Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership 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 17: Partnerships for the goals.

Research and knowledge exchange

The University of Liverpool supports SDG 17 through its collaborative research initiatives that foster cross-sector partnerships, promote knowledge sharing, and address global challenges. The university engages in strategic partnerships with academic institutions, governments, NGOs, and international organisations to drive impactful research across various fields, including sustainability, health, and social justice. Through interdisciplinary research projects, the University contributes to the development and implementation of innovative solutions for the SDGs, emphasising the importance of cooperation between nations, sectors, and communities. Our research activities focus on capacity building, policy development, and addressing pressing global issues through partnerships that maximise the collective impact on sustainable development. The Climate Futures research theme advises governments and industry, and the Management School’s work on modern slavery in corporate supply chains. Additionally, partnerships like CLEAN-Air(Africa) bring together experts across nations to tackle pressing global issues.

Operations

The University of Liverpool supports SDG 17 by fostering partnerships with local, national, and international organisations to drive sustainability, research impact, and global development goals through collaborative projects and knowledge exchange. Committed to strengthening cooperation between nations, the University aligns with the SDG Accord as a shared framework for progress. In recognition of our efforts, the University was ranked first for SDG 17 in the 2022 THE Impact Rankings, scoring 100%. Our contributions span research, graduate outcomes, and its role as an employer, landholder, regional partner, and civic leader. The University has mapped its impact through reports like the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2022/23, the Education for Sustainable Development Report, and the SDG Curriculum Mapping Report, and provided insights to Liverpool's SDG Data Platform. The University is a key member of the Liverpool City Region Climate Partnership, and together with the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), the Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place developed a net zero manifesto for the Liverpool City Region (LCR). Additionally, the University plays a vital role in Knowledge Quarter Liverpool (KQ Liverpool), collaborating with key partners to foster innovation and reduce the economic gap with London and the Southeast.

Education and student experience

The University of Liverpool offers a wide range of courses that support SDG 17, focusing on collaboration, sustainability, and global development. Students are able to explore this topic from a number of different perspectives within course modules such as Enterprise, Corporate Governance and Sustainability, which equips students with the knowledge and skills to understand and engage in effective business partnerships that drive sustainability and social responsibility. By examining the relationship between business enterprise, corporate governance, and sustainability, the course highlights the importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors in fostering cross-sector collaboration. Media and human rights critically examines how media can influence global partnerships for human rights, encouraging collaboration between media, governments, and civil society to ensure accurate representation and effective action on human rights issues. We offer students opportunities to volunteer in outreach activities within schools and the local community through our partnership with Enactus, a national initiative that empowers students across the country to engage in social action and social enterprise.

Case studies

University develops Net Zero manifesto for Liverpool City Region

The University of Liverpool’s Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place, in partnership with the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Liverpool City Region (LCR), unveiled the "Net Zero Manifesto: Scaling Up Green Prosperity" on 14 May 2024 at Parliament. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to addressing climate challenges through partnerships and policy innovation. The manifesto provides a comprehensive roadmap to drive green growth and maximise the LCR's potential, aligning with the UK’s net zero target by 2050 and the Metro Mayor’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2040. It calls for stronger government support and greater local autonomy to enhance energy generation, housing, transport, skills development, and innovation—key areas critical to building a sustainable future. Central to the manifesto is the emphasis on partnerships: fostering cooperation between national and local governments, businesses, and academic institutions to create a stable, consistent policy framework that empowers the region. Recommendations include deeper devolution to grant the LCR greater fiscal and policy flexibility, as well as investment in energy infrastructure and skill systems tailored to local needs. The Heseltine Institute, serving as the academic partner for the LCR APPG, plays a pivotal role by providing research insights and supporting advocacy efforts in Westminster. By fostering strategic partnerships, the Net Zero Manifesto aims to shape future government action and mobilise collective efforts, guiding the Liverpool City Region towards a greener, more prosperous future.

Developing long-term partnerships

The University of Liverpool and Sumy State University (SumDU) in Ukraine embarked on a new research collaboration focused on digitalisation and digital transformation, supported by a £197k grant from Universities UK International’s (UUKi) UK-Ukraine R&I twinning grant scheme. Following their partnership established last year, which included hosting Ukrainian students at the University’s International Summer School and providing access to electronic resources and IT support, this new programme aimed to strengthen research links and develop long-term partnerships. The five-month project sought to enhance collaboration in digital economics, renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and digital transformation. The initiative involved support for visiting and remote scholarships, knowledge exchange activities, and training programmes. It connected the University of Liverpool’s Digital Innovation Facility, Virtual Engineering Centre, Institute of Digital Engineering and Autonomous Systems, Materials Innovation Facility, and Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy with SumDU’s Faculty of Electronics and Information Technologies, Faculty of Technical Systems and Energy Efficient Technologies, and Institute for Business, Economics, and Management. The funding supports joint projects, knowledge transfer, and equipment provision, creating a deeper collaboration and impacting Ukraine's recovery. The initiative, part of the UK-Ukraine Twinning Initiative coordinated by Cormack Consultancy and funded by Research England, emphasises ongoing support for Ukraine through academic collaboration.

Liverpool-Shanghai sister cities partnership

The University of Liverpool signed three new agreements with Shanghai institutions during a visit in May 2024, marking the 25th anniversary of the Liverpool-Shanghai sister cities partnership. The agreements were announced at a celebratory event held at the Museum of Art Pudong. Professor Tariq Ali, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement & Partnerships at the University of Liverpool, led the delegation, which also included representatives from Liverpool City Council, Liverpool China Partnership, and Liverpool John Moores University. Senior officials from both the UK and China, including Ms. Ma Yinghui, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office, Shanghai, and Ms. Catherine Sinclair-Jones, Director of the British Council in East China, attended the event. The University of Liverpool formed a strategic partnership with Shanghai Jiaotong University, a top 100 global institution, to foster research collaborations in marine sciences, health and biomedicine, and creative industries. An agreement with East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST) was established to support student mobility and build on the existing partnership with the University’s Materials Innovation Factory. Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Yangtze Delta Research Institute of Tsinghua University to explore industry-led research opportunities. The delegation also visited Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) in Suzhou, highlighting the University’s successful joint venture in China. The visit was part of ongoing celebrations and initiatives aimed at deepening international collaborations and exploring future opportunities.