Kingston University highlights continued progress towards sustainability commitments with launch of new report

Posted Wednesday 19 June 2024

Kingston University has launched its 2022/23 Annual Sustainability Report, which highlights the progress that's been made to the University's Sustainability Plan over the past year.

It demonstrates the huge strides the University has made towards becoming a more sustainable institution, from operations and estates, to learning and teaching, and research and knowledge exchange.

At the end of 2023, the University received external recognition in the annual UK and Ireland Green Gown Awards for its sustainable practices, both as an institution and through student-led projects. Its Kingston Sustainability Innovation Challenge was crowned winner of the Student Engagement category, while the University was also named a finalist for its approach to achieving net zero in the 2030 Climate Action category.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals have been integrated into the curriculum, with more than 100 courses now actively responding to global challenges such as poverty, health, and climate change.

More than 500 students have actively explored and addressed social and environmental problems over the past year. They have co-created resources for staff and actively participated in sustainability events and workshops, enabling them to see themselves as sustainable changemakers and advocates.

Students have led workshops to staff on reusing and upcycling clothes in the context of inflation and the climate change impacts of fast fashion. At the London Student Sustainability Conference 2023, Kingston University students competed against other London universities where they won awards for their solutions to some of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The University has seen a reduction in its carbon emissions, as part of its commitment to becoming a net zero campus for scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2038/9 and scope 3 carbon emissions by 2050.

Strategic Operational Lead for Sustainability Stephanie Todd said the progress made couldn't have been achieved without the combined efforts of staff and students. "The report demonstrates the progress that's been made to our whole-institution approach to sustainability across all areas of the University," she said. "The achievements are testament to the active and collective responsibility our staff and students have taken over the past year in creating a more sustainable future."

Strategic Academic Lead for Sustainability, Dr Tania Dias Fonseca, further commended students and staff for all the reported achievements. "This annual report reinforces our community's commitment to empowering others to make more just and sustainable decisions," Dr Fonseca said.