Our commitment to the planet
Our ambition is to become net zero by 2040.
We’re working towards a low-carbon future.
Through our operations, research, teaching and partnerships, we're working to reduce our environmental impact and support a more sustainable future.
Discover how we're becoming a more sustainable university:
Carbon, energy and water
As a signatory to the Race to Zero for Universities and Colleges, we're committed to achieving net zero emissions across our University and the activities we influence.
Our net zero targets
Scope 1 emissions are those generated directly by activities under our control. This includes fuel used in our vehicle fleet, gas for heating, diesel generators, and refrigerant emissions from equipment such as air conditioning systems. We aim to be net zero for any fuels burned on site by 2035.
Scope 2 emissions come from the energy we purchase and consume, primarily electricity generated off-site. We are rapidly electrifying our heating and transport systems, targeting net zero Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2027.
Scope 3 emissions are all other indirect emissions associated with our activities, including those generated across our supply and value chains. These include emissions from purchased goods and services, waste disposal, staff and student travel, and other university-related activities. To achieve our target, we are working closely with suppliers to reduce emissions throughout our procurement processes, while also encouraging sustainable behaviours across our staff and student community.
Our progress
We've already made progress towards our net zero targets. We have:
- Reduced our carbon emissions by 50% since 2009.
- Increased our recycling rate from 40% to 70% since 2011.
- Secured 100% renewable electricity, backed by traceable Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin (REGO) certificates.
- Installed renewable energy technologies across campus, including solar panels, solar thermal systems and air source heat pumps.
- Opened Ravelin Sports Centre, one of the UK's most sustainable sports facilities, featuring energy-efficient design and water recycling systems.
- Delivered motion-sensor LED lighting upgrades to reduce energy consumption, with more planned across campus.
- Expanded the use of a Building Management System (BMS) to maximise energy efficiency.
- Enhanced monitoring of energy and water use to identify opportunities to reduce consumption, costs and carbon emissions.
- Introduced electric vehicle (EV) charging points across campus and started electrifying our vehicle fleet, with 24 campus vans now fully electric and longer-distance vehicles replaced with low-emission hybrid vehicles.
- Designed all new buildings to be fully electric, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
- Embedded ambitious sustainability standards into our Estate Masterplan, with all new buildings designed to achieve a BREEAM Outstanding rating and major refurbishments targeting Excellent rating.
Waste and recycling
We achieve a 70% recycling rate across campus, but our approach goes beyond recycling. We prioritise reducing waste, reusing materials and extending the life of products wherever possible.
Examples include:
- Discounts for using reusable cups in campus cafés.
- A furniture reuse scheme that gives unwanted items a second life.
- Partnerships with organisations including SHARE Portsmouth, which hosts Repair Cafés on campus to help staff and students repair and reuse everyday items.
- End-of-tenancy donation points with the British Heart Foundation, making it easier for students to donate unwanted goods during the summer move-out period.
- Graduation gowns made from recycled materials, reducing demand for virgin plastics.
Waste that cannot be reused or recycled is sent to Energy from Waste facilities rather than landfill wherever possible.
Sustainable travel
We're making it easier for staff and students to choose lower-carbon ways to travel.
Our initiatives include:
- Membership of Portsmouth City Council's Air Quality and Active Travel Board.
- Cycle storage, cycle parking and shower facilities across campus.
- A new Cycle Hub with more than 300 secure cycle spaces, lockers and showers.
- The University bus service, including the fully electric U1 route.
- An electrified Estates and Campus Services fleet, with 24 vans now fully electric.
- Electric vehicle charging points across campus.
- A salary sacrifice scheme that supports staff wishing to switch to electric vehicles.
- Travel discounts for staff, including local buses, ferries and trains, and a season ticket loan scheme
Biodiversity and access to green space
We are committed to enhancing biodiversity across our estate and creating accessible green spaces for our staff, students and local community.
Our campus spans a range of environments across Portsmouth, from city-centre green spaces to sports grounds and coastal locations. We work to improve habitat quality, increase biodiversity and strengthen connections between habitats across our sites.
Examples of our biodiversity enhancements across our campus and the city include:
- Ravelin Park, which features wildflower areas, mature trees, a sustainable rain garden, and bird and bat boxes that support local wildlife.
- Sedum roofs on Ravelin Sports Centre and the adjacent Library, creating additional habitat for pollinators and other species.
- Gun House Green, where a dedicated wildlife area includes natural vegetation, log piles and leaf litter habitats.
- Langstone Sports Grounds, where grassland and hedgerows support biodiversity and provide habitat connectivity. Recent surveys here in winter recorded around 500 Brent geese, highlighting the ecological importance of the site for this Amber List species.
- Biodiversity-focused planting around the Portland Building and areas of grassland around Burnaby Building that are managed to support wildlife.
- Installation of pioneering floating wetlands at the Southcoast Wake Park, replacing lost green habitats with a floating saltmarsh system.
Our biodiversity projects also provide opportunities for staff and students to get involved. In partnership with academics, Estates and Campus Services, and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, students have designed and planted wildlife-friendly spaces in locations including Milldam Building, Eldon Building courtyard and Ravelin Park, supported by funding from our Estates and Campus Services department.
We also work with Portsmouth City Council through local partnership groups and forums to help improve habitats and biodiversity across the city.
