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Strategic alignment and reporting context

Sustainability is a cross-cutting theme within Liverpool 2031, the University’s strategic framework.

As such, environmental and social sustainability underpin our approach to research, education, partnerships and operations, reflecting our role as a civic and global university and our responsibility to drive positive change locally, nationally and internationally.

Published in February 2025, the Sustainability Strategy sets out how we will deliver our environmental and social equity commitments. It provides a clear framework for action, supported by defined success measures and underpinned by robust governance and reporting.

Progress reported in this document is measured against the Strategy’s success measures, which are intended to position the University as a sector leader in sustainability by 2031.

Measures of success 

The Sustainability Strategy identifies six measures of success, which provide the basis for monitoring progress and accountability:

1. Maintaining a global top 100 position in the annual QS Sustainability Rankings.

2. Six additional interdisciplinary research projects >£1m that are focussed on the UN SDGs.

3. Embedding Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) within 100% of Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught programmes.

4. Achieving a transition towards net zero in scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2035, and scope 3 by 2050.

5. Gold status on the Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework (LEAF) for 100% of eligible labs.

6. Biodiversity net gain of at least 10% linked to all estate developments.

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Our Sustainability Strategy and plans have been underpinned by the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) since 2020, when we signed the SDG Accord. Our contribution to all 17 of the Goals is reported annually as case studies highlighting our research, education and operations. The annual SDG Report should be read alongside this strategy review, as together they provide a comprehensive and transparent account of the University’s sustainability activities and progress.

Carbon reporting

In keeping with our commitment to transparency, we also publish carbon data annually within the University’s financial statements. From 2026 we will supplement our existing scope 1, 2 and partial scope 3 reporting with full scope 3 reporting using methodology set out in the sector-specific Standardised Carbon Emissions Framework (SCEF). 

Governance and assurance

Effective governance underpins delivery of the Sustainability Strategy. Oversight is provided by the Sustainability Committee, which is responsible for strategy implementation, performance monitoring and risk management. The committee is accountable to the Senior Leadership Team.

Environmental performance is managed through the University’s ISO 14001-certified Environmental Management System and assured through internal audit processes and external reporting frameworks, including SCEF and statutory submissions to the Higher Education Statistics Agency.