Corporate Social Responsibility
What does that mean...? In a nutshell CSR is our commitment to do everything we can to operate in a safe, ethical and responsible way in whatever we are doing whether its an evening event, an activity, what we buy, how we travel or what our impact is on the environment.
Environmental Policy... To see the University's and Student Union's Environmental Policy click here
Work-Life Balance Award Winners!
Birmingham City Students’ Union is proud to have won a Gold Category Finalist Award at the Birmingham Best Business Awards for our outstanding contribution to Work-Life Balance.
The award recognises the Union’s commitment to both full-time and student staff, maintaining retention and contribution to an overall high-quality employee experience.
Kat Higgs Communications Officer said:
“Working for the Union for the last two years has been a fantastic experience. Not many people can say they enjoy their job but I honestly love my work! The staff are very friendly and moral is kept high. As employers, the Union are very supportive and accommodating to your needs. For instance, we have flexible working hours meaning staff can more easily manage their work-life balance”
Green Impact Awards...Bronze Maintained! 
For the second year running we have been awarded Bronze in the National Union of Students (NUS) Green Impact Environmental Award scheme. The Green Impact Awards seek to capture the positive green innovations in students' unions and promote them to the general public.
After demonstrating competency in 23 environmental good practice indicators, the Students' Union was again awarded the Bronze Level Accreditation. With great help from the University's Environmental Officer, Rebecca Barnett, work is under way to bring back Silver next year.
For more information on the scheme please click here.
Aspects and Impacts Register...
The Student Union is working closely with the University to implement the EcoCampus Environmental Management System for Higher Education Institutions. As part of this process we have identified our key aspects, (those elements of our activities and services that can interact with the environment) and the resultant impacts (any changes brought about to the environment as a result of those activities and services). Together with the University we have ranked these aspects and impacts, in order of significance, and we are now developing systems to manage them effectively.
Click here to download our Aspects and Impacts Register.
Student Switch Off
Want to join a national campiagn and help save the planet?
National recognition for reduction in carbon emissions
The University is proud to announce that it has been awarded the Carbon Trust Standard in recognition of its success in reducing its carbon emissions over the past three years. The University was able to demonstrate an absolute reduction in its carbon emissions of 5.4 per cent, with an 8.3 per cent reduction relative to its turnover. The nationally-recognised standard was received in March 2010 and is proof that the University is taking real action in its contribution to tackling climate change.
People and Planet...
Birmingham City University People and Planet is a new student campaign society, part of the national network of People and Planet groups.People & Planet is the largest, student network in Britain campaigning to end world poverty, defend human rights and protect the environment, for more information click here .
The aims of this society are to highlight and raise awareness of ethical and environmental injustices within society; promote a positive vision of a socially just world; provide a forum for students to discuss their ethical and environmental concerns and to make positive steps to address the issues raised through campaigning.
Join the facebook group by searching for 'BCU people and Planet'
Did you know...
that the University has been awarded the Silver EcoCampus award for its ongoing commitment 
and innovation in managing its environmental impacts.
Launched in 2006, the EcoCampus initiative was developed in recognition of the need for the higher education sector to follow the lead of businesses and organisations in implementing complex Environmental Management Systems (EMS). Since then, the University’s Environment Team has continued to implement changes in policy and practice across all departments at all campuses achieving the Bronze standard along the way.
Fairtrade...
As part of the commitment to promote sustainability in all University policies, Birmingham City University and the Birmingham City University Student Union are working towards becoming a Fairtrade University. 
Fairtrade is a movement to drive poverty alleviation and sustainable development. Its purpose is to create opportunities for producers and workers in developing countries who have been previously disadvantaged through the conventional trading system, to get a better deal with the use of the international FAIRTRADE mark.
Birmingham City University and the Student Union have committed to achieving five goals.
1. The Student Union and the university authorities both create a Fairtrade policy incorporating these five goals.
2. Fairtrade foods are made available for sale in all campus shops. Fairtrade foods are used in all cafés/restaurants/bars on campus. Where this is not possible, there is a commitment to begin to use Fairtrade foods in these establishments as soon as it becomes possible to do so.
3. Fairtrade foods (for example, coffee and tea) are served at all meetings hosted by the university or college and the Student Union (or equivalent), and are served in all university or college and Student Union management offices.
4. There is a commitment to campaign for increased Fairtrade consumption on campus. Including specific events on Fairtrade Fortnight.
5. A Fairtrade Steering Group is established.
A discussion forum is also available with further details of events and projects and to enable all staff and students to contribute to the group, click hereto visit the forum.
Waste...
In 2006/07 the University generated over 500 tonnes of waste, the equivalent of 110 African Elephants! Only around 5% of this waste was recycled, meaning that most of it ended up in landfill!
The University’s Environmental Policy now commits it to making more efficient use of it's resources, to reducing waste and increasing reuse and recycling. The Waste Management Strategy and Policy is currently being developed and targets will be set to reduce waste production and increase our reuse and recycling.