University of Oxford awarded 3rd class in the People & Planet Green League 2012
- Ranked 119th with a score of 26.5 out of 70 (19.5 for policy, 7 for performance)
Read about University of Oxford’s proudest green achievement this year
Scorecard
So how did University of Oxford score against the 13 Policy & Performance criteria in the People & Planet Green League 2012? Full breakdown below.
Policy & Management Section
1. Environmental Policy
Total Score: 3/5 points.
Criteria |
Score |
|---|---|
Does University of Oxford have a publicly available environmental policy? Yes: www.admin.ox.ac.uk/media/global/wwwadminoxacuk/localsites/estatesdirectorate/documents/environment/envpol08.pdf |
1 |
Is it reported on annually at a senior level? Yes |
2 |
Does it set SMART targets reduce environmental impacts in all the following areas?:
|
0 |
2. Environmental Management Staff FTE
Total Score: 6/8 points.
University of Oxford has 1.53 staff dedicated to environmental management per 5000 students (capped at 15,000 students), giving a score of 6 out of 8 points.
3. Environmental Auditing and Management Systems
Total Score: 3/8 points.
Criteria |
Score |
|---|---|
University of Oxford has audited its environmental impacts in the following areas within the last five years (0.5 points for each area):
|
3 |
Does University of Oxford operate an externally audited Environmental Management System (e.g. ISO14001, EMAS, Ecocampus, Green Dragon, IEMA Acorn Scheme [BS8885])? |
0 |
4. Ethical Investment
Total Score: 2/3 points.
Criteria |
Score |
|---|---|
Does University of Oxford have a publicly available ethical investment policy? Yes: www.admin.ox.ac.uk/councilsec/srirc |
1 |
Is the publicly available ethical investment policy reported on annually and/or are there ongoing opportunities for staff, students and other stakeholders to engage with the policy? Yes |
1 |
Has University of Oxford, on ethical grounds: a) divested, b) invested, c) engaged with companies as a shareholder, or d) changed banking provider in the last year? No |
0 |
5. Carbon Management
Total Score: 2.5/7 points.
Criteria |
Score |
|---|---|
Does University of Oxford have a publicly available Carbon Management Plan which meets the Carbon Trust and Capital Investment Framework requirements? www.admin.ox.ac.uk/estates/environment/energy/mgmt.pdf |
2 |
How ambitious is University of Oxford’s average annual % carbon reduction target (calculated from an institution’s short-term targets from a 2005 baseline) |
0 |
The scope of University of Oxford’s carbon management plan baseline & targets includes emissions from the following areas:
|
0.5 |
6. Fairtrade & Ethical Procurement
Total Score: 0/2 points.
Criteria |
Score |
|---|---|
Is University of Oxford an accredited Fairtrade University with the Fairtrade Foundation. No |
0 |
Does University of Oxford have a joint staff/student steering group with the remit of going beyond Fairtrade and increasing the sustainability of all procurement categories? No |
0 |
Is University of Oxford affiliated to the Worker Rights Consortium, in order to monitor the suppliers and parts of its garment supply chains that are not covered by Fairtrade certification? No |
0 |
7. Sustainable Food
Total Score: 0/2 points.
Criteria |
Score |
|---|---|
Does University of Oxford have a publicly available Sustainable Food policy which sets specific timebound targets for improvements? |
0 |
Is the sustainable food policy reported on annually at a senior level? No |
0 |
University of Oxford is implementing the following sustainable food practices or is working towards Soil Association Food for Life catering mark:
|
0 |
8. Staff & Student Engagement
Total Score: 3/3 points.
