Let’s make a sustainable planet

Annual Environmental Sustainability Statement 2013-14

IntroductionManchester Metropolitan University (MMU) is the University for World-Class Professionals. Our vision is to become one of the most environmentally sustainable universities in the world.

MMU is a major economic contributor to the North West, with 37,000 students and 4,300 staff across Manchester and Cheshire. As 70% of its graduates stay and work in the North West, the University prides itself on training the future talent of the region.

The University places environmental sustainability alongside graduate employability as a key priority. Protecting the environment and ensuring graduates have the necessary sustainability knowledge and skills are no longer an option: it is a duty shared by every student and member of staff.

Our environmental sustainability commitments and principles will be ingrained in our culture, behaviour, buildings and operations. MMU will minimise negative environmental impacts through the Environmental Management Framework and will build social, intellectual and environmental capital through campuses, research and knowledge exchange.

Contents

Environmental management systems & legislation compliance

8Sustainability research,

innovation & knowledge exchange

14

Learning for a sustainable future

16

Engagement & partnerships

10

Emissions and discharges to the

Environment

18

Energymanagement

20

Sustainable & ethical procurement

26

Sustainable buildings

24

Travel planmanagement

28

Wastemanagement

32

Watermanagement

36

Biodiversity &growing systems

40

Making an ImpactDuring 2013-14, our achievements were recognised with the following high profile awards:

•EcoCampus Silver level achieved

•IEMA Student Leadership Award for Sustainability

•MEN Environmental Award Winner for Waste Prevention

•NUS Highly Commended Community Action Award

•Smarter Travel Award from Crewe Chamber of Commerce

•Remained #1 greenest university

2013-14

4

Key Headlines and achievements•22.8% reduction in scope 1 & 2 carbon emissions since 2005/06

•44% reduction in gas consumption exceeding our 2015 target and on track to achieve 50% reduction by 2020

•9.5% reduction in electricity consumption from baseline 2005/06

•Reached Level 2 in the Flexible Framework for our sustainable procurement achievements

•67% of enrolled students think that MMU has an ‘eco-friendly attitude’

•New Birley Academic Building rated BREEAM ‘Excellent’

•Birley Student Accommodation rated BREEAM ‘Outstanding’

•Recycling rate of 40.5%

•15.4% reduction in water use (form 2010/11)

•An increase in productive growing areas including the creation of a community orchard at Birley Campus in 2015

•58% of enrolled students believe that possessing the skills and knowledge to reduce environmental impacts will enhance their employability

•36 tonnes of unwanted items collected as part of our Zero Waste campaign and donated to the British Heart Foundation to raise £53,200

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performancetargetsSustainability Area Progress

2013 - 14Target and date achieved by (if applicable)

Key Performance Indicator

Environmental Management Systems and Legislative Compliance

Eco Campus Silver achieved

Eco Campus Platinum (ISO14001) achieved by 2015-16

Level of Eco Campus Environmental Management System

Sustainability Engagement (Engagement & Partnerships)

67% Maintain score of over 80%

Percentage of students who perceive the University to have an ‘eco-friendly attitude’

Sustainability Research, Innovation and Knowledge Exchange

Survey completed, analysis needed

Maintain and increase sustainability research

Percentage of staff carrying out sustainability research at the institution

Learning for a Sustainable Future

Working towards Test and achieve the NUS Responsible Futures Accreditation Mark by 2015 -16

Responsible Futures Accreditation Mark achieved

Emissions and Discharges to the Environment

-22.8% 35% less by 2015-1650% less by 2020 - 2021

Scope 1 & 2 carbon emissions reduction

Energy Management Electricity -9.5% Gas -44%

Energy use – 35% less by 2015-1650% less by 2020-21

Electricity and gas consumption

6

Sustainable Buildings 77.8 (D) Maintain average DEC rating of University buildings of above ‘C’

