UPP, the leading provider of on-campus student accommodation, has published its first annual Sustainability Report which meets in full GRI standards pledging to:
- Reduce carbon emissions by 50% across scopes 1 & 2 by 2030 and be fully Net Zero across scopes 1,2 and 3 by 2035 – externally validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)
- Ensure there is zero waste to landfill by 2030
- Create £6m of social value through volunteering schemes, supporting vulnerable people into employment at UPP, and charitable fundraising
- Invest over £3m into the sector-leading UPP Foundation over the decade
- Guarantee all of its strategic suppliers sign up to its ethical Procurement Charter
These are some of the key commitments UPP is making as it publishes its first annual Sustainability Report.
Entitled Building Sustainable Futures, the report sets out UPP’s authentic and ambitious approach to being a purpose-led business which prioritises sustainability across the three elements of ESG (Environment, Social and Governance). It is published in accordance with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards – the leading international standard for sustainability reporting. It sets out UPP’s sustainability strategy, its long-term goals and tracks performance across all of its material topics.
From pioneering eco-residences and sustainable ‘Passivhaus’ building design, to establishing the UPP Foundation in order to support access to education for all, UPP has a proud history when it comes to sustainability and social value. But the publication of our first annual Sustainability Report represents an important moment, evidencing the scale of our ambition to behave responsibility across our sphere of operation and driving to become the market leader in sustainable practice.
Elaine Hewitt, Chief Executive Officer said: “The responsibility of business to actively invest in the best interests of people, place and planet has never been more clear. The consequences of the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis continue to demonstrate the need for organisations to have an approach based on purpose which in addition to financial return enable its communities to thrive.
“At UPP, we welcome this as an opportunity to enrich our offering to our university partners, our student residents and our people. Our business model enables UPP to work across education, charity, construction, housing and finance. As such UPP is in a unique position to pioneer and champion change across multiple industry sectors and to positively influence the behaviour of future generations.”
Richard Brabner, UPP’s Director of ESG and UPP Foundation said: “By publishing our Sustainability Report in accordance with GRI Standards – detailing our impacts as a business – UPP is part of a global community which recognises that sustainability is the most important issue for business in the 21st century.
It has been a huge privilege to develop UPP’s approach to ESG and I am delighted that we will share the progress we are making on an annual basis. Whether it is the climate emergency, wellbeing or economic inequality, our society faces daunting challenges. This report shows that UPP, together with our residents, university partners and investors, is focused on overcoming these issues – creating a better and more sustainable future for all of us.”
