Social & Environmental Sustainability StrategyDelivering the strategy
Implementation
This strategy represents a step change in our overarching ambitions to embed social and environmental sustainability into the way we live, work, study and play. Significant change must be achieved through targeted, measurable and verifiable steps.
To keep us on track, we will be developing a Strategy Implementation Plan. The Implementation Plan will provide a more detailed breakdown of our deliverables and metrics across all four themes from 2025-2030, ensuring accountability and progress measurement.
Governance
As a large and diverse institution, it is essential that the University fosters a culture of shared ownership of our ambition and goals, where all members of our community – students, staff, and partners – can actively contribute to and benefit from our sustainability journey. Our governance structure includes clear roles, responsibilities and decision making pathways, supported by regular reporting and performance reviews. This approach will not only track progress against our goals and KPIs but also ensure our stakeholders’ voices remain central to how the strategy adapts and evolves over time.
The University’s existing Sustainability Strategic Steering Group (SSSG) will oversee progress of the strategy. This group includes representation from both academic and operational staff and elected student officers. Its membership and Terms of Reference will be
regularly reviewed and updated to ensure it remains fit for purpose.
Reporting & monitoring
An annual report will be published on the University website to ensure accountability and transparency. This, along with in-year progress reports for SSSG, ET and Court, will cover all elements of the strategy and Implementation Plan, including engagement, training, research, and estate environmental performance metrics. Monitoring methods and KPIs will be agreed during Implementation Plan development.
Climate change and emissions reporting are currently managed by the Sustainable Strathclyde Team, with data drawn from across the University. The main submission is the annual Public Bodies Climate Change Duties (PBCCD) report to the Scottish Government, which provides the most complete record of the University’s emissions and climate actions.
The University will also monitor educational, research and knowledge exchange activities for sustainability alignment, using systems such as PURE and new tools where needed, supporting faculty-led action plans. A review of current systems will assess how best to integrate reporting on climate change and sustainability across the institution.