LUU should implement a Sustainability Strategy, developed and endorsed by the Student Sustainability Advisory Board
Passed: November 2020 (23rd)
What do you want? / Why do you want it?
The next ten years are crucial in curbing the alarming rate of global warming - Leeds City Council has declared a Climate Emergency and the student population can play a significant role in responding to this crisis. As such a large student union, we have the power to drive this necessary change. LUU should become a primary example of a sustainable organisation in all areas, and a clear strategy will help shape the journey to achieving this.
There is existing policy from all three Better Forums which demonstrates students’ demand for the Union, University and City to do more for the climate crisis. A strong sustainability strategy will challenge LUU to go further in reducing our own environmental impact and driving positive change.
This year at LUU, we have introduced a brand new Student Sustainability Advisory Board, because we believe that LUU’s action in this area should be driven by our members’ interests. We want their vision to have a lasting impact beyond the academic year. By working together with LUU staff, the Student Executive, and the Student Advisory Board, we can develop a robust strategy which is rooted in our members’ interests and priorities in this area, to give LUU a clear set of targets and actions and truly embed sustainability at all levels.
Expires: November 2023 (23rd)
Submitted By: Isobel Walter
Officer: Union Affairs & Communications
Area of Work: Sustainability
Updates
28/03/23: Sustainability strategy is now embedded into organisational stategy. Approved by the Board
17/01/22: All passed and launched - https://www.luu.org.uk/about-us/sustainability-at-luu/
28/09/21: Sustainability Strategy due to go to the next Council in Oct/Nov.
20/08/21: Mike and Safyan met with Aysha to discuss plans for Sept/Oct launch of strategy, and wider owrk in lobbying UoL regarding their own climat plans and attitude to 'Climate Emergency Declaration'.
10/05/21: First draft written, will be shared with University Sustainability Service and the Sustainability Advisory Board later in May. Will then be shared with LUU teams and managers, with the aim of presenting it to the Board of Trustees in July. The draft incorporates the initial feedback from the Advisory Board. Essentially the next few months will be the consultation period, with the Trustee presentation in July a matter of finalising it.
22/01/21: Izzy update - 'We have taken suggestions and feedback from the Student Advisory Board about the priority areas for the new strategy, and concluded that we should categorise work into three main areas: LUU operations, Student engagement and communication, and student campaigning.
The next stage is a process of consultation with LUU teams, starting with an initial meeting with myself, Lotti, Aidan and Sue and then a presentation to SLT. We will then take the findings back to the board in February, with the aim of compiling a first draft of the strategy for the Board of Trustees on 18th March.
We will also be consulting the University Sustainability Team and hopefully SOS-UK to ensure we are focusing on the right priorities and aligning with their values.
We will be launching a dedicated area of the website for Climate Week on 22nd March, where we can then use to communicate the launch and progress with the strategy.'
23/11/20: New Policy. Sustainability Advisory Board is already set up and ready to start work on this."