Sustainability at Kingston University

Our approach, our practice, our commitment

Sustainability is delivered across Kingston University, notably through education and teaching, research and operations. The University's approach to Sustainability is detailed in our Institutional Sustainability Plan. The plan has been developed in consultation with staff and students from across the University together with inputs from the wider Kingston community. The plan takes a holistic approach to sustainability, presenting our ambitions in relation to both operational and academic elements.

Kingston University is an active member of the Association of University Directors of Estates (AUDE) and the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC), allowing us to network and develop regional and UK knowledge of best practice within the sector. Kingston University is also a corporate member of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA).

Read our Sustainability Plan

SDGs accord and the UN Academic one accord

Kingston University is an institutional signatory of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Accord, a commitment that learning institutions are making to one another to do more to deliver the goals. Kingston University's practices tie in with the United Nations SDGs, which aim to transform our world and promote prosperity for all while protecting our planet.

Our sustainable campus

At Kingston University we recognise the importance of increasing our positive environmental impacts and reducing our negative ones. Sustainability is integral to many aspects of the University's activities and operations. Our Environmental Management System (EMS) promotes the efficient management of resources, ensures we are compliant with legislation and helps us to continually improve our performance in all areas of our work.

Biodiversity

Construction and Estate

Energy and carbon management

Food

Travel

Waste

Water

Fairtrade

Study: learning for sustainable development

Kingston is committed to a just, equitable, sustainable future.

Our values – Inclusive, Innovation, Ambitious and Enterprising – and our mission reflect our commitment to enhancing students' life chances, supporting staff's ambitions, and strengthening the University's impact on our locality, industry, policy and professions to enable a socially, economically and environmentally sustainable future (Town House Strategy, 2022)

As a university, we have signed up to the United Nations Accord. We use the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to demonstrate our commitment to a sustainable social, economic, and environmental future.

Sustainability is an integral part of our Academic Framework. As a provider of excellent higher education and an active partner to the broader educational community, our core activity addresses SDG 4, ‘Quality Education'. We are committed to empowering students with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to understand and address the UN SDGs: each of our courses is thus also required to prepare students for at least two of the other SDGs.

Sustainability courses

Several sustainability courses at Kingston University and sustainability-related courses include sustainability in their learning outcomes. Some examples are below:

Structural Design and Construction Management with Sustainability MSc

Sustainable Fashion: Business and Practices MA

Sustainable Fashion: Upcycling and Repair short course

Sustainable Design MA

Student leadership in sustainability

At Kingston University, our students are leading the way in sustainability. Student representatives are part of our steering groups and Estate Committees, to oversee the University's approach.