UWE Bristol has joined organisations across the world in declaring a climate and ecological emergency.
The decision was formally announced by UWE Bristol's Board of Governors on Monday 3 February.
By declaring a climate and ecological emergency, the University recognises the impact global warming has on the environment and society and equally recognises that nature is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history.
UWE Bristol therefore pledges to redouble our efforts to provide leadership and commitment to enable our organisation to:
Become carbon neutral by 2030
Enhance actions addressing biodiversity loss
Support staff and students to become climate resilient
Achieve the commitments set out in Strategy 2030 to deliver the UN's Sustainable Development Goals
Professor James Longhurst, Assistant Vice-Chancellor Environment and Sustainability, said: "I am delighted and proud that the University has declared a climate and ecological emergency, joining many of our partner organisations and business throughout the city region, the UK and across the world. We are already undertaking a range of projects to make UWE Bristol carbon neutral by 2030 and acting to enhance biodiversity on our estate. By declaring this emergency the University reinforces its commitment to address two of the most pressing issues facing the globe."
The University's current actions to address the climate and environmental emergency include:
Purchasing renewably generated electricity
On site PV (solar power) generation
Direct purchase of renewably generated electricity from wind farms in Wales and Scotland
New Combined Heat and Power station and heat network providing low-carbon heating and electricity to the Frenchay campus, saving 650 tonnes carbon dioxide per year
Electric vehicles making up over one third of the University fleet
Enhancing biodiversity on the estate through meadowscaping, the Beeline and hedgehog preservation projects
Mapping the contribution of our programmes of study and research contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals