Sustainability

The University of Liverpool is helping create a sustainable society and leading the way towards a sustainable future.

The University of Liverpool is contributing to fostering a net zero society and economy by changing its operational practices and policies and supporting decarbonisation in the Liverpool City Region. Sustainability is a cross-cutting theme in the University’s strategic framework, Liverpool 2031, which sets out a vision to foster a net zero society and economy by changing operational practices and policies, supporting decarbonisation in the LCR. It is also contributing to social and environmental impact through its ground-breaking research aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The University’s efforts are recognised in the in the QS Sustainability Rankings; in 2024 it was ranked 50th out of 1000 institutions globally.

Enhancing Social and Environmental Impact through operations

The University of Liverpool is adapting its policies and practices to improve the impact the University has on people and the planet:

• Pledge to reach net zero carbon emissions in line with the City Region, utilising the Standardised Carbon Emissions Framework (SCEF) for higher education institutions covering scopes 1, 2 and 3
• Increasing biodiversity on campus by enhancing green spaces and protecting habitats across all campuses. The University has been awarded gold accreditation in the national Hedgehog Friendly Campus scheme
• Ethical Investment Policy that aligns with the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment and the United Nations Global Compact. Exclusions cover companies in which a significant source of revenues is from fossil fuels extraction, arms sales, animal-tested products, and tobacco products
• Reducing wastage by 443 tonnes (33%) compared to the 2009-2019 10-year baseline of 1354 tonnes. 66% on the way to hit the 2025 target of 50% reduction
• Encouraging sustainable travel through initiatives such as a season ticket loan scheme, in which staff can be compensated for taking public transport to work
• Localising food and beverage procurement by purchasing from local companies, such as Crosby Coffee, and preparing food in-house for all campus café bars.

Staff and student contributions to sustainability

Liverpool 2031 commits to redesigning curriculums by including sustainability as a key competency and ensuring that all taught programmes connect to the SDGs.

This builds on the existing Sustainability in Action module, which provides students with knowledge on sustainability and how they can apply it to their studies, personal lives and future careers. The module has been nominated for awards including the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS) Sustainability Impact Award 2021, and it was a finalist at the 2021 Green Gown Awards.

Staff are also provided with a range of opportunities to develop their sustainability knowledge and skills, with sustainability now built into all new-starter inductions. Lecturers are provided with access to a range of resources and support to help them embed sustainability into their teaching.

Research on climate solutions

The University is driving climate solutions through research aimed at creating a sustainable future.

Research from the University is pivotal in deepening our understanding of climate change and environmental degradation, assessing their societal impacts and developing innovative solutions for mitigation and adaptation. This interdisciplinary research often involves collaboration with other universities, industry leaders, and government bodies on both local and global scales. Key areas of strength include:

Renewable energy

The Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy spearheads transformative research with approximately £18 million in active projects. Producing over 60 scientific papers annually, the Institute drives advances in solar chemical technologies and chemical recycling methods, such as polystyrene degradation via aerobic digestion, significantly impacting the future of sustainability and natural sciences.

Industrial decarbonisation

The £8.8 million Prosperity Partnership between the University of Liverpool, Unilever, and the University of Oxford, focuses on reducing the carbon footprint of consumer products. The collaboration is developing sustainable chemical solutions by leveraging waste products, including carbon dioxide, to create eco-friendly alternatives for everyday items, such as shampoos and detergents.

Waste materials

Research is underway to transform industrial waste sulphur into an alternative to plastics. With over 70 million tonnes of waste sulphur available, this research explores its potential as a cost-effective, biodegradable material when combined with suitable organic cross-linkers.

Energy and digital

The Virtual Engineering Centre has created a mixed reality simulator training tool for Sellafield, the UK’s largest nuclear waste site. This innovative tool trains operatives on equipment before its physical arrival, enhancing safety and saving £20 million by optimising training infrastructure.

Climate change impacts on nature

The University of Liverpool, in partnership with the University of Sheffield and Lancaster University, manages the Buxton Climate Change Impacts Lab (BCCIL). BCCIL is dedicated to investigating the impacts of climate change on the UK grassland ecosystems. Established in 1993, it is the longest running climate change experiment globally.

Liverpool City Region Net Zero

Research at the University of Liverpool focuses on reducing carbon emissions for National Museums Liverpool and the Everyman Theatre. By assessing energy and carbon profiles, this supports these organisations in creating action plans to achieve Net Zero Carbon, marking the start of long-term environmental partnerships.

Homes

Research from University of Liverpool is innovating with thermo-regulating paint additives designed to save energy and reduce CO₂ emissions. This research focuses on using encapsulated phase-change materials to enhance thermal efficiency in buildings, particularly older homes, by storing and releasing heat effectively.

The ongoing research around the environment and carbon emissions underscores the University of Liverpool’s contribution to addressing climate challenges and advancing sustainable solutions.