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.

Contact us

Sustainability at York

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.

Geothermal Energy project

Sustainability at York: What matters to you?

As part of her Master’s dissertation, Mariia Bobyleva is working with the University of York’s Sustainability Team (DTEF) to explore how staff and students across the University perceive and engage with sustainability on campus.

Your insights will help shape future sustainability effort, making them more visible, inclusive, and impactful on campus.

Deadline for completing the survey is 3 August.

Complete the survey

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.

For students

For staff

For alumni

General guidance

For staff and students: Find out about sustainable travel, reducing waste, eating and shopping sustainably and saving energy on campus.

Save 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

There are no events to show here right now. Please check back another time.

More 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.

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.

‘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.

News

Local secondary school students take part in Sustainability Enrichment Day at the University of York

26 June 2025

Last week, the University of York welcomed Year 9 and Year 10 students from local secondary schools for a day of learning and collaboration focused on sustainability.

News

Celebrating sustainability success at the 2025 Green Impact Awards

19 June 2025

Last week, the University celebrated the incredible achievements of staff and student teams at the 2025 Green Impact Awards.

News

Sustainability Clinic spotlight: Sustainability Storytime with York Explore Libraries

16 June 2025

Read about a team of Environment and Geography students who collaborated with York Explore Libraries on a Sustainability Clinic project to engage early years children and families with sustainability storytelling.

News

Welcome to your June newsletter

5 June 2025

Find out more about Sustainability at York in June 2025.

More news

#NatureOnCampus

Our #NatureOnCampus campaign runs across our Sustainability social media channels. This initiative is part of our Biodiversity Living Labs, which celebrates the diverse wildlife across the University of York campus. Submit your nature sightings to Anna Morfitt via email (anna.morfitt@york.ac.uk, high quality photos and location) for a chance to be featured in our campaign.