• Environmental sustainability

  • Environmental sustainability

    At Oxford Brookes environmental sustainability plays a key role in our commitment to social responsibility.

    We strive to integrate sustainability into our day to day operations. From the way we heat and light our buildings, how we commute and how we choose the food we eat.

  • Managing sustainability across sites

    Our main campuses have ISO 14001 accreditation, the world's most recognised environmental management system.

    This standard covers the key areas of: energy and carbon, waste, water, biodiversity, transport, food and procurement. It also provides guidance on how to continuously reduce our negative environmental impacts.

  • Award winning gardens

    We've received three Green Flag Awards in recognition of the high quality of our green spaces. The Green Flag Award® scheme is a national standard for parks and green spaces across the UK. Thanks to the dedication of our Grounds Team we are the only university in the UK to hold three.

    Headington Hill gardens 1
    Headington Hill gardens 2
    Headington Hill gardens 3

  • A green student’s union

    Brookes Union has a dedicated Environmental Officer who leads the Union’s student led Environmental Team.

    The Union currently holds a Silver NUS Green Impact Award. In 2016/17 the format of the award changed to focus more on the delivery of campaigns. The award levels changed from Gold, Silver and Bronze to Good, Very Good, and Excellent. Brookes Union is aiming to achieve a 'Very Good' accreditation in 2017 and an 'Excellent' by 2020.

    Read all about their implemented initiatives and current campaigns on the Brookes Union website.

  • The people driving sustainable development at Oxford Brookes

    • The Environmental Services Team
      The Environmental Services Team is responsible for the day to day running of environmental sustainability at Oxford Brookes. As well as the University’s carbon reduction strategy and environmental management system. They are based in the Estates and Facilities Management Department.

    • The Centre for Ecology, Environment and Conservation
      The Centre for Ecology, Environment and Conservation provides a central focus for the expertise we have in ecology, environment and conservation, as well as molecular and developmental biology.

      The Centre undertakes first class research, provides high quality courses and a consultancy service with a focus on conservation and biodiversity.

    • The Oxford Institute for Sustainable Development
      The Oxford Institute for Sustainable Development (OISD) was founded in 2004. It is one of the UK's largest research institutes dedicated to sustainable development research in the built and natural environments.

      OISD consists of eight distinct research groups. Using a multi- and inter-disciplinary approach, it addresses the many dimensions of sustainable development and the synergies and processes that link them.

      OISD is contributing to major Research Council programmes through various research grants. These include Living with Environmental Change, Energy research, Sustainable Urban Environments and Lifelong Health and Wellbeing.

    • The Environmental Information Exchange
      The Environmental Information Exchange (EiE) is a not-for-profit organisation which provides UK organisations with support to reduce their energy, water and waste.

      The EiE webpages include practical information, actions, and support to help organisations understand and implement efficiency actions.