Launch of the University’s Sustainability Strategy: ‘net zero carbon and biodiversity net gain by 2035’

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Launch of the University’s Sustainability Strategy: ‘net zero carbon and biodiversity net gain by 2035’

Date posted: 12 April 2021

 

The University’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy has become policy, following recent approval by the University Council. The key goals of the strategy are to “achieve net zero carbon and biodiversity net gain by 2035”. Funding will be supplied via the Oxford Sustainability fund, whose sources will include “[existing] sources of sustainability funding” and “ [a] sustainability charge on business flights”.

The strategy is composed of ten priority areas, which are research, curriculum, carbon emissions from energy consumption on the University estate, biodiversity, sustainable food, sustainable resource use, international travel, local travel, investments and learning from the pandemic. It contains concrete commitments in all areas, as well as four enablers which are governance, reporting, funding, and offsetting.

The report states that 'The University of Oxford is committed to leading the way on environmental sustainability through its research and teaching. This strategy extends that commitment to our operational impact, our supply chain, our investments, our daily working lives. Our aspiration is that staff, students and stakeholders will embrace the strategy in all aspects of University life.'

The University will establish a new Oxford Sustainability Fund, which makes £200 million available for sustainability initiatives

 

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