Skip to main content

Sustainability

We aim to bring about social, environmental, economic and health benefits not only to Wales but to the wider world.

We are independently audited and certified to the ISO 14001 international standard, based on an effective environmental management system, characterised by continual improvement.

In 2019, we declared a climate emergency, recognising our need to play our part in the global response. We are committed to becoming carbon net zero for scopes 1 and 2 by 2030 and are currently developing our target for scope 3.

A more sustainable university

Our commitment to sustainable development is reflected in our strategic direction, which includes environmental and social sustainability as one of our enabling strategies:

Environmental Sustainability Strategy recast 2021

‘A More Sustainable University’ - Environmental Sustainability Enabling Strategy 2018-2023 (Recast 2020)

Environmental Sustainability Action Plan 2024-25

Environmental Sustainability Action Plan 2024-25.

Environmental Sustainability Strategy Action Plan 2023-24

Action plan for 2023-24.

Environmental Sustainability Action Plan 2022-2023

Our commitment to sustainable development is reflected in our strategic direction, which includes environmental sustainability as one of our enabling strategies and associated Action Plan 2018 – 2023.

Climate emergency paper summary report

Cardiff University’s vision is to build towards an inclusive, sustainable and resilient future for our community and to bring about environmental benefits not only to Cardiff and Wales but to the wider world.

Carbon Emissions Audit (Scope 1 2 and 3) Summary Report February 2022

Cardiff University Carbon Audit 2021

Our team

Dr Julie Gwilliam

Dr Julie Gwilliam

Dean of Postgraduate Studies College of Physical Sciences & Engineering

Email
gwilliamja@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 (0)29 2087 5977

Dr Katrina Henderson

Environmental Safety Adviser

Email
hendersonka@cardiff.ac.uk

Working together for sustainability

The sustainable development of the University is one of the responsibilities of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor. We work closely with our nominated trade union green representatives and student representatives in all our university committees. Student and trade union representatives are involved in development and consultation of all our sustainability-related policies.

Contact us

If you have questions or would like further information about sustainability in the University, please get in touch:

Energy enquiries

Environmental enquiries

Committed to sustainability

We are working to be sustainable across all our work, including, teaching, research and campus maintenance and performance.

Research

Research

Sustainable development research is a key strength across a wide range of our subject areas.

Study

Study

We play a key role in educating future generations of people within Wales, the UK, and globally.

Campus

Campus

We pursue sustainable development in our engagement with external stakeholders and in our internal operations.

Performance

Performance

We are working to increase our efficiencies of water and energy usage, recycling, green procurement, campus maintenance, and biodiversity.

Sustainable Development Goals

We have been ranked as one of the top institutions in the world for our commitment to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).