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Sustainability
Positive action for people and planet
We have developed practical sustainability solutions across our campuses in London, Dubai, and Mauritius. Our agile approach allows us to set an example for others.
We share our knowledge to help our communities and partners respond to climate change, unfair production, and unfair consumption.
We are ranked among the top 400 universities in the world for our overall contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This result comes from the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2023.
We celebrate and strengthen the critical role of education in achieving the Goals. We have also signed the SDG Accord to demonstrate our commitment.
Read our reports:
Sustainable, inclusive and healthy food for the UK
We believe social enterprises have a key role in making UK food more sustainable, inclusive, and healthy. Our researchers in London share forward-thinking ideas and good practice. They have also visited Parliament to discuss the benefits with policymakers.
Advancing sustainability in Dubai
Our Institute of Sustainable Development in Dubai leads collaborative research with businesses, government, and UN agencies. The Institute provides training on meeting the SDGs and develops a sustainability mindset within its community.
We were proud to host the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference Climate Law event on campus.
Eco-conscious spaces on our Mauritius campus
We recently renovated the Trent Park Learning Block in Mauritius. The renovation combines transformative learning with sustainable practice.
This holistic approach supports the wellbeing of students and staff, while also protecting the natural world. It provides a model for future education spaces.
Environmental auditing, management systems and policy
Middlesex University operates an environmental management system with ISO 14001 accreditation. This forms part of the EcoCampus award scheme for the higher and further education sectors.
The scheme helps universities identify, evaluate, manage, and improve their environmental performance and practices. We achieved Platinum status in 2019.
Accreditation is based on continual improvement in several areas:
- Waste
- Energy
- Carbon reduction
- Procurement
- Water
- Community engagement
- Construction and refurbishment
- Education
- Travel
- The natural environment.
Our public Environmental Management Policy underpins our planned actions. It supports work to reduce our environmental impact across all areas, from carbon emissions and water conservation to waste management and biodiversity.
We monitor our action plan closely and report progress regularly to senior leaders. Our Environmental Steering Group supports transparency and accountability.
Read our Environmental Policy to learn how we are improving our environmental and energy performance.
Sustainability Steering Group (SSG)
The Sustainability Steering Group (SSG) provides strategic oversight and coordination for the University’s sustainability agenda. It aligns work across the institution with University Strategy 2031, thematic sub-strategies, operational plans, and the Strategic Estate Review.
The SSG promotes a decolonial, multi-species approach to sustainability. This includes sensitivity to marginalised voices, and to knowledge and values from the global South.
The Group helps the University embed sustainability in learning, research, operations, governance, and civic engagement. It also supports progress towards environmental and social sustainability targets, including Net Zero.
The SSG’s work covers three areas
- Environmental sustainability: reducing carbon and other emissions, improving biodiversity and resource efficiency, and minimising ecological impact
- Social sustainability: promoting wellbeing, equity, inclusion, and community value
- Institutional sustainability: embedding long-term thinking in decision-making, and following principles of good governance and responsible operations
The SSG helps shape the University’s approach to sustainable operations. It reviews and authorises relevant policies and other areas of environmental sustainability on behalf of the University Executive Team (UET). This work ensures alignment with the University’s Strategic Plan.
Members share ideas, initiatives, and news with their schools or services. They also bring concerns and issues from those communities to the Group. This supports a consistent flow of information and data among stakeholders.
The SSG reviews key sustainability policies, monitoring plans, and reporting plans. It then makes recommendations to the Executive Team. This work includes regular reviews of the Environmental Management Policy, Carbon Reduction Plan, and Waste Management Strategy and Plan.
The Group oversees institutional performance against sustainability policies and targets. It also leads an annual review to support audits for the University’s environmental accreditation, currently ISO 14001 and EcoCampus Platinum.
SSG membership includes representatives from Academic and Professional Services, the Students’ Union, and Faculties. This broad membership helps the Group coordinate initiatives, assign responsibility, and track progress across the University.
The SSG encourages and supports the integration of sustainability principles into academic programmes, research, campus operations, and community engagement.
The Group meets every quarter in line with the University’s planning, reporting, and audit cycles. It may create Sustainability Working Groups or task-and-finish groups to advance specific initiatives or themes.
SSG members share work from their departments. They also help ensure that this activity is recognised and included in sustainability data and reporting.
Participation in the Group builds stronger links between departments. It also helps teams align their objectives and share innovative ideas.
The SSG regularly reviews its Terms of Reference and other relevant documents. It updates them when necessary.
We support sustainable travel
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