Community Engagement

In June 2020, Dr Elle Atkins, Lecturer in Ecology, who went on to be a finalist at the UK Green Gown Awards in 2021, organised the ‘Great Green Gathering’: an on-line event which had a wide audience of families from university and further afield

Several members of University staff are working with sector bodies, including BUFDG, EAUC, CUBO and HEPA, to develop sustainability within the sector

This plan is lead by:

• Sally McGill, Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Chief Exec and Exec Lead for Sustainability

The plan is enabled by:

The University works with the local authority on a range of initiatives to improve the environment, including green energy projects, improving public transport options and increasing biodiversity.  The University engages with local communities adjacent to the campuses to work on joint sustainability initiatives.  The University participates in local, regional and national initiatives.

UN SDGs

Targets and progress

Target

To be known in the communities with which we work for being leaders in sustainability and carbon reduction and to create real impact

Progress

Progress status: AMBER

The Woodlands Forest School opened in 2022 and has and starting to provide environmental and biodiversity awareness training and nature experiences for primary school children.  The University is taking part in a Department for Education pilot around biodiversity education for school children.

The University is working with Stoke City Council on the possibility of joining the District Heat Network

Carbon Literacy has been provided to a number of employers in the region and the University is helping organisations to become Carbon Literate Organisations

Operational priorities for 2023/24

• Continue to develop the Forest School and DfE project
• Offer Carbon literacy training to the Shelton community and to more employers
• Re-affirm commitment to the ‘Race to Zero’
• Engage with the People and Planet league table
• Engage with SOS-UK