Staff

Just some of the ways that staff can get involved with sustainability and make a difference at Lancaster University.

Two students sitting on a log, talking amongst the trees.

Staff sustainability champions

If you have a passion for creating a better environment or a more sustainable campus, we need your help. Each faculty has a sustainability staff group that shapes sustainability in your area and feeds into the wider University strategy. Email us to find out how to join a group.

Sustainable procurement

We encourage all members of staff to read and engage with our sustainable procurement policy. Reduce Consumption by buying less. Re-use or borrow an item from another department. Where there is no alternative to buying new, consider the Environmental, Social/Ethical impacts of your purchase by assessing the sustainability impact.

Sustainable Procurement

Cycle to work

The number of people who commute to campus by bicycle is increasing year-on-year and it's easy to see why. With picturesque views along the cycle paths, free cycle parking and many more benefits. Staff can find out more about the range of travel flexible benefits on offer too.

Cycling

Sustainable business travel

The new travel decision tree and travel guidance aims to support the carbon reduction target with regards to air travel at Lancaster University, specifically for academics and staff travelling on business on behalf of the University. A carbon data dashboard will be available to departments giving access to real time information based on past trips within their areas.

Travel guidance

Women waiting for a train, train speeding past.

Sustainable Projects

Sustainability Knowledge Exchange

Our Sustainability Knowledge Exchange meetings on campus are held every term. These meetings are where staff from across the University gather to discuss various issues related to sustainability and share best-practice ways of working. Topics at the most recent meetings included: academic travel by train, sustainable marketing ideas, sustainable IT initiatives and LEAF sustainable labs.

Staff wellbeing

Spending time together as a team can be extremely valuable for staff wellbeing and teamwork. It can be a great opportunity to make new connections, inspire ideas or relax away from the office.

In March 2023, a team of staff members from the School of Mathematical Sciences spent an afternoon helping to plant trees as part of the ECOWoods project at Forrest Hills. As part of Green Lancaster, volunteer staff and students have planted more than 4000 trees over the last 3 years to help build sustainable habitats and promote wildlife.

Sustainable events

There are many sustainable activities and events held across the university for staff to attend. In November 2023, we celebrated the official opening of ReStore Lancaster, our sustainability shop on campus, with members of the Senior Leadership Team, staff, students and a team from St John's Hospice. The event celebrated a successful first month of opening and the new partnership with the hospice.

Take a tour

Explore our many sustainable projects across the university. Take a tour of the ECOHub where you will find a 4000m2 nature-based garden, allotment and bees.

Every year, there are multiple visits to the wind turbine to see how some of our renewable energy is generated on campus. We have hosted staff teams, school visits and sustainability social groups.