The University has made significant progress across its research, education and operations in the field of sustainability.
Sustained action by the University of Birmingham has seen progress in research, education and as an organisation to affirm its position as a leader in Higher Education sustainability.
To highlight our achievements in 2024/25, the University has launched the Sustainability in Focus: A Year in Progress report, an annual review of the academic year. This inaugural sustainability report examines the holistic approach the University is leading to deliver overarching goals and priorities, part of its strategic framework, and provides highlights of activities and progress to date.
Over the last academic year, the University has made progress in achieving its sustainability goals including improving scores in two highly regarded league tables: QS Sustainability Rankings (38th) and the People & Planet rankings (68th).
The University has also strengthened its commitment to climate action and biodiversity by signing three internationally recognised pledges. These include Climate Action Network for International Educators (CANIE) Accord, the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Practice, and Nature Positive Universities.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations and sincere thanks to our staff and student community for their outstanding sustainability achievements this year.
Professor David Hannah, Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor (Sustainability) at the University of Birmingham said:
"The University of Birmingham is deeply committed to a holistic approach to sustainability, embedding it across all aspects of our work. We strive to create positive change for society and the environment, harnessing the power of our research and education to contribute meaningfully to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Throughout the past academic year, our efforts in research, teaching, and operations have continued to address global sustainability challenges—and this momentum will carry forward. We extend our heartfelt congratulations and sincere thanks to our staff and student community for their outstanding sustainability achievements this year."
Professor Julia Myatt, Director of Sustainability Education, said:
“Students at the University of Birmingham have benefitted from an interdisciplinary approach to sustainability education. Staff have been working to embed sustainability across disciplines and provide innovative and creative ways for students to develop the knowledge and skills needed to drive positive change for people and the planet”.
This year, experts at the University launched a sustainability education policy brief, a comprehensive blueprint and call to action for policy makers to embed sustainability as a key part of education in schools and universities globally.
Through student-focused initiatives such as the Reimagine your Future competition (in collaboration with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign), the success of interdisciplinary sustainability modules, educational outreach programmes, including those at BIFoR, and a record-number of sustainability internships available this year, students have embraced opportunities to become advocates and practitioners of sustainability.
The University was awarded a certificate of Education Partnership by the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP) in recognition of a commitment to academic excellence in the areas of sustainability. This allows students to access resources and training that will support them in their journeys to become sustainability leaders of the future.
The University of Birmingham winners of the 'Reimagine our Future' competition.
Staff and students at the University have got involved with a range of initiatives over the last year.
The expanded Sustainability Champions scheme which now sees over 360 champions taking part in eco-projects on campus. In addition, members of the University contribute to the UN’s Green Impact Challenge where a record number of prizes were won, and volunteering with the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR) and for the Guild of Student’s Junkbusters initiative.
The University has hosted a variety of events for the local community in Birmingham to hear from academic experts and sustainability leaders. Events include an annual Sustainability Open Forum and Green Week, as well as our first Student Sustainability Day, all of which saw hundreds of staff and students engaged with the University’s sustainability ambitions and activities.
The ‘Shape our Sustainable Future’ competition also returned for a second year, following the installation of Living PillarsTM last autumn and which have now fully bloomed. This year, a full review of single-use plastics was the most-voted for project by staff and students and is currently being explored by the Sustainability team.
Winners of the 2025 Green Impact Awards
The University is working to reduce the environmental impact of its operations and practices.
In the past year, the University has focused on working towards net zero, reducing waste, protecting & enhancing biodiversity on campus, sustainable procurement and travel, and undertaking environmentally responsible research.
New sustainable practices are also being adopted across different parts of the University, including:
This progress has been recognised by an array of accolades. For example, the Student Living Team’s Pritchatts Park Village was named the ‘University Halls of Residence’ at the Property Week Student Accommodation 2024 Awards for its low-carbon homes and the University’s Edgbaston Park Hotel earned the prestigious B Corp Certification.
Zoe Hurley, Head of Sustainability, said:
“Since joining the University of Birmingham in August 2024, I’ve been incredibly impressed by the commitment and progress our university community has made to embed sustainable ways of working. Our shared efforts are aimed at creating positive change, from reducing our carbon footprint and travel emissions to increasing biodiversity and vegetarian and plant-based options at our food outlets on campus. I’m excited to continue building on this momentum as we work towards a greener future”
The recently B-Corp Certified Edgbaston Park Hotel
Research conducted at the University of Birmingham is delivering solutions to support a thriving planet and is characterised by its transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches.
Ranging from biodiversity, green finance, climate resilience, transport, as well as clean air and water, academics from various fields are working together ask new research questions and develop innovative solutions for change in the real world.
The University is proud to partner with organisations such as Birmingham Botanical Gardens and to host international conferences that bring together policy makers, industry specialists and researchers, with the aim of tackling climate change such as the Research for Greener Surgery Conference in 2024 and the Royal Geographic Society Conference 2025.
Find out more about sustainability journey and how to get involved with sustainability activities at the University, and read the 24/25 Sustainability in Focus Report.
Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sustainability)
Professor David Hannah studies hydroclimatology in cold regions, focusing on river dynamics, climate interactions, and ecohydrology.
Professor in Collaborative Education
Professor Julia Myatt's research interests include morphology-behaviour-habitat interfaces in non-human great apes and the collective behaviour of group-living animals