The following activities to engage students and staff in sustainability issues are taking place at University of Oxford:
Students’ Union or Students’ Association associated to the institution has achieved a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award in this year’s Green Impact Union Awards (or similar) No
University actively supports an annual Go Green Week or Environment Week Yes
Staff engagement scheme to involve staff in improving the environmental performance of the university- for eg. Green Impact Universities or departmental eco-champions Yes
Initiatives to increase energy saving behaviour of all students in halls of residence (eg. Student Switch Off) No
Initiatives to increase recycling behaviour of all students in halls of residence Yes
Student representation on all university committees concerned with estates, planning, finance and resource allocation. Yes
Environmental awareness-raising campaigns that reach all students and staff Yes
Coursework linked to sustainability projects within the university/estates department. Yes
Availability of university funds for student or staff-led practical sustainability projects (eg. campus allotments, recycling schemes etc) Yes
Oversight and involvement of students and staff in the development and ongoing moni- toring of Carbon Management Plan. Yes
Provision of space for student / staff food-growing projects Yes
All staff inductions cover sustainability policy and issues No
Trade Union climate action groups (eg. GreenReps) or time off to participate in Union- linked sustainability initiatives. No
9. Curriculum
Total Score: 0/2 points.
The following activities to integrate sustainability issues throughout the curriculum are taking place at University of Oxford:
- Is there a commitment to integrate sustainability into the curriculum in their Corporate or Strategic Plan? No
- Is there a commitment to integrate sustainability into the curriculum in their Teaching and Learning Strategy? No
- Is there a commitment to integrate sustainability into the curriculum in the Environmental Policy? No
- Is support or training made available to all staff to help them integrate sustainability into the curriculum? No
- Is there a review and reporting process in place to monitor the integration of sustainability into the curriculum? No
Performance Section
10. Renewable Energy
Total Score: 1/6
Criteria |
Score |
|---|---|
University of Oxford purchases 11.10% of its electricity from renewable sources. |
1/3 |
University of Oxford generates 0 kWh of its energy by Combined Heat and Power (CHP). |
0/1 |
University of Oxford generates 0.00% energy on-site from Low or Zero-Carbon energy sources. |
0/2 |
11. Waste & Recycling
Total Score: 3/8
Note: Construction waste has been removed from the figures in the waste data below.
Criteria |
Score |
|---|---|
University of Oxford recycles 42.22% of its total waste. |
2/4 |
University of Oxford produces 112.01 kg of waste per head |
1/4 |
12. Carbon Reduction
Total Score: 0/10
Criteria |
Score |
|---|---|
University of Oxford's average carbon emissions per head is 2666.92kg CO2eq |
0/6 |
University of Oxford has increased its emissions since 2005 by 21.92% |
0/4 |
13: Water Consumption
Total Score: 3/6
Criteria |
Score |
|---|---|
University of Oxford uses 12.01kl water per head. |
2/4 |
0.1837% of University of Oxford's water comes from grey or rain water sources. |
1/2 |
Their proudest green achievement this year
Green Initiatives
Using the Salix revolving green fund, we installed two process chillers in laboratories at a cost of £77,000. Predicted savings are £29,000 and 209t CO2 a year. An additional investment of £8,300 in adjusting ventilation controls (increasing temperature dead bands and adjusting set points) in three laboratories are estimated to save £94,000 and 520t CO2.
10:10 Campaign: monthly Energy ‘Surgeries’ held for Administrators and Building Managers to share information on energy efficiency best practice, and trouble-shoot energy-related problems.
University Eco-bulletin and virtual Swap Shop, which are disseminated to staff and OU Environment & Ethics Committee each month.
A virtual Plant Swap for all University ground/landscaping departments, the association for college gardeners and interested staff/students.
OxGrow edible allotment project (in conjunction with Low Carbon West Oxford) was set up in the former Corpus Christi College Sports Ground.
Safe Cycling seminars ran throughout the year to raise awareness for staff and students and developed a Business Travel Toolkit to help staff reduce travel-related CO2.
The University also has a Car Share Scheme and a Bicycle Loan Scheme, as well as various discount travel card schemes.
GreenCycle is a social enterprise set up by Oxford students to encourage the recycling of cycles within the University. We aim to provide affordable second-hand cycles to students, as well as make it easier for students to sell their bikes .
The University increased its video conferencing facilities and regularly holds open days to advertise them to staff and academics.









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