Sustainability shapes our plans and activities at all levels across Imperial and we are committed to making our campuses as sustainable as possible.
Our Sustainability Strategy 2021–26 outlines how we will address the environmental challenges to create a sustainable university and work to achieve our aim of reaching carbon net-zero by 2040. Our Sustainability Strategy is built around three themes: resource management, academic excellence and engagement.
Resource management
Managing resources responsibly is fundamental to achieving a sustainable, healthy, smart and resilient society. We want our campuses to reflect this to provide a safe, clean and healthy environment that supports the wellbeing of our students and staff.
We are committed to implementing more sustainable practices in procurement, construction and refurbishment, and ensuring College services, such as catering, are environmentally responsible. Making our estate more sustainable is crucial to this theme. We recognise that there is still much to do to make our existing buildings work better and we are working on plans to help us to meet our goals.
Our new campus at White City gives us a unique opportunity to build world-class research and teaching facilities sustainably. The Molecular Sciences Research Hub, which is home to our Department of Chemistry and opened in 2019, has received BREEAM Excellent Certification for its overall environmental and operational performance. BREEAM sets best practice standards for the environmental performance of buildings through design, specification, construction and operation. This award places the Molecular Sciences Research Hub within the top 10% of UK non-domestic buildings for its operational and environmental performance.
Improving laboratory efficiency
The Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) scheme encourages lab managers in academia to drive improvements in laboratory efficiency by identifying practical steps to make their labs more sustainable.
Dismayed at the quantities of chemicals being thrown away and the amount of single-use plastic being used in her lab, Dr Pabitra Shakya Tuladhar from the Department of Chemistry decided to take action. By introducing simple actions such as including sustainability in lab inductions and using equipment more efficiently, Dr Tuladhar was able to reduce waste and save money for the lab, and receive the College’s first Gold LEAF status.
Academic excellence
Our activities are informed by our research and teaching. We can share our learning with the world and demonstrate sustainability in practice.
Imperial at COP26
A delegation of 25 Imperial researchers and students from across the College took part in the UN Climate Change Conference, COP26, held in Glasgow in 2021. With the UK hosting the conference, our community took this opportunity to mobilise its collective expertise to drive ambition, hosting events for decision-makers, businesses and researchers to discuss key climate change and biodiversity-related issues.
The Grantham Institute hosted an official side event at the conference with international partners including York University in Canada, which focused on strengthening connections to help shape biodiversity and climate action. The Grantham Institute also coordinates the COP26 Universities Network, a group of over 70 UK universities who are working together to support ambitious outcomes from COP26 and beyond.
Boosting sustainable aviation
Imperial has established a groundbreaking research institute dedicated to developing clean, safe and sustainable air travel.
The Brahmal Vasudevan Institute for Sustainable Aviation will pioneer the discoveries and technologies needed to support the aviation industry’s transition to carbon net zero.
The Institute was established thanks to the generous donation of £25 million by alumnus Brahmal Vasudevan (Aeronautical Engineering 1990) and his wife Shanthi Kandiah. The gift makes Imperial one of the most significant global centres for sustainable aviation research. Taking a multidisciplinary approach, the Institute will mobilise expertise from across the College and focus on priority areas such as new low and zero pollution propulsion technologies, developments in engines, aerodynamics and control systems.
Engagement
Our students, staff, local partners and communities each have a stake in sustainability at Imperial. We are committed to working with them to drive change. We know from talking to our community that there are high expectations of what we can achieve, as well as enthusiasm to get involved and take action.
Sustainable investment
The Imperial Strategy 2020–2025 describes the College’s Endowment as an enabler to strengthen and diversify our revenues so we can deliver our mission. Our Socially Responsible Investment Policy was launched in 2020 to ensure that the College’s investments take into account the same social, environmental and governance concerns as the College and take an active approach to engage with investments in all asset classes.
Through the Policy’s Working Group, which draws on the expertise and views of the College community, key stakeholders, Endowment Board members and the College Council, we aim to work with investment partners and influence their behaviour.
We will ensure fossil fuel companies demonstrate that they are actively moving towards meeting the targets defined in the Paris Agreement before approving any College investment in these companies. We can exert influence through our education programmes, research and collaborations and status as a world-leading university and an active shareholder. Our progress in changing companies’ behaviour will be measured against the Paris Agreement targets and reported to the Endowment Board.
Sustainability Week
This year’s Sustainability Week, organised by Sustainable Imperial and Imperial College Union, celebrated research from the College supporting the transition to zero pollution and explored the action being taken to make our campuses carbon net-zero by 2040. Each day of the week had its own theme – Climate, Oceans, Air, Waste and Biodiversity – corresponding to the Earthshot Prize: Repairing Our Planet documentary series, which was screened over the week. Events included talks, recycling and upcycling workshops, clothes swaps and a visit to the College’s Secret Garden to explore the biodiversity in South Kensington.
Acting on climate emotions
Climate Cares, a programme led by the Institute of Global Health Innovation and The Grantham Institute, has partnered with Common Vision to launch a new website to help young people and environmental scientists better understand and cope with their emotions about climate change.
Research has shown that these groups may be more vulnerable to their mental health being impacted by the climate crisis. Called ‘Hold this space’, the website aims to help users turn their feelings about climate change, such as eco-anxiety, grief and guilt, into effective climate action, while also helping them to develop coping skills and resilience.
Read next