The University supports the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as one of the institutional signatories to the SDG Accord for the tertiary education sector.
As host of RCE Severn, our UN-recognised Regional Centre of Expertise in sustainability education, we are particularly dedicated to learning, training and capacity-building in support of the SDGs.
This section maps how impacts and activities shown in this 2022-2023 Annual Sustainability Report and ongoing activities contribute to one of the specific target areas or performance indicators for that Goal.
2. Zero hunger
New community food cupboard co-ordinated by Students Union to provide students who are struggling financially with food and household essentials in times of need.
3. Good health and wellbeing
Health and wellbeing promotion for students through Student Minds mental health charter and for staff with Healthy Workplaces award.
4. Quality education
Anti-greenwash Education project funded by UK Quality Assurance Agency to drive standards in sustainability learning.
Delivery of Education for Sustainability in courses to equip learners with sustainability knowledge and skills relevant to their specialism.
Track changes review of the national curriculum for key stages 3 and 4 to recommend changes in response to the climate and ecological crisis.
Sanctuary Scholarships made available for students of vulnerable status from developing countries to improve access to education.
7. Affordable and clean energy
Energy efficiency designed into new City campus including air source heat pumps, energy efficient windows and lightwells.
8. Decent work and economic growth
Continued reducing trend in our mean and median gender pay gaps: mean was 12.37% (14.96% in 2021/22) and our median 7.59% (11.29% in 2021/22).
9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure
£113K through the Salix Finance Low Carbon Skills Fund which we used to work with consultants from Arup to develop a Heat Decarbonisation Plan for all campus buildings.
10. Reduced Inequalities
Launched our first Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, ‘Belonging’ with a vision to foster an inclusive culture where students and staff are safe, empowered and have a sense of belonging and all forms of discrimination are challenged and eliminated.
12. Responsible consumption and production
1214 bags of charity donations collected through British Heart Foundation scheme diverted 9.7 tonnes from waste streams.
ISO 14001 maintains and improves performance across waste and environmental compliance.
13. Climate action
University-wide sustainability learning and engagement programme to educate and raise awareness on climate change and ecological damage.
Collaborative events with local and regional partners to share knowledge and support delivery on ‘net zero’ carbon emissions.
Climathon research brought farmers, rural land use stakeholders, NGOs and citizens together to debate and develop local net zero solutions to promote sustainable agrifood futures.
15. Life on land
Adam Hart appointed as vice president of the Royal Entomological Society focused on the importance of insects in the world’s ecosystems.
Research developed new app to record sightings of plastics in soils, reduce residues and support soil health.
PEGASUS and LANDWISE projects inform House of Lords report on land use to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss.
17. Partnerships for the goals
Finalist in UK Green Gown awards for Empowering ChangeMakers project in collaboration with Cheltenham Education Partnership.
Research study makes recommendations about how environmental practitioners can better involve stakeholders, in decisions that affect them.
Conference session with EAUC and Interface showcased the University’s journey to Net Zero Carbon with practical insights on how to implement realistic plans.
Anti-greenwash education project collaboration with King’s College London and University of the Arts London: London College of Fashion.
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