Environmental Science and Policy

bird's-eye-view of a forest

The University of Bedfordshire relaunched its Sustainability Strategy in 2022, in order to deliver the Key Goal of 'Sustainability' in the University’s 'Transforming Bedfordshire strategy'.

The University is based at two main campuses in Luton and Bedford with satellite sites at Putteridge Bury, Aylesbury and Milton Keynes. The University recognises that all of its academic and associated activities have impacts on the environment at local, national and global levels. As such the University is fully committed to minimising these impacts as far as is practicable and seeks the support of all its students, staff and other stakeholders to contribute to achieving environmental excellence.

The University Sustainability Strategy commits us to:

  • Promote education for Sustainable Development through the curriculum
  • Maintain an Environmental Management System that is certified to Eco-Campus
  • Hold regular Sustainability Steering Group meetings chaired by a member of VCEG
  • Reduce carbon emissions through investment in low-carbon technologies
  • Increase the environmental awareness of students, staff and visitors to the University
  • Protect the environment, including prevention of pollution and continual improvement of environmental performance and the Environmental Management System
  • Use water more efficiently and reduce the volumes of water used on campus
  • Fulfill compliance obligations and codes of practice for academic institutions
  • Avoid disposing of the University’s waste by landfill
  • Aim to achieve a BREEAM level of excellent in all new campus buildings
  • Maintain Fairtrade University status and increase the range and sales of Fairtrade goods
  • Encourage the use of sustainable forms of transport by students and staff
  • Increase the Biodiversity of the University’s campuses and surrounding areas
  • Minimise nuisance to local communities and neighbours
  • Use natural resources efficiently and responsibly

In order to deliver the above, the University of Bedfordshire will hold regular Sustainability Steering Group meetings chaired by the Pro-Vice Chancellor, Innovation and Research Professor Andrew Church

This environment policy is reviewed and approved annually by the Vice Chancellor’s Executive Group, and communicated via the staff and student intranet. It is also publicly available via the University’s Document Repository Search (use the search term 'environment').

Green Impact Students' Unions 2022-23 Fair Trade logo We are A Fair Trade University 2019 Eco Campus Platinum Award for Environmental Management SystemPeople and Planet 1st award class 2021 - 2022 University League