The Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice has been created with the aim to ensure that the future of UK Research and Innovation is conducted in an environmentally sustainable manner.
The concordat was developed collaboratively with representatives from the Research and Innovation sector, including universities, research institutes, catapults and funding organisations. Such institutions include UKRI, The British Academy, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, University of Exeter, University of Cambridge, and Wellcome amongst others.
This is a significant step being taken by the UK research sector to tackle sustainability and address the role we can all play, ensuring that Research and Innovation can continue to deliver positive impact but not at the expense of our planet.
The University of Bath joins in the leadership of a growing network of progressive institutions advocating for responsible research through the concordat.
Professor Sarah Hainsworth OBE, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovation at the University of Bath, says:
Sustainability is a research strength and priority for the University of Bath and joining this concordat is a landmark in our commitment to advancing sustainability. This commitment will foster a culture of accountability in how we conduct our Research and Innovation through measurable action, ensuring our work contributes to a sustainable future. It reinforces our reputation as a hub for impactful and responsible research and is very timely with the recent launch of our institutional Research Culture action plan.
Dr Ghazwa Alwani-Starr, Chief Operating Officer at the University of Bath, says:
We are well-placed as an institution to tackle environmental sustainability head on, and by taking action alongside other signatories we can collectively deliver significant impact. Signing the concordat strengthens our commitment to aligning our Research and Innovation practices with our core institutional values, whilst building on the significant progress we have made over the years.
Professor Phil Taylor, Vice-Chancellor and President at the University of Bath, says:
I’m proud to announce that the University of Bath has signed the concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice, demonstrating our institutional leadership in how we approach environmental sustainability. This commitment underscores our dedication to ensuring that both our operations and academic outputs are setting strong foundations for the future, for the University and society. We look forward to working both individually and collectively with the signatories in achieving this.
Priority areas
Research and Innovation is not only central to understanding the global challenges of climate change but importantly for conducting Research and Innovation in an environmentally responsible way.
The concordat covers all aspects of environmental sustainability, such as reducing carbon emissions, protecting water quality, minimising waste and promoting biodiversity. The concordat outlines the following priority areas:
- Leadership and system change
- Sustainable infrastructure
- Sustainable procurement
- Emissions from business and academic travel
- Collaborations and partnerships
- Environmental impact and reporting data
An annual summary will be published on our progress of the concordat commitments in our Annual Sustainability Report.
Taking action in our research community
Our staff, student and external community, including research partners and funders, are increasingly calling for greater action on sustainability. Signing the concordat is a key demonstration of how we’re actively responding to this.
We take collective responsibility as a research community in helping tackle global environmental challenges and look for everyone to play their part. Further information and support will be provided in due course. In the meantime, you can:
- check any requirements from your funders as soon as possible
- keep an eye out for the launch of a new Sustainable Research Hub, coming March 2025
- if you work in a wet lab, sign up to take action via LEAF, our lab sustainability programme
- if you work in a dry lab, please contact leaf@bath.ac.uk for advice
- if you have any pressing queries, please contact climateaction@bath.ac.uk