Our ambition? To set a global benchmark for university sustainability that is forward-leaning, evidence-based and practical
Thank you to everyone that got involved with Imperial’s Big Sustainability Conversation. We had 911 responses to our online survey, 925 responses at our in-person pop-up stalls across our campuses and 41 attendees at our focus group sessions. Your insights are greatly appreciated and will help with shaping our next Sustainable Imperial strategy. We're busy analysing all the data and will be sharing the feedback as soon as we can. The draft strategy with your feedback will go to the Sustainability Strategy Committee for review and approvals in October, then to UMB and Council into early next year. We aim to publish the new strategy in early Spring Term.
Sustainable Imperial consultation
“By 2025, Sustainable Imperial will be established as an Imperial-wide strategy to deliver evidence-based solutions, embrace new technologies, challenge conventional thinking and open new debate in our efforts to solve this growing global crisis.” Imperial’s Science for Humanity strategy
As part of Imperial’s Science for Humanity strategy, we are committed to developing a university-wide Sustainable Imperial strategy.
Building on the foundations of Imperial’s first Sustainability Strategy 2021-26, the Sustainable Imperial strategy 2026-31 will set out a cross-cutting programme focusing on measurable impact internally and on the world.
We have developed a proposed executive summary outlining our ambitions and are working with central teams across the university to build 5-year plans with measurable KPIs and targets.
Imperial's big sustainability conversation
Over the Summer and early Autumn we held our strategy consultation for the university community to provide their feedback. Thank you to everyone that got involved to help shape the next strategy.
Our proposed pillars of work
Below you can see our five proposed pillars that underpin the strategy, with illustrative examples in each area.
Our proposed pillars of work
- Imperial Class of 2030 (Education Office)
- The programme will equip all our graduates with the climate and environmental science literacy to advocate, influence and lead in the fight against climate change, ecosystems and environmental degradation. We will embed climate and sustainability education into our formal teaching through the curriculum, whilst scaling up online modules and in-person educational opportunities.
- Continuing Professional Development (Institute of Extended Learning)
- We will help to future-proof careers, businesses and communities by providing the advanced skills training and values-driven leadership needed to thrive in a tech-enabled world. Working with Imperial academic departments and our new Schools of Convergence Science, the Institute provides advanced skills training for individuals, businesses, governments and other knowledge organisations.
- The Convergence Science School of Sustainability (Research Office)
- The Convergence Science School of Sustainability will add a layer of ambition to Imperial’s impact, as evidenced by the numerous large-scale projects undertaken across departments in all our Faculties, by defining several focused sustainability missions and developing large, ambitious, convergence science research programmes together with departments, partners and external stakeholders.
- Living labs programme (Sustainability Hub with others)
- Developing a range of living labs concepts will be key in showcasing, piloting and implementing sustainable practice at scale across Imperial. We will bring together teams of staff and students to explore opportunities with educational, research and innovation, operational, and community engagement focus.
- Net zero campuses and wider campus sustainability (Property)
- We will strive for net zero carbon by 2040 for our direct (scope 1 & 2) emissions, the emissions over which we have most control. We will also work hard to minimise our biggest indirect (scope 3) emissions, encouraging our staff, students and suppliers to take their share of responsibility alongside us. Beyond carbon, we will adopt visible good practice and make significant progress on our wider sustainability programme, including efficiency measures, recycling, waste and non-carbon emissions reduction, our sustainable food and drink policy, supporting active travel and campus greening, engaging our staff and students on solutions.
- Travel & procurement, carbon pricing & residuals (Sustainability Hub)
- We will shift our purchasing towards more sustainable suppliers and products and engage with our supply chains to reduce the environmental impacts of activities, bringing our suppliers on the sustainability journey with us. We will work to develop a community of practice and share the learnings we generate widely. We will also do more to embed climate- conscious travel practices.
- Imperial Zero Index (Strategic Planning and Insight)
- Imperial’s policy engagement programme will use the latest evidence from our world-leading academics to inform the policy conversations that really matter. Our energy investments and research partnerships are guided by the Imperial Zero Index: we will only work on programmes related to a sustainable energy transition and we will only work with companies who demonstrate a commitment to that transition.
- Local partnerships and sector collaborations (Sustainability Hub)
- We will support sectors’ sustainability through our research and partnerships including driving positive change through responsible investment; provide global sustainability skills and leadership through our education and the influence an informed and capable set of graduates can have on society. We will collaborate with the higher education sector and our neighbours and influence policymaking to make meaningful change.
- Staff initiatives and learning opportunities (Sustainability Hub)
- We will encourage a culture for staff and students to act sustainably in our everyday decisions across our campuses. We will develop sustainability action plans to help faculties and departments reduce their footprint whilst maximising our positive impact through research, innovation, teaching and engagement on sustainability.
- Student engagement, projects and events (Sustainability Hub)
- We will continue to build our student engagement programme, support the Imperial Students Union on their sustainability objectives and encourage a culture for students to act sustainably in our everyday decisions on our campuses.
How our community got involved
How our community got involved in Imperial's Big Sustainability Conversation
Online survey
Our community gave feedback through our survey, sharing their thoughts on what matters most to them and how we can make a positive difference at Imperial and beyond. This feedback will be used to build and shape the strategy, its aims and outputs.
Workshops and pop-ups
Staff and students took part in the below in-person and online workshops to share their views, as well as by dropping by our pop-ups across our campuses to offer their thoughts.
- Monday 6 October 10:00-10:45, SALC 7 (access through Sherfield building), South Kensington
- Monday 6 October 14:00-14:45, Online
- Tuesday 7 October 10:00-10:45, Lynne Cox Boardroom Mediaworks, White City
- Tuesday 7 October 12:00-12:45, G41 The Invention Rooms, White City
- Thursday 9 October 10:00-10:45, Grantham Institute Boardroom, South Kensington