Display Energy Certificate rating of existing estate

Sustainable & Ethical Procurement

Level 2 reached Level 3 Flexible Framework reached by 2014-15

Level of Flexible Framework

Travel Plan Management

44% SOV at last survey 2012-13

37.5% by 2018-19 Single Occupancy Vehicle (SOV)

Waste and Resource Management

40.5% 60% by 2015-1685% by 2020-2021

Reuse and Recycling (excluding capital construction and refurbishment projects)

Water Management -15.4% Water consumption down 25% by 2015-16

Water consumption

Biodiversity and growing Systems

2% Measure and increase Land area used for biodiversity enhancement and growing food

ourkeychallenges

• Reducing utility use and sustaining carbon reductions • Reducing scope 3 emissions• Reducing the volume of waste and meeting recycling targets

7

environmental management systems and legislative compliance

Develop an integrated approach to environmental management and embed environmental issues into all University business operations, faculties and departments.

ouraims“

“

8

environmental management systems and legislative compliance

The new Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2014-2020 sets out our approach to effective Leadership and Governance for sustainability at MMU.

We will ensure our strategic aims and objectives are delivered through effective leadership, will monitor and review our policies and the efficiency of our Environmental Management System and reporting mechanisms.

We achieved the EcoCampus Silver level in March 2014 and are on track to attain Platinum level by 2015-16, which will enable a transfer to the ISO 14001 International Standard for environmental management.

ourprogress

casestudyEnvironmental Sustainability Strategy 2014 -2020

We have published new plans to deepen and broaden our commitment to reduce our environmental impacts. The strategy lays out our strategic pillars, which have been split between 1) Learning, Teaching & Research and 2) Estates and Operations.

Our ambitious strategy conveys how we aim to create a campus that minimises negative environmental impact. We aim to forge an academic path strongly influenced by sustainability and a desire to prepare globally aware graduates.

Looking ahead to 2020, the University has committed to reduce its direct environmental impact by seeking to reduce carbon emissions by 50%, recycle and reuse 85% of waste, use alternative water sources and reduce water consumption by 25%. The University will seek to grow education and knowledge exchange sustainability-themed research. Progress against these challenging targets is governed through our environmental management system and reported through the University Environmental Strategy Board.

9

engagement and partnerships

Offer opportunities to staff and students to engage with the sustainability commitments of the University.

ouraims“ “

10

engagement and partnerships

The Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2014-2020 sets out our approach to effective processes for engagement and partnership working.

We have continued to engage our staff and students in initiatives and projects to enhance knowledge, skills and awareness for sustainability.

Through our flagship engagement programme, ‘Let’s make a sustainable planet’, we have delivered key behaviour and awareness focussed projects for student and staff audiences including Green Impact, Big Impact, Zero Waste, and national sustainability campaigns and projects.

From the enrolment year 2013/14, we have started to gauge students’ awareness and perceptions of environmental sustainability through the online enrolment process for students. We found out that 67% of students think that MMU has an ‘eco-friendly attitude’, that 70% consider being eco-friendly is important, and 58% of students believe that gaining the skills and knowledge to help understand global sustainability issues will contribute towards increasing their employability.

ourprogress

of students think MMU has an eco-friendly attitude*

67%

*Source: MMU online enrolment survey11

engagement and partnerships12

casestudyLily Cole Comes to MMU!

Top model, entrepreneur and ethical campaigner Lily Cole lent a hand launching Big Impact, a new student programme for sustainability at MMU.

Lily came to discuss her skills sharing social enterprise ‘impossible.com’ and her environmental and humanitarian campaigning, with students and staff at MMU. The opportunity to interview Lily was offered to a student from our Humanities, Language and Social Science faculty. The discussion covered topics from the gift economy to the future of bees.

The visit followed a series of Climate Week talks; ‘Perspectives on Climate Change’, in which staff, students and communities were encouraged to explore climate change from different points of view.

engagement and partnerships

13

Sustainability research, innovation and knowledge exchange

We aim to define, deliver and grow the amount of sustainability themed research activity undertaken at the University by 2020.

ouraims“

“

14

sustainability research, innovation and knowledge exchange

We have been working to use the University as a ‘living laboratory’ to create opportunities to improve the sustainability of the estate and provide real-life experiences for students.

