A milestone for sustainability at NTSU
NTSU becomes the first UK Students’ Union independently accredited with ISO14001
We’re incredibly proud to share that Nottingham Trent Students’ Union (NTSU) has become the first students’ union in the UK to achieve independent ISO14001 accreditation.
This internationally recognised standard for Environmental Management Systems marks a major milestone in NTSU’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
What is ISO14001?
ISO14001 is an internationally recognised standard that supports organisations to develop and maintain an effective Environmental Management System (EMS).
An EMS provides a structured framework that helps organisations understand, manage, and reduce the negative environmental impacts of their activities. It ensures that clear systems and processes are in place to minimise environmental harm, embed sustainable decision-making, and support long-term environmental improvement.
NTSU’s journey to accreditation
NTSU has been working towards ISO14001 accreditation over the past three years through a phased, incremental approach using the EcoCampus framework. Achieving independent accreditation demonstrates that NTSU meets rigorous international standards in its own right, rather than as part of a wider organisation.
This landmark achievement recognises the work already underway across NTSU to embed sustainability into everyday operations, reduce environmental impact, and continually improve environmental performance.
Why this matters
Becoming the first students’ union in the UK to secure ISO14001 accreditation independently places NTSU as a sector leader within both higher education and the wider students’ movement.
The accreditation reflects the collective efforts of NTSU staff, elected officers, and student members, all of whom continue to place sustainability at the heart of decision-making.
By achieving ISO14001, NTSU is setting a new benchmark for environmental responsibility and reaffirming its commitment to creating positive change for students, the local community, and the planet.
