Higher Education Funding Council England (HEFCE)
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New action plan for a more sustainable sector

A new plan to put higher education (HE) at the forefront of society's efforts to achieve sustainability has been published today by HEFCE.

HEFCE's sustainable development strategy and action plan recognises that the HE sector can make a substantial and exemplary contribution to the challenge of sustainable development. This can be achieved through the skills and knowledge that its graduates learn and put into practice, its research and exchange of knowledge through business, community and public policy engagement, and through its own strategies and operations.

The updated 2008 strategy and action plan follows feedback received through the consultation document (HEFCE 2008/18).

Steve Egan, HEFCE's Director of Finance and Corporate Resources, and Deputy Chief Executive, said:

'We want to make sustainable development a central part of our strategy for the future development of the HE sector. The sustainable development action plan is an invaluable resource for HEIs to help them realise this vision. It will help them to build on their existing performance, as well as to support their future commitments such as linking capital funding to carbon performance to combat climate change. We are keen to work in collaboration with Government, the sector and other stakeholders to support and hasten this change. Whilst much has been achieved we are mindful of the considerable challenges that lie ahead and are ready to play our full part.'

The new plan, 'Sustainable development in higher education: 2008 update to strategic statement and action plan' (HEFCE 2009/03) is available.

More on HEFCE's plans for linking capital funding to carbon performance

More on HEFCE's work on sustainable development

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