Comprehensive Sustainability Audit Report: University of Worcester

This report presents a thorough sustainability audit of the University of Worcester, examining various aspects of its environmental policies and performance. The audit covers the university's environmental policy, including its public accessibility and reporting frequency, alongside an evaluation of its accompanying action plans and strategies for reducing environmental impact across key areas. It investigates the human resources allocated to sustainability activities, assessing the sufficiency and training of staff. Furthermore, the report analyzes the university's environmental auditing and management systems, ethical investment policy, and carbon management plan, evaluating their effectiveness and adherence to targets. Additional areas of focus include worker's rights, sustainable food practices, and engagement strategies for staff and students. The report also examines the university's key sustainability impacts, including energy sources, waste and recycling initiatives, carbon reduction achievements, and water consumption. The analysis includes an assessment of the university's performance against sector-wide carbon reduction targets, culminating in a comprehensive evaluation of the university's sustainability efforts and recommendations for improvement.

SUSTAINABILITY AUDIT OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Question 1........................................................................................................................................3
Policy: Environmental Policy..........................................................................................................3
How does University of Worcester make the sustainability policy publicly available? How
frequently is it published and progress on it reported to a senior level of the university?..........3
What action plans/strategies accompany the policy (or separate policies) setting specific, time
bound targets for reducing environmental impact in the following areas? Are these robust and
effective plans?............................................................................................................................4
Policy: Human Resources for Sustainability...................................................................................5
Which members of the University of Worcester staff are responsible for sustainability
activities within the university? (Include those with operational responsibility and those with
management responsibility).........................................................................................................5
Are there sufficient, appropriately trained, environmental sustainability staff?.........................6
Well-resourced staff.....................................................................................................................6
Policy: Environmental Auditing & Management Systems..............................................................7
Is University of Worcester accredited to an external environmental management system? What
areas of the university does it cover? E.g. the whole university, one campus, individual
buildings, etc................................................................................................................................7
Policy: Ethical Investment...............................................................................................................8
How does University of Worcester ensure it has a robust and publicly available ethical
investment policy?.......................................................................................................................8
How effectively does it cover the essential criteria (basic information expected) and additional
information (beyond the basic information expected)?...............................................................8
How has the institution evaluated implementation of then ethical investment policy and
progress towards its ethical investment policy objectives in the last financial year?..................9
Policy: Carbon Management...........................................................................................................9

Does University of Worcester have a publicly available carbon management plan? Does this
include an externally verified accreditation plan?.......................................................................9
How well is Carbon Management undertaken?.........................................................................10
Does the carbon management plan include a baseline and reduction targets for scope 3
emissions calculated in the following areas. How robust and effective are these targets?.......10
Policy: Workers Rights..................................................................................................................11
Is University of Worcester a Fairtrade University, accredited by the Fairtrade Foundation?...11
What percentage of University Staff and Student Uniforms (including sports kits) made with
Fairtrade Cotton?.......................................................................................................................11
Is the University of Worcester committed to only procure through suppliers that uphold
International Labor Standards and Codes of Conduct? How far is any commitment upheld?..11
Is University of Worcester mapping the supply chains of key industry areas (currently
supplying the university) that are known to be high-risk industries for global workers and their
human rights? What actions and targets are set to address issues identified?...........................12
How does the University of Worcester support the requirements of the Living Wage
Foundation?...............................................................................................................................12
Policy: Sustainable Food...............................................................................................................12
Does University of Worcester have a publicly-available sustainable food policy?..................12
What comprehensive framework for continual improvement in sustainable food and catering
has the University of Worcester implemented?.........................................................................12
Are all university catering outlets certified to Marine Stewardship Council standards?..........13
Do all food offers/menus change with the availability of seasonal produce with at least 2
(major) items per main dish served in the season it is naturally abundant? (All food outlets). 13
Performance staff and student engagement...................................................................................14
What sustainability engagement strategies does the University of Worcester implement for
staff and students?......................................................................................................................14
How is the University of Worcester Sustainability Policy, sustainability issues and areas for
staff engagement covered in Staff Induction?...........................................................................14
What staff engagement with trade unions on sustainability issues is taking place?..................14
Performance: Key Sustainability Impacts.....................................................................................14
How effective have sustainability actions been?.......................................................................14

Performance: Energy Sources........................................................................................................14
Has the University of Worcester installed onsite Combined Heat and Power plant(s)? Is this a
key energy source e.g. how much of the campus area does this supply heat and power to?.....14
Does renewable energy generated on campus provide a significant contribution to the
University of Worcester's energy demand?...............................................................................14
Performance: Waste & Recycling.................................................................................................14
What recycling and reusing initiatives does the University of Worcester implement?.............14
Performance: Carbon Reduction....................................................................................................15
What yearly reduction of carbon emissions has the University of Worcester achieved?..........15
How well is the University of Worcester performing in reducing carbon emissions compared
to sector-wide carbon reduction targets from 2005 baseline?...................................................15
Performance: Water Reduction......................................................................................................15
What is the water consumption per head?.................................................................................15
Is grey or rain water used or planned to be used in the future...................................................15
Positive or negative issues and action plan....................................................................................15
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................17
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................18

