An audience with HEFCE EAUC conference 1 April 2008 Joanna Simpson Policy Adviser

Our vision Within the next 10 years, the higher education sector in this country will be recognised as a major contributor to society's efforts to achieve sustainability - through the skills and knowledge that its graduates learn and put into practice, and through its own strategies and operations. Sustainable development in higher education (HEFCE 2005/28)

Our strategy in 2008 Developing our next action plan SD steering group Working with stakeholders Challenges and opportunities Public consultation in summer

Proposed objectives Continue to raise the profile of sustainable development, with the aim that it should become a mainstream part of university and college activities. Seek ‘win-win’ opportunities for the sector to engage in this agenda by helping to identify sector-wide business cases and benefits for individual institutions. Promote sustainable development by integrating it in our policy-making processes and being open about the often hard choices made.

Proposed objectives Demonstrate to stakeholders that HEFCE and higher education institutions are making genuine efforts to promote sustainable development and to develop good practice and tools. Support sector-led capacity building to pursue this agenda across all of an HEI’s functions. This will be based on existing frameworks and activity and through supporting innovative and novel projects. Facilitate a carbon reduction culture to significantly reduce carbon emissions across the sector.

From Secretary of State, John Denham 2050 climate change target Plans to reduce carbon emissions – factor in future capital allocations Revolving Green Fund Grant letter

Revolving Green Fund Partnership between HEFCE and Salix £30-40 million over 3 years Repayable grants to undertake projects which reduce greenhouse gas emissions Proven technologies and innovative projects Public consultation – deadline 21 April 2008

Great deal has been done – diversity of approaches Momentum for change needs to continue and increase Baseline of SD activity Raise further the SD debate = greater understanding and engagement Available on the HEFECE website Strategic review

Strategic review – key findings approximately two-thirds of institutions are engaged in sustainable development related research although some institutions are fully committed to sustainability, the level of involvement is uneven the place of sustainable development in the curriculum is varied and not yet well connected with the skills agenda environmental performance across the estate is varied and improving performance is an investment challenge, given the age and condition of many university buildings.

Building good practice SD resource guide: Leadership, Governance and Management Fund GreenBuild – University of Bradford & HEEPI Legacy of the 1960s Estate – University of Bath EcoCampus – Nottingham Trent University Reuse in hall – London School of Economics Strategic Development Fund Sustainable Energy Centre – London South Bank University Ecoversity StuDent – University of Bradford

Corporate Social Responsibility Policy – ISO14001 Annual CSR report and Environmental Performance Indicators Main environmental impacts – Business travel and commuting – Energy and water use – Waste management – Procurement HEFCE’s own operations

My questions What do you think should be the priorities of our next action plan? Do you have any comments on our proposed revolving green fund? Do you feel that there are specific areas where we should facilitate the building and dissemination of good practice Discussion

Further information Joanna Simpson