The University of Warwick has joined over 35 UK institutions in leading the way in environmental sustainability in research and innovation.
The Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice represents a shared ambition for the UK to continue delivering cutting-edge research, but in a more environmentally responsible and sustainable way.
By signing the Concordat, The University of Warwick is pledging to lead by example in six critical areas of sustainability, with an overarching goal of sector-wide change by 2050.
The six priority areas for delivery include: Leadership and system change, Sustainable infrastructure, Sustainable procurement, Emissions from business and academic travel, Collaborations and partnerships, and Environmental impact and reporting data.
Professor Stéphanie Panichelli-Batalla, Academic Director for Sustainability commented: "We are thrilled to become a signatory of the Concordat, reinforcing our commitment to environmental sustainability. We have already identified key areas for improvement and have begun developing action plans to help us achieve these goals."
In order to deliver on Warwick’s Concordat commitments, the Energy and Sustainability team will work closely with academic and operational colleagues across the University to develop policies, to improve processes, and to support more Warwick labs to achieve Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) accreditation. LEAF is an established, innovative tool to help labs to measure, improve, and certify sustainable performance.
Research practices under the Concordat will be developed in line with science-based best practice, employing circular economy principles and carbon reduction approaches to ensure long-term environmental responsibility and resilience.
By achieving progress in the priority areas outlined in the Concordat, signatories such as Warwick will retain their global influence in research and innovation, continuing and enhancing the strong partnerships and collaborations that exist and aim to inspire organisations, researchers, and innovators around the world to follow in the UK’s footsteps in conducting research and innovation in an environmentally responsible way.
ENDS
For further information contact:
Helen Annetts
Media & Communications Officer (Press Office)
Helen.Annetts@Warwick.ac.uk / 07779 026720
