University of York and York SU awarded national accreditation for embedding sustainability into curriculum
Posted on Friday 27 March 2026
The University of York and York Students' Union have been awarded Responsible Futures accreditation. This accreditation, awarded by students, recognises the institution and students’ union’s shared commitment to embedding holistic sustainability across the formal, informal and subliminal curriculum.
The Responsible Futures programme, overseen by Students Organising for Sustainability UK (SOS-UK), establishes a partnership between staff and students to collaboratively drive sustainability efforts. Using a tried and tested framework, institutions work to integrate sustainability into education, governance, and campus activities, fostering a culture of sustainability and climate justice reaching all staff and learners. A unique aspect of the process is a student-led audit, where trained students assess the institution's progress against the framework.
Accreditation is awarded based on these findings and is valid for two years, encouraging ongoing improvement and innovation. This framework ensures institutions are actively equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to address global sustainability challenges.
Lynda Dunlop, Director of Education for Environmental Sustainability at York, says:
“Thank you to all students and staff committed to embedding sustainability into teaching and learning at York. Responsible Futures recognises the collective effort to make a difference across the university. We are looking forward to continuing our collaboration with the Students’ Union to ensure all students and staff are empowered to act on the climate and ecological crises.”
Professor Claire Hughes, Head of Department for the Department of Environment and Geography at the University of York, has also shared her praise for the accreditation:
“I'm absolutely delighted that we've been awarded Responsible Futures accreditation. This award recognises the collective commitment of our staff and students towards embedding sustainability education. It marks a significant step in our journey to ensuring every student at York is empowered to contribute towards a more sustainable and equitable future. Many congratulations and thank you to everyone who contributed to this fantastic achievement.”
Anna Lindberg-Newby, York Students’ Union Development Officer, says:
"I’m really proud of the Student Union and University for achieving the accreditation. Often sustainability can feel like such a daunting task, especially within our current political climate, and often we hear students feeling as though they can’t make a difference. This accreditation has proven this is not the case, we have so many dedicated and passionate staff and students who show everyday that not only can sustainability be at the heart of everything we do, but that it should be."
Auditing our curriculum
Nine of our students came together in the Sustainability Clinic space on the 2 and 3 December 2025 to audit our work in this area. They completed a documentary evidence review and three interviews with academic, sustainability, and Students’ Union staff members; upon moderation by SOS UK, we were awarded the full accreditation. The auditors especially praised the passion, dedication and honesty of staff, the York Interdisciplinary Modules including the Sustainability Clinic. They also shared their admiration for the way student activity was supported and recognised through York SU grants and badge schemes, and the close partnership working between the ESAY team at the University and the SU.
Here is what one of our student auditors had to say when reflecting on the whole audit experience:
"The partnership’s approach to attaining Responsible Futures accreditation is strong and well thought through. The focus on reflection, student partnership, and continuous improvement makes the process feel meaningful rather than a tick-box exercise."
Marta Nowicka, Project Manager for Education at SOS-UK, says:
“A huge congratulations to University of York and Students' Union on your first Responsible Futures audit and achieving the accreditation - truly well deserved! It has been brilliant to support your student auditors over the two days, and it was a great opportunity for me to find out more detail about the brilliant work going on at York in this area. The YIMs in particular are really impressive, and will serve as a great example of interdisciplinary opportunities in the formal curriculum for others in the cohort. We look forward to continuing to work with you on implementing the recommendations.”
The report recommends increasing the inclusion of sustainability across degree programmes, improving monitoring and evaluation, and strengthening how sustainability is communicated to students.
The accreditation recognises the work of staff and students across the University who have helped integrate sustainability into teaching and learning. If you would like to get involved or take the next step, sign up for one of our upcoming events or speak to a member of the team at esay@york.ac.uk.
A nationally-recognised accreditation
Since its launch by the National Union of Students (NUS) in 2014, 64 institutions have worked with their students’ unions across the UK and globally to take part in Responsible Futures, demonstrating their commitment to creating an environment where education for sustainable development can thrive. Responsible Futures is now hosted and led by Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS UK), formerly NUS sustainability team.
SOS UK aims to see students leave formal education with the knowledge, skills, attributes, and values required to critically challenge the world around them, and a desire and willingness to tackle social, economic, and environmental issues and inequalities.
Amira Campbell, SOS UK Trustee and 2024-2026 NUS National President, commented:
"Congratulations to University of York and Students’ Union on your first Responsible Futures audit. Your work on this audit demonstrates your commitment to empowering students to the develop skills and knowledge needed for a more sustainable and just world, through a whole institution approach centring student leadership."
We are delighted with this result and look forward to working on implementing the recommendations together with our students and with support from SOS UK.
