Our sustainability strategy

The University is integrating sustainability into its 8 core policies, starting with operations. Following on from this, delivery plans for each policy area will set out how the University will action its key objectives. 

Governance

To provide direction and governance for the delivery of sustainability within the University, we have established a steering group called the Napier Group. 

The aim of the Napier Group is to act as the strategic group that oversees, monitors and guides the delivery of sustainability ‘strategy’ across the University. The group reports to the Executive Board as necessary.

The Napier group is made up of:

Bob Nichol profile image

Professor Bob Nichol

Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Portrait of Martin Wiles

Martin Wiles

Head of Sustainability (Estates)

The Napier Group will also play a strategic role in delivering the net zero carbon (NZC) plan for scopes 1 & 2 and the scope 3 delivery plan. The group sits along side a University strategic programme board for NZC, which has a sub-board made up of both University of Surrey staff and staff from SSE. Under that will come workstream boards comprising of 8 boards for each of the 8 points of the NZC plan, plus specific project boards for projects like the solar farm.

RoleNameKey responsibilities
COOWill DaviesChair Programme Board & Programme Sponsor
Pro-VC, Executive Dean (FEPS)Prof Bob NicholEB sponsor
Head of SustainabilityMartin WilesNZC lead
Director of EstatesMarco HolnessTo help mobilise estates functions to deliver NZC
Head of Built EnvironmentAdrian Richardson-SmithTo help project management of NZC, provide admin and support for board
Senior Procurement OfficerNick JonesTo help manage procurement of NZC with energy partner.
Senior Financial OfficerIan PrebbleTo review and challenge financial costs of projects
Senior Legal OfficerTBCTo help advise on legal issues within contracts and projects
Energy ManagerAndrew HarmanTo support Head of Sustainability

Student representation

Members of the SU sabbatical team are on a number of committees that scrutinise the University's strategic planning, finances, estates operations and academic mission. These include: 

  • Council (strategic decision making which includes oversight of finance, estates, planning etc) - President of the SU
  • Finance committee (sub-committee of Council) - President of the SU
  • Senate (sub-committee of Council with responsibility for academic mission of the University and strategic decisions pertaining to the academic mission) - President of the SU, VP Voice
  • Surrey Sports Park Board (subsidiary board that looks at the Surrey Sports Park estate, planning, finance and strategic decision making) - President of the SU, VP Activity

See full details of the committees.

Policies and procedures

Responsible Investment Procedure

(233.6 KB .PDF)

Download

Operations Policy Statement

(153.4 KB .PDF)

Download

Delivery plans

Net Zero Carbon Scope 1 & 2 Plan (PDF)

(629.7 KB .PDF)

Download

Scope 3 Action Plan (PDF)

(335.5 KB .PDF)

Download

Climate Adaptation and Resilience Plan (PDF)

(231.3 KB .PDF)

Download

Sustainable Construction Principles (PDF)

(218.1 KB .PDF)

Download

Biodiversity Plan (PDF)

(827.0 KB .PDF)

Download

Sustainable Procurement Plan (PDF)

(353.8 KB .PDF)

Download

University of Surrey Flexible Framework Statement (PDF)

(87.1 KB .PDF)

Download

Water Reduction Plan (PDF)

(283.9 KB .PDF)

Download

Travel Plan (PDF)

(4.3 MB .PDF)

Download

Sustainable and Ethical Food Plan (PDF)

(1.8 MB .PDF)

Download

Operational Waste Management Plan (PDF)

(476.9 KB .PDF)

Download

Emissions & Discharges Prevention Plan (PDF)

(162.9 KB .PDF)

Download

Staff/Student Sustainability Engagement Strategy (PDF)

(131.0 KB .PDF)

Download

Employability & Careers Ethical Code of Practice (PDF)

(198.2 KB .PDF)

Download

Access & Participation Plan (PDF)

(19.2 MB .PDF)

Download

Reports

Sustainability Report (2024-2025) (PDF)

(718.3 KB .PDF)

Download

Sustainability Report (2023-2024) (PDF)

(15.7 MB .PDF)

Download

Sustainability Report (2022-2023) (PDF)

(232.7 KB .PDF)

Download

Sustainable Development Goals Annual Report (2024) (PDF)

(9.2 MB .PDF)

Download

Sustainable Development Goals Annual Report (2023) (PDF)

(12.5 MB .PDF)

Download

Sustainable Development Goals Annual Report (2022) (PDF)

(12.3 MB .PDF)

Download

Food Made Good Report (2025)

(2.3 MB .PDF)

Download

Ecology Report

(21.0 MB .PDF)

Download