We have undertaken a range of interdisciplinary research activities that deliver knowledge exchange and that have significant social and environmental impacts.

A university-wide survey to identify current levels of sustainability themed research has been conducted and a Sustainability Research Network has been established to enable and encourage collaboration on research projects.

A range of interdisciplinary research projects including the Sustainable and Ethical Enterprise Group, Greater Manchester Hydrogen Partnership and Centre for Aviation Transport have facilitated collaboration and knowledge exchange across the university and beyond.

ourprogress

casestudyJonathon Porritt visits MMU

The Sustainable and Ethical Enterprise Group (SEEG) welcomed eminent writer and broadcaster on sustainable development, Jonathon Porritt, as a guest speaker to our Faculty of Business and Law to deliver an inspirational lecture- ‘Sustainability Transformation: Our Roles’.

Professor Ruth Ashford introduced the lecture, outlining the significance of sustainability within the Faculty, and drew attention to the Principles of Responsible Management Initiative (PRME) that the Business School signed up to in 2010.

Porritt addressed a vision of a sustainable world in 2050, spoke about the roles that society can play in building a sustainable future, as well as the role that universities play in embedding corporate responsibility and sustainability into mainstream business-related education. This was followed by a vibrant question and answer session with staff, students and community.

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learning for a sustainable future

We will embed Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) issues and topics common to global citizenship into the curriculum, and offer our students and staff opportunities to develop skills and knowledge to live and work sustainably.

ouraims“

“*Source: MMU online enrolment survey

*Source: MMU online enrolment survey

58%MMU students

think having skills and knowledge to reduce environmental impacts gives them an advantage in finding employment*

16

learning for a sustainable future

We have delivered a variety of projects and resources to embed and support the integration of sustainable development into the curriculum, and identify how the informal curriculum can support formal learning and teaching at MMU.

The delivery of monthly forums on sustainability issues relevant to Art and Design provided an opportunity for collaboration, knowledge sharing and networking between students and staff, and enabled participants to engage in sustainability issues relating to their discipline.

We’ve been supporting academic staff to integrate education for sustainable development into the curriculum. A range of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) resources, such as good practice exchange podcasts and unit review tools have been developed and made available to our academic communities. A university-wide programme specification review to identify environmental sustainability content in the existing curriculum was undertaken.

ourprogress

casestudyIntegrating sustainability design through Fashion

We have delivered a practical unit to introduce sustainability concepts for Fashion Design students.

The concept for the new unit evolved from research undertaken by a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Art and Design, which identified the relevance of incorporating aspects of sustainability into the formal curriculum for fashion students.

The unit was developed in collaboration with the Centre for Learning and Teaching, and addresses sustainability issues pertinent to fashion, such as the effect that disposable fashion has on waste creation, and workers’ rights.

The delivery of the unit has equipped our students with the knowledge to make informed decisions in creative fashion that give consideration to social and environmental issues, and provides the foundation for more sustainable practices in fashion amongst our student body.

17

emissions and discharges to the environment

We aim to reduce by 50% our scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2020 and scope 3 emissions in line with the reduction targets set for water, waste and travel emissions.

ouraims“

“50%Carbon

reduction target by 2020

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emissions and discharges to the environment

We are on track to reach our 50% carbon reduction target by 2020 and have continued to reduce carbon emissions through the review and implementation of the University’s Carbon Management Plan.

