Staff engagement

Understanding sustainability 

All staff members are provided with training, resources and access to events to enrich their understanding of sustainability:

• All staff inductions include information on the University's sustainability policies, strategy and ways to get involved. It also provides resources to support staff learning and understanding of sustainability.
• Our online 'Introduction to Sustainability' mini-module enhances learning taken from staff inductions, and provides an opportunity to further develop knowledge.
• Research events and opportunities from the Institute for Sustainability allow all members from across the University to share their ideas and sustainable research.
• Engagement with the Unions (UCU, Unison and Unite): The Head of Sustainability is meeting with representatives of UCU to review what areas the Union and University can work on. The Head of Sustainability has been in touch with representatives from Unison regarding lighting, and aims to meeting during Autumn 2025, and has also reached out to Unite to meet in the near future. 

Get involved

The University not only supports staff to understand sustainability, but also empowers them to take climate action:

• Staff from across the University are actively involved with Green Impact & LEAF - programmes that provide departments with a structure to work towards more sustainable practices.
• Staff have the opportunity to feedback on sustainable progress at the University through termly sustainability assemblies.
• Various staff-led groups have been set up across the University to tackle sustainable issues: ranging from gender equality to improving biodiversity on site for hedgehogs and local wildlife.

Trade Unions

University Trade Unions, including UCU, are invited to regular meetings with the Sustainability Team where updates on sustainability policies and plans, including our net zero carbon plan, are reported to ensure involvement in key areas. 

The University consults with Unions on all policies and procedures via the JNCC (Joint Negotiating and consultative Committee) via a JNCC Policy and Procedure Sub-group. The following is noted in the Universities governing document for policies and procedures ‘Procedure of Policies and Procedures’: 

• Section 4.1 Responsibilities: 'Ensures approved procedures (with the exception of Procedures enabled by Our Colleagues and Our Health and Safety) are submitted to the secretary of the JNCC for receipt as an information item at the next scheduled meeting.'

• Section 4.4 Consultation with the Unions: 'Procedures enabled by the Our Colleagues Policy Statement where there are significant amends, must be received for consultation via the JNCC Policy and Procedure sub-group. Procedures that receive minor amends will be sent for information only and as agreed at the JNCC Policy and Procedure sub-group. 

  Procedures enabled by the Our Safety Policy Statement where there are significant amends must be received for consultation via the Health and Safety Consultative Committee. Procedures that receive minor amends will be sent for information only and as agreed at the Health and Safety Consultative Committee. 

  Procedures enabled by the remaining 6 Policy Statements will be sent to the JNCC as an information item.'

  Further details on the JNCC can be found on Union web pages such as https://surrey-ucu.org.uk/about/