Cardiff Metropolitan University’s Sustainability Journey

Wales’ top new university has been adopting the principles of sustainable development in its decision making and this is changing the way staff work and students study.

Cardiff Metropolitan University’s sustainable behaviours span the entire University and examples include a fair trade policy, transport and travel plans, water efficiency plans, carbon management plans, a health and wellbeing strategy, along with an environmental management system to name a few.

To date, the sustainable development position at the university has been done with individual operational areas focusing on specific targets and standards and this has resulted in relevant change and achievements. Cardiff Met has been recognised as an Investors in People organisation, is a Fair Trade University, was awarded gold award in the Welsh Government’s Travel Plan awards and is ranked within the top 20 universities in the UK for environmental performance.

With the help of Cynnal Cymru; the management team at the University has been looking at ways of building on sustainable development success and creating a unifying philosophy. This will help ensure the University is well placed to comply with the Welsh Government’s proposed Sustainable Development Bill.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff Met, Pam Ackroyd said, “As a University we are committed to ensuring sustainable behaviours are central to the way we operate, and understanding our important role in inspiring the students. We have developed a good sustainable development foundation at the University from which we will continue to build sustainable behaviours into staff and student activities.”

Pam Ackroyd continues “By working with organisations like Cynnal Cymru we are confident of turning a wide range of our best practice activities into a robust philosophy for sustainable development and embracing the proposed Welsh Government’s Sustainable Development Bill.”

Cynnal Cymru Chief Executive, David Fitzpatrick, said “We are working with the Welsh Government to help embed sustainable development across Wales. By supporting Cardiff Metropolitan University on their sustainable development journey, we will help the university to be best placed to meet the duties of the proposed Sustainable Development Bill, whilst ensuring that best practice be shared.”

David Fitzpatrick continued “This project is an excellent example of how organisations can build sustainable development behaviours and objectives into their work places. It highlights the benefits that implementing sustainable development can bring to any organisation, its staff and its customers. Whilst some organisations have made progress towards sustainability, this case study is a reminder that organisations could reap greater benefit from a more cohesive approach, in line with the duties of the proposed Sustainable Development Bill. We are looking forward to its success.”

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