We’ve reduced our scope 1 and 2 emissions, which are now 22.8% below the 2005/06 baseline year, and have developed procedures to manage local pollution risks to land, water and air as part of implementing our Environmental Management System, Eco Campus. We have measured and tracked our scope 3 emissions.

ourprogress

0%

-50%

-22.8% achieved

-35% target

-50% target

5-6 13-14 15-16 20-21

% reduction

Year

Carbon Emissions Reduction

6-7 7-8 8-9 9-10 10-11 11-12 12-13

-25%

19

energy management

We will reduce operational energy consumption from the building estate in line with our carbon emission reduction targets.

ouraims“

“Our revolving green fund energy

efficiency investments are expected to generate a carbon emission saving of 135 tonnes

equivalent to over £27,000 annually

£20

energy management

Through our campus consolidation programme and energy efficiency investments, for our residential and non-residential estate, we have continued to reduce our electricity and gas consumption.

The University’s electricity consumption has been reduced by 9.5%, and gas consumption by 44% below the 2005/06 baseline year- both of which contributed significantly to our total scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions reduction of 22.8%.

We have invested over £80,000 in energy efficiency projects through the revolving green fund across our estate, and implemented a £500,000 LED lighting replacement project in our Geoffrey Manton Building.

ourprogress

20-215-6 13-14 15-16

-50%

0%Gas Consumption

-44% achieved

-35%target

-50% target

% r

educt

ion

YearYear20-215-6 13-14 15-16

-50%

0%Electricity Consumption

-9.5% achieved

-35%target

-50% target

% r

educt

ion

21

casestudyRobert Angus Smith Energy Centre

The Energy Centre uses Combined Heat and Power (CHP), water storage and boiler systems to provide heating and hot water to the campus.

CHP meets 100% of the power needs of the Energy Centre – any excess power is supplied directly to the academic and residential buildings in the form of heating, hot water and electricity.

Who is Robert Angus Smith?Robert Angus Smith (1817–1884) was a Scottish chemist.

He worked at the Royal Manchester Institution, researching the environmental issues of the first industrial city, Manchester. He discovered acid rain in 1852.

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23

sustainable buildings

We will embed the principles of sustainable design during the development and refurbishment of the University Estate to have the lowest achievable environmental impact, both in construction and throughout occupation.

ouraims“

“

24

sustainable buildings

The new Birley Campus features landscape that enriches biodiversity, technologies that minimise water consumption and an on-campus energy centre. These are essential towards our journey to become a ‘Zero Carbon, Waste and Water’ University.

Refurbishment projects have been carried out across the University to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, such as an LED lighting replacement programme and an IT data centre consolidation project, which is expected to reduce 3% of the University’s total carbon footprint.

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ourprogress

casestudyBirley Campus Sustainability Trail

By integrating environmental sustainability into every aspect of design, Birley Campus is playing a major part in achieving MMU’s ambitions of ‘Zero Carbon, Zero Waste and Zero Water’ and maximum biodiversity.

To enhance understanding and awareness for the sustainability designs and technologies, we have devised a sustainability trail for staff, students, the local community and visitors to follow on campus. Stakeholders can learn about the community orchard, the Robert Angus Smith Energy Centre, the sensory garden, wetland and wildflower areas, the borehole water supply and rainwater collection systems, the waste compactor and 18 electric vehicle-charging points.

25

sustainable and ethical procurement

We aim to invest in goods and services that consider whole-life costs and that give regard to economic, social, ethical and environmental impacts.

ouraims“

“Buying local

67% of expenditure was with suppliers in Greater Manchester

26

sustainable and ethical procurement

We have delivered a range of actions to enable our staff to make ethical and sustainable procurement decisions. Our key stakeholders received training in advanced sustainable procurement principles. Training to raise awareness of the sustainable procurement policy and procedures were incorporated into a wider ‘Purchase to Pay’ training scheme for over 1000 members of staff.

We have engaged our suppliers to ensure that the goods and services we buy and the partnerships we form are based on the principles of sustainable and ethical procurement. MMU achieved level two in the Flexible Framework, developed a ‘Supplier Code of Conduct’, enhanced sustainability pre-qualification questionnaires for new tenders, and adopted the Marrakech Prioritisation Methodology.

