Sustainability Highlights Report 2022-23 

Introduction 

Sustainability is embedded in the University of Leeds ten year strategy 'Universal Values, Global Change', which is rooted in our desire to make a difference in the world. 

The strategy sets out our commitment to help shape a better future for humanity, working collaboratively to tackle inequalities, benefit society and drive change through delivery of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. 

This Sustainability Highlights Report provides an overview of some of the key activities and achievements delivered in the 2022-23 academic year both through our own actions as the Sustainability Service and by the many people across our community who strive to deliver a more sustainable University. We extend our sincere thanks to them for their efforts in making sustainability second nature at the University of Leeds. 

A further review of our environmental and social responsibilities can be found in the University’s integrated report and accounts (PDF, 5MB).  You can also explore our 2022-23 news and read our blog posts to find out more about our progress through the year. 

Materiality

The themes addressed in our sustainability reporting reflect the economic, environmental, social and cultural impacts of the University of Leeds and the issues and challenges where we know we can have the largest direct and indirect impact. 

Not all sustainability issues and opportunities have the same potential to create lasting and measurable change. That’s why our chosen material topics are those that have, or can create, a real difference, bringing about the most impact across the University and beyond, to local, national, and international communities. 

Our work is also guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and we review our material impact areas regularly, to ensure we stay relevant and able to make a significant difference.

The Sustainability Service plays a leading role in communicating our work across the University community and beyond.

Our approach to engagement continues to grow our sustainability community and we provide regular opportunities to interact meaningfully with our work. We do this by increasing awareness of sustainability throughout the university and facilitating routes for staff and students to engage with sustainability, both as individuals and with their teaching, studying and research.

We find ways to connect our community members and help to enable collaboration within and outside the University, as well as helping to embed sustainability throughout our core ways of working.  

We continue to work in partnership and collaboration with partners across the city, increasingly focused through the Net Zero City climate principle, for example through our leadership in chairing the Leeds Anchors Network Climate Subgroup.

This year we coordinated a programme of sustainability events including our Sustainability Celebration, Student Sustainability Research Conference and regular collaborative events. 

We also delivered a broad reaching sustainability engagement programme through University and LUU events including Welcome Induction and Transition, Fresh Start Festival and LUU’s Climate Week, as well as through our Blueprint, Staff Sustainability Architect, Sustainable Labs and Sustainable Curriculum programmes.

Figures and headlines

• 3 new Blueprint plans approved 
• Sustainable Labs Resource Hub launched 
• 4 Bronze, 6 Silver and 3 Gold LEAF Certificates awarded 
• 2 Sustainability Interns 
• 26 Student Sustainability Architects
• Leeds University Network for Sustainability in Higher Education (LUNSHE) launched   
• 341 sustainability-related modules 
• 1 new MSc Climate Futures course approved 
• Sustainability community of 54,965 website users (up 19%) and 11,871 social media followers (up 15%) 

Student Sustainability Internships

Within the Sustainability Service, our annual internship opportunities allow students to gain experience in sustainability during their time at Leeds. This year, two Sustainability Interns supported across the Service’s communications and engagement approach, scope 3 emissions calculations, and Blueprint and plastics programmes. One of the interns also led a workshop at the Fair Trade International Symposium (FTIS 2023). 

Sustainable Curriculum 

The Sustainable Curriculum programme commits to providing our students with the knowledge and skills they need to have a positive impact in the world and to contribute solutions in our local community, and globally, in an equitable and just way.  

The Leeds Institute for Teaching Excellence funded 'Redefining sustainability, climate change and equality in the curriculum' research fellowship was initiated, encompassing a literature review, interviews with staff across the University and the development of case studies. Knowledge gathered through this will be used to inform our approach moving forwards.  

In May 2023, a community of practice group – Leeds University Network for Sustainability in Higher Education (LUNSHE) - was launched as a platform for peer learning, debate and sharing models for embedding sustainability into curricular and co-curricular learning. 

