Charters, pledges and commitments in the HE sector

We have collated a list of charters, pledges and commitments that universities and other higher education institutions can and do sign up to.

Read our blog article which sets out why we have collated this list and what we think this list tells us, as a sector.

Inclusion in the list below does not constitute a recommendation from us that universities sign up to these commitments. Indeed, we have some concerns about the costs and risks associated with some of these schemes and the amount of work often required from signatory institutions. See additional notes on this list.

We will update this list as we are informed of changes or identify additions.

Spotted any information in the table below that needs to be updated? Are there any other charters, pledges or commitments you feel we should include? Use the form to let us know.

With thanks to Jennifer Gibbard for supporting our collation of this list of charters and pledges.

Title	Summary	Sector specificity	Is there a direct cost (a financial payment) to join?	Does it relate primarily to support for students?	Does it relate primarily to support for staff?	Does it relate primarily to research?	Does it relate primarily to academic standards?
Good Business Charter (GBC)	A charter promoting ethical business practices including commitments to fair wages, employee rights, environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Organisations pledge to uphold high standards of business conduct and accountability.	Open to All Sectors	YES	NO	YES	NO	NO
Green Chemistry Commitment	A commitment to promoting environmentally sustainable practices and reducing the environmental impact of chemical processes and products. Organisations pledge to prioritise green chemistry principles including waste reduction, renewable resources and safer chemical alternatives.	UK Higher Education Sector	NO	NO	NO	YES	NO
Knowledge Exchange Concordat	A charter promoting effective knowledge exchange between universities and external partners including industry, government and community organisations. Encourages collaboration, innovation and mutual benefit through transparent and equitable partnerships.	UK Higher Education Sector	NO	NO	NO	YES	NO
Menopause Friendly Employer	A commitment to supporting menopause in the workplace, creating an environment where menopause can be talked about easily, and having the right support in place for colleagues.	Open to All Sectors	YES	NO	YES	NO	NO
Menopause Workplace Pledge	A pledge to support employees experiencing menopause by raising awareness, providing education and implementing supportive policies and practices in the workplace. Organisations commit to creating inclusive and respectful environments for menopausal individuals.	Open to All Sectors	NO	NO	YES	YES	NO
Mindful Employer	A charter promoting mental health awareness and support in the workplace including initiatives to reduce stigma, provide resources and training and foster inclusive and supportive environments for employees with mental health conditions.	Open to All Sectors	YES	NO	YES	NO	NO
Nature Positive Universities Pledge	A commitment to start a nature positive journey, incorporating a biodiversity baseline, targets, actions and annual reporting – with a focus on restoring species and ecosystems that have been harmed by the impacts of a university and its activities.	UK Higher Education Sector	NO	NO	NO	NO	NO
People & Planet's Fossil Free Declaration	A declaration from universities affirming their current fossil free status, as well as their commitment to remaining so in the future.	UK Higher Education Sector	NO	YES	YES	NO	NO
Pledge Promising Not to Use NDAs in Dealing with Complaints of Sexual Misconduct, Bullying, and Other Forms of Harassment	A pledge to ensure transparency and accountability in addressing complaints of sexual misconduct, bullying and harassment by refraining from using non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to silence victims or conceal wrongdoing. Organisations commit to fostering safe and supportive environments.	Open to All Sectors	NO	YES	YES	NO	NO
RE:SET Universities (Tender)	Supports universities and student unions to review their current performance in the prevention of domestic abuse and sexual violence and embed effective sustainable prevention in their campus culture; empowering, supporting and educating their staff and students.	UK Higher Education Sector	YES	YES	YES	NO	NO
Race Equality Charter	A charter committed to advancing racial equality and diversity in higher education institutions including initiatives to address racial disparities, promote inclusivity and eliminate racial discrimination and harassment. Organisations must be members of AdvanceHE to apply.	UK Higher Education Sector	YES	YES	YES	NO	NO
Race at Work Charter	A charter promoting racial equality in the workplace including initiatives to address racial disparities, foster inclusive cultures and improve representation, progression and success for ethnic minority employees. Organisations commit to driving positive change and accountability.	Open to All Sectors	NO	NO	YES	NO	NO

AdditionalInfo

This list has been compiled with reference to information readily available on the websites associated with each scheme and should be considered a snapshot of the various schemes to which universities have signed up, rather than an authoritative guide.

Always check with the organisations managing each scheme for up-to-date information about their scope and eligibility criteria.

To suggest any additions or updates to the list, contact us using the form at the top of this page.

If you found this list helpful, feel free to subscribe to our occasional updates for details of our other resources, events and services from our team: