Physical Estate & Operations

Carbon emissions that the university is directly responsible for. The carbon produced by the radiators in our campus buildings, for example, is a direct result of the University choosing to switch the heating on.  

Carbon emissions that are related offsite as a result of the University’s electricity use. For example, every time the University turns the lights on, we are asking our energy provider to produced electricity for us.  

Whenever we procure something, we create a lengthy chain of energy consumption – our Scope 3 emissions. This includes: purchased good and services, waste, business travel, employee commuting, capital goods and services, transportation and distribution. 

• Energy decarbonisation: This academic year Falmouth University achieved a 5.5% reduction in our absolute scope 1 and 2 emissions (AY 2022/2023 2,247.5 tCO2e vs AY 2023/2024 2,127.28 tCO2e).   
• Across both campuses, our estates team have been working on program delivery of solar PCV installation on buildings, improved sub-metering enhancements, heating, ventilation and air conditioning optimisation and LED lighting upgrades in buildings. 

Sustainable Procurement: 

• Continuation and development of our Responsible Procurement Strategy focusing on a triple bottom line approach: environmental, social and local economic factors.  
• 76% of our core suppliers have committed to carbon reduction strategy. 90% of core suppliers have now committed to a social value strategy.  
• 20% of scoring in all tenders allocated to carbon reduction and social value.  
• 90% of our core suppliers have now adopted the NetPositive supplier engagement platform. This is where they create their own sustainability action plan. The target is for 100% of core suppliers to sign up by 2025.  
• 37% of our overall supply chain is based in Cornwall and Devon.  87% of our catering and retail suppliers are based in Cornwall and Devon.  
• The Sustainability Café achieved accreditation from the Vegetarian Society for producing a fully vegetarian and vegan menu offering.  

Sustainable Travel:  

• Achieved the Gold award administered by the Cycle Friendly Employer award program. The gold award is the highest award administered and recognises the facilities and services employers provide to encourage and support cycling/active travel. 
• Annual FX Plus student and staff travel commuting survey: This year we collected 703 student and staff responses across campus based on commuting travel preferences, behaviours and insights. This was the highest survey result we have achieved so far. This information informs decision making across FX Plus and the university where to achieve continuous improvement. 
• 2030 Sustainable Commuting Travel Plan: came to the final stages of finalising the travel strategy for FX Plus. The plan is essentially focused on three key pillars: i) infrastructure improvement, ii) service level improvement and iii) behaviour change and communications.

New Waste & Recycling Initiatives:  

• Expansion of Tetra Pak recycling – 14,000 cartons were recycled in 2023-2024.   
• We launched a ‘Bin it to Win it’ campaign with ‘smart segregation’ QR codes aimed at incentivising improved recycling, with a £1,000 prize for disposing of waste correctly. We were the first university to launch such an initiative.   
• A medicinal blister pack recycling scheme was introduced on campus. This waste is upcycled into products like modular furniture and hoarding boards.  

New Campus Biodiversity Initiatives:  

• Received the Green Flag award for the seventh consecutive year. The Green Flag Award is administered by Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.
• We doubled the number of wildflower plants planted across Penryn Campus to 2,320. 
• Continued our relaxed mowing regime across campuses, which helps continue support for wildflower spaces and wider biodiversity benefits.