The University of Southampton's Sustainability Strategy 2025 was developed by the University in partnership the the Students' Union. It sets out our ambitious vision for a more sustainable University and what we need to achieve to get there.
Read the full document hereThe University of Southampton's Strategic Plan - Sustainability 2020-2025, sets out our ambitious vision for a more sustainable University and the six goals we need to achieve to get there. The Plan was developed by the University in partnership with the Students' Union.
Our vision is that by 2030, sustainability will be a part of everything the University of Southampton does: our individual behaviours, how we work together, and how we make decisions for the future. This is key to achieving our mission of changing the world for the better.
This means that by 2030 we want to have achieved our target of net zero for Scope 1 and 2 emissions, have substantially reduced our Scope 3 emissions and have embedded sustainability into our teaching, learning, research, and professional services operations. We also strive towards continual improvement in areas such as energy reduction, waste and recycling, water consumption, biodiversity and sustainable transport.
To deliver on our vision, we have identified the following six goals.
Implement emissions reductions and future action planning to ensure we achieve zero emissions for Scope 1 and Scope 2 by 2030.
Measure our total emissions footprint and set targets for Scope 3 emissions reductions.
Key targets by 2025: Scope 3 reduction targets and reduction action plans in place; on track to achieve interim targets by 2030 and final targets by 2040.
Set and implement a business travel emissions reduction target and implement through an appropriate action plan.
Key targets by 2025: Business travel emissions reduction targets and reduction action plans in place; on track to achieve interim targets by 2030 and final targets by 2040.
Ensure that sustainability is a part of every University education programme by 2025.
Key targets by 2025: Launched Sustainability Southampton Sustainability Solutions e-learning module; sustainability (via SDGs) embedded in all taught programmes; launched university-wide ‘Global Sustainability Challenges’ UOSM module.
Make sustainability a cornerstone of UoS’ research and societal impact.
Key targets by 2025: Conducted baseline audit of ‘sustainability’ (SDG aligned) research; launched a “‘Sustainability & Resilience Research Hub"; launched initial hub projects.
Implement a sustainable and ethical investment policy.
Key targets by 2025: Implemented a sustainable and ethical investment policy; aligned fund management and portfolio to the policy; annual reporting of direct & indirect fossil fuel exposure.
Achieving the Goals
We have set up a cross-University Sustainability Implementation Group (SIG) to set and lead the Sustainability Implementation Work Programme under the oversight of the University’s Sustainability Strategy Board.
SIG comprises six core staff drawn from academic faculties and professional services together with six Goal Champions and six Goal leads who are collectively responsible for implementing the Goal milestones. Additional staff and student interns are seconded to the SIG work programme from both academic faculties and professional services as required to complete specific SIG work items.
University staff and students can:
- Access SIG presentations and reports via the SIG intranet site (UoS login required)
- Track progress updates and provide feedback or comment on our work via our internal yammer group (UoS login required)
We are committed to publishing our annual Strategic Plan - Sustainability progress. In December 2021, we issued an update covering progress against all six goals. Click here to read the document in full.
What we did in 2021
Switched to renewable electricity saving ~ 11,200 T CO2e emissions per year (~45% of Scope 1 & 2 emissions); developed a ‘Net-Zero by 2030’ roadmap by analysing our highest emissions buildings and future options for the combined heat and power (CHP) plant.
What’s next?
Implement the roadmap to ensure annual emissions reductions targets are met.
What we did in 2021
Developed a method to measure our Scope 3 emissions and estimated our total Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions to be ~ 130,000 T CO2e; developed a framework for Ensuring Strategic Decisions Align with the Sustainability Strategy Goals.
What’s next?
Set ambitious reduction targets for Scope 3 that will become part of the net zero roadmap; pilot the ‘embedding sustainability’ framework to ensure strategic decisions align with the Sustainability Strategy Goals in business-as-usual settings.
What we did in 2021
Invested in high-quality online video conferencing technology and trained staff and students to get the most out of it; built an emissions calculator into our booking system to help people choose the most sustainable mode of transport.
What’s next?
Set a business travel emissions target; implement a communication plan to target highest emitting business travelers; consult on a points system to help people estimate the value of their planned travel; undertake a feasibility study for a University-wide emissions budget for business travel.
What we did in 2021
Launched a campus-wide ‘Southampton Sustainability Solutions’ e-learning module; mapped the Sustainable Development Goals across all University Curricula, finding that all programme compulsory modules map to at least one SDG.
What’s next?
Ensure the e-learning module is embedded in all student and staff orientation; develop a UOSM Sustainability module as an option for undergraduate degree programmes; ensure all education programmes have integrated, subjectrelevant sustainability themes.
What we did in 2021
Mapped all University research outputs and REF Impact Case Studies against the UN Sustainable Development Goals finding that 30% of outputs and all ICS map to at least one SDG.
What’s next?
Consult on and establish a Sustainability and Resilience Research Hub; co-ordinate the first set of hub-linked research projects.
What we did in 2021
Reviewed the University’s exposure to fossil fuel investments - 0.8 % of our portfolio was held within direct fossil fuel companies and a further 0.8 % within indirect fossil fuel companies; developed and implemented a Sustainable and Ethical Investment Policy.
What’s next?
Developing a transparent process of reporting on our investment decisions; evolving our portfolio to be fully compliant with our Sustainable and Ethical Investment Policy.