Sustainability
Social and Corporate Responsibility
RGU demonstrates a strong commitment to social and corporate responsibility through our integrated approach to sustainability. We align our sustainability efforts with our broader responsibilities as a civic institution and leader in higher education.
RGU promotes equality, diversity and inclusion and health and wellbeing across the wider University community. RGU instils fair working practices and is a living wage accredited employer, creating an ethical working environment.
We are a member of the Advanced Procurement for Universities and Colleges (APUC) and utilises their resources to manage the procurement of goods and services to minimise negative impact and will promote positive social, environmental, and economic outcomes. RGU will undertake regulated procurements in compliance with the sustainable procurement duty of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014. Consideration of environmental, social, and economic issues and how benefits can be delivered through the procurement will be made, where appropriate and on a contract-bycontract basis. The University will utilise available tools and systems such as Prioritisation, Life Cycle Impact Mapping, Sustainability Test, Flexible Framework, APUC’s Supply Chain Code of Conduct, Ecovadis and Electronics Watch where relevant and proportionate to the scope of the procurement.
The University actively supports student-led initiatives through support and funding of Go Green. This includes the circular economy Kaim Shop, BikePad to encourage active travel and the Go Green gardening project. During the cost-of-living crisis, RGU also provided funds and support for the Breakfast Club, giving community access to free food and drinks every Tuesday morning, and has gone on to secure external funding and support alongside.
We support our students in thinking beyond their studies through careers support and learning opportunities. Find out more:
Across all of our academic schools we have embedded sustainability in our curriculum so all of our students are equipped to play their role in tackling challenges as we create a sustainable future together.
Research plays a key role at RGU and the University recently launched a new research strategy which aims to help it flourish over the coming years.
Building on our extensive experience in the energy sector, RGU will continue to be a key voice in the transition to green energy and a sustainable future. We will continue to develop our thought leadership to contribute to national and international conversations around sustainability and net zero and drive innovation to bring positive change.