Our sustainability targets are ambitious and wide-ranging. Read about them in our regenerative sustainability strategy, or find out about our performance in our annual reports. Read our regenerative sustainability strategy The University of Edinburgh is working to become an environmentally regenerative university. From the energy we use to the emissions from student travel to study here, we will be carbon net negative, nature net-positive and circular in our resource use. Our Regenerative Sustainability Strategy charts a pathway: Beyond an operational focus alone, to encompass our research and innovation, learning and teaching, and our people and culture; Beyond carbon targets to an interconnected response to the environmental polycrisis of climate change, nature loss, chemical pollution and resource depletion; and Beyond sustainability as damage limitation, to the forefront of sustainability leadership and best practice. We will follow a 1.5°C aligned decarbonisation pathway for all three scopes, achieving net zero carbon by 2040. Our previous climate strategy, Zero by 2040, set out the following objectives:We will reduce our emissions of carbon per £ million turnover by 50% from a 2007/8 baseline year by 2025 (achieved)We will return our carbon emissions to 2007/08 baseline year levels by 2025 (achieved)We will become a net zero carbon university by 2040 Sustainability data Our dashboard shows our progress towards key targets.For a full breakdown for previous years, visit 'our performance' pages. Our performance Progress in previous years. Awards & recognition We were proud to be recognised as the most sustainable university in Europe in the 2023 QS rankings.In 2024, we are 3rd in the UK, 6th in Europe and 15th globally out of a total 1,397 institutions. Committees and governance We are transparent about decision-making and oversight. See who sits on our committees and read meeting notes. Policy commitments Sustainability guidance, frameworks, policies, plans and strategies. These include our Sustainable Travel Policy, Good Food Policy and Responsible Investment Policy. Ethical compliance Oversight on ethical matters across the institution is shared across several University departments covering academic research, learning and teaching, operations and investments. Student representation and governance A strong student voice in decision making is important to progress climate, sustainability and social responsibility here at the University of Edinburgh. This article was published on 2024-10-01
