Environmental Sustainability Strategy
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The Environmental Sustainability Strategy has been developed in 2023/24 to address the goals outlined in the RCA's Strategic Plan.
Strategic approach
The RCA Environmental Sustainability Strategy seeks to celebrate the existing work across the College in sustainability and highlight the priority areas which we need to take action in the coming years, to achieve our sustainability vision.
The Royal College of Art is a small specialist institution and we need an approach which balances the urgency of the climate crisis with our size and ability to deliver, while acknowledging that different areas of the College are at different stages of the sustainability journey. Our first Environmental Sustainability Strategy needs to focus on the most urgent and important issues that we must act on now, and will be a building block for greater ambition as we approach our Net Zero target in 2035.
Technology, regulation, guidance and best practice in sustainability is constantly evolving in response to scientific developments or market changes, within the Higher Education sector and more broadly. While this strategy outlines our approach based on the most relevant priorities in 2024, we need to acknowledge the need for flexibility in this changing landscape. We also need to acknowledge that, in many areas, we are early in our journey and, as we progress, we may find new challenges. Our approach needs to be agile and we will need to continually review the priorities and timelines set out in this strategy in addition to the resources needed for delivery, with the support of the Environmental Sustainability Committee and Senior Management Team.
The Environmental Sustainability Strategy supports with the three goals and five enablers set out in the RCA’s Strategic Plan 2022-27. Four pillars have been identified to focus our work on climate change and sustainability. Underpinning these four themes is a structure to embed the delivery of the strategy in everything we do across the College, covering governance, training, staff and student engagement, data and reporting.
Net Zero
Objective: Achieve Net Zero by 2035 by reducing scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 90% from a 2022/23 baseline and building resilience to the effects of climate change.
Vision: We will have a detailed decarbonisation plan outlining the route to net zero and clear targets for reducing scope 1, 2 and 3 aligned to climate science. We will have begun concerted efforts to reduce our emissions and improve our data quality. We will better understand the climate risks facing the RCA and will have created a plan to ensure resilience.
Sustainable Resource Use
Objective: Reduce our draw on natural resources and work towards becoming a circular institution.
Vision: We will have established an Environmental Management System and will be continuously working to improve our environmental impact, including in our events and exhibitions. We will have created opportunities to reduce waste, increase recycling and promote reuse of materials. We will have more green spaces and planters across campuses and work towards becoming CLIMAVORE in our food offer.
Teaching & Learning
Objective: Embed environmental sustainability in all forms of teaching and learning so that students can contribute to and work within a more sustainable future.
Vision: We will have supported students to apply creativity and innovation towards a sustainable future through teaching and learning. We will have created a framework for technical workshop framework to support sustainable practice. We will have supported staff to understand the environmental and social impacts of climate change and facilitate opportunities to share knowledge of sustainable practice and teaching.
Research & Knowledge Exchange
Objective: Develop solutions to global sustainability challenges through research and innovation.
Vision: We will have delivered innovative research across the climate crisis and circular economy, while maximising engagement with and impact of this research internally and externally. We will have supported staff and doctoral students to develop understanding environmental sustainability in research and seek ways minimising the environmental impact of doing research.
Delivering the strategy
Successful progress towards fulfilling our sustainability objectives and commitments requires input and action from colleagues all across the College. By 2027, we will have supported staff and students to embed sustainability in day-to-day College activities and report transparently on our progress internally and externally.
Approval and review
The pillars of the Environmental Sustainability Strategy were approved by Council in July 2024.
Annual updates and review of the carbon footprint, progress against the Environmental Policy and Environmental Sustainability Strategy will be received by the Senior Management Team and Council.
Strategic aims
Underpinning each objective are a number of aims relating to key focus areas within the pillar. These aims have been reviewed and approved by the Environmental Sustainability Committee, Senior Management Team, and Senate, relating to the Teaching & Learning pillar. These will be reviewed with Council in October 2024, following the confirmation of the 2024/25 budget.
See more detail on our strategic aims below, or download the Strategic Aims: Objectives & Targets (PDF).