Sustainability Framework

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.

 

A collage of photos: University staff member standing by a tree, laughing students graduating, Old College, Staff working in an office, Estates team member with a hard hat onsite, researchers in a greenhouse, a community mural

Why do we need a Sustainability Framework?

The Sustainability Framework will support each School and Department to create and deliver their own Sustainability Action Plan, helping them to embed sustainability across their activities and areas of influence.

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 2030

Climate Strategy

Waste Strategy

Social and Civic Responsibility Plan

In 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. This legal obligation requires us to: 

  • set a target date for eliminating direct (scope 1) emissions 
  • reduce our indirect emissions (scope 2 & 3)
  • report how we will align our spending plans and use of resources to achieve our targets

Public sector leadership on the global climate emergency (external)

Sustainability reporting

Drive and monitor change

The 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 
  • report 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 innovation
  • Community engagement 

Development and next steps

The Framework has been refined and developed following two pilots projects, involving Schools from each of the University's three Colleges and a number of professional services departments.

Following the success of the pilots, the Sustainability Framework is now being offered to all University Schools and Departments.

Contact Jill Burnett to get your School or Department access to the Framework

Frequently Asked Questions

My 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 deliver 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 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 

Click here to view a PDF version of the Sustainability Framework:

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

Address

Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability
The Boilerhouse
High School Yards
Edinburgh
EH1 1LT

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