UCL launches its new sustainability strategy

UCL has committed to not investing in companies involved in fossil fuel extraction or production, and will make public its portfolio of investments to be transparent about its investment decisions.

The move comes as UCL sets out its plans to be ever-more active in tackling the global climate emergency, while deepening its commitment as a leader in environmental and social sustainability.

Among the key measures announced today is a pledge for all UCL buildings to be net zero carbon by 2024, and for the whole institution to be net zero carbon by 2030. Within the next five years, UCL has also committed to creating a plastic-free campus, giving all of its 42,000 students the opportunity to study, and be involved with sustainability.

The new initiatives build on action UCL has previously taken, which has seen a 27% reduction in carbon emissions in the last 10 years, becoming a zero-to-landfill university and only commissioning and constructing sustainable buildings.

UCL’s new Student Centre has recently been awarded the BREEAM Outstanding rating – one of only 320 buildings in the world to achieve this status. The university has also risen 71 places in the People and Planet University League in the last five years.

By 2024, UCL has made the following key commitments:

Every student will have the opportunity to study, and be involved in sustainability;
UCL will increase our research into sustainability and increase our focus on the Sustainable Development Goals;
UCL's buildings will be net zero carbon and, by 2030, UCL will be net zero carbon;
UCL will be a single-use-plastic free campus;
UCL will reduce waste per person by 20%;
10,000m2 of more biodiverse green space on campus will be created.

You can read more here.