Strategy and performance

The University has made a wide range of progressive, strategic commitments to improve social responsibility and sustainability in our operations, teaching and research. Find out what they are and how performance is monitored and reported.

A full list of commitments, policies and plans appears at the bottom of this page.

Strategies, plans and policies

Social and Civic Responsibility Plan

Social and civic responsibility is a key focus for the University as described in Strategy 2030.

Approved in April 2020, the University's Social and Civic Responsibility Plan sets out three objectives and one cross-cutting theme in order to fulfil the University's social and civic responsibilities:

1. We will become a net zero carbon and zero waste university
2. We will widen participation in higher education and support inclusion
3. We will work together with local communities

• Cross-cutting theme: In our operations, research and teaching we will engage critically with, and contribute to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals

Social and Civic Responsibility - Delivery Plan 2020 to 2030 (628.77 KB PDF)

Social and Civic Responsibility - Delivery Plan 2020 - Executive Summary (1.52 MB PDF)

Sustainability (and Social Responsibility) Policy

Approved in April 2020, the Sustainability (and Social Responsibility) Policy sets the University's commitment to sustainability (and social responsibility), the expectations for staff and students around the University, and actions that the whole University community can take to be more sustainable and socially responsible.

Sustainability (and Social Responsibility) Policy - October 2020 (245.08 KB PDF)

Climate Strategy Community Plan

Performance and governance

Annual reports

We have published annual reports since 2009/10, detailing our social responsibility and sustainability achievements and progress.

Committees

The University's Social Responsibility and Sustainability committees meet regularly to help deliver our commitments and policies.

University commitments

A range of social responsibility and sustainability policies, strategies, plans, statements and frameworks govern University activities.

Sustainability

• Climate Strategy
• Research and Innovation Strategy
• Forest and Peatlands Learning, Teaching and Research Strategy
• Social and Civic Responsibility Delivery Plan
• Biodiversity Plan
• Adaptation Framework

Find sustainability policies on the University's policy directory

Social Impact

• Community Plan
• Social Enterprise and Social Investment Strategy: Investing for Good

Find social responsibility policies on the University's policy directory

Modern slavery statement

• Modern Slavery statement

Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability policies

View Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability policies on the University's policy directory

Note that not all "social responsibility" and "sustainability" categorised policies are owned by the Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability.