TIDMUTG
Unite Group PLC (The)
15 June 2021
STUDENTS CALL FOR STRONGER ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE - INCLUDING
CAMPUS BANS ON SINGLE-USE PLASTICS, FINES FOR PEERS AND ANNUAL
LIMITS ON FLIGHTS
-- New research shows that students are more concerned about
climate change than any other issue in 2021 - including
COVID-19
-- Just 18% are happy with the UK government's approach to the
issue, despite pledge to set target to reduce emissions by 78% by
2035 into law earlier this year
-- Students are calling for strong action - a third would now
like to see peers fined by universities for failing to live in an
environmentally-friendly way on campus
-- Students also taking bold action in day-to-day life - 88% say
they now limit air travel annually for environmental reasons
-- Concerns are also impacting career choices - a fifth would
turn down a job with high salary if company's climate change
reputation was poor
15 June 2021: New research by Unite Students, the UK's largest
provider of student accommodation, shows that students are more
concerned about climate change than any other issue in 2021 -
including the challenges of COVID-19.
In a survey of 1,000 undergraduate students, carried out in
collaboration with Opinium, the majority (60%) identified climate
change and environmental issues as one of the top three most urgent
priorities for world leaders to tackle today. This was followed by
COVID-19 in second place, which was chosen by 46%.
The same research revealed that just 18% think the UK government
is currently doing a good job at tackling climate change. A quarter
(25%) think the same of the EU and just 15% think similarly of UK
businesses.
In addition, less than a quarter (23%) think that the UK
government's carbon emission targets are ambitious enough at
present. This comes despite the government's recent announcement
that it will set its pledge to reduce emissions by 78% by 2035 into
law.
Students call for bold action on climate change - from
universities, business and Government
Dissatisfied with progress, students are calling for bold action
on climate change, from both universities and the Government.
On university campuses, for example, students expressed support
for a raft of measures to reduce the student body's impact on the
environment:
-- 70% think universities should now impose a total ban on single use plastics on campus
-- 65% agree that universities should cut ties with any
companies that have a negative impact in terms of climate
change
-- 63% of students living in student accommodation think it
should be compulsory for their student accommodation provider or
landlord to help them live in an environmentally-friendly way
-- 61% want to see more university courses with a focus on tackling climate change
-- A third (33%) agree that universities should now fine
students who fail to adhere to guidance or rules around living in
an environmentally friendly way
-- 14% now think campuses should be totally meat-free
Students also support a strong approach from Government, for
example:
-- 80% agree that the Government should impose targets for
companies around climate change and fines for those which fail to
meet them
-- Almost a third (31%), meanwhile, think that the Government
should impose limits on the number of flights individuals can book
each year
Students are also taking matters into their own hands - climate
change concerns are driving major lifestyle shifts
Students are also making major changes to their day-to-day life,
as well as long-term plans, to limit their impact on the
environment.
In terms of day-to-day changes, for example:
-- 88% of students say that they now limit the number of flights
they take, for environmental reasons, at least some of the time
(59% say they do this always/often)
-- 49% and 68% say that they follow a vegan or vegetarian diet
respectively, for environmental reasons, at least some of the
time
-- When choosing which brands to buy from, further, 76% said it
is important that they are working toward tackling climate
change
-- 50% of students said that they are either a member of a
society, organisation or campaign group focused on tackling climate
change at university, or they are interested in joining one
When it comes to higher education and career path, climate
change concerns are also having a significant impact.
The majority of students said that they had either checked or
now plan to check the specific climate change policies or
reputation of universities (53%) and companies (67%) before
applying to work or study there.
Around 1 in 3 students (31%) agreed that they would not apply to
a university which has a poor track record on climate change and
39% said that they would not apply for a job at a company which has
a poor track record on climate change. Further, a fifth of students
(21%) agreed that they would turn down a job offer with a high
salary, if the company's reputation around climate change was
poor.
Separately, over three quarters of students (76%) say that their
feelings around climate change will now influence the career they
plan to pursue in some way.
