Starting Your Sustainability Journey

Sustainability sits at the heart of the University of Leeds and we take our responsibility to have a positive impact on society and the environment seriously. But sustainability is for everyone - we all have a role to play in improving the world in which we live!

As a student at Leeds you’ll have the opportunity to develop your skills and take action to help deliver a sustainable future. Our definition of 'sustainability' is guided by the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals and includes global challenges around poverty, inequality and health as well as biodiversity, climate action and communities. We have ambitious targets to maximise the positive impact we can have on global challenges as an institution, whilst creating opportunities for our students, staff and local communities.

If you're not sure how you can contribute, you're in the right place! All you need to do is start here...

About us

The Sustainability service team

Sustainability is embedded in both our academic strategy Universal Values, Global Change, and in the Enabling Strategy which underpins this.

The Sustainability Service is a team of dedicated staff responsible for helping to deliver a socially and environmentally responsible University. The team also create opportunities for staff and students to learn about and engage with global challenges and their solutions both on campus and in partnership with local communities.

Read more about the University's sustainability commitments and the Sustainability Service:

University Sustainability Commitments

Some of the University’s key strategic commitments in relation to sustainability include:

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

The University has signed the SDG Accord, a commitment to embed the Sustainable Development Goals into everything we do. Find out more about some of the ways we contribute towards each of the SDGs.

The University of Leeds Climate Plan

The University Climate Plan, approved in November 2021, is made up of seven climate principles which guide us in moving towards a sustainable, low carbon future. These include delivering net zero emissions by 2030, achieving sustainable travel, providing a sustainable curriculum and supporting a net zero city, alongside commitments around reorienting research and teaching, responsible investment and institutional decision making.

Information and updates on the progress of the Climate Plan can be found on the Climate Plan Sharepoint hub (University login required) or in the regular Climate Plan reports.

Fairtrade

We have held Fairtrade University status since 2005, and achieved a two star Fairtrade award for 2023-2024.

Environmental Policy and Environmental Management System (EMS)

Our strategic approach to sustainability is underpinned by our Environmental Policy, Environmental Management System and a range of other policies linked to sustainability.

The Sustainability Service

The Sustainability Service help address a wide range of sustainability challenges at the University. This includes environmental compliance, delivering net zero emissions targets, biodiversity, how we deliver sustainability in the curriculum, engagement programmes with staff and students, travel, and the wider social impact that we have as a University in and on our local communities.

Opportunities for students with the Sustainability Service include regular events, volunteering and part-time paid Student Sustainability Architect roles, and we also support opportunities through the Sustainable Curriculum and Living Lab programmes.

The best way to stay up to date with news and opportunities is to sign up to our newsletter or follow us on social media. You'll also see us at events throughout the year on campus, so do come and say hi!

Learn

three people sat on the grass

Sustainability skills are increasingly sought after and can help you stand out in a competitive workplace. Building your knowledge and understanding of sustainability and climate can also help alleviate eco-anxiety, for example by giving you the confidence to know how you can contribute positively to global challenges. During your time at Leeds you will have a range of opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge, both within and outside of your studies.

Read about some of the ways you can build your knowledge:

Get started with our introduction to sustainability

All students and staff are recommended to explore our Introduction to Sustainability unit which takes less than one hour to complete. It will introduce you to the concept of sustainability and explores the most significant challenge the world faces: the climate crisis. It also examines what the University is doing to tackle this crisis and what you can do to get involved, and is a great introduction to the topic.

Including sustainability in your degree course

Study sustainability in your degree, through the course or modules that you choose. Many students can access our Creating Sustainable Futures Discovery module which is a great place to start, or you can explore how we are creating more opportunities for students through the Sustainable Curriculum programme.

Explore further learning resources

Find out about the UN Sustainable Development Goals. These interconnected 17 goals each address global challenges such as poverty, climate change, equalities, peace and justice and provide a framework for understanding and acting on sustainability.

