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Our progress

We regularly measure our progress and achievements against our sustainability targets and against the seven principles that make up our Climate Plan.  Our sustainability targets are driven by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is a set of 17 goals to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all and which are intrinsic to our University strategies. 

Our annual reporting demonstrates how working collaboratively has embedded sustainability as a core value of the University and how we address global grand challenges by taking responsibility for our economic, cultural, social and environmental impacts. 

Our University strategy sets out outcome-based, values-driven KPIs including making a positive difference in the world and delivering environmental sustainability. For 2021/22 onwards, the University has adopted an integrated reporting framework which reports against these KPIs alongside highlighting some of the research, projects and successes that have taken place over the year. This integrated report includes detailed reporting on sustainability and social impact. We also publish an annual Sustainability report. 

Our Climate Plan sets out how we will tackle climate change as a University, including delivering net zero emissions by 2030, providing a sustainable curriculum and supporting a net zero city. We regularly report progress against the seven principles, that make up our Climate Plan including an annual Climate Plan reportThis annual report is scrutinised by a Research Partnership Committee led by the Priestley International Centre for Climate, who also publish a review of our direction and performance. 

2023-2024 News

Celebrating a year of sustainability achievements

On Monday 24th June, the Sustainability Service hosted a celebration to acknowledge staff, partners, and community members who go above and beyond to embed sustainability in everything they do.  The Sustainability Service is a team dedicated to helping deliver a more socially and environmentally responsible University, and its partnerships with teams and individuals from across...

Celebrating Two Star Fairtrade Status

We are delighted that the University of Leeds has retained our Fairtrade University award, after being audited for the 22/23 and 23/24 academic years.  Our two-star status recognises the broad range of activities undertaken within the University, including raising awareness and increasing availability of Fairtrade products in the university, further supporting work towards a more...

Sustainable Labs programme reaches new milestone 

The Sustainable Labs programme has reached an important milestone, with 50 labs from 11 different schools and four faculties now signed up to the LEAF framework for implementing sustainability initiatives.  Newly certified labs included the first labs within the School of Medicine and the School of Chemical and Process Engineering (SCaPE) to achieve LEAF certification. ...

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2023-2024 Blogs

Bridging communities and academia: a Student Sustainability Architect blog

 Rishabh Bezbaruah is a Student Sustainability Architect, who has been working on a project within the Positive Impact Partners (PIP) programme. In this blog post...

Creating green spaces: community gardening at the University of Leeds

Student Sustainability Architect, Coline Lightfoot, reflects upon this year's community gardening projects... As the Student Sustainability Architect for community gardening projects, this year’s projects have...

A step-by-step guide to Biodiversity Monitoring

Hannah Long, Student Sustainability Architect has created this beginner friendly guide to biodiversity monitoring. Monitoring can be done in your day-to-day life, helping you learn...

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United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

The Sustainable Development Goal wheel We use the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework to guide our activity. Our work as the Sustainability Service is linked to all of the SDGs.

Find out more about our impact on the SDGs.