Our business activities affect the environment on a local and global scale- and for that reason it is vital we reduce our negative impacts. Since 2005, Manchester Met has been working towards ambitious reductions in energy consumption and carbon emissions.

It is important that we reduce operational energy consumption in line with our energy targets, and our carbon emissions in line with our carbon targets for scope 1 and 2 and 3 emissions.

The Carbon and Energy Investment Plan (CEIP) forms one of the main pillars of Manchester Met's revised Carbon Management Plan to cover the period of 2015 – 2020 to reduce greenhouse our gas emissions (scope 1 and 2) from a 2005/06 baseline: a 35% reduction by 2015/16 and a 50% reduction by 2020/21.

A Scope 3 Emissions Report supports the CEIP through measuring indirect, scope 3 carbon emissions, setting reduction targets and detailing the planned management activities to mitigate their impact.

Student and Staff Engagement

Student and staff participation and engagement was and is an essential part of the development and delivery or our carbon and energy management plans, and our continued reduction in energy use and carbon footprint.

We work with Faculty staff and students to help deliver energy saving projects that contribute towards the delivery of our carbon and energy plans, and invite all students and staff to be involved in the on-going development, review and monitoring of the plans.

Here are some examples of how we have engaged our students and staff so far:

Carbon and Energy Investment Plan Development: We set up a cross-university group, consisting of academic and professional services staff, consultants and sustainability professionals to develop the Carbon and Energy Investment Plan (as well as our original Carbon Management Plan). Each year, the plan is reviewed as part of the University's Environmental Management System review process, and is reported on at the University's 'Energy, Water and Carbon Group', and through our annual report.

Measuring Scope 3 emissions: As part of an MSc and PhD research project, a student, Jonathan Davies developed a methodology for calculating scope 3 emissions associated with International, EU and home student travel. This enabled Manchester Met to baseline the scope 3 travel emissions and continue to measure them in the future.

Reviewing progress: In 2017, we are working with an MSc student to help collate and compile a range of data and information to report our progress towards delivering a range of projects as set out in the University’s Carbon and Energy Investment Plan, and to support with the review process for the plan.

We aim to embed principles that will minimise the environmental impact of the University estate from design to occupation.

Our Manchester Birley Campus hosts a wide range of technologies that improve our efficiency, minimise water use and maximise green space and biodiversity. We have developed self-guided sustainability trail and have created community orchard and woodland spaces.

We manage our buildings intelligently and monitor how and where we use energy against our expected use.

We aim to minimise the impact of staff and student travel and encourage the use of efficient modes of transport that reduce environmental impact, congestion and air pollution.

Whether you would like to Cycle, take the train, bus or tram, find out about your travel options if you are student or a staff member.

Encouraging Electric vehicle use - we have one of the largest electric vehicle charging infrastructures in Manchester – staff, students and members of the public can charge for up to 4 hours in our electric vehicle charging bays! Find out more

Electric pool cars - If you are a member of staff at Manchester Met, we have a fleet of new Nissan Leaf 100% electric vehicles for use for work-based journeys. Find out how you can access the vehicles

We aim to effectively manage and reduce our mains water consumption across our estate and increase the deployment of sustainable drainage and flood prevention measures.

That means that when we develop our estate or refurbish our buildings, it's essential that we integrate water systems that reduce our mains water consumption, that reduce our total water consumption and deploy systems that reduce the risk of flooding.

Our Business School and Student Hub and Birley Campus, both operate borehole water systems- drawing water from an aquifer underground. Our Birley campus deploys greywater and rainwater harvesting systems, and the water drawn from the borehole is treated to provide drinking water to campus, as well cool the building. Read more about our Zero Water Systems.

We aim to protect and enhance biodiversity across the University and promote its benefits for students, staff, visitors and local communities.

Our staff, students and local volunteers have conducted a number of biodiversity surveys called 'Bioblitz MMU' - that have contributed towards the development of a University-wide Biodiversity Action Plan.

Manchester Met actively consider and incorporate a range of aspects when designing and developing our Campuses that enrich biodiversity. A Community Woodland creates a species rich environment, and engages local communities in its development and provides an open educational resource for our students, as well as local schools and residents.

The Ethical Investment Policy applies to all staff, students and stakeholders of Manchester Metropolitan University and sets out to incorporate an ethical approach to all investments with due consideration for governance, environmental and social impacts. The Policy requires a systematic, measured and continuous improvement approach, recognising that ethical investment must be meaningful and substantial.

See the Ethical Investment Policy