The report showcases the University’s sustainability achievements during the last academic year, outlining how the University is contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and highlighting the tremendous success achieved in cutting our carbon emissions by 50%, surpassing our target of 29%.
Michael Fitzpatrick, Director of Estates, said:
“Over the last 15 years, the university has continued to diversify and lead in terms of sustainability, with many targets and successes achieved.
“We are very proud in exceeding our carbon reduction target and this gives us a strong basis on which to launch our new climate strategy which is currently being devised.”
The University has embraced many new activities and challenges in 2019-20. These include biodiversity initiatives, such as tree and bulb planting with staff and students, the introduction of our Sustainability Smart engagement programme, the launch of the new North West Travel Plan and the widening of our understanding and engagement around ‘Education for Sustainable Development’.
Professor Ian Montgomery, Director Brexit and Sustainability, added:
“Ulster University is highly committed to creating a culture of sustainable development and we want to build and further expand upon our sustainability activities and achievements outlined in the Annual Sustainability Report for 2019-20”.
Other sustainability highlights during the year included: reaching the finals of the Education Ireland Awards for Best Green Campus, achieving ‘Gold’ accreditation in the Northern Ireland Benchmarking Survey and being ranked as one of the top Universities for the 2020 NUS Global Goals Teach-In.
Read the Annual Sustainability report 2019-20.