Environmental sustainability represents a global challenge. We recognise that an unstable climate, increasing carbon emissions and accelerating biodiversity loss require urgent action at all levels of society.
At Worcester College, we’re dedicated to acting in ethical and sustainable ways to improve our environmental performance, reduce our emissions and manage our natural estate. Sustainability is at the heart of what we do, and what we stand for. That’s why we’re taking concrete action to embed sustainability at every level of our operations and ways of working. We’re committed to being a carbon net-zero college while investing in and enhancing the rich biodiversity of our gardens and grounds.
Since 2011 we’ve had an Environmental Policy in place; in 2023 we renewed and revised our commitments to form our Environmental Sustainability Policy. We’ve set ourselves clear targets, and have put systems in place to monitor the effectiveness of our policies and the impact of our actions.
We have a dedicated Sustainability Committee, chaired by the Sustainability Fellow, which regularly reviews our strategy, targets, and policies. Sustainability is also a standing agenda item for all College committees, helping to embed awareness of environmental impact in all decision-making.
Our environmental sustainability policy Email the Sustainability Fellow
Latest news & events
STUDENTS & sustainabILITY
Our students also take a lead in promoting sustainable behaviour at Worcester, both through their representation on the Sustainability Committee and through the actions and initiatives promoted by the JCR Environmental and Ethics Rep. The student-led Edible Garden project has been running since 2010, creating a shared space for students to plant fruit and vegetables and learn new skills.
Sustainability on the shelves
We asked students ‘what should we read in Worcester to learn more about sustainability?’ Explore the books they suggested and that we added to our library collection in response to COP26 and the new University Sustainability Strategy.
Worcester’s wildlife
gardens & Grounds
Our gardeners are working hard to embed sustainability in their stewardship of our historic gardens and grounds. Recent initiatives have included creating wildflower meadows in the Upper Orchard and Provost’s Garden – with over 1,200 wildflowers planted – as well as the introduction of the Provost’s bee hives, with three colonies of bees happily installed at the bottom of the Provost’s lawn.
What we’re focusing on:
- Increasing biodiversity: We’re growing and planting diverse species, from trees to sequester carbon to nectar-rich shrubs and fruiting plants which provide food for wildlife throughout the year.
- Habitats for wildlife: Our hedges, meadows, dead wood and log piles provide natural shelter and safe corridors for birds, mammals and insects.
- Sustainable choices: By composting our waste, reducing our use of pesticides and oil-powered machinery, and conserving water, we’re working hard to garden responsibility.
Read more about sustainability and biodiversity in the gardens
Garden highlights
Cygnets on the lake
Battery-powered lawn mower
Tree planting party
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Beehives in the Provost's Garden
Cygnets on the lake
Battery-powered lawn mower
Tree planting party
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Beehives in the Provost's Garden
Environmental Sustainability Policy
Download our policy
