Sustainability at York
Creating a sustainable future.
Welcome to Sustainability at York. As an institution with both local roots and global outreach, and at the heart of the cutting edge of research and knowledge, sustainability is a key element of our responsibilities and values.
As a University for Public Good, environmental sustainability stands as one of our four core principles. Our Vision for York highlights this commitment, demonstrating the need to improve environmental conditions as a prerequisite for societies to flourish and as a powerful driver for research, education and partnerships.
We all have a role to play in reducing our impact and creating a sustainable university. Find out more about our strategy, the progress we’ve made so far, and the teams working hard to achieve these goals.
Driving climate and sustainability action
Sustainability Plan
Our sustainability goals for 2021-2030.
Our progress
The latest progress against our objectives.
Campus operations
What we're currently doing.
Digging deep for a greener future: geothermal energy
The University of York has launched an exciting deep geothermal energy project as a transformative step in its journey to Net Zero. The project aims to cut our fossil fuel consumption by 78% as part of our Sustainability Plan 2030 targets and making a substantial contribution to reducing the City of York’s overall carbon footprint.
The first 3-year stage has already secured funding, supported by a £35 million government-funded grant from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and delivered by Salix Finance Ltd.
New for 2025: Green Impact Laboratory Accreditation (GILA)
Green Impact Lab Accreditation (or GILA) has been created specifically to support research wet labs to achieve an approved sustainability accreditation in order to apply to certain funding bodies.
Each participating laboratory completes the necessary actions, is audited, then receives a nationally standardised GILA certificate. The certificate demonstrates progress towards embedding sustainability in research.
Key achievements this last year
11,406 members
have joined the YORCUP scheme since 2019
100+ participants
have taken part in a Climate Fresk workshop
£153,815.91 raised
through the Latte Levy since 2019
2800 people reached
through Green Impact team actions
3000+ trees
planted on campus grounds
Green Gown Award
Sustainability Clinic wins for Student Engagement
58% of main waste
was suitably recycled
192 staff & students
participated in Carbon Literacy Training
Ways to get involved
The University provides a variety of sustainability-focused projects and initiatives for staff and students and the wider community to engage in, including sustainability events, green societies and groups, volunteer opportunities, and practical learning on sustainable practices.
Explore our events
Take a look at our upcoming events and activities to develop your skills and understanding of sustainability.
General guidance
For staff and students: Find out about sustainable travel, reducing waste, eating and shopping sustainably and saving energy on campus.
Saving Energy on Campus
We're asking everyone within our community to make their own small changes when it comes to energy usage, so that collectively we can make a big impact.
Upcoming sustainability and climate events
Accelerating sustainability research and education
Climate and sustainability education
Education is essential for solving global sustainability challenges. We are committed to empowering all our students to become leaders of change, ready to address urgent issues like sustainability and climate change.
Sustainability research and innovation
Our sustainability research spans from the local to the global level, addressing key environmental challenges that cut across sectors and disciplines. By collaborating across departments and with external partners, researchers at York are helping to shape a more sustainable future for us all.
Staff and student sustainability projects
Our staff and students are creating a more sustainable campus with the York SU's Sustainable Development Grant. Funded by the University’s Latte Levy, the Grant is designed to fund staff and student projects aimed at improving sustainability at York and helps us deliver on the commitments we set out in our Declaration of a Climate and Ecological Emergency. Explore past projects and find out how you can apply for the Grant.
Sustainable theatre operations
The Technical Theatre Society has been awarded funding to roll out the use of rechargeable batteries in their operations - reducing the waste generated by their activities.
Beekeeping hives and equipment
The Beekeeping Society has been awarded funding to invest in hives and PPE equipment to kickstart their activities.
Schools' Climate Action Support Event
The grant is also sponsoring the Schools' Climate Action Support Event and the KS3 and KS4 York Sustainable Cities workshop run by staff at the Department for Education.
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A climate board game
A PhD student has created a climate action board game to help students explore daily climate decisions. The grant funded the production of physical copies, now played across the University.
Talks on gender issues
The Feminist Society secured funding for Lunch and Learn events, providing students a space to discuss gender issues with guest speakers.
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‘From Waste to Growth’
The Green Chemistry Sustainability Team’s ‘From Waste to Growth’ initiative aims to use coffee waste to make compost for use in the Green Chemistree Garden.
Latest sustainability stories
Find out about the latest sustainability stories across the University.
About Sustainability at York
Find out more about Sustainability at York.