In 2023, The BMW Group partnered with the Oxford SDG Impact Lab to advance sustainable practices at the MINI Plant Oxford, bringing together world-class expertise to address global and local challenges. 

The MINI Plant Oxford, a long-standing cornerstone of the Oxford community, is collaborating with the Lab and its Fellows to explore innovative approaches to sustainability, leadership and communication. BMW Group has long been a pioneer in environmental innovation, committing to halve CO2 emissions per vehicle by 2030 and achieve full climate neutrality by 2050.  

Our previous projects included enhancing employee wellbeing, engaging with the local community, and reducing the plant’s environmental impact. Our joint initiatives at the MINI plant Oxford included solar panel installations, optimising resource utilisation via AI and repurposing recycled materials in operations.  

Our 2025 projects are focusing key strategic areas to enhance operational excellence, sustainability, workforce inclusivity, and leadership development within a manufacturing environment. The projects explore effective communication channels to improve engagement, assesses sustainability practices with a focus on circularity, examine strategies for fostering diversity and inclusion, and support leadership development initiatives. By addressing these critical areas, the project aims to drive long-term success, efficiency, and innovation within the organization. This partnership offers students invaluable opportunities to apply their academic knowledge to real-world issues, while contributing fresh perspectives to the plant’s sustainability journey. 

“The Sustainable Development Goals are key to our strategy and collaborating with the SDG Impact Lab gives us the opportunity to have the ‘outside in’ perspective.” (Bob Shankly, BMW Group, MINI Plant Oxford, HR Manager) 

This partnership highlights the power of collaboration between academia and industry, demonstrating how shared expertise can create positive impact for people and the planet. 

SDGs Targeted:

SDG5, SDG8, SDG9, SDG10, SDG12