Overall Summary
Swansea University scored 73.8% and ranked 10th
Section 1: Policy and Strategy
1.1 Publicly Available Policy
We looked at Swansea University's publicly available environmental policy - you can read it here if we found one - but if we didn't find a policy on the university website then you won't find a link:
www.swansea.ac.uk/media/sustainability-policy.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.swansea.ac.uk/media/sustainability-policy.pdf
We wanted to see that the policy wasn't just sitting in a dusty desktop year after year and we needed to know that the policy meant something to staff, students and decision makers at the university. So to score 50% here, the policy needed to have been published within the last 5 years and demonstrate that it was reviewed regularly by someone sitting in a senior position at the university.
1.1 Swansea Universityscored: 50%/ 50% for their environmental policy
1.2 Targets and Strategy
The university could only score the full marks of 50% if they had set SMART targets in all 8 of key areas below, and if we could see that the strategy had been reviewed in the last 5 years, (much like the environmental policy, a strategy only works if people are using it), and we didn't give credit for strategies that were out of date. We decided that if a university wasn't setting targets for more than 5 key areas then it didn't amount to a comprehensive and they would score zero. Scores increase in line with the number of key areas the university had set targets for when considering:
- Construction & Refurbishment
- Emissions & Discharges
- Community involvement
- Biodiversity
- Waste management
- Travel and Transport
- Sustainable procurement
- Water
We found that Swansea University is working towards targets in the following areas:
Waste management, Transport, Sustainable Procurement, Water, Construction and Refurbishment, Emissions and Discharges, Community involvement, Biodiversity
Therefore...
1.2. Swansea University scored 50%/50% for their sustainability strategy
Section Total: 100%
Section 2: Staff
2.1 Senior Staff Responsibility
We looked to see whether someone in the university senior management team has responsibility for sustainability. It really helps when climate change and ethical issues are the responsibility of someone who can make decisions about how the action points can be resourced. If a senior member of staff has responsibility for sustainability, you can find them here:
www.swansea.ac.uk/sustainability/contact-us/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.swansea.ac.uk/sustainability/contact-us/
2.1. Swansea University scored 20%/20% for senior responsibility for sustainability.
2.2 Number of Sustainability Staff
We also wanted to see how many staff were currently employed to work on sustainability issues, and whether students and staff could find them easily online and contact them. We thought the number of sustainability staff should be relative to the number of staff and students at the university.
Swansea University has more than 15000 students students and 12.00 sustainability staff
Therefore...
2.2 Swansea University scored 55%/55% for dedicated and expert staff
2.3 Sustainability Budget
Once a university has employed staff, it can be hard for them to do their job without money available. People & Planet looked for evidence that the sustainability strategy was resourced with a budget and that costs were included as part of the commitment.
2.3 Swansea University scored 10%/10% for staff sustainability budget
2.4 All Staff Participation
2.4 Swansea University scored 15%/15% for all staff participation
Section Total: 100%
Section 3. Environmental Auditing & Management Systems
3.1a Externally Verified Environmental Management System (EMS)
If Swansea University has been externally audited you will see the EMS scheme and level awarded below
IS014001 Full estate
3.1a Swansea University scored 100%/100% for its externally verified EMS
Section Total: 100%
Section 4: Ethical Investment and Banking
4.1a Ethical Investment Policy
Investments in the fossil fuel industry or arms trade can be contradictory to an institutions broader sustainability aims and goals. A strong ethical investment policy makes sure an institution’s investments and banking practices are conducted transparently and in an economically-viable, socially-responsible manner. Points were awarded for covering the full scope of an institution's investments and being signed off by a senior member of staff. If Swansea University has an ethical investment policy, it can be found below:
www.swansea.ac.uk/media/Ethical-Investment-Policy.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.swansea.ac.uk/media/Ethical-Investment-Policy.pdf
4.1a Swansea University scored 7/10% for its ethical investment policy
4.1b. Specifics within the policy:
Addititonal points were awarded for specific within the policy:
- include student representation on their investment committee
- publicly listing their investments annually
4.1b Swansea University scored 10/15% for specific within its ethical investment policy
4.2 Commitment to screen out specific sectors
Universities who have made a commitment in policy to screen out specific sectors, such as fossil fuel companies, arms companies and companies in violation of international law.
4.2a Swansea University scored 35/35% for its commitment in policy to screen out fossil fuel investments
4.2b Swansea University scored 0/10% for its commitment in policy to screen out investments in arms companies
4.2c Swansea University scored 0/5% for its commitment in policy to screen out investments in companies in violation of international law
4.3 Reinvesting Divested Funds
Universities were awarded points for commitments in policy to reinvest divested funds in renewable energy or on community-owned energy on campus.
