Accessibility Tools
Sign in
Click to Search Click to Search
    Sustainability
    Our Board
    of Trustees     Platinum
    EcoCampus     ISO14001 Carbon
    Footprint     SAG GISU Environmental
    Policy     GISU

    Public Strategy Planner

    To embed an ambitious and transparent governance and leadership test structure for sustainability to ensure internal and external accountability

    What we've already completed
    What we are in progress with
    What we aim to do by 2026
    ⬩Create a management review committee for ISO14001
    ⬩Create a Sustainability Advisory Group comprised of staff and student staff
    ⬩Submit Green Impact Students' Union audit for external verification
    ⬩Achieve bronze EcoCampus status by the end of the 2023 academic year (as part of our progress towards ISO14001)
    ⬩Achieve Silver EcoCampus status (as part of our progress towards ISO14001)
    ⬩Develop regular qualitative and quantitative reporting structure to the Board of Trustees three times in an academic year
    ⬩Review the job descriptions of elected officers to substantively embed sustainability ahead of the 2024 officer elections
    ⬩Incorporate sustainability into a review of NTSU governance structures
    ⬩Ensure sustainability is a key theme in future organisational strategy development

    To lessen NTSU's impact on the environment by reducing the carbon emissions produced by our Scope 1, 2 and 3 activities to Net-Zero by 2040

    What we've already completed
    What we are in progress with
    What we aim to do by 2026
    ⬩Establish NTSU's baseline carbon footprint for Scope 1
    ⬩Establish NTSU's baseline carbon footprint for Scope 2
    ⬩Establish NTSU's baseline carbon footprint for Scope 3
    ⬩Publish our carbon footprint report annually, including a breakdown of our carbon footprint, progress towards milestones and comparison to our baseline year
    ⬩Define the reduction pathway and timeline for achieving NetZero carbon
    ⬩Consult with students on our Net-Zero carbon progress and timelines as part of our sustainability strategy review

    To improve energy efficiency and reduce energy usage in NTSU spaces

    What we've already completed
    What we are in progress with
    What we aim to do by 2026
    ⬩Ensure that the energy efficiency of equipment is embedded in the new sustainable procurement policy
    ⬩Include education on energy efficiency at work as part of wider environmental sustainability awareness in all new-staff inductions
    ⬩Work with NTU to arrange appropriate sub-metering for all SU spaces, providing us with accurate data on energy usage
    ⬩Work with UPP to arrange appropriate sub-metering for all SU spaces, providing us with accurate data on energy usage
    ⬩Lobby NTU and UPP for energy efficient changes to our lighting and heating within NTSU buildings

    To reduce the amount of non-recyclable and non-compostable waste produced by our activities

    What we've already completed
    What we are in progress with
    What we aim to do by 2026
     
    ⬩Lobby public and private accommodation providers to ensure the correct provision of waste and recycling bins in student houses
    ⬩Introduce and deliver a campaign to improve recycling habits among students and staff
    ⬩Measure and create a plan to reduce the amount of single use plastics and disposable containers used across our venues
    ⬩Audit our current waste and recycling rates and publish the results
    ⬩Set targets and commitments for waste reduction and improvement of recycling rates to our baseline

    To identify and work with key partners who can add value to our work in sustainability

    What we've already completed
    What we are in progress with
    What we aim to do by 2026
    ⬩Create and define a log of current interested parties and key partners who contribute to our sustainability progress
    ⬩Actively work in partnership with the University to achieve and/or retain at least one external accreditation annually
    ⬩Respond to environmental based consultations in the local area and influence Nottingham City Council
    ⬩Identity new partners that can add value to our work
    ⬩Engage with our building owners (NTU & UPP) on regularly monitoring and acting on carbon emissions under our joint influence, and report on progress

    To review our procurement procedures and ensure future purchasing is done ethically and sustainably

    What we've already completed
    What we are in progress with
    What we aim to do by 2026
     
    ⬩Create a sustainable procurement policy, incorporating ethics and sustainability
    ⬩Review the NUSSL ethical and environmental screening principles in line with the new NTSU procurement policy
    ⬩Review purchasing procedures for student groups, recommending local suppliers and sustainable alternatives
    ⬩Ensure all materials, furniture, fixtures and flooring used in facilities refurbishment are resource efficient, environmentally friendly, and (where possible) part of the circular economy
    ⬩Provide training on sustainable procurement and supplier engagement for all relevant staff

    To engage students in sustainable activities and enable them to inspire change at NTSU

    What we've already completed
    What we are in progress with
    What we aim to do by 2026
    ⬩Create a sustainable page on the SU website, integrated into the main menu structure
    ⬩Update and deliver sustainability training to society committees and course reps
    ⬩Create a sustainability grant fund for affiliated student groups to apply for with projects that further the aims of the NTSU sustainability strategy
    ⬩Create opportunities to engage with students on the conservation and enhancement of local biodiversity in partnership with student-led groups and NTU
    ⬩Plan and deliver at least one major sustainability campaign annually to respond to students demands
    ⬩Create a communication plan for the sustainability pages and measure engagement
    ⬩Consult with student council on the formation and progression of the NTSU sustainability strategy to help engage under-represented groups in our work
    ⬩Create opportunities for students to engage in consultation with NTSU and influence sustainable progress

    Carbon Footprint

    Our Areas of Impact

    Our carbon footprint is a good way of identifying our biggest areas of negative impact on the environment. Carbon footprint is calculated in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e). In 2022/23, our staff logged 1190.38 kg CO2e avoided. This data is not reflected within our carbon footprint due to potential inaccuracies, but we still wanted to share positive steps taken on this journey.

    Interested in finding out more? Take a more in-depth look at our 2022/23 carbon report below.

    Find out how we calculate our carbon footprint here.

    Carbon Reports

    NTSU Carbon Report 2022/23
    NTSU Carbon Report 2021/22

    GISU:

    Green impact is a national framework that guides students’ union’s in building impactful projects and campaigns around climate justice and equality, curriculum reform and health and wellbeing. It provides a support package and awards programme to encourage the student movement to create lasting change.

    SAG:

    The sustainability advisory group is a staff and student board who come together to discuss sustainability related issues within the SU. It comprises of student staff members and staff from all areas of the SU (click here to find out more – eventually want to have a page for SAG so students can see what it is and put in their concerns via an online form for us to mention at sag and then report back to the website page for people to see the outcomes of the meetings and actions)

    ISO14001:

    ISO14001 is an international standard for environment management systems – these are frameworks and process in an organisation that put systems in place to ensure the organisation is working to a standard which is having as little impact on the environment as possible.