Governance and policies

Operational sustainability 

The Sustainability Governance Board (formerly the Carbon Management Program Board) was formed in 2011, to oversee the drafting and implementation of the Carbon Management Plan. The board now oversees all elements of strategic and operational sustainability, such as:

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

The board is chaired by Sue McHugh, Director of Campus Development, pictured here. It meets quarterly, and includes senior representation from across the university and the Students’ Union.

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, and representatives are invited to join the Sustainability Governance Board to input into sustainability decision making.

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.

A Student representative sits on the Sustainability Governance Board, the university’s main sustainability decision-making group.

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.

Additionally, student representatives sit on all Campus Management Groups, which discuss all matters relating to campus developments.

Action network 

The Sustainability Action Network (SAN) is a campus-specific forum open to all staff and students, in which they can come together to share ideas and bring about change to their local environments through grassroots action.

The university’s Environment team facilitates interested staff or students to set up Sustainability Action Networks, which are then coordinated locally by those involved.

There is a £250 annual budget to support each SAN, which can be used to develop and deliver an activity on campus. In September 2018 the Moulsecoomb SAN, Green Moulsecoomb, launched a campus wide tea-towel reuse system to reduce use of paper towels which are not recyclable.

Minutes from staff and students in active Sustainability Action Network groups are reported to the university’s Environment Team, and to the relevant Campus Management Group.

Ethical investment 

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

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.

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

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

Staff and students are able to engage with and suggest amendments to the policy via a number of channels outlined in our policy.

Sustainable procurement 

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

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