- University of Sheffield becomes one of the first universities in the country to commit to new sustainability standards
- The Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice reflects the sector's growing ambition to maintain cutting-edge research while prioritising environmental responsibility
- The Concordat's primary goals include establishing visible and credible leadership for environmental sustainability across all institutional levels, ensuring research practices align with climate science, and promoting transparency regarding environmental impacts
The University of Sheffield has become one of the first 20 universities in the country to commit to new sustainability standards set out in the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice.
The Concordat, which has been created in collaboration with universities, research institutes, catapults, and funding organisations, reflects the sector's growing ambition to maintain cutting-edge research while prioritising environmental responsibility. It aims to guide the sector in reducing negative environmental impacts and transitioning to sustainable practices.
The Concordat's primary goals include establishing visible and credible leadership for environmental sustainability across all institutional levels, ensuring research practices align with climate science, and promoting transparency regarding environmental impacts.
It encourages the adoption of low-carbon approaches and innovative solutions across disciplines, aiming for net-zero or near-net-zero carbon infrastructure. It also emphasises responsible sourcing, circular economy principles, and the reduction of fossil fuel-based products to foster a more sustainable research environment.
By signing the Concordat, the University of Sheffield commits to six priority areas for action: leadership and system change, sustainable infrastructure, sustainable procurement, reducing emissions from business and academic travel, fostering collaborations and partnerships, and improving environmental impact reporting.
The University is currently developing the next stage of its sustainability strategy as it aims to become a net-zero campus.
Letter of commitment to the priorities of the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice
I, Professor Koen Lamberts, President and Vice Chancellor, on behalf of the University of Sheffield, confirm our commitment to the priority areas outlined in the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice.
The University of Sheffield fully supports the priority areas outlined in the concordat. We will deliver against all the priorities in practice and recognise our responsibilities as a signatory, as set out in the concordat.
By signing this concordat we recognise the need to change how we conduct research and innovation as well as promote wider solutions. We also agree to take shared action now and into the future to reduce and eliminate our own environmental impacts and emissions and achieve the transition to sustainable practices.
At the University of Sheffield, our sustainability research is helping to find practical solutions to local, national and global challenges, creating a sustainable future for everyone. But as well as finding solutions to the challenges of tomorrow, we want to ensure our research is carried out in a way that is itself sustainable. That is why we are committing to the priorities and principles of the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice and we are looking forward to reporting our progress and achievements in the coming years.
Yours sincerely,
Professor Koen Lamberts
President and Vice Chancellor
The University of Sheffield
