- Aston University has been accredited by the Modeshift STARS scheme
- The University promotes sustainable and active travel for staff and students, including by offering free bus passes
- The accreditation is a key milestone in delivering Aston University’s 2030 Sustainability Strategy goals
Aston University has been awarded Modeshift STARS ‘good’ level accreditation, a national scheme that rewards organisations for taking effective action to encourage sustainable travel.
By achieving this Aston University has demonstrated its progress in embedding greener transport options into everyday campus life. This endorsement is a key milestone in the delivery of Aston University’s 2030 sustainability strategy, which sets ambitious targets for reducing transport-related emissions, and reflects the University’s ongoing efforts to reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, and support the city of Birmingham’s 2030 net-zero ambitions.
Aston University is committed to promoting sustainable and active travel for staff, students, and visitors. It has been working closely with Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) to enhance public transport accessibility for students. As part of this collaboration, TfWM has issued 4,800 free bus pass codes to students and staff through its Freshers’ Scheme in September and January. This initiative helps new students access affordable, sustainable transport options, reducing the reliance on private vehicles and easing congestion in the city centre.
By embedding sustainable travel in its policies and infrastructure, Aston University is not only reducing its own environmental impact but also playing a role in shaping a cleaner, healthier Birmingham. This recognition underpins the University’s commitment to sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDG 13: Climate Action.
Krutika Ganeru, Aston University environment and sustainability officer, said:
“Achieving Modeshift STARS accreditation is part of Aston University’s commitment to reduce our environmental impact but also to foster long-term behaviour change among our staff and students. This milestone aligns with our 2030 Sustainability Strategy and reinforces our dedication to SDG 13 and SDG 11 by making low carbon travel an easy choice for our staff and students.”
- Notes to editors
About Aston University
For over a century, Aston University’s enduring purpose has been to make our world a better place through education, research and innovation, by enabling our students to succeed in work and life, and by supporting our communities to thrive economically, socially and culturally.
Aston University’s history has been intertwined with the history of Birmingham, a remarkable city that once was the heartland of the Industrial Revolution and the manufacturing powerhouse of the world.
Born out of the First Industrial Revolution, Aston University has a proud and distinct heritage dating back to our formation as the School of Metallurgy in 1875, the first UK College of Technology in 1951, gaining university status by Royal Charter in 1966, and becoming the Guardian University of the Year in 2020.
Building on our outstanding past, we are now defining our place and role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (and beyond) within a rapidly changing world.
For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Helen Tunnicliffe, Press and Communications Manager, on (+44) 7827 090240 or email: h.tunnicliffe@aston.ac.uk.
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