Sustainability and Social Responsibility

Policy and Strategy Framework 

As part of its commitment to Sustainability and Social Responsibility, the University has produced a series of inter-linked sustainability policies. These are currently available via the 'policies' page of the University's Environment Office website and include a Sustainability and Social Responsibility Policy which outlines the range of issues the University considers the wider sustainability agenda to include, as well as an Environmental Policy and specific sub-policies in areas such as 

Advisory Group on Sustainability and Social Responsibility

The main body for overseeing these matters is the Advisory Group on Sustainability and Social Responsibility (AGSSR). The AGSSR was initially established as the Environmental Forum in March 2007. It became the Corporate Social Responsibility Steering Group in December 2007 to reflect the importance of social responsibility issues as well as environmental matters.

The latest evolution of the group reflects the emergence of 'sustainability and social responsibility' as the preferred terminology across institutional policy and in the latest version of the University's Strategic Plan. 

The AGSSR is chaired by the University Secretary and includes colleagues from across the University. Representatives from Estates, Finance, Human Resources, Campus Services, IT, Communications, PPG and the three Colleges are joined by our  Environment Office team, a Trades Union representative, our Student President and the non sabbatical Ethics and Environment student convener.

The AGSSR meets every 2 months and discusses issues across the full spectrum of sustainability issues.

Sector Initiatives

The University of Aberdeen is an active member of the Environmental Asscoiation for Universities and Colleges (EAUC) and a supporter of its activities in Scotland. 

We were, therefore, delighted to be an early signatory of EAUC Scotland's Universities and Colleges Climate Commitment for Scotland (UCCCfS). 

As part of our commitment, we signed the UCCCfS declaration and submitted a Carbon Management Plan (produced in association with the Carbon Trust) as our contribution to this important sector-wide initiative.

We were also pleased to have participated in the Universities that Count (UTC) benchmarking index, launched nationally in 2008/09. The UTC process attempted to gauge institutional performance across all aspects of sustainability.

In the second year of this national exercise we secured a 'Silver' award in the full index. We are currently investigating the successor initiative to UTC Learning in Future Environments and welcome the development of a more tailored approach for Higher Education. 

Collaborative Initiatives

As well as sector initiatives, the University has been pleased to engage in local cross-sector initiatives. The North East Scotland Climate Change Partnership (NESCCP) is an amalgam of public and private sector organisations coming together to discuss climate change issues in the local region.

The Partnership has, since its inception, been administered by Aberdeenshire City Council and is currently chaired by the John Hutton Institute (formerly the Macaulay Institute). Further details can be found at 

Further Information

Further information on specific aspects of the University of Aberdeen's sustainability and social responsibility commitments and activities are available via the following links:

    Environmental

    Social

Contact 

If you have any questions regarding the University of Aberdeen's commitment to Sustainability and Social Responsibility please contact Fraser Lovie at f.lovie@abdn.ac.uk or on 01224 273165