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

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

Event

Festive Climate Fresk

Monday 8 December 2025 10am

Treat yourself to a skill for the festive period with our Climate Fresk workshop! Open to all.

Event

Climate Fresk facilitator training

Wednesday 10 December 2025 2pm

A training opportunity for those who have participated in a Climate Fresk workshop. Continue your journey and train up as a facilitator with this 3-hour session.

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.

The student group challenging fast fashion

Student volunteering group Swap Don't Shop have been awarded funding to support their fight against fast fashion with a make and mend workshop.

Supporting Creatures on Campus

The volunteering group Creatures on Campus has used the grant to start monitoring biodiversity on campus.

Women’s Rugby Union change the game on waste

The Women's Rugby Union has used the grant to reduce the amount of waste they produce as a club.

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 Sustainability Enrichment Day

The grant has supported a Schools Sustainability Enrichment Day which saw Year 9 and 10 pupils coming to campus from across the local area to learn about sustainability.

Latest sustainability stories

Find out about the latest sustainability stories across the University.

News

Our Green Impact Lab Accreditation success!

20 November 2025

Our research community at York is celebrating a huge success with the completion of the first Green Impact Lab Accreditation (or GILA) cycle.

News

Sustainable Development Spotlight: the student group challenging fast fashion

19 November 2025

Find out how the volunteering project Swap Don’t Shop has used the Grant to support their fight against fast fashion with a make and mend workshop.

News

Making a Difference: How Charley Supports Climate Action in York Schools

9 November 2025

Find out how Charley, a Biology student at the University of York, is using her role as a Climate Ambassador to support a York Primary School to take meaningful action on climate and biodiversity.

News

Sustainable Development Spotlight: Supporting Creatures on Campus

30 October 2025

Find out how the volunteering group Creatures on Campus is using the Sustainable Development Grant to help protect wildlife on campus.

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.