Priority 6: Future proofing the University

Sustaining and enhancing the wellbeing of people, places and the planet are amongst the most important challenges we face today. Our final priority is to become the exemplar in UK higher education for our regional championing of environmental awareness. Across all our campuses, our unwavering commitment to sustainability, health, and wellbeing will become the benchmark for the UK university community.

To achieve this, we’ll:

• Prioritise the health and wellbeing of every student, colleague, and community we serve. We’ll create healthy spaces to support and promote mental, physical, social, and ecological wellbeing for all.
• Take a ‘whole university’ approach to cultural and behavioural change in all areas and at every level of our work.
• Minimise our consumption of our planet’s precious resources by putting sustainability at the heart of everything we do.
• Use sustainable, healthy design and technologies across our estate, creating greener spaces so our students and staff can enjoy nature and adopt healthier lifestyles.
• Wherever possible, use sustainable local suppliers, carefully considering sustainable procurement and the provenance of supply chains.
• Help graduates understand sustainability in the context of their chosen academic and professional fields so they can create better solutions, and a better future for all of us.
• Encourage more sports, and other activities, to inspire healthy choices, lifestyles, and pride in local communities.