Sustainability at the University of Essex

Our buildings

We have solar panels on 11 buildings across the Colchester campus, and we currently generate approximately 2.5% of our own electricity on-site through these solar panels. There are projects underway to install more.

Essex Buisness School

• Our Essex Business School is the UK's first zero-carbon business school building.
• It has been estimated that the design of this building reduces emissions by 18%.
• The central courtyard is open to the sky and forms a water garden, collecting rood surface rainwater, which is used to irrigate the winter garden planting.
• The building has been orientated to maximise solar energy benefits, both through passive heat gains and PV energy.
• The 50 sqm solar array offsets 47.9 tonnes of CO2 annually, generating enough electrical energy to offset over 20% of the sites carbon emissions.

New Buildings and Refurbishment

At the University of Essex, we believe in responsible construction and refurbishment.

All our new build and refurbishment projects are assessed for sustainability performance and impacts, with BREEAM' very good' as the minimum rating expected for significant building projects.

Any new building must incorporate 15% renewables, increasing where funding allows.

We have a preference to invest in FSC certified furniture that complies with our ethical purchasing commitments.

Meet the team

What we do

Little Choices, Big Changes

The Sustainability Engagement Team runs the Little Choices Big Changes campaign throughout the year, a campaign to encourage staff and students to change small things that add up to make a big difference.

Staff programmes

We also run staff programmes to help teams embed sustainability into their working practices. And behind the scenes, we work with departments to help our University be more sustainable from every corner—from food and drinks to procurement and teaching.

Follow us on our socials

If you would like to find out more about our work and get tips on how to be more sustainable yourself, follow us on our social media or email the team to see how you can get involved.

Follow us on social media:

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram

Sustainable Essex

Sustainable Essex is an environmental accreditation programme run by the Sustainability Team. It brings staff and students in a department together in a team and provides them with a tangible framework to make their department more sustainable. The programme runs each academic year.

Each team is provided with an online workbook, providing achievable, easy-to-follow and fun actions directly linked to themes of the University's Sustainability Policies. Each team decides whether to compete for a Bronze, Silver or Gold award.

An annual awards ceremony is held yearly to recognise the achievements of staff and students who take part.

Stay in touch

Want to be a part of the Sustainable Essex programme? Email sustainability@essex.ac.uk.