4.3 Swansea University scored 0/10% for its commitment in policy to reinvest divested funds
4.4 Ethical Banking
Universities were awarded points for having an ethical banking policy reported on at senior level. If Swansea University has an ethical banking policy you will find it below
www.swansea.ac.uk/sustainability/strategy-and-policy/#ethical-investment-banking=is-expanded&policy-strategy=is-expanded" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.swansea.ac.uk/sustainability/strategy-and-policy/#ethical-investment-banking=is-expanded&policy-strategy=is-expanded
4.4a Swansea University scored 0/5% for its ethical banking policy
4.4b Swansea University scored 0/5% for excluding banks that finance fossil fuels in its ethical banking policy
4.5 Transparency and accountability
In the interests of transparency and accountability, universities were rewarded for hosting key policy documents publicly on their websites.
4.5a Swansea University scored 1/1% for having an easily accessible and public ethical investment policy.
4.5b Swansea University scored 0/1% for having an easily accessible and public annual list of investments.
4.5c Swansea University scored 0/1% for having an easily accessible and public list of committee members that oversee investments.
4.5d Swansea University scored 0/1% for having an easily accessible and public meeting minutes that provide updates on investment policy reviews and divestment/investment status
4.5e Swansea University scored 0/1% for having an easily accessible and public ethical banking policy.
Section Total: 53%
Section 5: Managing Carbon
5.1 Carbon Management Plan
Universities should all have a plan for managing and reducing their carbon emissions, if Swansea University has a carbon management plan you will find it below:
www.swansea.ac.uk/media/path-to-zero-report-2019-20.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.swansea.ac.uk/media/path-to-zero-report-2019-20.pdf
We awarded points for specifics within that carbon management plan:
5.1a Swansea University scored 5/5% for a carbon emissions baseline for 2005 or later which covers all scope 1 and 2 emissions.
5.1b Swansea University scored 5/5% for a carbon reduction target for covering scope 1 & 2, consistent with an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050 at a minimum AND at least one milestone towards this target before 2030
5.1c Swansea University scored 5/5% for a budget for the carbon reduction plan.
5.1d Swansea University scored 5/5% for named persons or titles responsible for the carbon reduction plan.
5.1e {Swansea University scored 5/5% for a reporting mechanism for monitoring the carbon management plan.
5.2 Carbon Management and scope 3 emissions
5.2a Swansea University scored 5/5% for including scope 3 emissions in the carbon management plan
5.2b Swansea University scored 5/5% for reporting scope 3 emissions to HESA via the EMR record
5.2c Swansea University scored 0/5%* for calculating total carbon emissions relating to residential accommodation.
*A software error in the recording of Q5.2c data resulted in the scoring of this question being omitted for all universities in the 2021 League Table.
5.3 Scope 3 Baselines and Targets
Swansea University's carbon management plan was found to have scope 3 baselines in the following areas:
Waste, Water, Procurement, Travel: business trips, Travel: commute, Travel: student end of term
5.3a Therefore they scored 30%/30% for the scope 3 baselines in their carbon management plan
Swansea University's carbon management plan was found to have scope 3 targets in the following areas:
Waste, Water, Procurement, Travel. business trips, Travel. commute, Travel. student end of term
5.3b Therefore they scored 30%/30% for the scope 3 targets in their carbon management plan
Section total: 95%
*A software error in the recording of Q5.2c data resulted in the scoring of this question being omitted for all universities in the 2021 League Table.
Section 6: Workers' Rights
6.1 A Living Wage University
Swansea University's Living Wage Accredited employer status in July 2021 was: Accredited Living Wage employer
6.1 Swansea University scored 30%/30%
6.2 Equality for Outsourced Staff
Points were awarded if universities had a policy that monitors equality of pay and conditions between in-house and outsourced staff.
6.2 Swansea University scored 15%/15%
6.3 Fairtrade
Swansea University's Fairtrade status in July 2021 was University does not have Fairtrade status
6.3 Swansea University scored 10%/10%
6.4 Monitoring and Reforming the Supply Chain
Universities were awarded points if they were a member of Electronics Watch or Purchasing Consortium
6.4 Swansea University scored 45/45%
Section total: 100%
Section 7: Sustainable Food
7.1 Sustainable Food Policy
If the university has a policy on sustainable food reported on at senior level you will find it below:
www.swansea.ac.uk/media/Sustainability-Strategy---updated-with-OandTs-2018-19-ENGLISH.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.swansea.ac.uk/media/Sustainability-Strategy---updated-with-OandTs-2018-19-ENGLISH.pdf
7.1 Swansea University scored 15%/15% for its sustainable food policy.
7.2 Contracts
This question pertains to food procured through individual suppliers, consortia and other catering purchasing organisations, and to the catering contracts and sub-contracts held, tendered and re-tendered by universities where catering services might be outsourced, i.e. halls of residence catering provisions or staff and student dining provisions.
7.2 Swansea University scored 20%/20% for its tender specifications within food policy.
7.3 Sustainable Food Framework
One of the most common ways to measure commitment to sustainable catering in the public sector is through the achievement of an externally assessed sustainable food award, such as the Soil Association’s Food for Life Served Here award, or the Food Made Good Membership by the Sustainable Restaurant Association.
