The Sustainability Framework will support University Schools and Departments to take practical action to embed social and environmental sustainability across their day-to-day activities. Why do we need a Sustainability Framework?The University has committed to reach net zero carbon by 2040, and become zero waste. Feedback from colleagues and students across the University indicates strong support for sustainability and social impact activities, and many are already leading sustainability projects. The size and complexity of our University, with 21 schools and over 90 non-academic departments and services, demands coordination and clear guidance to ensure we meet our ambitious targets.That's why we've launched a Framework to help embed sustainability across the University. The Sustainability Framework enables each School and Department to create, implement and report on their own Sustainability Action Plan. The Framework also offers a community for sustainability practitioners from across the University to share best practice and advice.The Framework has been designed to support the delivery of the University's Climate Strategy, Strategy 2030 and the Social and Civic Responsibility plan.Strategy 2030Climate StrategyWaste StrategySocial and Civic Responsibility PlanIn addition to our moral, social and civic responsibility to act on climate and sustainability challenges, we have a statutory duty under Section 44 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act to set out how we will reduce emissions and report on our progress. Public sector leadership on the global climate emergency (external)Sustainability reportingDrive and monitor changeThe Framework is intended to be used by senior leadership to drive and monitor our transition towards a sustainable University. It creates a standard for everyone to work to and is structured to allow continuous progression.Staff will be able to input their School or Department's data via a digital platform, which will:identify where each Department/School can deliver the greatest impact across six key areas (see below),create a bespoke action plan, designed to align with each School and Department's priorities and commitments,guide the implementation and delivery of this action plan, andreport against progress and evaluate. This will provide a consistent, ambitious standard and create an evidence base to help us deliver our climate and sustainability commitments across six key areas. These are: Leadership and governance Operations Student curriculum and experience Student and staff engagement Research and partnershipsCommunity engagementHow can I get involved?The Sustainability Framework is now being offered to all University Schools and Departments. The following Schools and Departments have adopted the Framework and created their sustainability action plans: College of Art, Humanities and Social Sciences:Business SchoolSchool of DivinityEdinburgh College of ArtCollege of Medicine and Veterinary MedicineInstitute for Regeneration and RepairInstitute for Neuroscience and Cardiovascular ResearchCollege of Science and EngineeringSchool of ChemistrySchool of MathematicsCorporate Services GroupFinanceInformation Services GroupHeritage CollectionsUniversity Secretaries GroupCommunications and MarketingEdinburgh Global: Student and Work Away ServiceContact Jill Burnett to get your School or Department access to the FrameworkFrequently Asked QuestionsMy School or Department already has a sustainability plan, do we need to use the Framework too? Using the Sustainability Framework will help to ensure that your actions and progress on sustainability is recognised by the University. It may help you to consider a wider range of sustainability activities or solutions already in place, and it will signpost you to the most up-to-date resources and initiatives. Who is responsible for overseeing the delivery of the Framework in my School or Department? We recommend that each School / Department nominate a senior sponsor and an action plan coordinator. Your School or Department will have access to support from the Department for Social Responsibility in the delivery of its Sustainability Action Plan. Is the Sustainability Framework compulsory? No, but we strongly encourage all Schools and Departments to adopt the Sustainability Framework, which is designed to help you report progress consistently and effectively.How do I access reporting on the Sustainability Framework? The Department for Social Responsbility and Sustainability will prepare an annual progress report which will be accessible via this webpage. Are other universities using a similar tool or framework? Yes, there are other institutions across the UK using a similar version of the tool, including the University of Cambridge, Bristol, Leicester and The Open University.Find out more Read Jill Burnett's blog about the Sustainability FrameworkBlog: From commitments to sustainability action plans [EASE required] Click here to view a PDF version of the Sustainability Framework: Document Sustainability Framework PDF (327.72 KB / PDF) If you would like to find out more please contact the Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability. General enquiries Social Responsibility and Sustainability Contact details Social media: @edsust Work: +44 (0)131 651 3000 Email: SRS.Department@ed.ac.uk This article was published on 2024-10-01