At Imperial, our vision is to realise a sustainable, zero pollution future. As one of the world’s top universities, Imperial College London has the power to help make that vision a reality.
We will set a global benchmark for university sustainability, leading by example in our activities and on our campuses.
In Spring 2024, we launched our latest milestones towards this goal. The suite of sustainability materials below demonstrate on how we lead by example on sustainability in our own operations. The commitments, reports, plans and policies published below will help Imperial to drive progress towards our sustainability goals in practice over the months and years to come.
Imperial commits to new sustainable research and innovation initiative
We have become one of the first universities to sign up to the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice in recognition of our ongoing commitment to sustainability.
Read the letter from Hugh Brady, President of Imperial, making us an early signatory
Annual Sustainability Report 2022-23
For the first time we are using the new EAUC (Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges) Standardised Carbon Emissions Framework and including a detailed breakdown of our emissions by source. This shows that 15% of our carbon footprint is from burning gas for heat and power, 5% from electricity, 40% from procurement of goods and services, and 40% from staff and student travel.
Read our progress and carbon footprint report
Our journey to a net zero estate by 2040
This sets out our plan to become substantially more energy-efficient and phase out gas for heat and power by 2040. The first phase of delivering this has already begun, with the installation of LED lights, plans for solar where possible, and installation of better building heat and ventilation controls, which will make our buildings more comfortable to work in as well as more energy-efficient.
Read our journey to a net zero estate by 2040
Sustainable Procurement Strategy, Policy and Toolkit
These documents outlines our practical plan to help us reduce emissions from our supply chain. Implementation will be led by the central procurement and sustainability teams and major purchasers, who have been trained up on sustainable procurement practices. We will start by focusing on our biggest suppliers and purchases. The policy requires a 20% sustainability weighting in the tendering process for major procurements, while smaller procurements will have a 10% sustainability weighting.
Learn more about our sustainable procurement work
Sustainable Business Travel Policy
The policy was developed through an expert working group and with engagement across Imperial, which asks all of us to take a climate-conscious approach to collaboration and travel. That means using virtual collaboration wherever we can, focusing on quality over quantity of travel, and using trains not flights wherever the journey can be done within 5 hours, with Heads of Department able to approve reasonable exceptions.
Read our Sustainable Business Travel Policy
Our new guide: 9 things you can do to be more sustainable at Imperial
Whether you are a staff member or student, we all have a part to play in reducing the impact of our operations and growing the positive impact of our research, teaching and leadership through the transition to a more Sustainable Imperial.
Check out our 9 things you can do to be more sustainable at Imperial
Our vision
Safeguarding our planet and the health of future generations requires us to look not just at a single problem, but at the big picture. That’s why we go beyond carbon to consider human-made pollution in all its forms – from oil spills and ocean plastic to toxic air and heavy metals accumulating in our environment.
Ending human-made pollution cannot be achieved in siloes. We advocate for a holistic, joined-up, collaborative approach to the problem globally, and embody this in our own operations too.
We embed a consistent and credible commitment to sustainability into all our work - from our world-leading research and education to how we run our campuses and interact with industry.
We leverage the full strength of our influence as researchers, educators, innovators and investors to find meaningful solutions across the board.
We use our convening power and our relationships across industry, healthcare, government and civil society to accelerate a just and equitable transition to zero pollution.
We deliver evidence-based solutions, embrace new technologies, challenge conventional thinking and open new debate, driven by our commitment to solving this urgent and complex challenge.