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Sustainability

We’re a 2:2 class university in People and Planet’s University League 24/25 and have risen by 14 places since last year. This reflects the excellent work we're doing as a university to improve our sustainability. From our environment on campus to the resources we use and the courses we deliver, we're taking action to ensure we're committed to a sustainable future.

How can we be more sustainable?

We are dedicated to sustainable practices in all that we do. We proactively seek ways to make positive changes to our environment by reusing, recycling, and reducing and helping natural habitats develop and thrive across our estate.

We are also working closely with partners, including Sunderland City Council, on our longer-term commitments to environmental sustainability. We are bringing all of this activity into revitalising our comprehensive Environmental Sustainability and Carbon Reduction Plans. These plans are to guide future direction, but in the meantime, we have plenty of sustainability initiatives underway.

Sustainability Annual Report

Read our Environmental Sustainability Annual Report 2023/24 (.pdf) and find out more about the targets and actions we're committed to taking in the year ahead.

Modern hanging lights turned on at gateway cafe

Energy

We are committed to the responsible use of energy throughout the University to ensure that we achieve a Net Zero Carbon Campus by no later than 2040.

Find out more about energy
The blue campus double decker bus pulled up at City Campus with a student about to get on

Travel

We are committed to reducing carbon emissions by encouraging more sustainable ways to travel to and from the University.

Find out more about travel
A bee sitting on a pink flower

Nature

We are committed to ensuring we increase the biodiversity on campus while working with local partners to ensure our green spaces are maximising impact in Sunderland. 

Find out more about nature
Two men and a woman laughing with each other.

Learning

We are committed to embedding sustainability into our faculties and services to ensure students graduate with environmental and social impact knowledge.

Find out more about learning
People eating in the The Studio cafe on campus

Purchasing

We are committed to ensuring that the emissions from the goods and services we purchase from our stakeholders are net zero by 2050. 

Find out more about purchasing
Sign on campus saying University Metro 5 minutes walk away

Our policies

We have a number of policies and plans to support our commitment to applying sustainable principles, and how we will achieve this. 

Find out more information about our Environmental Sustainability Plan and other supporting policies and plans.

Read our policy and plans.

Students on the beach

Get involved

There are lots of different ways you can take part in helping us create a greener future. Whether that be joining one of our sustainability groups, getting involved in events or volunteering or following some of our top tips and tricks to becoming more sustainable in your every day life.

Find out how you can get involved in sustainability at the University.