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Annual Sustainability Reports and Progress

Highlights of LSE's sustainability progress since 2006 as well as our Annual Sustainability Reports

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2022/23 Sustainability Report

Prof. Eric Neumayer, Interim President and Vice Chancellor, LSE

"As a leading social sciences university in the heart of London, LSE has a key role to play in responding to the global climate emergency. Through the research and external engagement we undertake to further global understanding; the education we provide to students who will show their own leadership on this issue; and how we manage our own built environment; we take this responsibility seriously as part of our mission to shape a sustainable world.  LSE released its current Sustainability Strategic Plan in October 2020, as part of our LSE 2030 strategy, and the plan continues to act as a catalyst for sustainable action Schoolwide. It focuses on six key areas of focus, including Research, Investment, Engagement and Leadership, Education, Our School (campus operations) and Collaboration. With the post-COVID return to normal campus operations, it has been wonderful to see our estate thriving, but with this comes the challenge of managing it sustainably, from construction, to travel, to energy usage. Despite these obstacles, we are pleased to be in the top 10 per cent of universities worldwide for our sustainability (QS Sustainability Rankings 2023), and top in the UK for the “sustainable institutions” lens of the ranking. This report provides an overview of sustainability initiatives across the School for the academic year 2022/23, and the progress made across the six themes of the plan.   It is critical to our success that the entire LSE community plays their part: students, academics, professional staff, and alumni. Please join us on our journey to create a sustainable LSE and shape a more just and sustainable world."

  • Read the 2022/23 Sustainability Report here  

 

 

 

ANNUAL SUST REPORT 202223

2021/22 Sustainability Report

Minouche Shafik, LSE Director:

"This past year was a challenging one for sustainability, as the world returned to being physically present once more after the events set in motion by the COVID-19 pandemic. At LSE, 2021/22 saw a full and vibrant return to campus for the first time in two years, with sustainability remaining one of the key priorities for the School as we adapted to a postpandemic world. Our Future Ways of Working strategy, coupled with our Digital Smart campaign, urges the LSE community to stay less reliant on printing and business travel, collaborating online where possible and embracing blended working principles so that we work together more effectively and reduce our environmental impacts.

LSE continues to work on embedding its Sustainability Strategic Plan into everything we do. This report provides an overview of sustainability initiatives across the School for the academic year 2021/22, and the progress made across the six themes of the plan."

  • Read the 2021/22 Sustainability Report here

2021/2022

  • LSE Careers launches their 'Discover Careers in Sustainability' programme, which includes a suite of events and resources to help guide those interested in working within the broad field of sustainability.

  • LSE is certified carbon neutral by BSI.

  • LSE Catering launches their carbon impact labelling system.

  • LSE secures 175 million in funding for green and social projects.

  • A new role, Programme Manager for Education for Sustainability, is created to support work to embed sustainability in the curricula at LSE.

 

un race to zeroTeam photo from litter pick event at the LSE Sportsground in 2021

2020/2021 Annual Sustainability Report

Minouche Shafik, LSE Director:

"This year LSE launched its Sustainability Strategic Plan, created in close collaboration with the LSE community to maximise our impact in shaping a sustainable world. The plan sets a comprehensive package of measures to embed environmental sustainability across our operations with six key areas of focus: Education, Research, Engagement and Leadership, Investment, Collaboration, and Our School for campus operations.

The Plan has been a catalyst for action and accelerated our already wide-ranging efforts to create a more sustainable LSE."

  • Read the 2020/21 Sustainability Report here

2020/2021

  • The School becomes the first UK-based university to be verified carbon neutral for its measured emissions (for the 2019/20 academic year).

  • We joined the UN Race to Zero campaign.

  • The School's Education for Sustainability leads network launches.

  • Digital Smart campaign launched to support the transition to Future Ways of Working by maintaining low printing and travel carbon footprints.

  • The School ranked 11th in People & Planet's University League, retaining our First Class status.

 

 

747x420 201920 report tile

2019/2020 Annual Sustainability Report

Minouche Shafik, LSE Director:

"This report details the #SustainableLSE Consultation and the development of our Sustainability Strategic Plan, as well as providing an overview of our sustainability efforts across the School for the 2019/20 academic year."

  • Read the 2019/20 Sustainability Report here

2019/2020

 

2018-19 Report Cover

2018/2019 Annual Sustainability Report

Our seventh annual report is also our first digital only. We showcase sustainability at the School as well as our targeted performance.

2018/2019

  • Green Impact celebrates it's 10th year at LSE with 25 teams implementing single-use plastic reducing actions and projects.

  • LSE installs new drinking fountain provided by Mayor of London and #OneLess campaign to reduce usage of disposable water bottles in the city.

  • Centre Buildings Redevelopment project completed.

 

Rport

2017/2018 Annual Sustainability Report

A Finalist in the Green Gown Awards 2019, our sixth annual report shows our targeted performance and how we've responded to stakeholder feedback.

