Our commitment to sustainability

Being socially responsible and sustainable is a key part of how we do things at the University of Edinburgh.

Sustainability is firmly embedded in our buildings policy at the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine to manage all our workplace activities which impact our environment and its resources.

Saving energy

Everyone working or studying at the University of Edinburgh is encouraged to save energy day to day to contribute to the University's target of becoming zero carbon by 2040.

As well as adopting sustainable behaviours like turning off lights and switching off equipment when not in use, staff and students can make improvements to their workplace with the Sustainable Campus Fund.

Energy saving tips and resources

Take a more active role as an Energy Coordinator

Apply for the Sustainable Campus Fund

Learn more about Zero by 2040

Waste and recycling

Producing unnecessary waste causes environmental damage and costs money. Warp It, the University’s internal reuse platform, can help you reuse equipment and materials you no longer need and allow you to claim items for free rather than buying new. Staff and students are also encouraged to think about reducing their own waste, for example, by using a keep cup or a reusable water bottle.

Join Warp It (staff and PhD students only)

Take a more active role as a Waste and Recycling Coordinator

Practical tips to reduce waste

Travel choices

Support is available to help you try out active travel, video conferencing, and to consider taking the train over the plane for business trips within the UK. The College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine website gives timetables of the bus routes and shuttle buses that service BioQuarter (Little France) as well as information for cyclists. The University provides interest-free loans to purchase annual tickets for public transport.

Fairness in trade and sustainable procurement

We have developed a key strategy in Sustainable Procurement and are putting our efforts into involving our buildings in the process. Fairness in trade and sustainable procurement means calling for responsible practices in relation to workers, environment and society to be followed by our suppliers. This includes work around modern slavery, conflict minerals and supporting fair trade.

More information about buying fairly for staff

More information about buying fairly for students

Modern Slavery statement

Sustainability awards

Lab and office teams from across the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine have the opportunity to champion social responsibility and sustainability in their areas through the University’s Sustainability Awards.

Take part in the Sustainability Awards

View past winners

Sustainable labs

Labs use many times more energy and water per square metre than office spaces and can produce large quantities of waste including hazardous, clinical and single-use plastics.

Learn more about what the University is doing

Information for staff

Information for students

Training courses

Learn new things and develop your career with staff development training courses. The Be Sustainable online training is a quick introduction to starting to think about sustainability. Be Sustainable Advanced is a more in-depth course.

Researchers and academic staff can also think about using the ‘Living Lab’ approach to link up their research with improvements to University practice.

Start the Be Sustainable online training

Find out about Be Sustainable Advanced

Learn more about the University as a Living Lab

Social responsibility

Wellbeing groups on the BioQuarter campus inspire people to take up sport and develop active, healthy and sustainable lifestyles.

The Little France Jog Scotland group meets at lunch time three times a week at the Chancellor’s Building.