Finance and Procurement
Edinburgh Napier University spends over £34m on the procurement of goods and services, much of which has a significant environmental and social impact. We are committed to working sustainably and to support the sustainable procurement duty brought into force by the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014.
Divestment
Edinburgh Napier is proud to announce that the University has removed all direct investments from fossil fuel companies. Find out more by reading out statement on divestment.
Procurement
To demonstrate our commitment to achieving economic, environmental and social benefits in procurement activity, the University has policies such as a Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement.
We are committed to acquiring goods and services for our use without causing harm to others and are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business relationships.
The University is a member of the Advanced Procurement for Universities and Colleges (APUC) and has adopted tools and practices from the organisation to address modern slavery and human trafficking. For all open tenders with a contract value above the Scottish Government threshold, the University uses the APUC template tender document (which includes full sustainable procurement references and a Modern Slavery Act compliance question) and a supply Chain Code of Conduct (whose principles cover Social, Ethical and Environmental Compliance as well as Economic Development).
Electronics Watch
Through our membership with the APUC, we are a Consortium Affiliate of Electronics Watch. Electronics Watch assists public sector members by monitoring global electronics supply chains to ensure the protection of labour rights of workers.
The Director of Finance and Operations is responsible for leadership on sustainable procurement within the University. The Procurement Team manage ongoing work on sustainable procurement. For more information visit the Finance intranet pages.
Edinburgh Napier also has an Ethical Financial Investment Policy.
Funding and Finance
Colleagues from both Environmental Sustainability and Finance work closely to ensure appropriate and effective use of funding available, in line with all University-wide policies and procedures. We will help any member of the University community investigate, cost and if feasible develop any project(s) that will reduce environmental impact.
Internal Funding
The University makes capital and revenue funding available to support the embedment and development of environmental sustainability at Edinburgh Napier. Financial commitment also includes employing the Environmental Sustainability Team itself.
External Funding
The University has successfully gained funding from a range of external organisations to support a variety of projects. Over the past six years the University has gained almost £300,000 from organisations such as The City of Edinburgh Council, Cycling Scotland, SEStran and Sustrans.
In 2021, our Campus Cycling Officer secured £16,496.25 in funding from the Cycling Scotland Campus Development Fund for 25 bikes, locks, helmets, high-visibility jackets and bike marking security kits. This will allow the University to develop its own bike-lending scheme and allow students to borrow the equipment they need to get to and from campus, as well as around Edinburgh itself.
The University also received £500 from the Cycling Scotland Cycle Friendly Internship Fund for cycle ride leader training and Dr Bike sessions. Read more about the cycle funding on our University news pages.
We use Salix to support energy reduction initiatives. The fund consists of £125,000 from both the Scottish and UK Governments and £62,500 from the University itself (£312,500 total). The rotating Salix fund has been used for a range of projects throughout all campuses. Salix funding is often used alongside capital funding available.
For information on how we have used the fund visit our Reducing Energy and Water Consumption page.
Ethical Investment Policy
In line with our recent announcement regarding our divestment from fossil fuels, we are actively reviewing our ethical investment policy, recognising the impact our investments have on the world around us and for those investments to reflect the values and social purpose of the University. The University’s Development Trust is also actively reviewing their policy. We will publish up to date policies, once they have been agreed through their respective governance structures.