 Some further highlights from this year include: 

• Our level one Sustainable Futures discovery elective module has been refreshed and is widely available to students. 
• A new MSc Climate Futures has been developed with the first cohort starting in September 2023.  
• A series of ‘how might we guides’ have been made available to staff to support professional development and understanding of education for Sustainable Development.  
• The Sustainability Service continued to support the curriculum through guest lectures for modules such as Urban Ecology Field Course (BLGY2265) and Managing Biodiversity (SOEE2690). 

The University’s leadership in Education for Sustainable Development has been further evidenced through sector and regional events and fora, including: 

• Hosting the Fair Trade International Symposium (FTIS 2023), this included workshops on Education for Sustainable Development, Engaging with Young People, and Decolonisation. 
• Convening the EAUC Living Labs Community of Practice.
• Active participation at conferences such as the Advance HE Learning & Teaching conference on the Sustainable Curriculum principle.   

Living Labs 

The University of Leeds Living Lab programme tackles real-world sustainability challenges through research and action. The approach is designed to enhance the University's commitment to embed sustainability through knowledge, engagement, collaboration, and innovation.  

By bringing together students, staff, and city partners, Leeds Living Labs serves as a testbed for sustainable solutions, enhances the curriculum, and addresses local and global challenges at a range of scales through several different delivery models. Living Lab projects this year included the Platinum Jubilee Challenge winning mini-meadows project, led by Seb Stroud, a University PhD student, as well as Gair Wood. 

At Leeds we take our responsibility for the environment seriously and the Sustainability Service plays a key role in how we do this in a collaborative way, both internally with our University community and externally through partnership and engagement.

We ensure compliance with legislation and regulation whilst driving continual improvement across resource efficiency, sustainable procurement and construction practice. We provide strategic leadership for the University’s ambitious Net Zero commitment and play a principal role in driving sustainable travel. 

Figures and Headlines 

• EMS ISO 14001:2015 standard maintained 
• 145 pieces of environmental legislation reviewed 
• The University signed the Yorkshire & Humber Climate Action Pledge  
• Gold Hedgehog Friendly Campus achieved  
• 2 biodiversity site surveys completed (Campus and Farm) 
• 65,000 trees planted at Gair Wood, plus 10 at residences and 10 on campus 
• Around 170 metres of hedgerow planted (50 metres for campus, 120 metres for residences) 
• 6 Wild Work Days with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, producing 92 volunteer days of work around Leeds and the Aire Valley catchment 
• 81 iNaturalist observations identifying 43 species 
• 1993 Bike Hub visits 
• 713 bikes hired through the Bike Hub (including renewals) 
• 2272 bike spaces 
• 130 staff used the Cycle to Work scheme 
• 49% of waste recycled

2022-23 Emissions Data 

All Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions are represented as carbon dioxide equivalent (tonnes) in the following lists.

Scope 1 emissions (direct)

Scope 2 emissions (indirect)

Scope 3 emissions (indirect)

Note: Prior to 2022/23, emissions from Downstream Leased Assets (Category 13) were included within our Scope 1 and 2 emissions. Starting from 2022/23, these emissions are now reported separately under Scope 3 following the adoption of the GHG Protocol framework.

Total emissions

Progress towards Net Zero 

Delivering Net Zero is one of the seven principles of the University’s Climate Plan, and includes the target of reaching net zero emissions by 2030.  

Significant work was undertaken during 2022-23 to mobilise the delivery of the Pathway to Net Zer0 (PDF, 20MB). As well as putting in place the appropriate governance and working groups to deliver the net zero programme, this included: 

• Completing feasibility studies across 21 buildings on campus to identify the most effective building and energy infrastructure work to deliver net zero by 2030 
• Installing low energy lighting across University residences 
• Completing a Climate Change Risk Assessment and Resilience Review to assess the potential impact of climate change on the University campus. 
• Commencing a geothermal energy study to explore the viability of subsurface energy to contribute towards heating our estate 
• Planting more than 60,000 trees at Gair Wood, with benefits for research, teaching, biodiversity and carbon. 

