Birmingham leads the way in Sustainability Policy, Education and Engagement
The University of Birmingham has maintained its 2:2-degree classification in the 2025 People & Planet University League ranking.
The University has performed strongly across some key categories, including 100% in Environmental Policy and Strategy, 95% in Education for Sustainable Development, 90% in Staff and Student Engagement, and 80% in Sustainable Food.
We are working to embed sustainability into every aspect of the way the university works, and we are delighted to see the progress of our community recognised in this year’s People and Planet rankings.
Commenting on the results, Zoe Hurley, Head of Sustainability, said: “We are working to embed sustainability into every aspect of the way the university works, and we are delighted to see the progress of our community recognised in this year’s People and Planet rankings. Earlier this year, we reaffirmed our commitment to sustainability, in our Birmingham 2030 Strategic Framework, and we will continue to improve our practices over the coming years to deliver our sustainability goals.”
The University’s commitment to sustainability influences practices across the workforce in our research, education and across our campus. Over the last year, 450 staff and students have joined the Sustainability Champions network to take part in funded eco-projects on campus, the University has won a record number of prizes at the UN Green Impact Challenge, and more than 4,300 hours of volunteering has been dedicated to the Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR) by staff and students.
University of Birmingham students receive a comprehensive education in sustainability, both in the classroom and beyond. Five University of Birmingham teams received prizes at the global Reimagine our Future competition final for innovative sustainable solutions to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Hosted by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and in partnership with the Birmingham Institute for Sustainability & Climate Action as well as international partners, this year’s competition marks 11 years since the Birmingham-Illinois Partnership for Discovery, Engagement & Education (BRIDGE) was established.
The University continue to support staff to engage with the Sustainability Education Principles and this year launched a new Sustainability Education Community of Practice to further support its teaching.
It is an exciting time to be a student at the University of Birmingham. Every student has the opportunity to develop the skills, experiences and confidence to become a sustainability leader of the future.
Professor Julia Myatt, Director of Sustainability Education, said: “It is an exciting time to be a student at the University of Birmingham. Every student has the opportunity to develop the skills, experiences and confidence to become a sustainability leader of the future. Our ranking is a testament to the student community’s achievements and dedication to driving action for our planet and society.”
To find out more about the University’s sustainability journey and education, visit the University’s Sustainability webpages or read the Sustainability in Focus 2024/5 report.
As an institution founded on social responsibility, the University is committed to addressing the sustainability and climate challenges facing the world. The 2030 Strategic Framework was recently reviewed and the University’s sustainability goals were reaffirmed as part of this.
Recently in November 2025, the University achieved 43rd position globally and 16th in the UK, in the 2025 QS World University: Sustainability rankings. This achievement coincided with the 30th Conference of Parties (COP30), the premier internal summit on climate change. University of Birmingham academics and students gathered in Belém to collaborate with policymakers, researchers, and organisations to address critical climate issues.
The University of Birmingham is seeking to change society and the environment positively, and use its research and education to make a major global contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The People & Planet University League is a comprehensive and independent assessment of higher education institutions in the UK, evaluating their efforts and achievements in promoting sustainable practices, reducing carbon footprints, and fostering positive social impact.
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
