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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.  

Contact us

Sustainability at York

sustainability@york.ac.uk
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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.

219000kWh / year solar energy

Generated by 320 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.

Award-winning for Sustainability

York is ranked #29 globally and we've retained our UK top-10 status in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2024.

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.

Students outside in nature

Student Sustainability Opportunities Hub

A space to discover sustainability-related opportunities that you can get involved with, from modules and courses to internships and volunteering.

Student opportunities

University of York campus

Annual progress report 2022-23

We are pleased to deliver the second edition of the University of York Sustainability Plan Annual Report. The report details the extent to which we have been able to achieve the sustainability goals we first formally set in October 2021, through the launch of our Sustainability Plan 2021-2030.

View the report

Sustainability Week 2024

Over thirty free events were attended by staff, students and alumni between Monday 4 March and Friday 8 March to raise awareness about environmental and social issues. Events ranged from climate games and green talks, to building bee hotels and campus biodiversity walks.

Sustainability Week

Supporting Action on Climate Change

We are part of a growing community of universities, special interest groups, businesses, and others working together to tackle the climate change crisis.

Take a look at the vital work under way at the University.

See our COP26 exhibition

See our latest COP27 activities

Environmental Sustainability at York (ESAY)

We are proud to announce the launch of Environmental Sustainability at York (ESAY) backed by a £1.3m investment.

ESAY brings together under one umbrella the environmental sustainability community at York.

Discover ESAY

Dry corn field

At the heart of our research

Environmental sustainability and resilience is one of our seven research themes at the University of York.

Our research

seedlings on a black background

Our people

We have dedicated staff members and groups working hard to progress sustainability on our campus.

Our people

Contact us

Sustainability at York

sustainability@york.ac.uk
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