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Sustainability Plan

Our Sustainability Plan sets out how we as an institution intend to tackle the current and future challenges we face in order to become sustainable, including how we can play a part in creating a sustainable world.

The plan aims to embed sustainability into our core functions of teaching and research, while setting ambitious goals for net zero carbon emissions, partnerships, reduced consumption and improved health and wellbeing.

The plan was approved by, and is subsequently reported annually to the University Executive Board (UEB).

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Some of our achievements so far:

York Interdisciplinary Modules (YIMs)
winning a CATE Award for Teaching Excellence, and includes award-winning Sustainability Clinic.
Code of Practice for Sustainable Research
and signed the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice.
Staff Sustainability Induction
now available for all staff across the University to complete.
Deep Geothermal Energy Project
supported by a £35 million government-funded grant from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
Environmental Sustainability at York (ESAY)
Connecting environmental sustainability activities across research, teaching, and campus operations.
Sustainability Week launch
hosting events and activities aimed at engaging our University community on sustainability and environmental topics.
12,167 members of YORCUP scheme
saving over 2 million single-use cups from landfill and raising over £215,000 to directly fund campus sustainable development grants.
Living Wage Employer accreditation
ensuring fair pay standards for all direct and contract staff.
Ecological Management Plan
a 10-year strategy that shifts campus management toward "more-than-human impacts" and coordinates blue, green, and built environments.
12,800 wildlife observations logged
by community volunteer on iNaturalist during the York City Nature Challenge.
Wellness Wednesday programme
offering dedicated spaces, outdoors-focused mental health sessions, and ecological mindfulness events.
Endowment impact investment strategy
includes plans to increase the proportion of impact-aligned investments from 20% to 33%, with a long-term goal of reaching 50%.

Sustainability Plan

Read our plans for a more sustainable future with our Sustainability Plan 2021-2030.

Annual progress report

Read the latest annual report to find out how we've been progressing on the Sustainability Plan so far.

Track our progress

Track our progress towards 5 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Sustainable Research.

An ambitious vision

The University's significant positive impacts on sustainability and the climate results from teaching students about sustainability, shaping their future lives and careers, and advancing environmental research projects. The impact of these efforts have the potential to outweigh any of our direct campus emissions.

We have also committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 by ensuring our operations and campus management are environmentally sustainable.

Guided by Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

To ensure we coordinate our actions to support the global sustainability agenda, our plan is framed around the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

We have chosen to prioritise the SDGs where we can make the most significant impact and use these to focus our actions, while continuing work against the remaining SDGs where applicable.

Our objectives against SDGs

The objectives set in our Sustainability Plan are based on the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): quality education; climate action; sustainable cities and communities; responsible production and consumption; and good health and wellbeing, with an overarching theme of sustainable research.

Use the drop-down menu below to read about our objectives in more detail.

Sustainable Research

We will be a global leader in sustainability research and sustainable development, developing interdisciplinary understanding and solutions to key local, regional and global sustainability challenges.

  • A research strategy: We will develop and implement a Strategy for Sustainability Research.
  • A code of practice: We will develop a Code of Practice for Sustainability Research at the University.
SDG 4: Quality Education

We will ensure all our students are equipped to become leaders of change who are able to take action on the most pressing global issues including sustainability and climate change.

  • Teaching: Undertake teaching activities in the most sustainable manner.
  • Empowerment: Empower students to make a positive sustainable impact.
  • Experience: Equip students with practical knowledge of sustainability actions.
SDG 13: Climate Action

We will manage our estate operations, teaching and research activities so their carbon emissions have a minimum contribution to climate change, and enable us to cope with future impacts.

  • Carbon neutrality: Minimise the impact our operations have on climate change by becoming carbon neutral in all our activities. By 2030 for scope 1 and 2 emissions and 2050 for scope 3 emissions (30% reduction by 2030).
  • Adaptable foundations: Create a campus estate and governance that is lean and agile to effectively adapt to climate change.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

We will focus our research, teaching, resources, knowledge and networks to help create a sustainable future that addresses societal needs and empowers civic engagement.

  • Creating frameworks: Create a framework for achieving city and community solutions to the climate crisis.
  • Facilitating solutions: Facilitate sustainable solutions to civic, business and community-led challenges.
  • A place-making approach: Develop a place-making approach to space usage and operation.
SDG 12: Responsible Production and Consumption

We will utilise our size and influence to drive the sustainability agenda forward; undertaking positive impact investments, engaging and challenging suppliers, and reducing our environmental impacts.

  • Positive investments: Ensure that our University investments generate a positive sustainability impact.
  • Proactive monitoring: Of all key suppliers, working with them to improve their sustainability.
  • Considerate consumption: Minimising the amount we consume while reducing the impact of our waste creation.
SDG 3: Health and Wellbeing

Our staff and students will benefit from a healthy mind and body; through interacting with our wellbeing programmes, natural grounds initiatives, and buildings designed for the health and wellbeing of occupants.

Happy students: Promote and encourage positive student health and wellbeing.

Happy staff: Offer new, accessible approaches to health and wellbeing for staff in the workplace.

Happy campus: Create a campus that supports health and wellbeing of its users via nature and outdoor activity.

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