Principles and commitments

We have developed three overarching principles, influenced by the objectives of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which will guide our response to the ecological crisis, through increasing biological diversity, ecological services, and human wellbeing benefits across and beyond our estate.

Principle 1:

We will increase biodiversity throughout our estate, supporting greater genetic, species and ecosystem diversity.

Incorporate biodiversity into Estate Strategy 2031+ and master planning:

• Improve our understanding of existing habitats and green spaces across the estate.
• Ensure biodiversity is considered in estate master-planning, prioritising existing habitats.
• Identify the presence of and develop a strategy for the removal of invasive plant species.

Incorporate biodiversity into campus design principles to:

• Ensure compliance with mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain.
• Embed ecological stewardship into capital projects.
• Increase the use of nature-based solutions to regulate the climate.

Integrate ecological stewardship into campus operations to:

• Ensure our green spaces are maintained to promote biodiversity.
• Minimise the negative impacts of our operations on biodiversity.
• Embed circular economy principles into estate management operations to support the regeneration, renewability and rehabilitation of nature.

Principle 2:

We will embed, within our university culture, an appreciation of the inherent value for biodiversity and the social and economic benefits of nature. 

• Engage with staff and students to promote availability and benefits of green and blue spaces:
• Promote the social and physical and mental health wellbeing benefits of natural spaces.
• Promote use of our green spaces.

Engage with local organisations to promote a positive impact on biodiversity throughout the Liverpool City Region and wider local area.

• Contribute to the development of Liverpool City Region’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
• Explore opportunities to partner with organisations to promote biodiversity locally.

Explore opportunities to utilise green space for the benefits of research and the formal, and informal curriculum: 

• Integrate biodiversity into the University’s approach to Living Labs.
• Promote biodiversity volunteering projects through work with the Liverpool Guild of Students.

Principle 3:

We will reduce harm to biodiversity beyond our estate and campus operations by influencing our supply chain and investment activities to identify and reduce harmful practices. 

We will review our supply chain operations to reduce harm to biodiversity beyond our estate:

• Integrate the impact on biodiversity into purchasing decisions.
• Review our catering offer to minimise harm to biodiversity from food sold on campus.

We will review our investment decisions to better understand and respond to their impacts on biodiversity:

• Review our Ethical Investment Policy considering our impacts on biodiversity.