Thank you to everyone who attended the latest Conversations at Bath event, focused on sustainability, and also to those who took part in our fifth annual Sustainability Survey in December. The insights and feedback we've gathered from you continue to help shape how we take meaningful, evidence‑based action across the University.

The survey gives us a valuable snapshot of where we are making progress and where we can go further, and has been developed in collaboration with the Department of Psychology.

Gathering inputs from across our community through the survey and events like Conversations at Bath helps us to ensure our work reflects the priorities, hopes and expectations of the people who make up our University.

Your priorities for sustainability

Your responses show a community that is engaged, motivated and ready to be part of positive change.

  • You care deeply about sustainability: 92% of of staff and students said sustainability is important to them
  • You feel hopeful about the impact we can make together: despite high levels of climate concern, 70% of staff and 74% of students expressed optimism that collective action can make a real difference
  • You see the University as a key driver of progress: 76% of staff and 69% of students believe University leadership have an important role to play for sustainability — you've signalled clearly the value you place on sustainability leadership and that this motivates you to take more action, but you also recognise that we can all be leaders for sustainability
  • Fairness matters to you: you highlighted the importance of fairness and consistency in how sustainability expectations are applied — 83% of staff and 79% of students feel fairness is important to them in sustainability decision‑making
  • You want to hear more about what we’re doing: 50% of staff and 63% of students would like to see greater visibility of sustainability work and that this would help them feel more informed and empowered to act

These findings reinforce something powerful: our community is ready and willing to be part of a more sustainable future, and we have a shared opportunity to build on that momentum. For those who attended Conversations at Bath, you'll know that we share your priorities and that our University is stepping up with notable progress being made already, coupled with bold commitments and action backed by plans.

Progress we've made since last year

Your feedback from previous surveys has helped shape our actions. Over the past year, we have:

These actions reflect our commitment to turning insight into impact. It's not everything though — explore more actions and progress for Sustainable Bath.

Next steps for sustainability

Your feedback this year is helping shape the next phase of our sustainability journey. Here’s what you can expect in 2026/27:

  • later this year we will launch a new University Sustainability Plan setting out clear commitments and priority areas to maximise our impact across research, education, operations and community engagement
  • for the next academic year we will pilot an exciting new Education for Sustainability framework designed to help students develop and demonstrate sustainability skills that are increasingly valued by employers and essential for future careers
  • we're taking important steps to reduce our energy footprint — in April we announced the University has switched to a renewable electricity tariff and shared actions to reduce energy demand, and this year we will launch a new Energy Strategy providing a clear roadmap to secure our long-term energy needs and to help decarbonise campus

Together, we can make a lasting impact

Your participation in this survey and events like Conversations at Bath shows how much our community cares about creating a more sustainable University and extending our positive impact as far as possible. We are committed to acting on what you’ve told us, and to working with you to build a future we can all be proud of.