In 2015 the University adopted an ambitious five-year Environmental Sustainability Vision, Policy and Strategy which set out its sustainability goals and how it planned to achieve them.  Due to the covid pandemic from March 2020-present they have extended the timeframe of the strategy and are still working towards its goals.  The new 2023-28 Sustainability Strategy is currently under development. However, in the meantime the Sustainability Team has published a new Communications and Engagement Strategy and an ambitious 10-year Biodiversity Action Plan.

The existing Environmental Sustainability Vision, Policy and Strategy is split into the following categories, and these in turn form part of the Cambridge Green Challenge and annual Green Impact Award:

1. Energy and Carbon Management
2. Water Management
3. Biodiversity and Ecosystems
4. Waste Management
5. Sustainable Procurement
6. Sustainable Construction and Refurbishment
7. Travel
8. Environmental Sustainability in Teaching and Research
9. Partnership Engagement

Here at Land Economy we have identified some key areas of the strategy that inform our own Environmental Sustainability Action Plan.  They are:

• taking in to account and actioning the University's Transport Strategy 2019-2024, by encouraging walking, cycling, use of public transport and car sharing, and taking part in efforts to tackle the carbon footprint of flights (especially academic attendance at overseas conferences).  This in turn will be developed into a new Departmental Sustainable Travel Policy

• ensuring all new employees complete the University's Environmental Sustainability Induction module

• leading by example, and actively encouraging responsible environmental practices, communicating these effectively to staff, students, and suppliers

• maintaining the Silver Street building and rear outside areas (bike shed and courtyard) in an environmentally sensitive way and building interest in regular gardening and biodiversity activities within the Department

• maximising recyclable waste and minimising non-recyclable waste, reusing and repurposing goods already purchased where possible

• reducing energy consumption through awareness initiatives (eg. our Workspace Audit encouraging staff to switch off IT equipment and lights at the end of the day), and similar stickers/posters throughout the department

• reducing water consumption through efficient use and management eg. using only tap water in meetings, reporting dripping taps to the Estates Division for repair, using low flush toilets and encouraging short showers for those staff who use this facility

• supporting the University’s Sustainable Food policy by choosing more sustainable food options (eg. less ruminant meat and more Fairtrade products) from internal and external catering and other suppliers

Of course, the caveat to all of these aims and intentions is the fact that since March 2020 we have been in a covid situation, so although we still aim to and can achieve some of our sustainability goals, some will be put on hold until we are able to progress them post-covid.