Environmental Policy

Goodenough College understands that the size of its community and the nature of its activities have an impact on the environment. To fulfil its charitable object to promote and enrich the education of its resident Members, it encourages the international movement of students. It further encourages national and international travel in pursuit of this intellectual, social and cultural enrichment, through activities under the Dean’s programme and in maintaining the College’s warm relationship with its Alumni. The College recognises the carbon impact of these core charitable activities.

The purpose of this policy is to identify and establish a set of aims for the College in relation to environmental issues and to ensure that any negative environmental impact is mitigated to the greatest extent possible.

The College Strategic Plan includes an explicit strategic goal ‘To sustain the College as an enduring institution which is underpinned by secure finances, a well-maintained estate and high-quality staff, with a commitment to minimising the environmental impact of College activity, and to promote environmental sustainability amongst its members and staff.’

This environmental policy provides the framework for setting and reviewing environmental strategies within the College. Our principal aims are to minimise College carbon emissions in order to reduce the impact of climate change, and to promote a sustainable waste hierarchy of Reduce/Reuse/Recycle. It follows that our environmental objectives are to:

• Reduce our energy requirements through improving energy efficiency and reducing consumption;
• Manage our waste by minimising, recycling and disposing of waste and packaging in a responsible manner;
• Reduce our water consumption;
• Prioritise the use of materials with a lower environmental impact and reduce the use of hazardous products and practices directly and indirectly associated with our work;
• Prioritise sustainable procurement options and require suppliers to support environmental sustainability objectives;
• Work with College Members, staff, visitors, service providers and other contacts to understand best environmental behaviours and practices, and assist them to make improvements (particularly on energy and waste) where possible;
• Ensure our environmental strategies are an effective, appropriate and affordable allocation of College resources;
• Set targets on environmental sustainability and monitor our performance against them.

The College has established an Environment Panel with the support and active involvement of College Members and staff to deliver concrete results on its commitment to environmental sustainability, and to provide leadership and direction to the College’s environmental policy.

This policy is publicly available on the College website and circulated to staff and College Members. It is regularly reviewed by the Environment Panel.

Alice Walpole
College Director

Updated August 2025