Sustainable Development Committee

Purpose

The Sustainable Development Committee co-ordinates the development, implementation and review of the activities which underpin our commitment to sustainability as outlined in the Aberdeen 2040 strategic plan.  

Remit

• Oversee the development and implementation of an institutional Action Plan that aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and enables us to fulfil our commitment to sustainability as outlined in the Aberdeen 2040 strategic plan:
  • • Encourage everyone within our community to work and live sustainably, recognising the importance of our time, energy and resilience;
    • Educate all our students and staff to be leaders in protecting the environment;
    • Excel in research that addresses the climate emergency, enables energy transition and the preservation of biodiversity; and
    • Achieve net zero carbon emissions before 2040.
• Monitor and evaluate progress against the Action Plan and associated KPIs, making supportive and constructive recommendations to enhance effectiveness and implement remedial actions as required;
• Establish and support workstreams as appropriate to fulfil the institutional commitment to sustainability, monitoring their progress and providing oversight, guidance and support as required;
• Promote and embed University values and ambitions in relation to sustainability in the development and implementation of institutional research policies and activities, including (i) actively engaging in consultation processes to review/develop institutional research policies, ensuring they comply with external organisations’ expectations in relation to sustainability e.g. funders, government agencies etc., (ii) promoting research policies and activities to support the delivery of the Aberdeen 2040 Sustainability Commitments and encourage positive behaviour change, and (iii) identifying opportunities to participate in activities that may contribute to enhancing sustainability-themed research e.g. pilot projects, sector-wide reporting frameworks etc.
• Support knowledge exchange and impact activities in relation to key legal conventions, including (i) monitoring and reviewing observer status for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (including COP events) and other science diplomacy initiatives linked to environmental sustainability, and (ii) promoting and supporting engagement with the UK Universities Climate Network and other similar organisations.
• Scan the external horizon across the full remit of Aberdeen 2040 Sustainability Commitments (living and working sustainably, education, research and Net Zero) to ensure the University (i) continues to meet legislative/regulatory compliance requirements and (ii) considers current best practice guidelines in relation to sustainability;
• Ensure effective communication with the University community and external stakeholders to enhance understanding of, and engagement with, the sustainability agenda and the achievement of the aims outlined within the institutional Action Plan.

Approach

Our approach to sustainability recognises the breadth of the sustainability agenda and the need for a whole-institution approach to tackling the challenges involved.  Our Aberdeen 2040 strategy builds on the foundation of our earlier commitments, and reinforces the need for a programme of actions across all areas of institutional activity. 

We welcome the work of the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC) in helping to frame a broad consensus on what a 'whole-institution' approach to sustainability looks like in the HE sector.  We intend to utilise the Sustainability Leadership Scorecard to inform the development of our sustainability approach, building on the SLS's four broad pillars of activity: 

• Leadership and Communication (Culture)
• Estate and Infrastructure (Campus)
• Partnership and Engagement (Community)
• Learning, Teaching & Research (Curriculum)

By adopting this structure we acknowledge that, alongside estate and campus issues, our approach to sustainability will cut across all aspects our teaching, research, civic and administrative roles.

If additional information or consultation is required on any aspect of business under consideration, the Committee will co-opt individuals (internal and/or external to the University) as advisory members.  It is anticipated that colleagues involved in key operational areas e.g. energy, transport and waste management will contribute to the Committee’s discussions on a regular basis.

COMMITTEE GOVERNANCE

The following points should be noted:

• The Committee will report to the Senior Management Team.
• The Committee is expected to normally meet once per quarter.
• The quorum necessary shall be 50% of the membership (including Chair).
• The Committee will have the discretion to create sub-groups, as and when appropriate.
• Paperwork for each meeting will be co-ordinated in advance and circulated by the Clerk, normally at least five working days prior to each meeting.

Approved by the Policy & Resources Committee on 14 September 2021
Approved by the University Court on 29 September 2021

Reviewed:  24 August 2022
                   15 November 2022

Details of that exercise and all public body reports are available via the Sustainable Scotland Network (SSN) reporting page. Our most recent reports as part of this exercise are available below and via SSN online:

• 2020/21
• 2019/20
• 2018/19
• 2017/18
• 2016/17

These reports provide detailed inventories and full information relating to our efforts to reduce emissions.

Prior to this reporting regime, the Scottish sector had developed a voluntary annual reporting mechanism that introduced a consistent framework for further and higher education. The reports submitted formed our annual return under the then Universities & Colleges Climate Commitment for Scotland (UCCCfS).

• 2012/13
• 2011/12

Details of function specific reports on Waste, Energy and Transport are available in the 'around campus' section.