Dear colleague,
Last week I chaired my first sustainability committee and we thanked Adam for his passion and leadership of this important group. I was impressed to hear about everything that has happened under the banner of Sustainable Sussex to date:
- August 2019: declared a climate emergency and set about creating a dedicated sustainability team for Sussex
- November 2020: published our first Annual Sustainability Report
- April 2021: ranked 9th in UK and 41st in the world in the THE Impact Rankings for sustainability
- July 2021: published our Sustainable Sussex strategy, including a target of becoming net zero by 2035, including our indirect emissions
- July 2021: announced Surfers Against Sewage as our charity partner of the year
- July 2021: held our first Pitch for the Planet student competition, providing £20k in prizes to the next generation of social entrepreneurs via our own version of Dragon’s Den
- September 2021: student sustainability induction and silent disco beach clean
- September 2021: launched EcoGo our new active and sustainable travel reward scheme
- October 2021: new recycling bins on campus and new food waste collection scheme in our halls of residence
Earlier this month we also hosted the Better World event. Three of our academics and one alumna described the innovative work they have been doing as part of the global drive towards sustainability, work that involves our staff and students working in partnership.
What’s next and COP26
Next week Glasgow hosts the UN’s Climate Change Conference (COP26), where global governments, scientists and the business community will come together to discuss ways to accelerate goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
They include many of our own community, who will be there to talk about how to achieve net-zero emissions, ways for businesses to reduce energy demand, and how to transition to a decarbonised economy.
Our people at COP26
A film co-directed by one of our Masters students, Syed Jazib Ali, entitled ActNowFilm, will be shown at the end of the conference. It features a compilation of videos made by young people who, as Syed poignantly says, have already experienced extreme environmental conditions.
Many more of our academics are already engaging with COP26 issues, such as looking at the environmental effects of working from home and re-examining the role of hydrogen as an energy source.
We’re holding Climate Coffees at the ACCA during COP26, when you will have a chance to meet members of the University’s Executive Group to talk about how you feel about the climate crisis, and what actions you would personally like to take.
Find out more
See how we're contributing our research, enterprise and broad expertise, and engaging our staff and students, to influence the 26th UN Climate Change Conference 2021 (COP26).
View our COP26 pages
Supporting students to become sustainability pioneers
I’m particularly proud that we have recently launched five new scholarships for students to help them become climate experts. The Sussex Climate Leadership Scholarships, worth £3,000 a year, are open to undergraduates and Masters students and will be awarded for a track record in being an environmental influencer and clear plans to deliver behaviour change.
Monday 1 November will also see the winners of our Film for COP26 Video Competition, and on 11 November we’re inviting people to a What’s Next After the COP26? networking event at the ACCA with top sustainability speakers. At this event we’ll also launch the 2021 sustainability report, new policies around waste, travel, transport and a single-use plastic reduction pledge.
Continuing our work on Sustainable Sussex
Throughout my career as an oceanographer, I have sought to understand the role of the oceans and have championed climate action and sustainability. These are issues that I am passionate about - but with so many priorities it is easy to become overwhelmed. The most important thing for you to remember is we all can make a difference, both individually and collectively. I know the Sussex community is passionate about the future of our planet, and I look forward to seeing what we can achieve together on this critical issue.
If you’re able to, please sign up to the sustainability champion network, getting involved in implementing the sustainability strategy and acting as a climate leader on campus. If you download our new EcoGo app you’ll be rewarded for active and sustainable travel choices - helping Sussex record its transport emissions as we progress towards net-zero.
With best wishes,
Rachel
Rachel Mills
University Provost