Published: 1st May 2022
Area: Education
2 in 5 institutions are unconfident or don’t know whether they will meet their decarbonisation targets
Out of the UK’s 400+ universities and colleges, there are very few easy-to-find examples of carbon neutral campuses. Becoming a green campus is not just the responsibility of estates or sustainability managers; but instead should be a collaborative effort from every stakeholder and every team, at every level, across the institution.
We wanted to understand what challenges and barriers were stopping or stalling institutions from becoming a green campus and understand what – if any – influence sustainability of a campus had on prospective students.
%
What is a green campus?
Taking into consideration all the aspects that prospective students and institutions expect as part of a green campus, experts in education Shakespeare Martineau defines a green campus as
A green campus collects and reports on its energy consumption, is carbon neutral, limits or eliminates food, water and energy waste and only works with like-minded suppliers and partners. The institution works closely with the community, colleagues and students to educate, innovate and drive sustainable improvements, making a positive contribution to local biodiversity and the environment through research, course curriculum and proactive projects.
Key findings
- Just 1 in 10 institutions are ‘very confident’ they’ll meet the government-set carbon targets
- 77% of institutions state finance as a barrier from becoming a ‘green campus’ and almost a third (31%) blame a resistance to change within the institution
- 79% of prospective students want institutions to have clear strategies for climate change
- Yet with less than half (48%) of institutions agree that factoring climate change into decision making would be important to prospective students.
Sustainability is important to students
We asked 1,000 16 to 19-year-olds planning on applying to college of university how important sustainability is to them – comparing this to the answers of more than 130 HE and FE representatives shows a clear disconnect between want institutions think students want and what they actually desire.
Making real change
In the report we offer examples of best practice, signpost solutions and make calls to increase measurement and senior leadership accountability.
Why does this matter?
At Shakespeare Martineau we are experts in the education sector and – as a business working towards B-Corporation accreditation – we are committed to supporting our clients reach their net zero goals.
Smita Jamdar, head of education at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “Becoming a green campus and hitting sustainability targets is not something that can be achieved overnight. However, every institution, regardless of size, has measures within their remit that can help improve green credentials.
“What’s clear is that the solutions to becoming a green campus lies in cross-institutional activities, such as leadership and management, teaching and learning, research and innovation, and services and facilities. These will be challenging to co-ordinate and implement, but also offer a common, cohesive goal for the whole institution to work towards.
“We believe that transparency and collaboration between institutions and partners such as lenders, lawyers and consultants could be the key to unlocking potential in campuses across the UK.”
Our Education & Planning Experts
Download Our Green Campus Report Today
Our Education Services
Education
In the rapidly-changing world of higher and further education, we know how important it is to have access to experts who fully understand the challenges you are facing and who can support your goals both practically and ideologically.
Higher Education Law
We have built a high profile in the HE sector, working closely with sector bodies on key sector issues and being actively involved in helping to shape the “universities of the future” through thought leadership and through our presence on and contribution to sector commissions, such as the Higher Education Commission and the Skills Commission.
Further Education
As a full-service law firm with a focus on the education sector, we’re able to tailor our service offering to fit your needs. Our track record speaks for itself. We’re proud to have education as one of our firm’s longest standing key sectors, acting for over 100 further and higher education institutions.
Academies
We understand that what is important to you is that your pupils be the best they can be. Each school and group of schools have their own culture and ethos, and we work with you to get to know your institution and to support you in achieving your aims.