Sustainability at Portsmouth

One of our strategic priorities is to become one of the UK's leading universities in environmental sustainability.

 To reach this goal, we will:

1. Achieve transformation through research
    

2. Promote sustainability through civic leadership
    

3. Partner with our students and staff on sustainability
    

4. Deliver sustainability across all our operations
    

We’re aiming to become a climate-positive university by 2030. We’re one of only a handful of universities to set such an ambitious target.

By continually improving our sustainability practices, we’re working towards a low-carbon future to minimise our impact on the environment.

Finding solutions through research

We’re already making a positive impact. Our researchers have developed a plastic-digesting enzyme that could help solve the plastic pollution crisis by breaking down plastic in days, not years. And our research is tackling other vital issues shaping the future, from climate change to low-carbon design. Find out more about our research into Sustainability and the Environment. 

We're supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Our research impact is measured in relation to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as reported in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2022. The University of Portsmouth ranks in 3 sustainability categories*

• No. 17 in the UK for SDG14 Life Below Water
• No. 19 in the UK for SDG13 Climate Action
• No. 21 in the UK for SDG7 Affordable and Clean Energy

*These rankings are decided based on research, stewardship, outreach and teaching.

 We're also ranked No. 25 in the UK for SDG8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and No. 26 in the UK for SDG16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Innovative business partnerships

Our Clean Growth UK partnership – a pioneering network of forward-thinking green businesses – was a finalist in the Green Gown Awards 2021, which recognise exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by UK universities and colleges.

Addressing climate change in Portsmouth

We’re working with our partners to assess the climate risks to our city via the Portsmouth Climate Action Board, chaired by Professor Steve Fletcher, Lead of our Sustainability and the Environment research theme. We also run Portsmouth Climate Festival in collaboration with the City Council.

Tackling plastic pollution

As a civic university, we're committed to supporting the local community through our research and activities. As part of Revolution Plastics, we’re working with partners to facilitate the city’s transition to a sustainable future, particularly in relation to plastic pollution and recycling. We’ve started a city-wide survey to map Portsmouth’s plastic litter and we’re working with Portsmouth Football Club to arrange beach cleans. 

Supporting staff and students to take action

Sustainability is included in our staff induction to support staff in taking meaningful environmental and climate action in the workplace.

We offer advice on sustainable travel to campus, including a term time bus service as part of the University's Travel Plan.

For students we also share guidance on how to live sustainably at university — like eating green and recycling in the city, including our specialist recycling points on campus. Our Students’ Union provides opportunities for students to help the environment via groups such as the Eco Society. 

Sustainability focussed degrees

Many of our degree programmes directly provide students with knowledge and experience relevant to sustainability, such as BEng (Hons) and MEng Renewable Energy Engineering, and courses in the School of the Environment and Life Sciences. We're continually reviewing our curriculum to identify opportunities for our students to enhance their knowledge on sustainability.

Embedding sustainability into the curriculum

All aspects of society need to adapt to protect our planet. This is why we’re embedding environmental sustainability and leadership in other disciplines too. Many of our Business students can study the module 'Responsible and Sustainable Business', our Engineering students study the module 'Sustainable Development and Environmental Management' and our English and Creative Writing students can study the module 'Ecocrisis in the Literary Imagination’.

We’ve already made progress:

• We've reduced our carbon emissions by 50% since 2009
• Our electricity is 100% renewable
• We've increased our recycling rate from 40% to 70% since 2011
• We’re aiming for all our new buildings to achieve ‘Outstanding’ ratings for sustainable design from BREEAM (the world’s leading sustainability validation and certification system) and ‘A’ rating for energy use and carbon emissions
• Our new Ravelin Sports Centre is one of the most sustainable sports facilities in the UK
• We currently waste only 2% of our food
• We’re eliminating single-use plastic from products sold in our campus cafes
• Our graduation gowns are made from 70% recycled polyester, which is manufactured from recycled plastic waste. Every gown contains a minimum of 550g of recycled plastic waste, which equates to around 30 plastic bottles (500ml). The other 30% is viscose for a soft finish.

Policies and objectives

Explore our policies and accreditations that relate to our environmental sustainability objectives at Portsmouth. 

Can't find what you're looking for? Search all our policies and standards.

Our sustainability team

Senior management

Our Director of Estates, Tahir Ahmed, chairs the University's Environmental Sustainability Working Group in collaboration with the Campus Services.

Sustainability staff

Our Energy and Environment Team consists of two professionals with a remit that covers sustainable travel, carbon management, environmental legislation compliance systems, energy, water and waste contracts, and associated budget and invoice management. The team includes:

• Phil Horton, Sustainability and Utilities Manager

• Tolulope Akanimodo, Energy and Carbon Performance Manager
• Kimberly Williams, Sustainability and Utilities Co-ordinator

The team cover operational sustainability project improvements in the region of £200,000 annually.

There are a further eight staff and an external Advisory Council engaged with our Revolution Plastics initiative, which aims to find solutions to global plastic pollution.

If you would like to speak to the team, reach out to us at sustainability@port.ac.uk.  

Sustainability news and events