Annual Report 2015/16

We have made steady progress in improving the environmental performance of the University during 2015/16. The Environment Sustainability Strategy 2010-2015 expired in December 2015 and we are able to report that over that period we have seen a quantitative reduction in CO₂ emissions of 4,293 tonnes and have diverted over 3,300 tonnes of our waste from landfill.  Our management of data has dramatically improved over this time and we have been able to use this information to develop our new strategies and plans for the period 2015-2020.

We continue to be recognised externally through our recertification to the ISO14001 International Standard for Environmental Management Systems and by recognition in national schemes such as Green Flag, Fairtrade, Love to Ride Cycle Challenge and the Sustainable Restaurants Association,

We continue to support staff to create positive change locally and have launched our new Green Exeter Scheme which will be rolled out across the University over the coming years. Our Green Consultants programme has grown and has provided practical opportunities for our students to inform our campus activities and support our Green Exeter Leads.

We also recognise our responsibility in supporting environmental improvement in the region and in 2016, the University became Corporate Supporters of the Devon Environmental Business Initiative.

I am very much looking forward to our sustainability endeavours over the coming years and working closely with our University community, the local community, Students’ Guild and other stakeholders to deliver our sustainability vision in an innovative, inclusive and inspirational way.

Mike Shore Nye, Registrar and Secretary