INTRODUCTION
University of Worchester is the one of the well-known educational institute in UK. It is
ranked fifth in terms of sustainability in entire UK. Currently, mentioned university is working
on number of sustainability projects. In this report these different sustainability issues are
explained in detail and from authentic sources all facts and figures are taken. Apart from this, in
middle part of the report different areas where in terms of Sustainability University of
Worchester failed to deliver good result are identified and in respect to same action plan is
determined. At end of the report, conclusion section is prepared.
Question 1
Policy: Environmental Policy
How does University of Worcester make the sustainability policy publicly available? How
frequently is it published and progress on it reported to a senior level of the university?
University of Worcester make available its sustainability policy publicly. Time to time
University of Worcester make available its documents to the different sources of information that
are available publicly. Report is communicated to the senior level of University top officers so
that they can be informed about the sustainability policy of the university. Every year new
content is added tom the sustainability policy of the University of Worcester (University of
Worcester, 2017). This reflects that relevant entities are concerned about the sustainability policy
of the University. Main target of the University is to improve its sustainability policy. In this
regard work is going on improving structure of the report. In this regard in upcoming time period
board can be formed that will work on number of factors to improve sustainability. It can be said
that sustainability policy of the University is excellent. It can be said that University of
Worcester is making serious efforts in order to improve its sustainability reporting approach so
that relevant entities can obtain better information in respect to sustainability programs of the
mentioned university.

What action plans/strategies accompany the policy (or separate policies) setting specific, time
bound targets for reducing environmental impact in the following areas? Are these robust
and effective plans?
University of Worcester prepare specific targets in order to reduce environment impact on the
number of areas. In this regard effective plans are prepared by the mentioned University. In this
regard University is preparing energy management strategy that support the carbon management
plan of the mentioned institute. In this plan short, medium and long term targets are determined.
Under this strategic framework of both behavioral and technical measures is determined (Ethical
investment 2015, 2017). As part of action plan strong reporting system in respect to the top
management is prepared. In order to implement plan effectively role and responsibility of staff
members is determined. University aimed at reducing carbon emission by 40% by 2020. Past
targets and actual performance data is given below.
Results are reflecting that University plan is effective and it beat target successfully.

Policy: Human Resources for Sustainability
Which members of the University of Worcester staff are responsible for sustainability activities
within the university? (Include those with operational responsibility and those with
management responsibility)
In the University of Worcester staff members are responsible for their work in terms of
their sustainability. Apart from this, sustainability is included in their portfolio of responsibility
of the member of the management of team of University of Worcester (2005 baslines on carbon
emission, 2017). It can be observed that on different websites out of max ranking of 15% score
of 15% is given.
In the University 500 FTE staff in total. Apart from this, there are some specific members of
University that are responsible for sustainability related activities. There is a sustainability
committee in the organization that is headed by the Vice Chancellor of students. There are

different designations that are created to maintain sustainability in the University. Mentioned
University have 3ISO 14002 trained auditors that time to time audit the different operations and
identify areas where improvement need to be done by the University. There are energy and waste
manager posts that are looking after their domain and ensuring that energy is saved and waste is
controlled (University of Worcester – Energy Management Strategy 2013-18, 2017). In
upcoming time period University may organize number of sustainability programs in order to
promote theme of green concept across the specific geographic area. It can be said that there is
significant importance of the sustainability programs for the University because by doing so
sufficient efforts are made to protect the environment.
http://www.worcester.ac.uk/discover/sustainability-priorities.html
Are there sufficient, appropriately trained, environmental sustainability staff?
There are sufficient staff in the University of Worcester and same are appropriately
trained in proper manner in respect to the environment sustainability. Those that are in the top
position are focusing on giving time to time training to the employees. Main target of University
is to give more training to the employees so that they can look after sustainability related
activities in better manner. Every year sufficient amount of money is invested on training and
development program of the staff of the University of Worcester. Different sort of training
programs are organized time to time in the University of Worcester due to which to great extent
skill development of the employees takes place in the organization. It can be said that in the
upcoming time period more efficiently sustainability program will be implemented by the
employees of the mentioned institute at the workplace.
Well-resourced staff
University of Worcester staff is well resourced as sufficient amount of budget are made
available to the employees. It can be observed that University of Worcester budget is £150000.
Priority of the project at University is determined by the sustainability committee (Sustainability,
2017). It can be said that sufficient amount of funding is done in the University for the
Sustainability program. It can be said that sustainability program is implemented effectively at
the University level. This reflects that in the upcoming time period more amount of funds will be
available for the sustainability program to the people. It can be said that staff is equipped with
the sufficient amount of resources at the University level. This is the reason due to which
University comes in the fifth position across entire UK. It can be said that in the upcoming time

