Strategy Refresh Project

Environmental Sustainability Strategy Refresh

Our sustainability strategy, The Way to Sustainable, was launched in 2022, and we believe it’s time for a refresh. We want to set more ambitious and measurable goals that address all aspects of environmental sustainability while incorporating insights from across the University—spanning education, research, and operations.

Professor Stephanie Panichelli-Batalla

Academic Director for Sustainability

“As we look to the future, a refreshed sustainability strategy is essential to address emerging challenges and opportunities. Engaging our university community is crucial—each voice enriches our approach, helping us build a more inclusive, impactful path to truly advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”

Parvez Islam

Director of Environmental Sustainability and Infrastructure

“With our focus on sustainability now firmly established as the 5th strategic goal of the University, now is the perfect opportunity to revisit our sustainability strategy and take stock of where we stand and how we move forward with greater drive and ambition. The key to this is taking on board feedback from our valued communities including staff and students to help enhance our methodology in order to be at the forefront of sustainability with our research, education and campus operations.”

Our Progress

We have made some progress since November 2024, we went through the consultation process and the data analysis:

Who We Consulted

As part of the Sustainability Strategy refresh, we engaged with staff and students across the University through a range of consultation activities. We used both quantitative and qualitative methods to ensure a broad and inclusive approach. These included:

A University-wide student survey
A series of listening sessions, including workshops and listening rooms involving academic staff from departments across the University, professional services staff, students, and student societies
Consultations with senior leaders

What We Heard – and What We’re Already Doing

Throughout the consultation process, we received valuable feedback and questions from our University community. Many of the ideas shared are areas where work is already underway, or where projects are already in place.

To help bridge that gap, we’ve created a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section below—so you can find answers to some of the most common queries, such as 'Why don’t we have solar panels?', you’ll find the full answer under the Energy section. (Spoiler: we do!).

Please feel free to explore the section below to learn more about ongoing initiatives and future plans.

Energy

Key areas:

Energy Saving Tips

Solar Panels

Q: Can we have more communications around energy, including energy-saving tips?

A:We're currently developing a series of energy-saving tips that will be displayed on digital screens across campus. These will offer clear, simple steps to help reduce energy usage and prevent waste. Find out more about our energy strategy:

Our Energy Strategy

Q: Why don’t we put solar panels on roofs?

A:We already have solar panels on most buildings across campus. Since 2010, all new builds have included solar panel installations. We’re currently working to utilise the remaining suitable roof space before exploring options for ground-mounted solar arrays. Learn more about solar panels on campus: Solar Panels - University of Warwick

Circular Economy

Key areas:

Clothing swaps

Coffee cup

Fast fashion

Food waste bins

Single-use items

Technology

Uniform

Water fountains

Q:Can we add more water fountains on campus to reduce plastic waste?

A: We already have water fountains available across campus. You can find them all on the interactive campus mapLink opens in a new window — just click on 'Directory' and select 'Water Fountain.'

Q: Can we introduce coffee cup recycling?

A: The University has partnered with Biffa to launch a Coffee Cup Recycling Trial, which began at the end of January 2025. Read more hereLink opens in a new window

Q: Confusion around clear recycling rules - what is meant to go in each bin?

A: Information can be found here: https://warwick.ac.uk/sustainability/environment/gettinginvolved/a-z/Link opens in a new window

Q: Suggestion of staff and student clothing swaps

A: In the past we have run 'Swap Shops' in the SU which were not well attended. The SU now run a Swap Shop (Naomi Carter and Sasha King-Smith). The Arts Centre are also setting up monthly Swap Shops in Theatre Bar.

Q: Educate about fast fashion and the benefits of circular economy

A: Workshop series titled 'Becoming Circular' (https://warwick.ac.uk/sustainability/news-events/events/becomingcircular/Link opens in a new window) involved a session on Fast Fashion and Green Washing delivered by Jane Webb. Climate Literacy Training (https://warwick.ac.uk/sustainability/environment/climateliteracytraining/Link opens in a new window) also provides information on fast fashion in unit 3. Departments can request an 'Introduction to Circular Economy Session'.

Q: Uniform made out of recycled materials and uniform recycling

A: Many of our uniforms do include recycled materials (may need some exact info from Sam here) and from April 2025 we will start to collect uniforms and PPE for recycling.

Q: More sustainable use of technology and more sustainable asset disposal

A: Keep laptops in use for 4 years, after which the warranty will expire. Always dispose of old or unused assets through IT Services - IT Equipment Disposal to ensure that they are responsibly recycled through our partner Restore Ltd. Restore do refurbish devices for reuse, they are not just stripped for parts.

Q: Single-used items on campus

A: We encourage people where possible to use their own coffee cups, water bottles and food containers. You can save money by using your own containers. Eatwise outlets no longer offer single use cups and charge for takeaway food containers. We are looking at single use items on campus and are engaging with Biffa to audit and make a plan for reduction and elimination where possible.