The Priestley International Centre for Climate have developed a suite of resources to build understanding of climate change, including a series of 'Ask a Climate Researcher' videos.

LinkedIn Learning also hosts courses on sustainability and UN SDG themes.

Get involved

three ducklings

There are lots of different ways that you can play a role in creating a sustainable future, and every action counts! As well as events and volunteering opportunities organised within the University, you can also consider how you can reduce your own environmental impact including how you travel to University and around Leeds.

Read more about ways to get involved with sustainability:

Check out opportunities to get involved

There are lots of ways that you can get involved in sustainability whilst at the University of Leeds.

Apply to become a student sustainability architect - paid part time roles to lead a sustainability initiative or project
Try our events and activities, which include gardening, repair workshops, and wildlife wanders
Volunteer on a sustainability initiative or community project, such as litter picking or creating green spaces in a local school
Be inspired by others or share your own research in our annual Student Sustainability Research Conference.
Join a sustainability society or group - there's lots of them to choose from at LUU.
Explore some of the groups and organisations in the wider city, including Climate Action Leeds, Rainbow Junktion, Hyde Park Source, Bedford Fields Community Garden, and Meanwood Valley Urban Farm.

Reduce your own environmental impact

Reduce the amount of single use packaging you use by carrying a water bottle and bringing a reusable coffee cup with you - you can save money doing this too! Buying in refill stores such as LUU's Green Action Coop is also a great way to reduce waste.
Choose plant based, seasonal food where you can, and try to avoid food waste - there's lots of delicious plant based options on campus, and you can save money by picking up food that would otherwise go to waste through Too Good to Go.
Even if you're not the one paying your gas and electric bills, be mindful of how much you're using - it all has an impact.
Make sure you're using your recycling and waste bins correctly - check the Leeds City Council website or download the 'Leeds Bins' app so you've always got the info to hand.
Only buy what you need - and don't forget that the more you own, the more you have to shift when you move house! See if you can share, swap and trade with friends, and check out Buy Nowt LS6 who loan out all kinds of things, from camping equipment and garden tools to fancy dress costumes!
When you do buy, support local businesses and reduce the number of packages getting delivered.

Travel smarter

Use active travel such as walking, running, wheeling and cycling where you can. Active travel means getting fitter, getting more time outside (often boosting wellbeing), and helping the planet!
The University is really well connected by public transport. Several buses run directly to the campus from Leeds City Centre and the surrounding area. Check them out through First Bus Leeds. If you’re travelling by train, Leeds railway station is a short walk or cycle away, and inter-city buses operate from the main bus station, again a short walk or cycle away.
Hire a bike or learn how to maintain your bike at the Bike Hub. The Bike Hub is our on campus spot for all staff and student's bike related needs.
If you do need a car for occasional use, check out the Enterprise car club locations in Leeds.

Got an idea?

If you've got an idea for a project or initiative related to sustainability, there are a number of ways in which the University can support you, including:

The University's annual Student Ideas Fund provides funding for a range of project types, including those that support the University's sustainability commitments.
Leeds University Union (LUU) offer a range of ways to engage with sustainability, including volunteering as a sustainability ambassador, access to grants and contributing to student voice forums. There are also a range of societies linked to different aspects of sustainability that you can join.
The Sustainable Curriculum programme, part of the University's Climate Plan, run regular opportunities for students to build their sustainability skills in practice, including workshops, competitions and partnerships. You will find these on our events pages throughout the year.
The Living Lab programme could provide you with support and funding to use our campus to research sustainability during your studies.
Our annual Student Sustainability Research Conference (SSRC) provides a forum to share, learn and be inspired by students across Yorkshire engaging in projects and research linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
You can also contact the Sustainability Service directly - we can help point you in the right direction or put you in touch with others who might be able to support your ideas.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

We use the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a framework to guide our activity. Building student knowledge and capacity links to the following SDGs:

Goal 4: Quality Education
Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities
Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production
Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions
Goal 17: Partnerships

Find out more about our impact on the SDGs.