The event took place in University Hall on Thursday 4 June, 10.30-11.30am and explored 'Sustainability at Bath'.

Q&A - responses to unanswered questions

Sustainability questions

Question: I'm pleased to hear lots about tackling the Climate Crisis (quite rightly) but I’m not sure that I've heard anything about the Biodiversity crisis. We have a very small campus but can we do more on this front? A tiny but representative example: last year when I asked why we were cutting all the wild flowers in May we were told it was to make the site look tidy. Can we do better?

Answer: The biodiversity crisis rightly deserves just as much attention as the climate crisis, and we recognise that the two are deeply connected. Even on a relatively small campus, the choices we make about land management have a real impact.

We’re currently reviewing our approach to campus biodiversity, including how we manage green spaces and opportunities to support native species and pollinators. As part of this work, we’re also considering how to balance increased biodiversity with the need to maintain high‑quality spaces for everyone who studies, works and lives here. Some areas may be well‑suited to more nature‑positive practices, while others need to remain accessible, safe and functional — and getting that balance right is essential.

This review will help us identify where we can adopt more nature‑positive practices across the site, and where a more tailored approach is needed. We welcome continued input from staff and students as we shape a campus that supports both people and wildlife.

Question: Given the need to utilise existing skills within the University and enhance sustainability research, has their been consideration on how to 'audit' this skill set and share ongoing/upcoming projects? i.e. increase visibility on both sides to encourage engagement and increase awareness on how people can help.

Answer: We absolutely recognise the value of better understanding the skills, expertise, and active sustainability research already happening across the University, and the opportunities to use this expertise to drive change in our operations and other areas.

There are multiple ways in which we have already been able to achieve impact through this type of ‘Living Lab’ approach. For example, collaborating with psychology colleagues to run behaviour change interventions and our annual survey, with research outputs produced for both.

We welcome and actively encourage colleagues and students to contact sustainability@bath.ac.uk if there are common areas of interest and potential scope for using the University as a research or education tool.

Question: I am concerned that we use the term "sustainable" (and its derivatives) without being EXACTLY clear what we mean. Many start at the 1987 Brundtland definition, but there are other versions including very sophisticated thermodynamic models. May I please ask what the University's definition is. Thanks, Tim Mays.

Answer: For the University of Bath, sustainability is about conducting our activity (our research, our education, our operations and our engagement) in a way which embodies and addresses:

• environmental health and climate action
• social responsibility, equity and inclusion
• economic and financial sustainability

The University of Bath contributes positively to sustainability through its world-class research, its teaching and its partnerships and collaboration. However, the University also recognises that there are environmental and social impacts associated with its activities. The University aims to maximise its contribution to a more sustainable world whilst also minimising its impact.

The University approach to embedding and managing this across our activities is outlined in our Sustainability Policy.

Travel questions

• Would the university ever consider putting on a staff bus to campus from Temple Meads?
• Where would the dedicated cycle route to campus run from?
  
• How will the university ensure that staff who live further away from campus are not unfairly disadvantaged by the need to travel to campus?
  
• Is there any concern that these 'sticks' could end up making people feel like they're forced to make decisions that don't work for them? Which as Lorraine says, makes the policy not successful.

Answer: As a University, we’re committed to making travel to and from our campus effective, inclusive, sustainable and future-ready. Whether you're staff, a student, or visitor, we know that getting to campus can be challenging. That’s why last year we launched a refreshed University Travel Plan.

We have grown over time as a University and project further growth to come. We're approaching this in a planned and sustainable way but this does put pressure on our space and increases the challenges for all modes of travel and for transport infrastructure.

The University’s Travel and Transport Group are now actively reviewing a range of travel and access options to support staff and students to travel effectively in their daily commute. This includes opportunities to enable more active travel and car-sharing, and working with public transport providers and reviewing and improving travel infrastructure.

We’re very mindful of colleagues and students who have different needs when it comes to commuting, including caring responsibilities, accessibility needs and those who live further away. We know that change can feel daunting. Not every solution will work for everyone, and that’s why equity is at the heart of this plan. We’re committed to supporting those who can make a change, and listening to those who face barriers. For each measure, an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion assessment will be completed, which will consider specific groups that may be disproportionately impacted or may need additional support. Relevant stakeholders will be consulted, and appropriate mitigation put in place as required.

The intention is not to create ‘sticks’, but to design a system that supports choice, makes sustainable options easier, and avoids pushing people into decisions that don’t work for them. Your concerns are central to getting this right, and they’re being taken seriously as part of the ongoing work.