Your contribution to the future of Sustainability at Essex

Our new Sustainability Sub-Strategy and Climate Action Plan 2021-26 (SSS) has been a ‘One University’ project, contributed to by colleagues from across the University to ensure we are addressing the wide range of challenges that we face, both now and in the future. Led by the Climate and Ecological Emergency Advisory Group, information and expertise have been fed in by representatives from all corners of our community; including our staff and students.

In Spring/Summer 2021 we invited you to contribute through our consultation to share your ideas on how we can tackle our environmental impacts, and how you can play your part as teams and individuals. Through Moodle, ‘Time for Action’ sessions and direct emails, we received a total of over 600 responses. The Sustainability team have reviewed every single one, collating and categorising them by theme. Your responses have highlighted the key areas where you see the challenges, and how you feel you can play your part in the change that is needed.

The final SSS, which was endorsed by Council in July 2021, sets out the thirteen priority areas we have identified for action, and how we will make progress over the next five years. Colleagues from across the University will be working to implement the actions necessary to reduce our impacts on this part of the journey, as we set our pathway to reducing our carbon emissions to net zero by 2035.

Visit our website to find out more about our priority areas, how we will measure success and information on progress to date. You can also read the full SSS and Climate Action Plan on the Sustainability webpages.

Everyone can be a part of the change that is needed in order to meet our ongoing targets. Adjusting current systems won’t go far enough; instead, it’s time to challenge the status quo. If you feel you can contribute in any way, we welcome ideas and initiatives – please email sustainability@essex.ac.uk to discuss.