Governance and policies

Sustainability is one of the University of Brighton’s four core values, as outlined in the University Strategy 2019–2025.

The university recognises and values the critical importance sustainability has for the future of our students, staff, partners and community. Whether it’s through environmentally sustainable campuses and practices, a strong and protected financial position or the long-lasting knowledge and support we give our students and staff – sustainability will be highly valued, underpinning the decisions we make and the activities we do, now and in the future.

To ensure continual progress towards our sustainability goals, the university has in place a formal sustainability governance structure, with comprehensive policies, strategies and action plans as outlined below.

Our mission and values - strategy document

Governance structure

Operational sustainability

The Global Challenges Strategic Oversight Group oversees the drafting and implementation of the University's operational sustainability work such as:

energy
water
waste
sustainable food
sustainable procurement
staff and student engagement.

Trade unions

The university works with the following trades union representatives on sustainability issues that impact on students and staff.

UCU
Unison

The university is keen to encourage involvement from trade unions in contributing to the development of a sustainable working environment.

Student representation

Students are represented by the University of Brighton Students’ Union on all university committees relating to sustainability, including: estates, planning, finance, and resource allocation.

The Students’ Union President and Students’ Union Chair of Council are also members of the Board of Governors, which oversees resource allocation and finance at the university.

Policies, strategies and action plans

To ensure that sustainability is truly embedded throughout all our practices, the university has developed a number of policies and strategies which cover a range of working areas across the organisation.

Additionally, several policies and strategies are currently being developed to strengthen our sustainability goals, including net zero aspirations, as outlined below.

Sustainability and Environmental Policy Statement 2022–25
Ethical Investment Policy
Ethical Investment Statement 2022
The Carbon Management Plan and plans for reaching net-zero are currently under development. View the previous Carbon Management Plan 2017–2020.
The university is developing a new People and Nature Strategy with the School of Applied Sciences, due for completion July 2022. View the previous biodiversity plans: Biodiversity Action Plan 2009 and Watts Bank Management Plan 2013.

The university’s travel strategies and plans are being updated in 2022 and 2023. View the current plans:

Other sustainability policies and strategies:

Investment and procurement

Ethical investment

We are fully committed to being socially and environmentally responsible in our investments, as is outlined in our Ethical Investment Policy (pdf). View the Ethical Investment Statement 2022.

We therefore do not invest in companies or funds directly involved in:

the production of landmines, cluster bombs, nuclear and conventional weapons
tobacco manufacture, alcohol, pornography, gambling
support of oppressive regimes
anti-social sales and marketing practices relating to alcohol and tobacco
or violations of international conventions and norms in the areas of human rights, employment practices and climate change.

We also declare that:

we currently hold no direct investments in extractor fossil fuel companies
we will never directly invest in these companies.

The policy is reported on annually to the Board of Governors, Finance and Employment Committee and Audit Committee.

We also publish publicly a list of sectors in which we invest, to ensure transparency to staff, students and the public.

Sustainable procurement

The university has a number of policies in place to ensure that sustainable procurement is embedded across the university's purchasing practices, including:

all copier and printer paper should be recycled
staff should check the online reuse portal Warp-it prior to purchasing new furniture
the sustainability credentials of stationery should be considered when purchased
all uniforms bought for university staff should be made using Fairtrade cotton.

The university is also a member of the Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium (SUPC), which is affiliated to Electronics Watch. Electronics Watch inform, organise, investigate and influence public procurement demand for decent working conditions in electronics supply chains.