period University sustainability program will increased at rapid pace. Thus, it can be assumed
that lots of things are well organized in the University. Along with the University of Worcester
there are other universities of the UK that are focusing on sustainability programs. With passage
of time lots of more improvement are done on the sustainability programs by the University and
it can be said that in the upcoming period same will be improved by the mentioned institute to
great extent.
Policy: Environmental Auditing & Management Systems
Is University of Worcester accredited to an external environmental management system? What
areas of the university does it cover? E.g. the whole university, one campus, individual
buildings, etc.
University of Worcester is accredited to the external environment management system.
University is committed to improving its environmental management system (EMS) and
environmental performance. Through environmental management system environment is
protected and greenhouse gases emissions is reduced. Through mentioned program university
event expand its operations but at same time ensured that negative impact is not going on the
environment (Carbon Management Strategy and Targets, 2017). It can be said that University of
Worcester is accredited to the external environment management system. Currently, there are
number of areas of University of Worcester that are covered under the environmental
management system namely Lakeside campus, St Jones campus and City campus. It can be said
that University of Worcester is fully committed towards its sustainability program and under this
it is fully focusing on making efforts in respect to increasing sustainability in the campus.

Policy: Ethical Investment
How does University of Worcester ensure it has a robust and publicly available ethical
investment policy?
University of Worcester ensured that it has conducted robust and publicly available
ethical investment policy. Under this on relevant sources it published its source of information.
There is a strong ethical investment policy of the mentioned nation as it ensured that its
investment practices are transparent and viable in nature (University of Worchester sustainability
policy, 2017). Moreover, it is also ensured that project that is carried out by the university of
Worcester have low social cost and maximum benefit. There are number of university in the UK
that are working for sustainability and are doing research as well as teaching students in respect
to carbon reductions. By doing so students that are future of the nation are motivated to follow practices
that will benefit the nation.
How effectively does it cover the essential criteria (basic information expected) and additional
information (beyond the basic information expected)?
There is a clear layout that is determined and followed to prepare a report by the by the
University of Worcester. Under this layout different sections are prepared and under same varied
information’s are collected and described in detail. In each section different headings are

prepared and relevant information are entered. In this way entire report is prepared. It can be said
that information expected and additional information are covered in the report in proper manner.
How has the institution evaluated implementation of then ethical investment policy and progress
towards its ethical investment policy objectives in the last financial year?
Institution regularly monitor progress that is happening in its ethical investment policy. In
this regard sustainability committee regularly take follow up from relevant employees in respect
to implementation of the ethical investment policy at the workplace. It can be said that
University of Worcester is ensuring that sustainability related project is implemented in the
systematic way as per issued guidelines by the relevant entities at the workplace.
Policy: Carbon Management
Does University of Worcester have a publicly available carbon management plan? Does this
include an externally verified accreditation plan?
University of Worchester have a publicly available carbon management plan. Under
carbon management plan there are some target that are determined by the University of
Worcester. Some of targets are reduction in the carbon emission by 5% on yearly basis. 3%
reduction in the carbon emission against 2008-09 baseline from 2015 to 2020. University of
Worchester is following carbon management plan and under this main focus is on reducing
carbon emission, obtaining detail of current carbon footprint and formulating strategy for
reducing carbon emissions (Carbon Management Strategy 2014-2018, 2017). It can be said that
there is great importance of the carbon management policy for the University of Worcester.
http://www.worc.ac.uk/documents/carbon_management_strategy.pdf

How well is Carbon Management undertaken?
Carbon management is undertaken in proper manner by the University of Worcester. On
assessment of the performance of the university it can be observed that 40% carbon reduction
takes place in the university campus against the baseline of 3757 tCOS. It is clear that carbon
does not reduced to the expected level and this happened because the university expand its
operations to great extent (WORCESTER STATE UNIVERSITY, 2017). There must be a target to
reduce the carbon emission by 64% against the baseline in the 2020. There is a need to boost
energy efficiency program. Apart from this, main focus is on reducing carbon generation
capacity because by doing so pollution can be reduced in the campus.
Figure 1University of Worcester CO2 emission
Does the carbon management plan include a baseline and reduction targets for scope 3 emissions
calculated in the following areas. How robust and effective are these targets?
In the carbon management plan of the University of Worcester there are baselines for the
scope 3 emissions but there is absence of the perfect targets in respect to reduction of carbon in
different areas of University. In case of waste, water, procurement, staff and students business
trips, staff and students commuting to university on daily basis.