The UK research and innovation (R&I) sector have co-developed a voluntary environmental sustainability concordat. The concordat represents a shared ambition for the UK to continue delivering cutting-edge research, but in a more environmentally responsible and sustainable way.
The aim of the concordat is to ensure research and innovation continues to play a critical part in understanding how our planet is changing, while helping the sector to act responsibly to protect and promote our environment
By signing this concordat, signatories:
This concordat has been produced in collaboration with representatives across the research and innovation sector (including universities, research Institutes, catapults and funding organisations) so that the sector can deliver a shared ambition as part of meeting the global challenge.
Signatories agree to work individually and collectively to ensure the future design and practice of UK research and innovation is environmentally sustainable.
The aims of the concordat are to:
By achieving these aims, the UK will retain its global influence in research and innovation, continuing and enhancing the strong partnerships and collaborations that exist and aiming to inspire organisations, researchers, and innovators around the world to follow in the UK’s footsteps in how we conduct research and innovation in an environmentally responsible way.
Signatories to this concordat agree to the following six areas where they commit to taking action at a whole institutional level and collectively across the sector to deliver real change by 2050:
Leadership and system change
Sustainable Infrastructure
Sustainable procurement
Emissions from business and academic travel
Collaborations and partnerships
Environmental impact and reporting data
Organisations can show their support for the concordat at two levels: as a signatory or as a supporter.
Signatories: Signatory organisations agree to all six priority areas that are outlined in this concordat.
Supporters: Supporters of the concordat agree with the aims and many of the priority areas included in the concordat, however they are not able to commit to being a full signatory at this time. Supporters can become signatories at any time, as and when they can agree to the commitments in the concordat.
Signing up to the concordat is a commitment to the concordat’s aims, and signatories are not expected to follow the terms on the day of signing.
Submit this form to sign up to the Concordat as either a signatory or supporter. Responses to this form are managed by the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC).
Ensure that a letter is published on their website to within 6 months of becoming a signatory. This should be signed by the head of organisation, for example the Chief Executive, Head Director, or Vice Chancellor.
Include concordat references in appropriate and prominent organisational strategies, documents and practices. This may include environmental/ climate change strategy, corporate responsibility reports, objective seeting or your annual report.
Ensure the annual reporting referred to in priority six of the concordat is published and is open and transparent.
Wellcome are hosting the concordat on behalf of the sector. The Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC) are providing the secretariat function for the concordat’s signatories. Data collected is managed in line with EAUC’s privacy policy.
Organisational data provided will be published on this page as well as in relevant reports about the concordat’s reach, implementation and impact. Personal data collected will be shared solely between Wellcome and EAUC for the purpose of managing signatories.
In recognition of the need for continuous improvement, after five years of operation the wording of the concordat priorities and guidance will be reviewed. The content review will ensure that the wording reflects the current landscape, appetite for change and capabilities of the sector, factoring in any developments in good practice, technology and approaches that are likely to emerge at pace through this transition, for example nature-based solutions.
For questions about the concordat, contact the Environmental Association for Univeristies and Colleges’s (EAUC) dedicated inbox.
ESconcordat@eauc.org.uk
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