Sustainability at York
As an institution with both local roots and global reach, and at the leading edge of research and knowledge, sustainability is a key element of our responsibilities and values.
We're committed to continuing our progress to make our activities more sustainable in support of achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Find out below what we're aiming for, what we're currently doing and how you can get involved.
I want the expertise and passion we have, including that of our students, to produce an evidenced plan of our response to the climate crisis; to think about reducing emissions, to think about how we can best deploy our research into industry and policy, and think about how we can best equip our students through what they study here, to embed sustainability in their careers.
Professor Charlie Jeffery, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of York.
100% divestment from fossil fuels
We are proud to say that we no longer have investments in the fossil fuel industry.
26,000kWh / year solar energy
Generated by 80 solar panels installed across our University campus.
Over 1 million single-use cups saved
Over 1 million single-use cups saved and over £54,000 raised through the YORCUP and latte levy schemes since January 2019.
Green flag campus
Since 2013, we've held the benchmark national standard for publicly accessible parks and green spaces in the UK.
Cycle friendly campus
We've received a gold award from Cycling-UK for being a cycle friendly employer.
On campus energy
We generate heat and electricity on campus
What we're doing
How we're becoming a more sustainable University.
What you can do
Steps our staff and students can take towards living a more sustainable life.
Our Sustainability Plan
Our plans for a more sustainable future.
COP26 may have ended but you can still see our ‘Research with a View’ exhibition online.
This exhibition features images of University of York researchers' climate change-related studies. From the Arctic to here in York, it’s a snapshot of the vital work under way at the University.
The Environmental Sustainability Academy at York
We are proud to announce the launch of the Environmental Sustainability Academy at York backed by a £1.3m investment.
The Academy brings together under one umbrella the environmental sustainability community at York.
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One Planet Week 2022
On the theme of Equity and Local Economy, our timetable of events for the week is now available. We have talks, workshops and social events related to sustainability open to students, staff and the wider public.
Working from home?
Here are some ideas for actions you can take while you are working from home to live and work more sustainably.
At the heart of our research
Environmental sustainability and resilience is one of our seven research themes at the University of York.