’s broader objectives of fostering environmental responsibility and enhancing the wellbeing of its staff and students.

Our commitment is to work with our suppliers to reduce emissions from our supply chain, and to develop schemes to reduce waste and increase re-use and recycling

Measure of success

• Reduce emissions from our Supply Chain and Waste by 20% by 2030 from 2023/24 baseline

We will

• Develop a waste strategy to identify sources of waste and reduce where possible, and work with staff, students, and suppliers to increase re-use and recycling
• Implement a Low Carbon Supplier Roadmap to support suppliers in moving towards Net Zero Carbon
• Work with local stakeholders to develop the Circular Economy
• Instil an awareness of waste, recycling, and the circular economy in our staff and student communities through effective communications and engagement
• Reduce water consumption from our buildings

Key targets

• Waste per student decreased by 10% by 2029/30 from 2023/24 baseline
• Recycling increased to 60% of total waste by 2029/30
• All suppliers to have a public Net Zero Carbon target, and an annually reported carbon reduction plan by 2030.
• Reduction in Water consumption per student of 10% by 2030
• Zero waste to Landfill

We're committed to considering the full life cycle of the resources we buy and use, including the environmental cost of their manufacture and delivery, as well as disposal.

We'll work with all of our suppliers to ensure that they are on the same journey towards Net Zero carbon as we are through the implementation of a Low Carbon Supplier Roadmap.

We are also committed to fully implementing the waste hierarchy, working with suppliers to prevent and minimise waste in the first instance, implementing strategies that encourage and support re-use, increasing communications about the importance of re-use and recycling.

Measure of success

• 10% increase in biodiversity by 2030 compared to the 2024 baseline
• This equates to protecting wildlife and increasing biodiversity to create outdoor spaces that are healthy, welcoming spaces for people and nature.

We will

• Increase areas for nature across the University
• Utilise the University estate to encourage use as a Living Lab
• Work with local organisations to provide opportunities for staff, students, and the community to engage with nature, on and off campus
• Consider the impact of a changing climate on our estate, and ensure the outdoor spaces mitigate those effects, as well as being resilient in a changing climate

Key targets

• 10% increase in biodiversity and hedgerow units by 2030
• Removal of 25% of the area of invasive species by 2030
• Installation of 100 new opportunities for urban species, such as bat boxes, bird boxes, and insect hotels by the end of 2030
• Provide a minimum of 5 events per year to encourage students/staff/wider Sunderland community to participate in biodiversity (and wellbeing) enhancing activities

We consider improving opportunities for nature to be integral to our role in enhancing the health and wellbeing of students, staff, and healthy ecosystems. As a society-shaping university, our city campuses provide opportunities to extend the benefits of enhanced biodiversity and increase nature for our wider Sunderland community.

In 2023, we conducted a biodiversity audit of our Sunderland campuses utilising the Biodiversity Net Gain methodology to set a baseline. From this audit, a Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan has been developed.

Our commitment is to ensure that every student will graduate with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the increasing environmental and social impacts of their chosen careers, and we will ensure that our signature research capabilities address global challenges and contribute to sustainable development.

Measure of success

• Sustainable Development Goals embedded into all learning

This means all the most relevant and material United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) are embedded into the curriculum and assessment strategies.

All research and knowledge exchange activities within the institution will make their links to global development explicit, and where we have expertise, this will be centred and showcased.

We will

• Implement the Education for Sustainable Development (EfSD) Framework to support the integration of the UNSDGs into the curriculum and allow us to measure progress.
• Instil knowledge and understanding of the UNSDGs amongst staff and students, including an awareness of their interconnected nature
• Ensure our research is environmentally sustainable in its implementation
• Create curricular, co-curricular and research opportunities for students and staff to collaborate on solutions to real-world sustainability-related challenges
• Recognise and celebrate teaching, research and co-curricular student activities that contribute to the UNSDGs

Key targets

• 100% of degree programmes have fully embedded the UNSDGs, and suitably scaffolded them across all stages of study
• Provide twice-yearly training opportunities for academics and students on sustainable development and carbon literacy, ensuring all Academic Sustainability Champions and Academic Champions for Employability and Enterprise (ACEEs) have received training.
• Become a supporter of the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice and implement the LEAF programme in all laboratories.
• Ensure every student has an opportunity to take part in a co-curricular activity related to sustainable development.
• Create an annual opportunity to celebrate and recognise success – this could be an annual award, or by incorporating sustainability into other events and opportunities to celebrate excellence

Sustainability skills are increasingly in demand among graduates, reflecting the growing emphasis within industry and professions towards addressing global environmental and social challenges. This has been reflected in the Student Success Plan as an integral part of delivering a contemporary, globally relevant, profession-facing curriculum.

To respond to this we created an academic-led Education for Sustainable Development (EfSD) working group, and since 2024 we have made good progress,  establishing a network of Academic Sustainability Champions, appointing an Academic Lead for EfSD, and beginning to develop a range of resources to support Programme Leads across the University to comprehensively embed global sustainable development goals into the curriculum.

Our commitment is to ensure the success of this ambitious plan through senior leadership commitment, provision of resources, and good governance.

Measure of success

• Embed opportunities to consider Environmental Sustainability throughout University Governance and decision-making

We will

• Thread opportunities to consider Environmental Sustainability throughout University Governance and decision-making
• Develop annual staff and student engagement strategies
• Ensure our staff have the knowledge and skills required to contribute to Environmental Sustainability at the University, including at the most senior level.
• Ensure adaptation to climate change is incorporated into University planning and risk management
• Ensure an appropriate budget is available for the Environmental Sustainability Plan

Key targets

• 75% of staff to have undertaken sustainability training by 2030
• Achieve Platinum Eco Campus Environmental Management System
• Minimum of 10 engagement events per year
• Climate Change adaptation strategy to be completed by 2028
• Zero unplanned emissions or discharges, with annual review of activities as part of EMS

We've already achieved a lot of improvements in our Environmental Sustainability performance since the start of the last strategy in 2020. This is thanks not only to our Environmental Sustainability Team, but also to all the staff and students who have embraced sustainability and are delivering change right across the University.

To continue to deliver the change needed, we will continue to provide training and increase awareness to empower more staff and students to engage with environmental sustainability. This includes ensuring that all levels of management and governance are equipped to consider the implications of all strategic decisions on the environment and sustainability, as well as providing staff and students opportunities to engage in sustainability through volunteering opportunities and our sustainability community groups.