University of Birmingham wins national sustainability award
The University of Birmingham has been recognised nationally for its commitment to reducing emissions via the University’s vehicle fleet.
Selection of vehicles from the University of Birmingham's electric fleet
The Transport Services team won the ‘Green Fleet Award’ at the National Sustainability Awards 2026, with its fleet operation recognised as a leading example of sustainable transport transformation within the UK higher‑education sector.
The accolade was awarded by judges drawn from sustainability, academia, local government, finance, facilities and business.
Today, 74% of the University’s fleet is electric or hybrid, supporting more than 30 departments, and fleet emissions have fallen by 40% between 2020 and 2026.
It was particularly pleasing that the judging panel commended our proactive approach to electrification and recognised that we continue to show it can be done at pace across a diverse operational fleet.
The University’s journey towards a sustainable fleet began in 2007, making it one of the earliest adopters of electric vehicles in the UK public sector. This long‑standing commitment has enabled the organisation to build expertise, infrastructure, and confidence in low‑emission technologies well ahead of many peers.
The University achieved its initial goal of 40% fleet electrification by 2020 - a year ahead of target - and as a result set a revised target of 60% electrification by 2025 as part of a five‑year sustainability strategy. Again, this was achieved ahead of schedule in 2024.
Tony Walkington, Head of Sustainable Logistics at the University of Birmingham, said: “It was particularly pleasing that the judging panel commended our proactive approach to electrification and recognised that we continue to show it can be done at pace across a diverse operational fleet.”
The University has ambitions to reach Net Zero carbon by 2045, and the Sustainable Travel team delivers a number of initiatives alongside the green fleet to support this aim. Staff and students are offered discounts on trains and buses, additional facilities for cyclists have been introduced, and more electric vehicle charging points have been installed across campus.
With 75% of the fleet set to be electric or hybrid by the end of the year, and emissions continuing to fall, the University is not only meeting its sustainability commitments, but setting a benchmark for others to follow.
Notes for editors
Notes for editors
For media enquiries and more information please contact the Press Office, at University of Birmingham, tel: +44 (0)121 414 2772.
About the University of Birmingham
-
The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers, educators and more than 40,000 students from over 150 countries.
-
England’s first civic university, the University of Birmingham is proud to be rooted in of one of the most dynamic and diverse cities in the country. A member of the Russell Group and a founding member of the Universitas 21 global network of research universities, the University of Birmingham has been changing the way the world works for more than a century.
-
The University of Birmingham is committed to achieving operational net zero carbon. It is seeking to change society and the environment positively, and use its research and education to make a major global contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Find out more about our approach to sustainability.