Getting involved with sustainability

We believe that every student, every member of staff and all our partners - has a role to play and the University is committed to providing opportunities and advice on how to do this. There are many ways for colleagues to get involved with sustainability at the University, click here to get started. Join in with our campaigns and events, volunteering roles and developmental opportunities which shape sustainability across the University and make an impact for generations to come.

If you want to build sustainability into your role, you could consider becoming a Staff Sustainability Advocate, to help encourage other staff members to make individual changes and implement the decisions made by the sustainability working groups for the University as a whole. Email sustainability@liverpool.ac.uk to find out more.

There are so many ways you can get involved and we want sustainability to be a fundamental part of your student experience, so we have developed a range of opportunities such as volunteering roles, development opportunities, joining student societies and our campaigns, activities, events and initiatives. The Guild of Student’s is our greatest asset in engaging students with sustainability, offering many volunteering opportunities and, the Green Guild provide initiatives such as gardening, growing your own food, Clothes Swap Shop, Curriculum Auditors, Green Impact Auditors, Student Switch Off Ambassadors, Sustainability Champions, Guild Schools, Litter Pickers for Hedgehog Friendly Campus and, of course, the ever-popular beekeeping. Start exploring to find out how you can improve practices across our campuses and shape sustainability during your time at the University of Liverpool.

Yes, the sustainability team host regular events on campus and you can find out about our upcoming events here and make sure you download the MyLiverpool App for follow us on social media. University wide events can be found here and Guild events can be found here.

Yes, the University hosts an annual Sustainability Week. 

Sustainability Week 2023 took place between 20th-28th February, as part of the Feel Good February initiative. Working in collaboration with the Guild of Students to deliver nearly 50 different events for staff and student’s, the aim of the week was to raise awareness of sustainability objectives and initiatives at the University and promote positive behaviour change amongst our community.

Sustainability Week 2023 kicked off with a Sustainability Fair, where a range of businesses, academics, internal and external teams showcased their sustainable projects and achievements. Events held during the week were varied to reflect our broader commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and included, a lecture on Net Zero Challenges and Solutions, workshops on creative plastics recycling, zero waste sauerkraut making, swap shops, film screenings, cycle event with Peloton, a falconry display and guided tours of the Energy Centre, LEAF accredited laboratories as well as the MIF and the Spine Building.

See what we got up to during Sustainability Week 2023 and get involved with the range of opportunities and events running throughout the year.

Yes, the sustainability team offer internships through the Government Kickstart Scheme. Kickstart Scheme vacancies are available to Universal Credit claimants aged 16 to 24 who are considered at risk of long-term unemployment by their Work Coach; this could include graduates and non-graduates. All Kickstart participants will receive enhanced employability support that will help them to secure long-term employment or further study as the Liverpool City Region recovers from the impacts of COVID-19. The scheme is funded by the UK Government, with all placement employees being paid the National Minimum Wage for their contracted hours, throughout their placement. Internship roles are advertised via Handshake.

We have a strong sense of civic responsibility and run a number of programmes that reach out to the local community and engage with the public, such as The Widening Participation and Outreach Programme, which has partnered the University with 40 local Secondary Schools and around 80 of their Feeder Primary schools, providing free outreach events. This has enabled them to work with approximately 11,000 students per year with activities taking place on campus, in school and in community settings.  The Knowledge Quarter Sustainability Network which is co-chaired by the University’s Sustainability Officer and Carbon Compliance Officer is a vibrant group of local organisations dedicated to enhancing the life of the workers, students, visitors and residents in the area. The network is instilling a collaborative style of working, with subsidiary groups forming to progress sustainability in areas such as food, waste resource and travel.  

Yes, Sustainable Liverpool is the new sustainability newsletter highlighting how we are working to make the university more sustainable.  The newsletter brings you the latest news from the Sustainability team, research news, event highlights, details of projects and campaigns, as well as SDG themed articles on anything from climate action, innovation and gender equality, to tips on well-being and sustainable living and how you can contribute to sustainable research and improving social, cultural and environmental best practice across our campuses.

The University will only achieve its sustainability goals through collaboration and innovation. We want Sustainable Liverpool to celebrate the ingenuity of our staff, students and partners. So, if you would like to contribute to the newsletter, please get in touch and share your sustainability news, events or activities with sustainability@liverpool.ac.uk or complete the online form.