Around 42% said that they are likely to pursue a career that
actively tackles climate change (8% very likely, 35% somewhat
likely). Of those, 46% said they had an interest in working in
sustainability, 38% in scientific research, 22% in conservation,
16% policy/politics, and 7% in full time activism.
James Tiernan, Head of Energy & Environment at Unite
Students, said:
"The climate emergency is one of the most pressing matters
facing our society and it is encouraging to see students are so
engaged on the issue.
"Universities and accommodation providers have a real
responsibility to help students live more sustainably, and also to
significantly reduce the impacts of their own operations -
something we're fully committed to.
"O ur new sustainability strategy includes a commitment to
achieving net-zero carbon operations and construction by 2030. This
will require sustained investment in energy efficiency and
renewables, but also the help and support of our employees and
student customers. It is therefore very encouraging to see students
expressing support for bold measures, and also taking action daily
which will have a tangible impact. "
Richard Smith, Chief Executive of Unite Students, said:
"This research brings to life just how committed today's
students really are when it comes to tackling the climate change
crisis.
"It goes far beyond one-off awareness-raising events - although
these are, of course, important. Many students are now shaping
their day-to-day life and long-term plans around making a
difference, involving significant sacrifices along the way, which
is hugely commendable.
"As the UK's largest accommodation provider, we have a clear
responsibility to do all we can to facilitate students' efforts to
live sustainably and in an environmentally-friendly way. This is
precisely what we are working towards with our sustainability
commitments."
Jade Monroe, Director at SOS-UK, the NUS' student-led education
charity focusing on sustainability, said:
"This research demonstrates the strength of feeling from
students around climate change. It is evident on campus how engaged
students are - taking personal action, wanting to know more about
sustainability in their studies and their expectation for
universities and leaders to work towards ambitious targets.
"At SOS-UK we have seen how students and young people ensured
sustainability does not fall off the agenda in recent times. They
have been embracing new ways of working and adapting to ensure that
they can still progress the issues that they care about, showing
remarkable commitment to create a better and more just future."
For further information, please contact:
Unite Students
Unite Press Office Tel: +44 117 450 6300
Powerscourt
Victoria Heslop/ Courtney Sanford Tel: +4 4 20 7250 1446
Notes to Editors:
Research conducted by Opinium between 14(th) and 25(th) May 2021
among 1000 undergraduate students in the UK.
About Unite Students
Unite Students is the UK's largest owner, manager and developer
of purpose-built student accommodation, serving the country's
world-leading Higher Education sector. We provide homes to 74,000
students across 173 properties in 25 leading University towns and
cities. We currently partner with over 60 Universities across the
UK.
Our people are driven by a common purpose: to provide a 'Home
for Success' for the students who live with us. Unite Students'
accommodation is safe and secure, high quality and affordable.
Students live predominantly in ensuite study bedrooms, with rents
covering all bills, insurance, 24-hour security and high-speed
Wi-Fi. We also hold a five-star British Safety Council audit
rating.
Founded in 1991 in Bristol, Unite Group is an award-winning Real
Estate Investment Trust (REIT), listed on the London Stock Exchange
and a member of the FTSE 250 Index.
For more information, visit:
-- Unite Student's corporate website www.unite-group.co.uk
-- The student site www.unitestudents.com
Unite Students' five sustainability commitments
1. Targeting net-zero carbon operations and construction from 2030
Reduce carbon emissions from new and existing buildings in line
with climate science, ahead of the timescale set out in the Paris
Climate Agreement to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
2. Creating resilient, resource-efficient assets and operations
Reduce the environmental impact of our new and existing
buildings by improving energy and water efficiency, and also help
its students to adopt lasting sustainable living habits.
3. Enhancing the health and wellbeing of our employees and students
Driving real improvements in physical and mental health and
wellbeing based on an understanding of their needs, through
improvements to our service model, physical assets and employee
support programmes.
4. Providing opportunities for all
Backed by new diversity targets, including students, employees
and in the communities where we work, where all can succeed,
whatever their background, gender or ethnicity.
5. Leading the student housing sector
We will work to raise standards across the student housing
sector and deliver value to our customers and investors.
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