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Sedum planting and solar panels on the roof of Ravelin Sports Centre
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Specially designed floating pontoons at the Southcoast Wake Park, engineered to support saltmarsh vegetation and replace lost habitat.
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Ravelin Park features wildflower areas, mature trees, and bird and bat boxes to support local wildlife.
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Staff and student engagement
Creating a more sustainable university requires participation from our whole community. We work with staff and students to build environmental awareness, encourage action and create opportunities to get involved. As a civic university, we also work with partners across the city to promote environmental sustainability and improve quality of life in our communities.
Staff engagement
Sustainability forms part of our staff induction, supporting staff in taking meaningful environmental and climate action in the workplace. This includes an opportunity to meet our sustainability team and join dedicated staff-led groups such as:
- Nature and Sustainability Staff Network, which brings colleagues together to connect with nature, enhance biodiversity, and take part in hands-on activities that support wellbeing and help embed sustainability across the university.
- ROOT Network, which promotes food growing and gardening through community greenhouse spaces, growing plants, fruit, vegetables, herbs and houseplants to enhance student and staff wellbeing through engagement with gardening.
Our Energy and Environment Team is also rolling out sustainability training for staff, covering topics such as climate change, planetary boundaries and the role individuals can play in supporting the University's environmental ambitions.
The University has also secured space in Somers Orchard Community Garden to provide community allotments for staff and students near campus, promoting sustainable, locally grown food, sharing gardening skills and supporting students with the cost of living.
Student engagement
We work closely with the University of Portsmouth Students' Union to develop sustainability initiatives and ensure student voices help shape our environmental priorities. Our sustainability staff attend Freshers Fair, alongside Portsmouth City Council, to promote initiatives such as active travel.
Students are represented on the University’s Environmental Sustainability Steering Group (ESSG), giving them a direct role in shaping the University’s sustainability agenda.
We also use our campus as a living laboratory. Recent projects have seen students work alongside academics and Estates and Campus Services colleagues to design and create green spaces across campus, including wildlife-friendly spaces and herb garden planters.
Students can access guidance on how to live sustainably at university.
Education for Sustainable Development
We are committed to equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to address environmental and social challenges throughout their careers.
Sustainability is embedded within our approach to teaching and learning through the Portsmouth Connected Curriculum, which provides a university-wide framework for course design, development and assessment, helping students develop the knowledge and skills needed for success in a rapidly changing world.
We use our campus and facilities as living laboratories, creating opportunities for students to apply sustainability concepts in real-world settings. Recent projects have included biodiversity-focused planting schemes designed and delivered by students in partnership with Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, and research at the University's Port-Eco House, where students and researchers investigate renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency and low-carbon building performance.
The University is also a member of the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), a United Nations-supported initiative that promotes the integration of sustainability into higher education.
Sustainability-focussed research
Our research impact helps solve real-world challenges, shape policy, sand improve lives locally and globally. Our research strengths include plastic pollution, advanced materials, renewable energy, sustainable finance, environmental governance and climate solutions. This work is delivered through research centres and institutes including:
We are also committed to reducing the environmental impact of research itself. The University is a signatory to the Wellcome Trust’s Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice. As a part of this, we have a network of Green Champions within the research community and are signed up to the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF), where we are developing a certification plan for our labs.
Sustainability governance
Environmental sustainability is overseen at a senior level by Tahir Ahmed, Director of Estates, who chairs the University's Environmental Sustainability Steering Group (ESSG).
ESSG brings together colleagues from across the University to oversee environmental sustainability performance, planning and engagement. The group meets bi-monthly to guide priorities and monitor progress towards our sustainability objectives.
Sustainability staff
Day-to-day delivery is led by the University's Energy and Environment Team, which manages programmes relating to carbon reduction, energy, water, waste, sustainable travel and environmental compliance. They work to support and advise management, and guide departments across the University.
The team includes:
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Phil Horton, Sustainability and Utilities Manager
- Tolulope Akanimodo, Energy and Carbon Performance Manager
- Keerthana Padma Venkatesha, Sustainability Co-ordinator
For sustainability enquiries, please email [email protected]
Policies and objectives
Our sustainability work is guided by a range of policies, plans and reporting commitments.
Can't find what you're looking for? Search all our policies and standards.
Monitoring and reporting
We monitor and report our environmental performance through a range of internal and external reporting frameworks, including the UN Global Compact, Race to Zero for Universities and Colleges and the Higher Education Statistics Agency’s (HESA) annual data collection and reporting.
Internally, we report our annual environmental performance through our ESSG and the University Board of Governors, before reporting it publicly.
We also contribute to external groups, committees and forums, such as Portsmouth City Council's Green Forum.
Sustainability news and blogs
News
View all news
UN report co-authored by University of Portsmouth offers roadmap for sustainable blue economies
From garden to garment: Students grow plants to use in sustainable fashion
New electric vans at University of Portsmouth to reduce city centre emissions
Counting plastic reveals hidden waste and sparks action
Blogs
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Rowing for science: building a clearer picture of UK ocean health
Chemical pollutants affect wildlife and human behaviour. But industry toxicologists are reluctant to carry out tests, new survey reveals
‘Greenhushing’ is a trend that leaves businesses downplaying their environmental wins
Three reasons plastic pollution treaty talks ended in disagreement and deadlock (but not collapse)
Find out more
Civic University
Explore how we're collaborating with local partners to widen opportunities, strengthen the economy and support our local communities.
