Encouraging 10,000 staff to take
action on sustainability:
a case study of a sustainability
engagement programme in higher
education
Lucy Millard
Environmental Sustainability Manager
The University of Manchester
Context
• Largest student community in the UK with
almost 40,000 students.
• More than 1,000 degree programmes.
• Over 10,000 staff, one of the largest
employers in Greater Manchester.
• Largest estate in UK higher education with 240
buildings across 270 hectares and includes 24
listed buildings.
• 25 Nobel Prize winners among our current and
former staff and students.
University Strategy
Social Responsibility
Social responsibility has five strategic priorities:
www.socialresponsibility.manchester.ac.uk
Signature Programmes
Six social responsibility signature programmes have been identified to address
these priorities:
ADDRESSING INEQUALITIES
ETHICAL GRAND CHALLENGES
SCHOOLS GOVERNORS INITIATIVE
CULTURAL EXPLORERS
THE WORKS
10,000 Actions
www.socialresponsibility.manchester.ac.uk/signature-programmes
Environmental Sustainability Strategy
Vision:
For the University to use its
full range of knowledge and
influence to support a world
that is environmentally
sustainable.
The four key strategic
objectives mirror those of
social responsibility.
City context
• The City published
‘Manchester: A Certain Future’
in 2013.
• Every person who lives, studies
or works in Manchester should
receive carbon literacy training.
Premise
• Based on our knowledge and showcase our
research.
• Delivered online where possible due to scale.
• Data collection and monitoring built in.
• Feature different type of staff.
• Learning and taking action.
• Same message for all staff.
What is 10,000 Actions?
• An environmental sustainability learning and engagement
programme for staff.
• Learning is through videos based on the University’s own
research.
• Staff are able to plan how to manage their environmental
impact and track their progress.
• 10,000 Actions is for all staff at the University.
• Devised to engage all members of staff rather than just those
who are enthusiasts.
• Most ambitious sustainability programme for staff in higher
education.
Process
Videos
Quiz
Discussion
Action
Plan
Learn
More
Introductory video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDjSkf_m55I
Offline version
• 10% of staff do not have access to a computer.
• Relevance of actions.
• One hour sessions using flashcards were held
with varying levels of success.
• 351 people attended so far, need to refine for
future.
Data so far
Since 10 November 2016
• Over 40% of our staff have engaged with the
programme compared to the 3% who were
involved with previous engagement schemes.
• 23,615 actions have been pledged with 4,651 in
progress or already completed.
• 351 members of staff who do not have access to
a computer attended face-to-face sessions.
• 29 members of staff have completed the
evidence required for their official Carbon
Literacy certificate.
Action plans
35
30
% of completed action plans
25
20
15
10
5
0
Biology, Medicine and
Health
Humanities
Library and cultural
institutions
Professional Support
Services
Science and
Engineering
WHOLE UNIVERSITY
Impact
“It’s interesting, it’s
educational and it
might be the push you
need to make one or
two really positive
changes which will
impact on you and the
environment! A lot of
little actions can make
a huge difference!”
“I think 10,000 Actions is a
great initiative and helps get
you thinking about small
(and big) things you can do
to help the environment. I’ve
enjoyed going on some of
the lunchtime walks when I
get chance to – getting a bit
of fresh air, exercise and
learning about the local
area. It helps you come
back to your desk with a
fresher mind”
The future
• Continue to encourage staff to use and make
their action plans.
• Update action plans to show transition from
pledge to action.
• Increase functionality of software.
• Potential to use in other organisations?
Contact details
[email protected]
www.manchester.ac.uk/sustainability
Twitter: @UoMSust
All 10,000 Actions videos can be viewed on the YouTube channel:
www.youtube.com/channel/UCiONsNvprJGR4CSkPvAni0A