Goal 14: Life below water

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

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 14: Life below water.

Research and knowledge exchange

The University of Liverpool actively supports SDG 14 through research addressing marine ecosystem challenges. Recent studies from the Department of Earth, Ocean, and Ecological Sciences explore the effects of climate change, pollution, and human activity on marine biodiversity. Research areas include sustainable fisheries management, climate-driven oceanic changes, and the development of innovative methods to reduce plastic and chemical pollution in aquatic environments. The Liverpool Institute for Sustainable Coasts and Oceans combines the coastal, marine and maritime expertise of Liverpool John Moores University, the National Oceanography Centre and the University to bring the natural and social sciences together for the future well-being of the coasts and seas. Research under this theme focuses on the role of the oceans in Earth’s climate, and on how our changing climate will affect the ocean and ocean ecosystems.

Operations

The University actively supports SDG 14 through sustainable campus practices that reduce our environmental impact on aquatic ecosystems. Key initiatives include the significant reduction of single-use plastics, such as eliminating plastic straws, bottles, and packaging across campus, helping to prevent plastic waste from entering waterways. We have implemented advanced water management strategies, including improved drainage systems and sustainable urban drainage solutions, to minimise harmful runoff and reduce pollutants. Recycling and waste reduction programs further promote responsible disposal practices to mitigate marine pollution. Our Sustainable Food Policy excludes fish species identified as most at risk by the Marine Conservation Society and ensures seafood is sourced solely from sustainable suppliers certified by the Marine Stewardship Council, supporting fish stock preservation and marine biodiversity. Through the LEAF program, the University is also reducing single-use plastics in laboratories while fostering a campus-wide culture of refill and reuse. In addition, educational efforts raise awareness about plastic use, reduction, and recycling, reinforcing its commitment to protecting marine environments.

Education and student experience

The University of Liverpool integrates SDG 14 into its education and student experience by equipping students with the knowledge and skills to protect marine ecosystems and promote sustainability. This includes curriculum modules on marine conservation, oceanic climate impacts, and sustainable resource management, alongside interdisciplinary courses linking marine health to broader sustainability goals, such as Contemporary Issues in Ocean and Climate Sciences, and Marine Biology with Oceanography. Students gain hands-on experience through research projects, fieldwork, and internships focused on marine biodiversity, pollution reduction, and sustainable technologies. Campus initiatives, such as campaigns to reduce single-use plastics, events, workshops, and student societies raise awareness and inspire advocacy for aquatic life conservation.

Case studies

Decarbonising the UK maritime sector

The University became a key participant in the £21.3 million UK-MaRes Hub, a national initiative aimed at decarbonising the UK maritime sector. The Hub is supported by £7.4 million from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the UK Government's Department for Transport, alongside £13.9 million in match funding from consortium partners. The UK-MaRes Hub includes 13 universities—Durham, Aston, Birmingham, Brighton, City, Cranfield, Liverpool, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield, Solent, St Andrews, and Ulster—as well as over 70 industrial and civic partners. The Hub’s mission is to reduce emissions and air pollution from maritime activities both in ports and at sea. Research themes cover sustainable marine fuels, low-carbon power and propulsion systems, decarbonised port operations, and improved vessel efficiency. At Liverpool, researchers are leading the “Port operations and infrastructure” theme, focusing on how ports can support maritime decarbonisation. The Hub will use the port of Liverpool as a case study, supported by Peel Ports Group. This work emphasises the goal of setting a global benchmark in maritime research through innovative and collaborative efforts and highlights the importance in achieving the UK’s 2050 net zero emissions target, noting that domestic shipping currently emits more greenhouse gases than buses and rail combined.

Arctic research expertise

In 2024, the University of Liverpool joined the University of the Arctic (UArctic), a global network dedicated to Arctic research and addressing challenges faced by Arctic societies. Established in 2001, UArctic connects nearly 200 institutions across 24 time zones in eight Arctic countries and beyond, offering unique opportunities for collaboration in education, research, and innovation. Liverpool’s membership reflects the University’s extensive Arctic research expertise. The University has significant projects focusing on Greenland and Nunavut's changing ice masses, Arctic seabird behaviour and conservation through the SEGUL group, and the polar oceans' role in global climate systems. In June, the University hosted UArctic President Lars Kullerud and Secretary General Outi Snellman. During their visit, Professor Doug Mair and other researchers presented Liverpool’s Arctic research strengths, including glaciology, marine spatial planning, and Arctic ecosystem changes. Professor Mair expressed enthusiasm for the new affiliation, highlighting it as a valuable opportunity to enhance Liverpool’s Arctic research and teaching collaborations. The membership is expected to foster mutually beneficial partnerships that support both Liverpool and the broader UArctic network.

Addressing ocean warming impacts

University of Liverpool marine biologists were at the forefront of research shedding light on the severe impacts of record-breaking ocean temperatures. A BBC analysis highlighted that the world’s oceans have consistently set daily temperature records over the past year, a phenomenon driven by climate change and amplified by the El Niño effect. Dr. Nova Mieszkowska, a leading researcher at the University, explained that the rapid warming has caused significant disruptions in coastal marine life, with certain species disappearing from UK waters. The heat has led to widespread coral bleaching and threatens the habitats of species like the emperor penguin. Data from the EU’s Copernicus Climate Service, revealing a new global sea surface temperature high of 21.09°C in early 2024, highlighted the growing urgency of the situation. Dr. Mieszkowska emphasised that the pace of climate change is outstripping the evolutionary adaptations of marine species, resulting in ecological imbalances and the spread of invasive species that disrupt native ecosystems. This research highlights the need for global action to combat climate change and its detrimental effects on marine environments, contributing to a broader understanding of how shifting oceanic conditions are impacting biodiversity and ecosystems worldwide.