7.3 Swansea University has Partial Sustainable Restaurant Association 1 STAR and therefore received 10_b/50%
7.4 Community Food
7.4 Swansea University scored 15%/15% for providing space or support for community food projects
Section total: 60%
Section 8: Staff and Student Engagement
8.1 Staff and Student Engagement Strategy
Points were awarded for publishing a strategy detailing how universities will engage students and staff. If they had a staff and student engagement strategy you will find it below:
www.swansea.ac.uk/media/Sustainability-Communication-and-Engagement-Plan.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.swansea.ac.uk/media/Sustainability-Communication-and-Engagement-Plan.pdf
8.1 Swansea University scored 30/30% for having a publicly available student an staff engagement strategy.
8.2 Student and Staff Engagement Actions
8.2a Swansea University scored 5/5% for offering oversight and involvement opportunities to students and staff for the development and ongoing monitoring of the university Carbon Management Plan.
8.2b Swansea University scored 5/5% for offering oversight and involvement opportunities to students and staff for the development and ongoing monitoring of the university environmental policy.
8.2c Swansea University scored 5/5% for embedding environmental policy in every student induction.
8.2d Swansea University scored 5/5% for actively supporting an environment themed week.
8.2e Swansea University scored 5/5% for supporting local community partnerships.
8.2f Swansea University scored 5/5% for providing funds for student led sustainability projects.
8.3 Staff Inductions
8.3 Swansea University scored 10%/10% for including sustainability policy in staff inductions.
8.4 Trade Union engagement
8.4 Swansea University scored 10%/10% for inviting trade union members to sit on committees that oversee sustainability.
8.5 Student Representation
8.5 Swansea University scored 10%/10% for student representatives to sit on committees that oversee sustainability.
8.6 Student's Union
8.6 Swansea University scored 10%/10% for the student union working towards continual improvement in environmental sustainability
Section Total: 100%
Section 9: Education for Sustainable Development
9.1 Commitment and Governance for Education for Sustainable Development.
If the university demonstrates commitment to ESD through a high level of strategy, find out how below:
Senior staff responsible for sustainability education
9.1 Swansea University scored 20%/20% for demonstrating commitment to ESD.
9.2 Implementing and tracking progress in Education for Sustainable Development
If the university is using a strategy to map its progress towards integrating ESD into the curriculum, find out how below:
University has mapped progress towards ESD across its teaching and learning
9.2a Swansea University scored 25/25% for using a strategy for ESD.
9.2b Swansea University scored 20/20% for using a reporting mechanism for ESD.
9.3 Supporting Academic Staff
If the university provides support and training to academic staff on ESD you will see how below:
(None)
9.3 Swansea University scored 10%/10% for providing training and support to academic staff for ESD
9.4 Education for Sustainable Development Actions
9.4a Swansea University scored 10/10% for using its campus as a living lab.
9.4b Swansea University scored 10/10% for highlighting research in sustainability.
9.5 Equal Access to Higher Education
9.5a Swansea University scored 0/2% for offering multiple scholarships to asylum seekers and individuals who have been granted a status as a result of an asylum claim, but do not yet have access to student finance.
9.5b Swansea University scored 0/2% for offering multiple scholarships to students from other forced migrant backgrounds.
9.5c Swansea University scored 0/1% for including BOTH asylum seekers and individuals who have been granted a status as a result of an asylum claim, but do not have access to student finance AND individuals from other forced migrant backgrounds in their Access and Participation plan.
Section Total: 95%
Section 10: Energy Sources
This section has been taken directly from the 2019/2020 Estates Management Record from the Higher Education Statistics Agency. Universities have been scored by banding values into groups.
10a Swansea University scored 0/45% for having onsite Combined Heat and Power (CHP).
10b Swansea University scored 35/35% for its percentage of renewable energy generated onsite or off site compared to consumption of grid electricity.
10c Swansea University scored 20/20% for its total percentage of renewable energy purchased through green tariffs.
Section Total: 55%
Section 11: Waste and Recycling
This section has been taken directly from the 2019/2020 Estates Management Record from the Higher Education Statistics Agency. Universities have been scored by banding values into groups.
11.1 Swansea University scored 37.5/50% for the percentage waste recycled, composted or anaerobically digested, excluding construction waste (that classified as “other” in the EMR)
11.2 Swansea University scored 12.5/50% for the percentage waste recycled, composted or anaerobically digested, excluding construction waste per head of FTE students and staff.
Section Total: 50%
Section 12: Carbon Reduction
This section has been taken directly from the 2019/2020 Estates Management Record from the Higher Education Statistics Agency. Universities have been scored by banding values into groups.
12.1 Swansea University scored 40/50% for its change in carbon intensity.
12.2 Swansea University scored 12.5/50% for its reduction in scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions since a 2005 baseline.
Section Total: 52.5%
Section 13: Water Reduction
This section has been taken directly from the 2019/2020 Estates Management Record from the Higher Education Statistics Agency. Universities have been scored by banding values into groups.
13.1 Swansea University scored 16.75/67% for its water consumption per head.
13.2 Swansea University scored 11/33% for its use of grey or rainwater.