Sustainability Week 2026 has drawn to a close following five days of events, discussions and practical workshops designed to inspire action and engagement across the University.
Held from 23rd – 27th February as part of Feel Good February, the week brought together staff, students and partners to celebrate progress made over the past 12 months, marking one year since the launch of the University’s Sustainability Strategy.
From strategic milestones to hands on activities, Sustainability Week 2026 demonstrated how sustainability is being embedded across research, education, campus operations and civic collaboration.
Sustainability Fair
A key highlight of the week was the Sustainability Fair, held at the Guild of Students on Thursday 26 February. With over 30 interactive stalls and nearly 400 attendees, our biggest yet, the Sustainability Fair created a vibrant and energetic atmosphere in the Stanley Theatre, bringing together staff, students and partners to explore sustainability in action across the University and beyond.
From the Centre for Sustainable Business, Heritage Institute, Low Carbon Eco-Innovatory and Low Carbon Architecture to the Centre for Doctoral Training in Net Zero Maritime Energy and the Centre for Joined Up Sustainability Transformations, the Fair highlighted the breadth of sustainability research taking place across the institution.
University teams including IT Services, Sustainable Procurement, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Libraries, Galleries and Museums, The Maker Space, Careers & Employability, Hedgehog Friendly Campus, Ness Botanical Gardens, and Campus Food and Drink showcased practical initiatives helping to embed sustainability into everyday campus life.
The event also featured Living Lab projects, student societies and a wide range of community organisations and regional partners including SOS UK, People & Planet, Greenpeace, Circular Arts Network, Transition Liverpool, Liverpool Food Growers Network, Merseyside Cycling Campaign and Liverpool Friends of the Earth, creating opportunities for attendees to connect with local sustainability initiatives and explore ways to get involved beyond the University.
With hands-on activities, discussions and new connections forming throughout the day, the Fair provided a fantastic opportunity to share ideas, build partnerships and celebrate the growing momentum behind sustainability across our University community.
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Sustainability Strategy one year on
A key focus of this year’s programme was the publication of the University’s first Sustainability Strategy Progress Report, marking one year since the launch of the Sustainability Strategy.
The report highlights progress across the Strategy’s three pillars, Research, Education and Student Experience, and Sustainable Campus and Operations, and outlines key achievements from the past year, including a 48% reduction in general waste sent for incineration with energy recovery, the launch of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Sustainability Research (ICSR), and the embedding of Sustainability and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) competencies within the new Liverpool Learning Framework. We also received external recognition, ranking 32nd in the People & Planet University League, 64th in the QS Sustainability Rankings and 88th in the Times Higher Education Impact Ratings. The Progress Report measures performance against the Strategy’s six defined measures of success and sits alongside the University’s annual Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Report, ensuring transparency and accountability. Read the full report here.
Energy Strategy 2031+
Sustainability Week also saw the launch of the University’s Energy Strategy 2031+, a long-term framework for managing and transforming the energy infrastructure that underpins our campuses, research and teaching.
The strategy sets out how the University will reduce environmental impact, strengthen resilience and ensure our energy systems are fit for the future, while accelerating the transition to lower-carbon energy sources in line with our Net Zero commitments. A key focus is the evolution of the University’s district heat networks and strengthening partnerships across the Liverpool City Region to deliver affordable, scalable low-carbon energy solutions. Read the Energy Strategy 2031+ here.
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Pitch for the Planet: A SUEZ Dragons’ Den challenge
Students also took part in Pitch for the Planet, a Dragons’ Den style sustainability challenge delivered in partnership with SUEZ. Working in teams, participants designed creative behaviour-change campaigns addressing real-world sustainability challenges before pitching their ideas to a panel of industry professionals. The session provided insight into careers in sustainability and helped students develop valuable skills in teamwork, communication and innovation.
Guided tours
Throughout the week, staff and students were invited to explore the University’s sustainable infrastructure through guided tours, including the Materials Innovation Factory (MIF), a hub for cutting edge research in sustainable materials, and the Energy Centre, which contributes to the University's sustainability goals by reducing emissions and enhancing energy efficiency across the campus.
Staff and students also had the unique opportunity to take an exclusive guided tour of The Spine, one of the world’s healthiest buildings. The tour showcased its cutting-edge energy-efficient technologies, green spaces, and innovative sustainable design features. The Spine is designed to prioritise both mental and physical well-being and it is among the first buildings in the UK to achieve Platinum WELL Standard Certification, reflecting its commitment to sustainability and intelligent design.
Guild activities
The Liverpool Guild of Students once again played a key role in Sustainability Week 2026, hosting a range of creative and wellbeing activities designed to encourage practical, everyday sustainability action. Events throughout the week included plant pot painting and herb planting, a Writing Nature workshop, and a Wall-E film screening and mindfulness session at the Victoria Gallery & Museum. Students also took part in a Green Wall Revamp, helping to green campus spaces, alongside a Repair-a-thon where participants learned practical repair skills. Creative workshops such as the T-shirt Tote Bag Printing session encouraged participants to repurpose materials and reduce waste, while the Sustainable Halls Helsby Hill Walk offered students a chance to explore the local landscape while connecting with sustainability and wellbeing themes.
Celebrating one year of the ICSR
Sustainability Week 2026 also marked one year since the launch of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Sustainability Research (ICSR). Since its launch during Sustainability Week 2025, the Centre has built strong interdisciplinary momentum, bringing together colleagues from across all three faculties to tackle complex sustainability challenges. Through workshops and collaborative sandpits, new cross-disciplinary teams have formed, including research addressing the impacts of micro- and nanoplastics on human health and ecosystems. ICSR has also introduced pump-priming funding to support emerging collaborations and strengthen bids for external funding. As the Centre enters its second year, its thematic focus shifts from Climate Action (SDG 13) to Reducing Inequalities (SDG 10), continuing its mission to drive impactful, interdisciplinary sustainability research. Check out this video shared as part of the week.
Thank you
Sustainability Week 2026 has demonstrated the strength of our collective commitment to sustainability and the progress achieved in the first year of delivering our Sustainability Strategy.
Thank you to every student, member of staff and external partner who contributed to the programme, and to the hundreds of staff and students who attended events, shared ideas and took part.
See you in 2027!
Find out more
Read the full Sustainability Strategy Progress Report.
Read the Energy Strategy 2031+.
If you attended any Sustainability Week events, we would love to hear your feedback. Please email us: sustainability@liverpool.ac.uk