Further information on progress towards net zero emissions can be found on the Climate Plan reporting page and in the Climate Plan Annual Progress Review.  

Environmental Management 

Our Environmental Management System (EMS) is certified to the internationally recognised standard ISO 14001:2015, and audited annually. This year’s 3-day audit found no non-conformities, and only 3 observations.   

Our EMS exists to ensure we meet all relevant environmental legislation, protect the environment and continually improve to enhance our environmental performance, in line with our Environmental Policy. As part of this we monitored 145 pieces of legislation and checked compliance with 50 pieces containing obligations for the University.  

In 2022-23 we redeveloped our EMS introductory training module, available to all staff and students, ready for relaunch in 2023.  

Sustainable Travel  

Our Sustainable Travel commitments and approach are outlined in our Climate Plan. In 2022-23, we continued to track emissions from commuting and business travel whilst exploring opportunities and developing plans for future interventions to reduce travel emissions. This included publishing Interim Business Travel Guidance and laying the foundations for several projects that will take place in 2023-24, such as upgrading our EV infrastructure on campus.  

Work to support active commuting and cycling has also been ongoing. The Bike Hub saw an increase in the number of bikes hired, and ran regular bike maintenance sessions throughout the year.  

Sustainable Procurement 

Our Sustainable Procurement Standard was updated in December 2022. We also began developing a Sustainable Procurement Toolkit.  

 Improving measurement of supply chain emissions is a priority area. Our work in 2022-23 focused on exploring options to address this, including selecting a net zero carbon supplier tool, which we will pilot from 2024. Further information can be found on the Climate Plan reporting page.  

Fairtrade

Having been a Fairtrade University since 2005, we have continued to support and promote Fairtrade in 2022-23 as set out in our Fairtrade Policy (PDF, 200KB). Our two-star Fairtrade University status recognises the broad range of activities undertaken within the University, embedding ethical and sustainable practices through our curriculum, procurement, research and campaigns. 

In March 2023, guided by our cross-University Fairtrade Steering Group, we hosted a series of events and utilised online communications to support the Fairtrade Fortnight 2023 campaign, sharing the message that making the small switch to Fairtrade supports producers in protecting the future of some of our most-loved food and the planet. To inform our work on Fairtrade, we conducted a student survey in April 2023 to identify the current perceptions, opinions, and knowledge of students when it comes to Fairtrade.  

The University of Leeds had the honour of hosting the Fair Trade International Symposium in June 2023, providing the chance for various colleagues and students from the University to engage with leading global scholars, practitioners and policy makers working on fair trade globally. 

Biodiversity 

Our Biodiversity Standard and action plan provides a framework for our approach in managing biodiversity. In 2022-23 our Biodiversity programme of work continued to focus on embedding biodiversity into all our campus works, using our campus as a living lab, and creating welcoming spaces that supports improved wellbeing and health.  

A comprehensive UKHab habitat survey was commissioned and completed for the city campus and the University farm. In the next year we will survey the rest of the University estate allowing us to baseline and determine our targets for the next five and ten years.  

The Residential Services team continue to drive sustainability through their work. Biodiversity highlights include the North Hill Well Wood project where three staff and student volunteer events were held producing 37 volunteer days of work. More information on their great progress can be found in the Residential Service Annual Sustainability Report.   

Peregrine falcons have been nesting intermittently on the Parkinson Tower since 2018. In March 2023, four Peregrine eggs were laid but unfortunately none of the eggs hatched. We suspect this was due to a late frost.  

As part of our ongoing efforts to protect urban biodiversity on campus, we have reviewed all the bird netting on our buildings and established a new maintenance programme where netting is a last resort. Additionally, we have tested a new bird-proofing system as an alternative to netting, developed by Symterra and called "Flock Off". This system eliminates the need for netting by creating an invisible electromagnetic field around the roof that harmlessly deters birds from landing. In line with our goal to be leaders in this field, we are the first UK university to trial this innovative approach and look forward to sharing our journey with others.

