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In 2024–25, we continue to demonstrate strong progress across our sustainability priorities, delivering measurable improvements in environmental performance while strengthening our wider social and economic impact. Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions have been reduced by 78% against the 2005–06 baseline, with energy efficiency improving by 37% since 2016–17, reflecting sustained investment in decarbonisation and campus infrastructure. Waste generation has fallen to 450 tonnes (over 30% below the baseline) with a recycling rate of 48%, alongside significant gains in reuse and circular economy initiatives. We have also maintained key environmental certifications, achieved zero compliance breaches, and expanded biodiversity and sustainable travel initiatives. Beyond operations, progress has been made in embedding sustainability into education, research, and community engagement, with increased participation in sustainability activities and a first submission to the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. Overall, performance in 2024–25 shows the University is on track towards its Net Zero 2038 target while continuing to enhance its contribution to people, place, and planet.

Â׸£ÀûƬ Annual Sustainability Report 2024-25

• Annual Sustainability Report 2023-2024
• Annual Sustainability Report 2022-2023
• Annual Sustainability Report 2021-2022
• Annual Sustainability Report 2020-2021

The University Environmental and Energy Management System has been certified to the internationally recognised standards ISO 14001 and ISO 50001 since 2019.

The University implemented a phased approach to development of the EEMS using the EcoCampus framework for which Platinum was achieved in 2019, alongside the ISO standards. 

The University and Salford Students' Union achieved Responsible Futures accreditation in November 2025. 

Responsible Futures is run internationally by , and provides a framework of criteria drawn from good practice across the sector, to support a whole-institution approach to weave holistic sustainability through the formal, informal, and subliminal curriculum, with an emphasis on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). 

The Â׸£ÀûƬ Conferencing Team with support from the Environmental Sustainability Team achieved the Platinum EcoSmart award in February 2026.

ECOsmart is a certification awarded by to venues that demonstrate strong environmental practices. The assessment covers a wide range of building operations, including waste and recycling, energy and water usage, and sustainable building infrastructure. 

The Â׸£ÀûƬ first won a Green Flag Award in 2019 and have successfully maintained the standard to win it every year since (there was no Award in 2020 during Covid).

The Green Flag Award scheme recognises and rewards well managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

In March 2025, the Eat and Drink on Campus Team were awarded two stars in our first evaluation in the . The awards, run by the Sustainable Restaurant Association assesses businesses on their commitment to ethical sourcing, reducing environmental impact, and fostering a positive social impact.

This award positively endorses our Sustainable Food Policy.

The Â׸£ÀûƬ was awarded a Platinum Hedgehog Friendly Campus in 2024. 

The Hedgehog Friendly Campus scheme aims to turn university campuses into habitats where hedgehogs can safely live and thrive. It’s a chance for our community to come together to make real changes for the local wildlife. Platinum accreditation means that we have taken action to promote best practice on our campus and beyond, by increasing hazard management, the number of hedgehog habitats and our community engagement.

The Â׸£ÀûƬ has the . 

Run by Cycling UK, the Cycle Friendly Employer award is the international benchmark for active travel culture and infrastructure in the workplace.