Sustainability

Strategy 2025 promises UWS will become a stand-out University committed to tackling the UN Sustainable Development Goals, as well as a leader in climate change and resilience through research and enterprise activity.

The University’s long-standing commitment to sustainability is shown through the commitment to be net zero in operations by 2040.

It's also demonstrated through the signing of the Sustainable Development Goal Accord. This commits UWS to reporting annually on work towards embedding the UN Sustainable Development Goals through learning and teaching, research, leadership, operations, and engagement activities.

UWS Sustainability Plan 2025 to 2030

UWS in February 2025 has published its new Sustainability Plan (PDF) for the next five years.

The plan refreshes our commitment to delivering sustainability with UWS becoming a stand-out university committed to tackling the UN Sustainable Development Goals as well as a leader in climate change and resilience through research and enterprise activity.

At the heart of the plan is our 2040 Net Zero commitment and the progress the University has made in reducing emissions and the challenges that lie ahead. It outlines across seven action areas our achievements and commitments, inclusive of the on-going work to deliver against these and what is further required.

The ‘action areas’ across Sustainable Energy, Carbon Management, Biodiversity & Environmental Adaptation, Travel, Food, Waste, and Procurement represent a comprehensive breadth of focus and resulting action.

The plan is a live, evolving document which will grow in its detail. We’re working to incorporate a wider range of institutional sustainability objectives which link to the upcoming Strategy 2030 including across Learning & Teaching, Research, Knowledge Transfer and Partnerships.