The University has published its 2024-25 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Report, highlighting progress in tackling some of the world’s most urgent sustainability challenges through research, education and operations.
The UN Sustainable Development Goals represent a global call to action on the world’s most pressing and interconnected issues. Working in partnership locally and globally, the University is advancing all 17 SDGs through research, education and student experience, and operations. The new report reflects these efforts in line with the Sustainability Strategy and ambitions set out in Liverpool 2031.
The publication of the report aligns with Global Goals Week, a worldwide effort to accelerate action towards achieving the UN SDGs by 2030.
Progress and impact across all 17 SDGs
Over the past year, the University has launched its new Sustainability Strategy, established the Interdisciplinary Centre for Sustainability Research (ICSR), and become an early signatory to the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice.
The report highlights how our research is shaping policy, tackling inequalities and driving innovation. Evidence to the UK Child Poverty Taskforce has informed national debate, while the Woman of the North report exposed persistent gender inequalities across pay, health and life expectancy. Globally, Liverpool research has influenced the World Health Organization’s updated guidelines on preventing mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B. Scientists are also advancing clean energy and health innovation, from a light-driven nanoreactor for green hydrogen to the GreenNanoBone project, which transforms food waste into biomaterials for bone health. Closer to home, initiatives such as the SCHOUSE study on nutrition in social housing and the CONVERSE programme on flood resilience are improving health and environmental outcomes with local communities.
Education for sustainable development has been strengthened through the Liverpool Learning Framework, embedding sustainability across all taught programmes. New MScs in Sustainable Business, Green Finance and Sustainability Accounting and Sustainable Civil and Structural Engineering are equipping graduates with the expertise to lead change. The newly launched Living Labs programme is creating opportunities for students and staff to collaborate on real-world sustainability challenges, while long-term outreach with schools is helping equip the next generation with the skills and experience to drive change.
Operational progress has also been significant. Campus waste has been cut by almost half since 2021, supported by the launch of the Warp It reuse platform, and the University has achieved Fairtrade University Accreditation. Our new Biodiversity Plan was introduced to protect and enhance habitats across the estate, alongside wider commitments to ethical investment and net zero.
Global recognition
Our impact is being recognised globally. Liverpool rose eight places to rank 42nd out of 1,744 universities in the world in the QS Sustainability Rankings and we are proud to have been ranked 5th in the world for equality. We also secured a position in the top 100 world-wide in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, and we moved up ten places in the People & Planet University League, reaching 37th in the UK, which also contributed to the University rising to 18th place in the Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026.
Looking ahead
We will continue embedding sustainability across the institution in an equitable, diverse and inclusive way, ensuring our strategy is delivered in a way that leaves no one behind. Priorities for the year ahead include developing a new Energy Strategy and Travel Plan, and expanding Living Labs to connect teaching, research and operations with wider city challenges. Strengthening international partnerships will also be a focus, with the opening of the University’s new Bengaluru campus in India creating opportunities for Global North-South collaboration on sustainability initiatives.
Find out more
To find out more about the University’s progress in support of the SDGs, and to download the full report, visit the sustainability website.
If you have evidence to support any of the Sustainable Development Goals that you would like to submit for inclusion in the next annual report, which is compiled by the University’s Sustainability Team, please contact us on sustainability@liverpool.ac.uk