Two people standing on rocks overlooking the sea

Sustainability report

Net zero by 2035

Introduction by the Principal

"I am delighted to present the 2023-2024 University of St Andrews Annual Sustainability Report.

With Sustainability as a key theme in the University’s Strategy, our institution has elected to present our work in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). These 17 goals serve as a universal roadmap to addressing the twin crises of biodiversity collapse and climate change, and give visibility to the depth and breadth of work being undertaken at the University of St Andrews within the framework of a common language.

We are at a critical juncture in those conversations. The growing intensity of weather events and their devastating impact combined with mounting geopolitical tensions challenge us urgently to address the sustainability question, and to take seriously our responsibilities to ensure a just and sustainable future for our planet.

While inspired by our placement in the ‘Top 100’ of the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2024, we recognise that we have more work to do. To that end, the University has recently become a signatory of the new UK Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice, and we are currently working towards greater sustainability practices in our wet labs through the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) certification process.

We have also joined the Scotland Beyond Net Zero partnership, a growing consortium of Scottish universities to promote collaborative research endeavours. These efforts will serve to consolidate higher education’s already strong commitment to a sustainable future. Indeed, in the annual Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) report on environmental information released in July, close to 100% of Scottish higher education institutions have elected to submit data on carbon emissions to HESA, indicating an increased desire to improve on emissions reporting in Scotland.

We continue to submit information on all three categories of carbon emissions to the Scottish Government’s Public Bodies Climate Change Duties (PBCCD) reporting framework and remain committed to our ambitious goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2035.

In this year’s report, we are proud to showcase our operational improvements which have included a reduction in our carbon emission since last year, and we were selected by the Wolfson Foundation to receive a £2million grant to advance the development of green hydrogen technology at the University to further reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

The extensive research work being undertaken across all our Schools has achieved global impact, including the creative integration of science and technology to address UTI diagnostic challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa, and the integration of traditional litter-pickers in Uruguay to develop a book project that has provided an instructive resource in Scotland, among many other examples.

The University of St Andrews has a strong legacy of stewardship, and we are, as Scotland’s first University, uniquely placed to apply our history of transition and endurance to our strategic Sustainability theme as we look to the future. It is our hope that the efforts highlighted in this report serve both to challenge and inspire us all."

Professor Dame Sally Mapstone FRSE
Principal and Vice-Chancellor

Embark on a journey with Leila to explore how our campus champions sustainability through diverse initiatives and how you can get involved in making a greener future.

Video transcript

[Music]

Hi, I'm Leila.

I study sustainable development.

Join me on a bike tour of some of the sustainability initiatives you can get involved with.

We're a cycle-friendly campus with distinction and we host weekly bike-to-work breakfasts at Walter Bower House.

Eden Campus is also home to our biomass fuel plant that supplies heat to 44 university buildings.

If you don't bike, you can make use of the University's local bus partnership.

Tickets are 75% off helping us save money and reduce our carbon footprint.

Out on the Eden Estuary, our Green Shores project is restoring the salt marshes.

If you have a spare hour or so, they're always looking for volunteers.

Marine Soc meets weekly for beach cleanups, another great volunteer opportunity.

Last year, students successfully campaigned to introduce fair trade products at the University shop.

We run the Tree, an ethical food cooperative, sourcing local produce which you can buy online and pick up here at the Student Union.

We also have 12 edible campus locations which you can help maintain or just enjoy eating the free-to-harvest food.

Oh, there's the electric food delivery van.

Hiya!

At the University Hall, swing by the StAndReuse store to pick up or drop off clothing and household goods.

Cargo bikes are available to borrow if you need some extra room.

Community Skillshare sessions take place all over town.

You can follow Skillshare on Facebook for updates.

If practical conservation activities are more your thing, there are opportunities for maintaining the meadows and planting trees in the St Andrews Forest.

Need a bike?

Transition St Andrews refurbished 30 abandoned bikes
for community use.

Borrow one and explore St Andrews's cycle paths, including the scenic route from Guardbridge to the coast and beyond.

To find out more and get involved, please visit transitionsta.org/get-involved.

[Music]

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Established in 2015, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) constitute a comprehensive and ambitious framework designed to tackle global challenges and promote sustainable development. Comprising 17 interconnected goals with 169 targets, they address pressing issues such as poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice.

Building upon the earlier Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the SDGs embrace a more holistic and inclusive approach, spanning economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Guided by the principles of universality, leaving no one behind, and partnership, they underscore the importance of collaborative efforts among governments, the private sector, civil society, and the international community.

The successful implementation of the SDGs demands collective commitment, transformative action, and a dedication to leaving a positive legacy for future generations. By aligning the University Annual Sustainability Report with the SDGs, the University aims to exemplify its commitment to addressing global challenges by contributing to the well-being of local and global communities through strategic operations and research outputs.

As the international community approaches the end of the initial 15-year SDG timeframe, the renewal process offers an opportunity for reflection, assessment, and recalibration of strategies. The renewal is expected to involve a comprehensive review of progress made towards achieving the 17 interconnected goals and 169 targets, identifying areas of success and acknowledging persistent challenges. A renewed commitment to the principles of the 2030 Agenda holds the promise of fostering a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient world.

Students in graduation gowns walking along the beach

Carbon reporting

The University remains responsive to increased external carbon reporting requirements, fulfilling obligations to the Public Bodies Climate Change Duty Report and Higher Education Statistics Agency, amongst other statutory bodies. Our reporting has consistently covered Scopes 1, 2 and 3, as detailed below, providing a more holistic evaluation of our environmental impact.

Scope 1 emissions include direct greenhouse gases (GHG) from sources owned or controlled by the University, such as on-site fossil fuel burning. Biomass has moved to Scope 1, following recommendations from SSN and other universities.
Scope 2 involves indirect GHG emissions from purchased electricity, heat or steam.
Scope 3 encompasses all other indirect GHG emissions throughout the value chain, both upstream and downstream. Examples include employee commuting, transportation of goods, and product lifecycle activities.

As reporting requirements have expanded, so too have the methodology and measurement tools, affording us the opportunity to scrutinise our emissions more thoroughly.

The Scope 1 figure of 6,645 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions again demonstrates a decline from the previous year. This figure indicates a slight increase in biomass use tempered by reductions in gas use.

The Scope 2 figure of 5,947 tCO2e indicates a slight decline in consumption from last year, but is reflective of the biomass figures now being reported under Scope 1.

Our Scope 3 emissions for 2023-2024 are slightly down, at 72,378 tCO2e, but are indicative of student end-of-semester travel rising in line with a higher proportion of overseas students, and changes in the carbon conversion factors. Business travel has also increased, while emissions from travel booked through DP&L have reduced.

We are heartened by the slight declines in our overall emissions, from 85,240 tCO2e in 2022-2023, to a total of 84,969 tCO2e over 2023-2024, but acknowledge that to achieve our goal of Net Zero by 2035, significant reductions across all three scopes are necessary.

To that end, we have plans to introduce more renewable energy resources across the institution and have developed a travel policy to curb flight emissions.

Carbon figures displayed as a bar chart — Measured carbon performance at St Andrews

Sustainable development goals

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a comprehensive framework aiming to address global challenges and promote sustainable development.

With 17 goals and 169 targets, they tackle issues like poverty, inequality, climate change, and peace. Implementing the SDGs requires collective commitment and transformative action.

Aligning with these goals, the University aims to demonstrate its dedication to global challenges and contribute to community well-being through strategic operations and research outputs in its Annual Sustainability Report.