Environmental Management System
The University’s Environmental Management System (EMS) is based upon a formal Environment Policy (PDF, 197 KB) and promoted through an Environmental Statement (PDF, 78 KB) describing the environmental commitments and objectives set by the Sustainability Board.
As part of the University’s EMS sustainability targets and associated Action Plans have been developed across those areas University impacts upon. Details of these Action Plans and SMART targets, progress against these and responsible person is provided within our EMS Manual.
The University’s EMS is externally accredited by Investors in the Environment (IiE). For the academic year 2024/2025, we have received the Green Award accreditation, the highest accolade possible.
Decade of Green
In November 2025, we were delighted to be given the ‘Decade of Green’ recognition at the iiE Awards in Peterborough. UON have achieved the highest accolade on their yearly audit for the past 10 years with iiE (bronze – silver – green) and we are one of only 7 members worldwide who received this award on the day.
“It was a really insightful day meeting people from across the UK with the same goal – to reduce their carbon footprint,” said Hollie Darby, our Environment Advisor. “I attended a workshop on Biodiversity and Scope 3 reporting and discovered we are ahead of the game in lots of areas compared to other businesses there. Our audit is held in November/December each year and we really want staff and students to understand the impact they have on the result. Whether it’s small actions like using the correct waste bin or turning off their monitors, to larger more social impact events within our local community. We can all make a difference and achieve a carbon reduction.