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Progress to date

This is a summary of our progress towards delivering the Sustainability Strategy during its first year, presented under each of our strategy pillars: research, education and student experience, and campus operations.

Research

  • The Interdisciplinary Centre for Sustainability Research was launched in February 2025, strengthening capacity to develop major funding bids aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Alongside this, our existing Sustainability Research is addressing the twin global challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss. Just a few of our leading research centres include the Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy, the Liverpool Institute of Sustainable Coasts and Oceans, and the Centre for Sustainable Business. We are also leading the way on sustainable clinical trials nationally, and closer to home our research has influenced Liverpool City Council’s travel plan, resulting in improved cycle infrastructure and healthier air conditions for local residents.
  • As of January 2026, all eligible laboratories and workshops (151) are participating in the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF). 71 have achieved bronze awards, 60 have silver awards and 20 have achieved the highest rating of gold.
  • A working group was established in the autumn of 2025 to oversee development of an action plan for the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation. Alongside this, work is underway to support researchers in meeting environmental policies of research funders.
  • In November 2025 an offsetting scheme was introduced for business travel funded through Wellcome grants (inline with Wellcome requirements).
  • Tagging of research outputs and grant applications has been implemented in Liverpool Elements and IRIS, improving SDG reporting and strengthening our QS Sustainability and THE Impact submissions.

Katie Atkinson, Director of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Sustainability Research 

Education and student experience 

  • As part of the Curriculum 2027 project, the new Liverpool Learning Framework has incorporated mandatory requirements for embedding sustainability across all taught programmes.
  • Our sustainability-focused Living Labs programme was launched in 2025, providing students and staff with opportunities to engage in real-world sustainability challenges on campus.
  • New postgraduate programmes were introduced in 2025, including the MSc Green Finance and Sustainability Accounting and MSc Sustainable Business, supporting the development of green skills and responding to employer demand.
  • We delivered our third annual Sustainability Week, engaging over 500 staff, students and alumni through research showcases, educational activities and campus tours, including 246 attendees at the Sustainability Fair, and strong digital engagement. 
  • Our Libraries, Museums and Galleries embedded sustainability across their 
    operations, delivering key commitments set out in their strategic plan.
  • A Sustainability Intern has been employed within the University Sustainability 
    Team, alongside their studies on the MSc in Sustainable Business.

Staff and students at Sustainability Week 2025

Sustainable campus and operations

  • Our Climate Plan was refreshed to reflect commitments in the new strategic framework, Liverpool 2031, and to incorporate our new carbon baselines. We also published a new Biodiversity Plan in February 2025, followed by a comprehensive estate-wide habitat survey.
  • The Waste Management Plan 2021-25 was successfully implemented, achieving a 48% reduction in domestic general waste being sent for incineration-with-energy-recovery, through prevention, reuse and recycling initiatives. One such initiative is the Warp It reuse platform, which was launched in February 2025 and has saved 52 tonnes of CO2e, and diverted 14 tonnes of waste from disposal.
  • Work has been underway to develop a new Energy Strategy, alongside this our on-site solar generation has increased by x8 from our baseline, and geothermal feasibility with the Royal Liverpool University Hospital has progressed, strengthening the foundations for long-term decarbonisation within the Knowledge Quarter.
  • Fairtrade status was awarded by the Fairtrade Foundation and SOS-UK in June 2025, reaffirming our commitment to responsible procurement and supply chains.
  • Our Ethical Investment and Treasury Management policies were reviewed and updated during 2025 to strengthen our commitments to sustainability and ESG. Alongside this a new reporting template was introduced for Fund Managers to make sustainability reporting on our investments more robust and transparent.
  • Sustainability and Climate Change training was made available to all staff, and was included in all new starter inductions, supporting sustainability literacy and practical action across the University.

Inside the University's Energy Centre