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We have developed a range of strategies and policies that support reducing our environmental impact and respond effectively to the global climate challenge.

Sustainability policies

Find City's full list of policies and strategies.

Carbon and energy management

We aim to improve energy efficiency, increase onsite renewable electricity generation and consider our offsite energy supplies to achieve our target of net zero carbon emissions by 2040, at the latest.

Our actions:

  • We have installed onsite renewable energy systems, including solar panels and a ground source heat pump
  • We exceeded our previous 2020 target to reduce carbon emissions by 43% and achieved a 53% reduction
  • We have completed an initial analysis of our scope 3 (indirect) emissions
  • We contribute to the Islington Sustainable Energy Partnership as long-standing steering group members

Read our carbon and energy management policies and strategies.

Waste management

We aim to reduce the impact of waste through design and purchasing decisions, by considering refurbishment and reuse options, and providing recycling facilities for various domestic and specialist waste.

Our actions:

  • We ensure zero waste at City is sent to landfill
  • We apply the waste hierarchy to reduce, reuse and then recycle
  • We offer a range of recycling points for staff and students on campus
  • We achieved a 56% recycling rate in 2021

Read our waste management policies and strategies

Food

Through our Sustainable Food Statement, we aim to provide students, staff and visitors with a healthy and sustainable catering and hospitality service.

Our actions:

Read our sustainable food statement.

Fairtrade

We champion Fairtrade at City, in the products we sell on campus and by raising awareness of Fairtrade amongst our students and staff through activities and events. This supports farmers and workers in developing countries are given fairer wages, safer conditions and income to invest in improving life for their whole communities.

Our actions:

  • We have been accredited as a Fairtrade University since 2010 by the Fairtrade Foundation
  • We are committed to supporting and using Fairtrade products and to educating our students and staff of the value of Fairtrade
  • During Fairtrade Fortnight we collaborate and run activities for students and staff to find out more

Read our Fairtrade Policy

Travel

As part of our Travel Plan, we aim to support active travel (such as walking and cycling) to minimise the carbon emissions and localised air pollution associated with our operations.

Our actions

  • We installed secure bike parking, lockers and showers for staff and students
  • We offer a cycle to work scheme for employees

Read our Sustainable Travel Policy

Biodiversity

We have a compact, urban campus and we aim to use the small space we do have to support urban wildlife and biodiversity.

Our actions:

  • We created a vegetable garden for staff and student volunteers to tend and enjoy
  • We have beehives to support the urban bee population
  • Our biodiversity action plan, sets out how we choose and maintain our natural areas for the benefit of all

Read our Biodiversity Strategy

Procurement and investment

We aim to incorporate environmental and social considerations into our purchasing decisions. We work to invest our funds ethically in line with environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues.

Our actions:

  • We monitor and report on annual greenhouse gas emissions covering our scope 1 and 2 and some scope 3 categories including waste and business travel
  • We are working with NETpositive Futures to support our suppliers in understanding and reducing their environmental impacts

Read our Sustainable Procurement and Investment Statements

Education

We aim to embed sustainability in the education we provide through formal and informal initiatives. We believe it is important to both and inspire the next generation of leaders while equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed for a rapidly changing environment.

Our actions:

Contact the Sustainability Team