Home | Environmental Sustainability

Operational areas

Work provided by the Environmental Sustainability Team

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Carbon and energy

Our commitments and approach to reducing the University's scope 1, scope 2 and scope 3 carbon emissions

Travel and transport

Our commitments and approach to adopt sustainable travel modes for staff and students to, from, at and for work

Waste and circular economy

Our commitments and approach to the management and reduction of waste

Biodiversity

Our commitments and approach to manage nature and enhance biodiversity across our estate

Water

Our commitments and approach to manage water effectively

Our progress

Read about our progress for each operational area

University students doing a live practical at the Department of Pathology. Copyright: University of Cambridge (November 2024)

Sustainable research

We're committed to delivering our research responsibly through the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice

Read the announcement View the signature

A University student and professor working in a research laboratory at the Department of Pathology. Copyright: University of Cambridge (November 2024)

Environmental Management System (EMS)

We are certified to the international ISO 14001:2015 standard to reduce environmental risks, ensure legal compliance, and drive continuous improvement

Read about ISO 14001 certification View our certificate

Meet the Environmental Sustainability Team

The Environmental Sustainability Team, based in the Estates Division, works to improve the environmental performance of the University estate

Meet the team Contact us

News

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19 Nov 2025

Energy reduction at CARES Labs: Driving sustainability in research

1 Oct 2025

Low carbon retrofits: Reducing emissions across our estate

31 May 2025

David Attenborough Building: Outstanding environmental management

30 Mar 2025

Clinical School Climate Forum: Freezing the way to sustainable labs

Abstract illustration with a light pink and white background, a conical flask overlayed on top of an image of laboratory ultra-low temperature freezers, with a teal diamond shaped icon to the right of the flask saying '-70°C'.

28 Mar 2025

Banking Engagement Forum: Driving sustainable finance

Abstract illustration to represent financial and economic matters. A greyscale tree overlayed on top of orange triangle shapes, with a greyscale stack of pound coins to the left, overlayed on a blue diamond shape.

26 Mar 2025

Celebrating sustainability: How our staff and students are leading the way

Operational sustainability across the University

Operational sustainability is a shared effort across the University delivered by a number of teams, in addition to the Environmental Sustainability Team (EST)

Our commitments and approach (EST)

Our progress (EST)

Policy and governance (EST)

Sustainable procurement

A dedicated Sustainable Procurement team improve the performance of the University's supply chain

Sustainable investment

University of Cambridge Investment Management (UCIM) manages institutional climate, sustainability and other investments

Sustainable food

The University Catering Service (UCS) manages University catering outlets and sustainable food practices

Sustainable publishing

Cambridge University Press and Assessment (CUP&A) manages global publishing and assessment

Banking Engagement Forum

Collegiate- and University-affiliated institutions influence banking for climate change mitigation

Equipment Sharing Database

Researchers share equipment to reduce procurement costs, travel and waste

Sustainability in academia across the University

Explore some examples of how Cambridge’s academic community is driving sustainability through research, education and influence

Cambridge Zero

Drives climate action across University education and research to inspire future leaders

Climate and Nature research

Cambridge's climate and nature research output, impact, recent developments and key academics

Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL)

Teaches senior leaders and innovators across business, finance and government to accelerate action

Cambridge Centre for Carbon Credits (4C)

Builds digital tools and platforms for carbon credit buyers to transparently fund projects directly

Cambridge Conservation Initiative (CCI)

A Cambridge coalition to draw attention to conservation issues and accelerating sustainable living

Cambridge Colleges

Cambridge’s thirty one independent Colleges take their own approach to environmental sustainability

Support Cambridge

Donate to support Cambridge's climate and nature research and education

Jobs at the University of Cambridge

Use your skills to make us a more environmentally sustainable University