Abstract
The University of Manchester (UoM) Estates team has a strong ambition to advance sustainable processes and workflows across its construction projects. Central to this effort is the EPM PM7 sustainability tracker, a document that sets out sustainability indicators for each stage of a project and requires suppliers and contractors to provide evidence of sustainable practices. This tool, first introduced in 2015, has supported traceability and accountability in delivering sustainability outcomes. However, after nearly a decade in operation, it no longer fully reflects current sustainability priorities, evolving frameworks, or the university’s ambitious zero-carbon transition goals.
With UoM investing £150 million in decarbonising all university buildings and pursuing projects such as energy efficiency upgrades, improved glazing, and low-carbon heating systems, there is a timely need to update the EPM PM7 process and tracker. The project was established to deliver this update, drawing on academic expertise in sustainable construction, knowledge of frameworks such as BREEAM, and experience in retrofit green infrastructure. It also seeks to integrate perspectives from a broad range of stakeholders, including academic staff, technical teams, end users, and external suppliers, to ensure the revised tracker is both innovative and practical.
The intended impact is to raise the level of integration of sustainability into UoM’s construction processes through measurable indicators and robust data. By examining state-of-the-art literature and practices and a workshop with relevant stakeholders, the project generated recommendations aligned with the long-term direction of refurbishment at the university. Beyond its immediate outputs, the initiative aims to establish a precedent for inclusive and evidence-based process improvement, offering a model that can be adapted to other organisational procedures across UoM.
With UoM investing £150 million in decarbonising all university buildings and pursuing projects such as energy efficiency upgrades, improved glazing, and low-carbon heating systems, there is a timely need to update the EPM PM7 process and tracker. The project was established to deliver this update, drawing on academic expertise in sustainable construction, knowledge of frameworks such as BREEAM, and experience in retrofit green infrastructure. It also seeks to integrate perspectives from a broad range of stakeholders, including academic staff, technical teams, end users, and external suppliers, to ensure the revised tracker is both innovative and practical.
The intended impact is to raise the level of integration of sustainability into UoM’s construction processes through measurable indicators and robust data. By examining state-of-the-art literature and practices and a workshop with relevant stakeholders, the project generated recommendations aligned with the long-term direction of refurbishment at the university. Beyond its immediate outputs, the initiative aims to establish a precedent for inclusive and evidence-based process improvement, offering a model that can be adapted to other organisational procedures across UoM.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 36 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 20 Aug 2025 |