2017/2018

  • Carbon emissions cut by 33 percent since 2005.

  • Zinc launches - a business accelerator for start-ups with a social mission.

  • Marshall building achieves BREEAM Excellent (Design).

  • Plastic Free LSE campaign launched to minimise single-use plastic use at LSE and engage LSE community in the issue.

  • LSE Air Quality Position Statement published highlighting LSE's commitment to minimise emissions whilst protecting the community.

 

2016-17 annual report

2016/2017 Annual Sustainability Report

A Finalist in the Green Gown Awards 2018, our fifth annual report maps to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

2016/2017

  • Centre Building Redevelopment project achieves BREEAM Excellent (Design).

  • 8th 'First Class' award in the People and Planet University League maintaining 14th place overall and rising to first position in the Russell Group universities.

  • The Soil Association's, Silver Food for Life award achieved in LSE catered halls of residence: Bankside House, Carr-Saunders, Passfield Hall and Rosebery Hall.

  • 300 contracted staff are insourced to ensure better working contracts.

 

2015-16 Report

2015/2016 Annual Sustainability Report

Our fourth annual report achieved Finalist in the Green Gown 2017 Awards and details our environmental performance over the past year, and sets out our plans for future progress.

2015/2016

  • 7th 'First Class' award in the People and Planet University League. LSE rises to 14th place, positioning it as second in London and second of the Russell Group universities.

  • Camden Climate Change Alliance award for reducing carbon emissions year on year.

  • Shortlisted for two Green Gown Awards in the 'Learning and Skills' category for our Estates Division staff sustainability training, and the 'Sustainability Reporting' category for our Annual Sustainability Reports.

  • ISO 14001 and ISO 5001 re-certification gained.

  • LSE Catering achieved 'Two Star - Excellent' rating from the Sustainable Restaurant Association.

  • LSE LIFE achieved RICS Ska rating 'Gold' for sustainable refurbishment. LSE was also the first university to be awarded 'Silver' in the new Ska rating for high education fit-outs.

 

2014-15 Report

2014/15 Annual Sustainability Report 

This annual report highlights our sustainability developments and achievements, including research, carbon emissions cuts and changes to our Socially Responsible Investment Policy. A Finalist in the Green Gown Awards 2016.

2014/2015

  • ISO 5001 certification gained - LSE is one of only a handful of universities to achieve the standard.

  • 6th ‘First Class’ award in the People and Planet University League.

 

2013-14 Report

2013/2014 Annual Sustainability Report 

This annual report marks our successes and challenges in creating a more sustainable university and provides updates on the year's projects. 

2013/2014

 

2012-13 Report

2012/2013 Annual Sustainability Report 

Read LSE's first annual report highlighting our range of sustainability work, from energy consumption to community involvement.  

2012/2013

  • LSE elected onto EAUC MAC committee for sustainability in UK education

  • Relove Fair: 3-4 October 2013

  • ISO 14001 re-certification

  • 5th 'First class' award in the People & Planet Green League

  • Mayor’s Green Procurement Code: Silver Award

  • CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme league: top among Russell Group universities

2012

  • Green Gown Awards: ‘Highly Commended’

  • Refurbished 32 LiF building achieves BREEAM 'Very Good'

  • Camden ‘EECO’ Award for renewable energy generation

  • LSE's Environmental Management System achieves 'Platinum' EcoCampusstatus and ISO 14001 Certification

  • 4th 'First class' award in the People & Planet Green League

2011

  • International Green Awards: ‘Bronze’ for Zero-Waste Strategy

  • Carbon Trust Standard re-accreditation

  • LSE's Environmental Management System achieves EcoCampus 'Gold' Certification

  • 3rd 'First class' award in the People & Planet Green League 

  • Green Gown Awards: shortlisted for 'Rethink' waste strategy

  • New Students' Centre certified BREEAM 'Outstanding' (Design)

2010

2009

  • LSE win Green 500 Award

  • ‘LSE 100’ module to cover climate change

  • LSE wins National Recycling Award 2009

  • LSE achieves a 'First class' award in the People & Planet Green League and are named UK's 2nd greenest university

2008

  • LSE wins National Recycling Award

  • LSE achieves a '2:1' award in the People & Planet Green League

  • LSE pioneers re-use in halls of residence project

  • LSE Sustainability in Practice lecture series begins

  • LSE joins Green 500

  • New Academic Building: BREEAM 'Excellent'

  • LSE's Environmental Management System achieves EcoCampus 'Bronze' status

  • LSE Director signs national green universities pledge

2007

  • LSE achieves a '2:1' award in the People & Planet Green League

  • LSE feature as case study in Mayor’s Climate Action Plan

  • LSE wins National Recycling Award for ‘best partnership project’

2006

  • LSE adopts Environmental Sustainability Policy

  • LSE appoints part-time Environmental Coordinator

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