Q: Introduce food waste bins on campus

A: New legislation is coming into place around food waste, so from the 31st of March all on campus accommodations will have food waste bins. More information can be found here: https://warwick.ac.uk/sustainability/environment/gettinginvolved/recyclingatresidences/foodLink opens in a new window

Biodiversity

Key areas:

Biodiversity

Bird feeders

Food growing areas

Green spaces management

Living walls

No Mow

Wildlife recording

Q: More opportunities for staff and students to be involved in green spaces management on campus.

A: We have previously run tree planting and coppicing sessions and continue to run monthly litter picks. We are hoping to continue to provide opportunities for staff and students to get involved on campus including Himalayan Balsam clearance.

Q: Increase the amount of biodiversity on campus.

A: Numerous projects have taken place to enhance campus for wildlife including hedge and tree planting, hedge laying, wildflower meadow creation, and bug hotel production. In addition, biodiversity is always considered, and implemented where possible, when managing the grounds and gardens.

Q: More bird feeders on campus

A: We work hard to ensure that there are lots of natural food sources for birds on our campus.

Q: More food growing areas

A: There is a student allotment society and a food growing group for staff and students at Gibbet Hill. There is also the Jam Grove at Westwood, which includes various fruit trees and plants, which staff and students are welcome to pick. Finally there are various fruit trees on campus including apple, walnut and blackberries. Mention about CCSG growing some of their own and using honey produced on campus. We could have a map of the campus 'Community Orchard'?

Q: More messy areas on campus. No Mow

A: We've taken part in Plant Life's No Mow May since 2020 and leave some areas unmown for longer.

Q: Encourage wildlife recording. Make data more visible.

A: We encourage people to record sightings on iNaturalist and to report them to sustainability@warwick. We also undertake numerous surveys throughout the year and staff/students can get involved. We are working to develop baselines but species sightings can be viewed on the iNaturalist UoW project page.

Q: Living walls

A: There are a couple – library and IMC. Consider for new builds.

Way to Sustainable: Our current strategy

Read our current strategy here, or check out our strategy on a page below.

Glossary of Key Sustainability Terms in the Way to Sustainable Strategy

UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs)

A set of 17 global goals established by the United Nations to tackle global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. These goals guide sustainability efforts.

Scope 1, 2, and 3 Emissions

Scope 1: Direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by the University, such as burning gas for heating.

Scope 2: Indirect emissions from energy bought by the University, such as electricity.

Scope 3: Emissions from sources not directly controlled by the University but which are a result of the University's operation, such as commuting, business travel, purchased goods, or waste.

Net Zero

Achieving a balance between the amount of greenhouse gases produced and the amount removed from the atmosphere. This can be achieved through emission reduction and/or offsetting.

Energy Networks

Systems that generate and distribute energy on campus to buildings, aimed at creating low-carbon energy systems. This includes renewable energy sources, energy storage, energy distribution and smart controls.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity is all the different kinds of life you’ll find in one area—the variety of animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms like bacteria that make up our natural world. Each of these species and organisms work together in ecosystems, like an intricate web, to maintain balance and support life. Biodiversity supports everything in nature that we need to survive: food, clean water, medicine, and shelter.

Biodiversity Net Gain

A commitment to improving biodiversity, ensuring that new developments result in a measurable improvement in the environment compared to its previous state.

Rewilding

The process of restoring land to its natural state to support biodiversity and improve ecosystems.

Circular Economy

A sustainable economic system focused on eliminating waste by reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling products for as long as possible.

Linear Economy

An unsustainable economic system focused on extracting resources, manufacturing products, using them and disposing of them.

BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC A Standards

BREEAM: A global sustainability rating system for buildings.

EPC A: An Energy Performance Certificate grade, with ‘A’ being the highest level of energy efficiency.

Interdisciplinary Research

Research that integrates methods, theories, and perspectives from multiple disciplines to address complex problems, such as climate change.

Living Lab

Using the campus as a real-world environment to test and implement sustainable practices, allowing for experimentation and innovation in areas such as energy use, transport, and biodiversity. This can include using existing data gathered from operations on campus for further study.

More information

Environmental sustainability in higher education focuses on reducing ecological impacts through practices such as energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable resource management. It encourages institutions to adopt green technologies, promote conservation, and integrate sustainability into curricula and research.

Social sustainability, on the other hand, emphasises equity, inclusivity, and community engagement. This involves fostering diverse and supportive learning environments, promoting social justice, and ensuring that educational opportunities are accessible to all. Together, these aspects aim to create a holistic approach to sustainability that prepares students to address complex global challenges.

If you would like to find out more about the work going on in environmental and social sustainability at the University, you can review the webpages below.

Education and research

Institute for Global Sustainable Development -IGSD
Global Sustainable Development -GSDLink opens in a new window
Living lab

Widening ParticipationLink opens in a new window

Operations and engagement

How You Can Take Part

We host listening rooms for smaller groups, such as societies and departments. Contact sustainability@warwick.ac.uk to learn more.

For any environmental sustainability related questions please contact sustainability@warwick.ac.uk.