The Sustainability Service aims to engage and work directly with our students, staff and our local communities to build and enhance the University’s social impact.

Our focus is on facilitating projects and partnerships which contribute to a more sustainable and Net Zero City through community engaged research, student education and civic engagement activities.

The cornerstone of this work is addressing the social and environmental sustainability impact of high concentrations of students in neighbouring communities and working with them to ensure that our communities are more resilient and cohesive places to live, work and study for all residents.  

Figures and Headlines 

• 192 student households provided with citizenship training, guidance and support 
• 41 tonnes of 'valuable goods' intercepted and donated to local people in need 
• 40% reduction in calls to the noise service and a 70% improvement in noise service response times 
• Educational Engagement worked with approximately 718 schools nationwide 
• 187 community, voluntary and third sector organisations actively engaged through the Volunteering Hub 
• 323 volunteering opportunities advertised through the Volunteering hub 
• 5958 students engaged at the Volunteering hub  
• 3213 volunteering applications made by 1533 students 
• 105 students involved with placements with local schools through Students into School modules.   
• £24,168 allocated to 9 student projects through the Student Ideas Fund 

Student Citizenship 

The University has a strategic commitment to work with our students and the local community to support student integration and enhance community cohesion. We developed our student citizenship programme with stakeholder input to educate and guide our students on independent living, create positive benefits for the community, and minimize negative effects.  

Our Welcome to Leeds initiative at the start of the year saw Community Ambassadors door knocking in areas popular with students, sharing useful information and guidance on living responsibly and sustainably in private accommodation.  

Residential Services, with support from the Sustainability Service, ran the Halls to Homes programme of training for students moving out of University residences into private accommodation to prepare them for the increased independence and responsibilities of running a household. 

Working in collaboration with Leeds City Council, Leeds Beckett and Unipol, this year’s Moving Out campaign targeted reduction in waste, improvement in waste collection speed and cleanliness of local streets at student tenancy changeover. The University’s direct contribution has been the funding and delivery of student engagement and collections of students unwanted items for the benefit of communities. These items are passed on to charities and through our community freeshops.  

Community projects 

Community projects provide opportunities for students to enhance their skills through volunteering whilst positively contributing to the communities where they live, work and study . Collaborating with diverse community partners ensures our work meets the needs of the wider Leeds community, addressing their sustainability challenges and opportunities. 

Some highlights from this year include: 

• Working with Brudenell Primary School to clear and redesign an area of their outdoor space into a forest garden designed collaboratively with students at the school.  
• A Community Mural competition, enabling winning artists to create 2 community murals in areas across the city.  
• Running monthly litter picks on Woodhouse Moor and the surrounding streets, aimed at improving the environment for both people and wildlife, contributing to the local community and meeting new like-minded people. 

Positive Impact Partners 

Positive Impact Partners (PIP) is the University of Leeds gateway to connect third sector and civic partners with our staff and students, to network, share knowledge and experiences, and form new partnerships in support of a sustainable and net zero city. 

PIP brings together students, academic and professional staff and community partners and is rooted in the knowledge that there is mutual benefit to be gained from the partnerships that are formed.  

The partnerships that are created through PIP aim to support a net zero city through focusing on land use, circular economy, energy justice, climate justice and other environmental issues. It also includes projects that focus on climate adaptation, and knowledge sharing workshops that disseminate information and best practice regarding university-community partnership.  

In 2022-23 we focused on reviewing our programme design and aligning it to the Net Zero City principle of the Climate Plan, fostering relationships with community organisations, and increasing our internal capacity to support this work. The PIP Programme now has a dedicated team in place, funded through the Net Zero City principle of the Climate Plan. With this resource, we aim to enhance community engagement, create partnerships, foster civic collaboration, provide student opportunities, and integrate programmes across the university.