Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

Working in partnership both locally and globally, we are tackling each of the UN Sustainable Development Goals through our research and knowledge exchange, education and student experience, and through our operations. Discover how our unique commitments align with and support Sustainable Development Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.

Research and impact

The University advances SDG 7 through interdisciplinary research and strategic partnerships. In 2025, we co-launched the CLEAN-Air(Africa) Health Journalism Course with KEMRI, training journalists across East and Central Africa to translate air pollution science into impactful public narratives (7.a). Liverpool researchers also developed a light-driven hybrid nanoreactor producing clean hydrogen using sunlight, offering a scalable, low-cost route to renewable fuel production (7.2, 7.3). The Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy commands £18 million in active, competitively-won research funding, supporting projects in solar harvesting, hydrogen generation and storage, wind, marine energy, and fusion, and driving global clean energy transitions (7.2, 7.3). Within the Department of Earth, Ocean and Ecological Sciences, researchers lead the Future Energy theme, advancing geothermal energy, underground hydrogen storage, carbon capture in saline aquifers, and photovoltaic materials development to strengthen sustainable energy infrastructure (7.2, 7.a). In February 2025, we launched the Centre for Doctoral Training in Fusion Engineering, building capacity in low-carbon, scalable energy technologies (7.2, 7.3). Alongside this, the Net Zero Maritime Energy Solutions CDT (N0MES), delivered with Liverpool John Moores University and 33 industry partners, engages 52 researchers in offshore wind, tidal energy, hydrogen, and storage to drive the UK’s maritime energy transition (7.2, 7.3, 7.b).

Education and student experience

The University of Liverpool actively integrates SDG 7 into its educational offer, equipping students with the skills to advance affordable and clean energy globally. Our Renewable and Sustainable Energy MSc (with Year in Industry) provides rigorous training in renewable generation, smart grids, and sustainable infrastructure, combining academic study with professional placements (7.2, 7.3). The Environmental Assessment and Management MSc develops expertise in environmental systems and infrastructure planning, preparing graduates to design resilient and sustainable energy solutions (7.2, 7.a). Students also participate in extra-curricular activities such as guided tours of the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Energy Centre, gaining first-hand insight into sustainable campus infrastructure (7.3). In student residences, the Guild’s Sustainability Team leads Sustainable Halls campaigns, promoting energy-conscious living and behaviour change, supporting energy efficiency (7.3) and building awareness and capacity (7.a).

Sustainable campus and operations

The University advances SDG 7 by enhancing energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and embedding sustainable and ethical practices across its operations. The Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Energy Centre reduces emissions by generating on site electricity and recovering the waste heat to use for heating and hot water. While recognising CHP’s reliance on natural gas, we are committed to achieving a transition to Net Zero by 2035, supported by continued investment in low-carbon technologies and energy efficiency improvements (7.2). This ambition is embedded in our comprehensive Climate Plan, which sets milestones for energy reduction, carbon neutrality, and sustainable infrastructure. All new developments are designed to meet BREEAM Excellent standards, while many campus refurbishments are delivered to a minimum of BREEAM Very Good, supporting energy efficiency (7.3). Through our Ethical Investment Policy, we exclude companies significantly involved in fossil fuel extraction, reinforcing our commitment to clean energy transitions (7.b). Liverpool has joined a major urban clean energy demonstrator, Realising Net Zero Liverpool (RNZL), a £3.5M Innovate UK–funded initiative led by Liverpool City Council, that pilots ground-source heat networks, retrofits, and flexible power systems across the city, positioning the University among key academic collaborators working with government and energy networks (7.2, 7.3, 7.b).

Case studies

Advancing clean energy and water sustainability

The University of Liverpool has made a significant breakthrough in clean energy innovation with the development of a light-driven hybrid nanoreactor capable of efficiently producing green hydrogen, a sustainable fuel critical to the global energy transition (7.2, 7.a).

Led by Professors Luning Liu and Andy Cooper, the interdisciplinary team engineered a hybrid system that combines natural bacterial microcompartments, known as recombinant α-carboxysomes, with microporous organic semiconductors. This design protects fragile, oxygen-sensitive hydrogenase enzymes, enabling sustained hydrogen production using only visible light and mimicking the processes of natural photosynthesis.

A key advantage of this approach is the replacement of scarce and expensive precious metals such as platinum, which are typically required in conventional hydrogen production. The nanoreactor therefore provides a cost-effective, scalable and environmentally friendly alternative that could accelerate progress toward net-zero energy systems. It holds strong potential for industrial decarbonisation, fuel cell development, and renewable energy storage applications.

Published in ACS Catalysis, the research demonstrates how engineering biology and clean energy science can intersect to deliver transformative solutions. It reflects our commitment to producing practical, scalable technologies that advance SDG 7 while contributing to a sustainable energy future.

Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Chemistry

In 2024, the University was awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Chemistry at a Buckingham Palace ceremony, presented by Her Majesty The Queen and the Duchess of Gloucester. This prestigious accolade, the University’s second Queen’s Anniversary Prize, honours the Chemistry Department’s pioneering research addressing global challenges. The prize acknowledges the department’s groundbreaking work in low carbon energy, global health, and sustainable manufacturing. It highlights their significant impact through industrial and strategic partnerships, with a global reputation for excellence in research and innovation. The award follows a reception at London’s Guildhall, attended by university representatives and industry partners. The award is a recognition of the department’s world-class research and its positive impact on society and the economy. The Chemistry Department was ranked third in the UK for world-leading impact in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF2021) and remains one of the top three UK institutions for impact. Prime Minister at the time, Rishi Sunak congratulated the winners, noting their contribution to science, public health, and the economy. This prize is part of the Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education, established in 1994 to recognize exceptional achievements by UK universities and colleges. The University previously won in 2017 for its Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology.

Boosting Kenyan efforts to combat air pollution

The University of Liverpool launched a new initiative to tackle household air pollution (HAP) in Kenya through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kenyan government stakeholders. This program, called TABLE-HAP, will provide over 16,000 community groups with essential information to prevent HAP. The initiative aims to educate 40,000 people in Uasin Gishu County through trained Kenyan Community Health Workers, focusing on the health impacts of HAP and promoting clean household energy. TABLE-HAP leverages table-banking groups, which pool resources for loans, to empower communities with knowledge and resources for clean cooking, heating, and lighting. The Kenyan Ministry of Energy is involved in connecting commercial companies to the program to facilitate access to clean energy solutions. With more than 60% of Kenyans relying on traditional biomass fuels, TABLE-HAP is seen as a key strategy to address health issues such as respiratory illnesses and environmental degradation. The program aligns with Kenya's goal to achieve Universal Access to Clean Modern Energy by 2028. The MoU was signed by Professor Dan Pope of NIHR CLEAN-Air(Africa), Uasin Gishu County Government representatives, and the MaMa Doing Good Foundation, led by Kenya's First Lady Rachel Ruto. The initiative builds on the Community Household Air Pollution Prevention Programme (CHAP-PP) and will be monitored by the University of Liverpool, Kenya Medical Research Institute, and Moi University. Additionally, the University signed a Memorandum of Intent with clean energy developer Ceres to expand research collaborations in advanced materials and fuel cell technologies. This partnership aims to accelerate the development of clean energy solutions and supports both institutions' commitments to innovation and sustainability.