What is SAG

The SAG is tasked with advising the University on how to achieve two of the Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) set in the university’s strategic planning framework:

1. How to achieve net zero
2. How to achieve a silver rating in the university sectors Sustainability Leadership Scorecard

Easy enough to put into two bullet points! But these two simple KPI’s have a multitude of actions to achieve them. For example, achieving net zero for all the carbon emissions associated with the university estate and vehicles is no easy task. Here are just a few of things that need to be considered:

• How to maximise on-site renewable generation,
• How to irradicate gas as a heating source, and
• · How to make historic grade II listed buildings thermally and energy efficient

This is before we get into improving building systems and controls, behaviour change of occupants and then, when we have eliminated as many carbon emissions as possible, choosing a credible carbon offsetting scheme for emissions we simply can’t do anything about.

The Sustainability Leadership Scorecard was set up by the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC) in partnership with the Association of University Directors of Estates (AUDE). This covers 4 broad headings:

• Leadership and Governance
• Partnership and Engagement
• Estates and Operations
• Learning, teaching and Research

Each heading then has several actions against them, from staff training on sustainability, business and industry engagement, biodiversity and of course education for sustainable development and student engagement (to name but a few).

So, the SAG has a large sustainability mountain to climb, and only 4 years to do it. But time is of the essence, so we need to set these challenging targets and achieve them.

Our key to success is having a diverse group of people from across the university, with a diverse skill set and knowledge base with senior management support. The SAG has all of this! It is chaired by our Dean for the School of Health, Duncan Sharp and made of up academics from a diverse range of courses, research and support services. In turn Duncan reports directly to Tracey Lancaster, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Peter Slee our Vice-Chancellor.

If you want to hear more about the work of ‘the SAG’ keep an eye on our blog site for future updates: leedsbeckett.ac.uk/blogs/sustainability.