Our PoliciesOur Sustainable Procurement Policy has been reviewed and is now aligned to key themes ofthe Flexible Framework and the Environmental Sustainability Policy. A Sustainable ProcurementStrategy, which sets out our approach to implementing the Sustainable Procurement Policy, hasbeen developed.

A new Sustainable Food Policy to improve the sustainability of catering on campus has beendeveloped. The policy commits to a range of actions that include the procurement of local,sustainable and ethical foods. We are expecting to make progress towards attaining the Food forLife Catering Mark at our Birley Kitchen in 2015.

casestudySupplier Code of Conduct

At MMU we are taking the social impact of procurement decisions seriously and we want to ensure our university only purchases from suppliers that adhere to basic ethical principles. We have developed a Supplier Code of Conduct based on Labour and Human Rights Principles and addresses key issues such as living wages, hours of work, health & safety, discrimination, freedom of association and child labour.

The University expects all of its suppliers to respect the Code of Conduct and relies upon themto apply the principles of the code with their supply chains. MMU believes in cooperation and is willing to work with its suppliers to improve performance where necessary. To ensure the Code of Conduct is followed, it will be included in all tender documents.

ourprogress

27

travel plan management

Minimise the impact of staff and student travel and encourage the use of efficient modes of transport that reduce environmental impact, congestion and air pollution.

ouraims“

“

28

travel plan management

The completion of the campus consolidation programme and the resulting relocation of staff and students have impacted on travel behaviours, presenting an opportunity to encourage sustainable travel amongst our stakeholders.

We have delivered Personal Travel Planning workshops for staff, which has increased their awareness of the sustainable travel options available and continued to encourage cycling to work, by providing monthly cycle breakfasts, free bike hire and maintenance training for our staff and student communities.

We are investing in more efficient modes of transport and in facilities to support sustainable travel options. The University’s fleet vehicles will aim to be electric by 2016, a public bus route to link to our new Birley Campus is available, and investment into pedestrian and cycle facilities at Cheshire Campus has been delivered which secured a ‘Smarter Travel Award’ from Crewe Chamber of Commerce.

ourprogress

The University’s fleet vehicles will aim to be

electric by 2016

29

travel plan management

*Source: MMU student online enrolment survey 2013-14

Walk 58%

Train 12%

Car driver 20%

Cycle 1%

Bus 7%Car passenger 1%

Other 2%

Cheshire

Walk 40%

Car driver 9%

Train 9%

Cycle 2%

Car passenger 1%

Other 2%

Bus 34%

Manchester

Tram 2%

Student mode of transport to University

30

travel plan management

casestudyCorridor Partnership Annual Cycle Event

The partners of the Corridor Manchester Sustainable Transport Group hosted the fifth Annual Cycle Event for all staff in June 2014.

Over 500 hundred people attended to find out more about cycle routes, cycle training and cycle maintenance courses. Those who cycled to the event could have their bikes security tagged, checked and received a free breakfast.

The annual event is set up to reward cyclists and encourages staff to consider cycling to work as a viable mode of transport. A new scheme to offer colleagues the chance to win free bike maintenance was offered as part of the event, and was well received by the recipients.

Over 500 people attended the 5th

Annual Cycle Event

31

ouraims

waste management

We will ensure a robust approach is taken through the adoption of the Waste Hierarchy to prevent, reduce, reuse, recycle, and dispose of our waste.

““

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We have exceeded our target and achieved a reuse and recycling rate of 40.5%, and aim to build on this success to reach our target of 60% by 2015/16.

Through our main waste contractor, we ensure that over 99% of general waste from internal recycling hubs is treated to produce energy. This process is set to continue and will help us reach our ‘diversion from landfill’ targets.

