How the University of Southampton is doing it's part

The University of Southampton's Sustainability Strategy 2020 - 2027 was created with help from the Students' Union. It outlines our big goals for making the university more sustainable and what steps we need to take to reach them.

By 2030, we want sustainability to be at the heart of everything we do at the University of Southampton - from how we behave individually, to how we work together, and make decisions for the future. This is crucial to our mission of making a positive impact on the world.

Here's what we're aiming for by 2030:

• Achieve net zero for Scope 1 and 2 emissions.
• Make significant cuts to our Scope 3 emissions.
• Integrate sustainability into all aspects of our teaching, learning, research, and professional services.

We're also committed to continuously improving in areas like energy use, waste and recycling, water conservation, biodiversity, sustainable procurement, and green transport. These efforts all play a part in our Sustainability Strategic Plan.

To make this vision a reality, we've set out six key goals:

1. Achieve net zero emissions for Scope 1 & Scope 2 by 2030. Goal Champion: Kevin Argent, Executive Director, Estates & Facilities
2. Measure our total emissions footprint and set targets for Scope 3 emissions reductions. Goal Champion: Wendy Appleby, Vice-President (Operations)
   
3. Set a business travel emissions reduction target and implement through an appropriate action plan. Goal Champion: Jane Falkingham, Vice-President (Engagement & International)
   
4. Ensure that sustainability is a part of every University education programme by 2025. Goal Champion: Deborah Gill, Vice-President (Education)
   
5. Make sustainability a cornerstone of UoS' research and societal impact. Goal Champion: Mark Spearing, Vice-President (Research & Enterprise)
   
6. Implement a sustainable and ethical investment policy. Goal Champion: Julie Fielder, Executive Director, Finance & Planning

If you want to know more about exactly how we will achieve these goals, you can download the full strategy here: