Regenerative Sustainability Delivery Board

A Regenerative Sustainability Delivery Board (‘the Delivery Board’) will oversee the implementation of the Regenerative Sustainability strategy, monitoring and evaluating progress towards embedding sustainability in our operations, learning and teaching, research, enterprise and commercialisation, partnerships, people and culture.

The remit of the Delivery Board is to: 

• Be accountable for the collective delivery of the Regenerative Sustainability strategy and the Implementation Plan, including executive direction of any sub-groups formed by the Delivery Board.
• Manage the central University strategic fund for climate and sustainability.
• Provide strategic leadership in embedding climate and sustainability across all aspects of University life.
• Oversee the development of a consistent and effective narrative on climate action across the University.

The definition of climate and sustainability can be assumed to include but is not limited to: building design and public realm, energy, waste, biodiversity, water use, land transport, IT and purchasing, international travel and aviation as well as integration into learning and teaching, innovation and commercialisation.

The Delivery Board is not responsible for overseeing the Carbon Sequestration Forest and Peatland Programme, or any policies/procedures relating solely to the University’s community engagement or social impact, without an environmental sustainability element.

The Delivery Board will report into the University Executive annually. It will also make whatever recommendations to the University Executive it deems appropriate on any area within its remit where action or improvement is needed. The Delivery Board will receive reports from the workstreams identified in the Regenerative Sustainability strategy, and/or any sub-groups it decides to establish.

The Delivery Board should meet at least three times a year and as required.

• On behalf of the University Executive, assume primary responsibility for ensuring that progress towards targets is on track for the successful delivery of the Regenerative Sustainability strategy.
• Approve and provide oversight for the Regenerative Sustainability implementation plan.
• Identify material climate and nature-related risks and ensure that these are appropriately captured in the University’s risk profile and risk management framework.
• Monitor and evaluate operational and reputational risks, and report to the University Executive on any risks to the Strategy’s delivery.
• Working with Governance and Strategic Planning, advise on, and recommend for approval by the University Executive, appropriate strategic goals, short- and long-term science-based targets, and key metrics (this includes regular review of the Implementation Plan).
• Assess and communicate outcomes and lessons learned from the Regenerative Sustainability strategy’s implementation, two-way between the Delivery Board and wider University.
• Oversee the deployment and control of a strategic fund for climate and sustainability.
• Oversee the development of a consistent and effective narrative on climate action across the University.
• Evaluate the extent and effectiveness of external reporting on sustainability performance and participation in external benchmarking indices.
• Liaise as necessary with other University Executive committees, ensuring the interaction between committees and with the University Executive is reviewed regularly.
• Ensure that activities align with the University’s Strategy 2030, values and objectives.

The table below sets out the proposed membership of the Delivery Board.