Tackling climate change and building a resilient, sustainable future remain defining challenges for the University. As we refresh our institutional strategy this year, it is more important than ever that our staff and student community continue to shape our direction and help steer the priorities that will guide our next actions for sustainability.

We are making progress as a community in delivering positive societal change, as recognised in the latest QS Sustainability Rankings which placed University of Bath 56th globally.

Sustainability is one of the core ways in which we are contributing value to the world, developing the skills, knowledge and innovation needed to support a sustainable, fairer and more resilient future.

Over the past year, your responses to the annual Sustainability Survey (shared in these reports) have directly influenced our work:

• we heard your call for more leadership on sustainability and so we have updated and introduced new policies and processes to ensure sustainable decision-making, this includes a Sustainability Policy, Sustainable Procurement Policy and Sustainable Building Standard
• staff expressed a desire to take action but with a need for more support, so we launched Green Impact, a sustainability programme to enable all staff to take action in their departments
• you shared your challenges related to sustainable transport choices, and so the University has now launched a new Travel Plan with work underway to identify what actions should be taken next

You can read more about latest sustainability work at Bath in our Annual Sustainability Report.

This year, we are strengthening our approach to sustainability as part of the University’s long-term planning. We are building on our strengths and identifying opportunities to lead and drive real change, from research and innovation to education, infrastructure, and community partnerships. Alongside reducing our direct operational impacts, we are placing greater focus on how we direct resources and align decision-making to ensure that sustainability is integrated into all major planning and investment processes.

Your input is essential to navigating priority impact areas and decisions. This survey helps us understand where our community believes effort should be focused, where barriers still exist, and how we can align sustainability with the University’s commitments to excellence in research, teaching, and student experience. It also enables us to track our progress year on year and to adapt our plans responsively.

The questions in this year’s survey represent just a snapshot of our wider sustainability work, but your feedback will play a crucial role in shaping the next phase of sustainability action at Bath.

To thank you for taking part, we are once again offering prize draws for both staff and students, with the chance to win Bath Gift Cards redeemable in over 140 local shops, restaurants, cafés, and businesses:

• 1st prize – £300 voucher (one each for students and staff)
• 2nd prize – £200 voucher (one each for students and staff)
• 3rd prize – £100 voucher (one each for students and staff)
• 4th prize – £50 voucher (one each for students and staff)
• 5th prize – £25 voucher (one each for students and staff)

The survey will remain open until midnight on Sunday 14 December. View the prize draw terms and conditions.

Thank you for taking the time to contribute. Your perspectives will help shape the University’s priorities and strengthen our collective action for a more sustainable future.