We published a Climate Plan in November 2022, which sets out our ambitions, principles and commitments to being net zero. 86% of our laboratories have been recognised under the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF), with 36 receiving silver and 7 gold awards. Furthermore, the University has reduced waste sent to landfill or incineration by 43% since 2021.
Sustainability was formally integrated as a strategic risk in March 2024, emphasising its significance in institutional decision-making. The University has also become a signatory to the UKRI Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice and maintained its ISO 14001 accredited Environmental Management System.
In global sustainability rankings, we have made impressive strides, being ranked 1st in the world for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) in the THE Impact Rankings 2022 and 50th out of 1,403 institutions in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2024. Consistently achieving a 2:1 class in the People & Planet league since 2021 and being shortlisted for the 2024 Green Gown Awards further highlight the University's leadership in sustainability. Additionally, we launched a new staff training module on sustainability in 2023, and funded 10 sustainability projects.
Back to: Sustainability