Following on from our trial at Crewe, we have introduced food recycling at our new Birley campus in the academic building and in student accommodation. We intend to extend this provision to encompass all University campuses and buildings as we progress towards our targets.

waste management

ourprogress

99%of general waste from internal recycling hubs was treated to produce electricity for the grid

33

performancetargetswaste management

85%

0%

40.5% achieved

60% target

85% target

7-8

15-16

20-21

PercentageReuse

recyclingrate

Year

13-14

Reuse & recyling rates

15-16

34

waste management

Give it, don’t bin it!“ “

Raised £53,200

British Heart Foundation

36 tonnes donated

casestudyZero Waste

Our Zero Waste campaign provides a route to donate, reuse and recycle unwanted items by students living in halls and private residences. The campaign is a partnership between MMU, British Heart Foundation, Manchester City Council and the University of Manchester.

At the end of the academic year students from MMU halls donated 36 tonnes of unwanted items which raised £53,200 for the British Heart Foundation. Dry food was also collected and almost half a tonne was donated to the Mustard Tree, a homeless charity based in central Manchester.

Working successfully with partners led to approximately 150 tonnes of unwanted items being donated collectively. The Zero Waste campaign even received the ‘Environmental Services Waste Prevention Award’ at the inaugural MEN Environment Awards in October 2014.

150 tonnes

unwanted items donated

collectively

35

water management

Reduce water consumption through practical water conservation measures and reduce cost through the increased use of alternative water sources.

ouraims“

“

3% of all water consumption was from

alternative sources such as our borehole

water supply

36

water management

Our overall water consumption has reduced by 3.9% on the previous year and by 15.4% since the 2010-11 baseline.

We have continued to invest in efficiency measures to reduce water consumption across the estate through new building development and refurbishment. This has mainly included campus consolidation from seven campuses to two, which includes our new Birley development and new Students’ Union building.

Birley Fields campus integrates borehole water supply, rainwater harvesting and grey water recycling systems that will help reduce overall water consumption.

The Business School utilises water saving devices, such as efficient taps and dual flush toilets that are filled by water from the ground, constituting a 60 – 70% reduction of mains water consumption.

ourprogress

0%

-15.4% achieved

-25%target

5-6 13-14 15-16

Percentage water

reduction

Year

-25%

Water Reduction

37

casestudyZero water at Birley

Water is a precious resource, even in Manchester! At Birley Campus, a range of water supply, collection and sustainable drainage systems are used to reduce the University’s water consumption.

All of our water systems and processes help to reduce the risk of flooding to the surrounding urban area.

We reuse grey water for non-drinking uses such as flushing toilets, and boreholes provide all the tap water to campus. Rainwater which is collected from building roofs and stored in harvesting tanks underground. The rainwater is utilised to flush toilets, and excess rainwater soaks back into the ground to replenish the water table.

38

39

biodiversity and growing systems

ouraims“

“

Protect and enhance biodiversity across the University’s estate and promote its benefits for students, staff, visitors and the local community.

40

biodiversity and growing systems

We have completed an audit to identify land, which is either being used or could be used in the future, for biodiversity enhancement and growing food on campus, and we are undertaking research to establish our baselines and progress our strategic objectives.

A baseline biodiversity audit has identified the number and range of protected species and habitats, their physical or functional connections and the percentage of land area used for growing productive crops on the University’s estate. Furthermore, this baseline information has enabled the University to identify opportunities for staff, student, and community engagement with biodiversity on campus.

ourprogress

10%

2%

2015/162014/15

41

casestudyWetland Area

Wetland areas are incredibly important. They are some of the most productive ecosystems in the world and provide habitats for a wide variety of wildlife and plants as well as filtering and storing water.

This wetland area is biologically diverse. It has a good mix of bog, reed bed and marginal planting to attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies and creates vital habitat and food for birds, insects and invertebrates.

The Wetland Area helps to reduce the risk of flooding. The swales are an example of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDs), which provide storage for surface water run-off, slow the rate of soak-away and prevent water from entering the drainage systems.

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This publication is available in alternative formats. Email: environment@mmu.ac.uk

@mmuenvironment w: mmu.ac.uk/environment e: environment@mmu.ac.uk