UCL achieves Gold standard for Environmental Management

After a comprehensive audit, UCL has retained a Gold accreditation for its EcoCampus Environmental Management System, in recognition of progress made to embed environmental compliance, processes and values at the University.

Understanding UCL's Environmental Management System

An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a tool for managing an organisation's impact on the environment. It provides a structured approach to reducing pollution, ensuring legal compliance and driving continuous improvements to environmental performance. UCL uses EcoCampus, a leading environmental management and award scheme for the higher and further education sectors to structure this work. UCL will now work towards a Platinum accreditation, and then onto the international standard for environmental management, ISO 14001.

What the Gold accreditation means

To retain a Gold accreditation, UCL demonstrated progress in embedding environmental compliance, processes and values at an advanced level. An extract from the independent auditors’ summary reads:

"It is clear that a considerable amount of effort has been put into the continuing development of the environmental management system, and some very good examples have been seen. The level at which sustainability is being integrated into UCL’s core strategy is particularly commendable... Throughout the audit staff had been seen to be engaged and interested in the process at all levels and there is a clear commitment within the organisation towards improving its environmental management"

Tony Overbury, UCL's EMS Manager, commended the work of colleagues from across the university for this achievement:

"The progress UCL is making with regards to environmental management is helping create a safer, more pleasant and more sustainable campus. Whatever your role at UCL, whether you maintain UCL's heating, lecture in chemistry, administer a department or enable students to create innovative art projects, we can all contribute to these objectives”

All departments can play their part

The departments audited as part of this process were chosen at random. It's therefore essential that all departments are able to demonstrate how they are addressing their environmental impacts. Many departments choose to take part in UCL’s Green Impact programme. Green Impact is an accreditation and award scheme that's all about staff and students working together in their departments to improve their environmental performance. Find and more and get involved with Green Impact. 

Thanks go to colleagues in Sustainability, Estates, Safety, ISD, Student Accommodation, Library Services, Slade School and Department of Chemistry for their help and cooperation in achieving this accreditation.

Documentation for UCL’s environmental management system is available on Moodle. If you’d like any help, information or resources to make your department or division more sustainable, please get in touch with the Sustainability Team.