Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

Working in partnership both locally and globally, we are tackling each of the UN Sustainable Development Goals through our research and knowledge exchange, education and student experience, and through our operations. Discover how our unique commitments align with and support Sustainable Development Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.

Research and knowledge exchange

We are host to the first interdisciplinary centre dedicated to energy research in the North West, the Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy which undertakes research into renewable energy sources such as hydrogen generation and storage, solar harvesting, wind and marine energy and fusion technology. A research paper Fairness, Resilience and Prosperity: Addressing energy and net zero challenges in Liverpool City Region, produced for the Liverpool City Region APPG, discusses the challenges posed by rising energy prices and the transition to net zero. In Experts explain why LPG is still Africa's best option for cleaner, greener cooking (for now), University researchers argue that while LPG is a fossil fuel, it remains Africa's best option for cleaner cooking due to its lower emissions compared to traditional fuels like wood and charcoal, and its practicality in addressing the region’s urgent need for modern, affordable cooking solutions. Despite challenges in affordability, supply reliability, and donor reluctance, LPG offers significant health benefits and minimal climate impact, supporting a transition toward cleaner cooking while renewable energy alternatives are developed.

Operations

The University of Liverpool supports SDG 7 by advancing energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and prioritising sustainable practices and ethical investments to promote clean and affordable energy. Our Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Energy Centre has played a vital role in reducing carbon emissions through the adoption of efficient energy technology. While this method of generating electricity is more sustainable compared to many alternatives, the use of gas still limits our ability to achieve our net-zero target. As a result, we are actively working towards fully decarbonising our estate. For new developments and campus renovations, we adhere to rigorous energy efficiency standards, with the aim of meeting BREEAM Excellent ratings. Furthermore, in line with our Ethical Investment Policy, the University excludes companies that derive a significant portion of their revenue from the extraction and exploration of fossil fuels, including thermal coal, oil, gas, and tar sands, from its direct investments.

Education and student experience

At the University of Liverpool, several courses and research initiatives are aligned with SDG 7, focusing on affordable and clean energy. These include both undergraduate and postgraduate opportunities in areas like energy systems, sustainability, and climate change. For example, the university offers degrees such as Energy and Environmental Management which explore energy efficiency, renewable energy, and environmental sustainability. These programs emphasise the importance of reducing carbon emissions and developing sustainable energy solutions, preparing students for careers in the clean energy sector. Students study Renewable Energy and Smart Grid to develop their understanding of different renewable energy sources and the principle of energy conversion from renewable sources into electricity. Students can also support the aims and objectives of SDG 7 through extra-curricular activities, such as joining our Energy Services team for regular guided tours of the on-campus Energy Centre.

Case Studies

Honoured with 2023 Eni Energy Frontiers Award

In October 2023, Professor Matt Rosseinsky from the University of Liverpool received the 2023 Eni Energy Frontiers Award from Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinal Palace in Rome. This prestigious award honoured Professor Rosseinsky's pioneering work in the digital design and discovery of next-generation energy materials. The ceremony was attended by Eni Chairman Giuseppe Zafarana and Eni CEO Claudio Descalzi. The Eni Awards, established by the Italian energy company Eni, recognize outstanding contributions to energy research, addressing the absence of a Nobel Prize for this field. In its fifteenth year, the award serves as an international benchmark for energy research. Previous laureates include Nobel Prize winners Harold W. Kroto and Alan Heeger. Professor Rosseinsky, a Fellow of the Royal Society since 2008 and a Professor of Inorganic Chemistry, thanked his colleagues and collaborators for their support. His research integrates digital tools with experimental chemistry to innovate new energy materials. The event also featured Professor Moungi Bawendi, MIT’s 2023 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, underscoring the ceremony's significance in the scientific community.

Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Chemistry

At the start of 2024, the University was awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Chemistry at a Buckingham Palace ceremony, presented by Her Majesty The Queen and the Duchess of Gloucester. This prestigious accolade, the University’s second Queen’s Anniversary Prize, honours the Chemistry Department’s pioneering research addressing global challenges. The prize acknowledges the department’s groundbreaking work in low carbon energy, global health, and sustainable manufacturing. It highlights their significant impact through industrial and strategic partnerships, with a global reputation for excellence in research and innovation. The award follows a reception at London’s Guildhall, attended by university representatives and industry partners. The award is a recognition of the department’s world-class research and its positive impact on society and the economy. The Chemistry Department was ranked third in the UK for world-leading impact in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF2021) and remains one of the top three UK institutions for impact. Prime Minister at the time, Rishi Sunak congratulated the winners, noting their contribution to science, public health, and the economy. This prize is part of the Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education, established in 1994 to recognize exceptional achievements by UK universities and colleges. The University previously won in 2017 for its Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology.

Boosting Kenyan efforts to combat air pollution

The University of Liverpool launched a new initiative to tackle household air pollution (HAP) in Kenya through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kenyan government stakeholders. This program, called TABLE-HAP, will provide over 16,000 community groups with essential information to prevent HAP. The initiative aims to educate 40,000 people in Uasin Gishu County through trained Kenyan Community Health Workers, focusing on the health impacts of HAP and promoting clean household energy. TABLE-HAP leverages table-banking groups, which pool resources for loans, to empower communities with knowledge and resources for clean cooking, heating, and lighting. The Kenyan Ministry of Energy is involved in connecting commercial companies to the program to facilitate access to clean energy solutions. With more than 60% of Kenyans relying on traditional biomass fuels, TABLE-HAP is seen as a key strategy to address health issues such as respiratory illnesses and environmental degradation. The program aligns with Kenya's goal to achieve Universal Access to Clean Modern Energy by 2028. The MoU was signed by Professor Dan Pope of NIHR CLEAN-Air(Africa), Uasin Gishu County Government representatives, and the MaMa Doing Good Foundation, led by Kenya's First Lady Rachel Ruto. The initiative builds on the Community Household Air Pollution Prevention Programme (CHAP-PP) and will be monitored by the University of Liverpool, Kenya Medical Research Institute, and Moi University. Additionally, the University signed a Memorandum of Intent with clean energy developer Ceres to expand research collaborations in advanced materials and fuel cell technologies. This partnership aims to accelerate the development of clean energy solutions and supports both institutions' commitments to innovation and sustainability.