University of Birmingham celebrates sustainability progress in 2023/24
Improving society and environment through our research, education and operations
Improving society and environment through our research, education and operations
We have a community that cares about our positive impact on the planet, with sustainability at the centre of our practice.
The University of Birmingham is seeking to positively change society and the environment. Through its research, education and operations, the University will make major contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and to the UK’s Net Zero by 2050 target.
Over the last academic year, the University has made significant progress towards its sustainability goals. From receiving 35th place in the QS World Sustainability Rankings and 87th in the People & Planet awards, to launching the Thriving Planet global research campaign and our groundbreaking report, ‘Adaptation and Building Resilience in a Changing World’, at COP28, the university is closer to tackling global sustainability challenges and achieving its own goal of becoming operationally net zero.
Commenting on the last academic year’s progress, Professor David Hannah, Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor of Sustainability said: “We recognise the positive difference we can make to the global sustainability challenges by delivering impactful research, influential education and sustainable operations. I am proud of the work we have achieved and look forward to delivering an even more successful academic year from September.”
New Head of Sustainability, Zoe Hurley, said: “The University of Birmingham has demonstrated its commitment to sustainability and bringing to life what it means to be a green university. I look forward to leading and supporting our university community to continue putting sustainability at the centre of our practices.”
Read more about the university's highlights over the last academic year:
Since October 2023, the University welcomed Professor David Hannah as Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor of Sustainability and, most recently, Zoe Hurley as Head of Sustainability. These appointments will foster collaboration and engagement across all disciplines at the University, and propel us on our journey to be operationally Net Zero Carbon by 2045.
The University has gained a range of accolades in the past year. In December 2023, the University of Birmingham was ranked 35th in the QS World Sustainability Rankings and 87th in the People & Planet rankings, an improvement of 66 and 51 places respectively.
Staff and students once again took part in Green Impact, a United Nations recognised programme that promotes sustainable practices in organisations across the globe. Of the 40 awards won, 30 were the highest award possible: the Platinum award – a great achievement, highlighting the dedication of the University's community has towards making the University more sustainable.
The University hosted a range of events to spotlight initiatives, goals and sustainability champions. In June, it held 15 events as part of the annual Green Week, with 1,100 staff and students attending. Highlights included virtual tours of the BIFoR facility in Lapworth, a sustainable food taster session, and a Plastics Exhibition hosted in collaboration with Birmingham Plastics Network.
Two Sustainability Open Forums welcomed more than 100 staff on each occasion to hear from experts on the University’s latest research, on-campus activities, and updates on the impact of COP28.
Representatives from the University attended COP28 in Dubai to lead and contribute to global discussions on tackling the climate crisis, unveiling the University’s report, ‘Adaptation and Building Resilience in a Changing World’ during a high-profile event. Chaired by Lord Bilimoria, it welcomed speakers including Professor David Hannah, Professor Aleks Cavoski, and Professor Hisham Farag.
To coincide with COP28, an extensive programme of events, discussions and projects were held to across the Birmingham and Dubai campuses, enabling a wide range of stakeholders to engage with the University's sustainability-related research.
Lord Bilimoria at COP28 in Dubai.
The University's BIFoR facilities in Lapworth
The past year has seen the development of a series of principles for staff to embed sustainability into their education provision and support students to develop the newly revamped ‘Sustainability Focused’ graduate attribute. Staff and students alike can now develop their sustainability knowledge further through new online courses such as One Planet, One Future: Biodiversity, Climate Change and Sustainability and many took part in sustainability activities during UoB Xtra summer programme.
The Sustainability Internship scheme was, once again, highly successful, with 20 students undertaking six-week placements on topics as diverse as ‘storytelling in forests’, ‘the impact of trade policies on food security’ and ‘novel waste-plastic recycling systems’. We also celebrated our student success, with a team of Birmingham students making it through to the final of the International Reimagine Our Future competition (in partnership with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign).
Take a look at the travel initiatives introduced since the sustainable travel survey in 2022:
The University’s 2045 Campus Vision launched in July. This vision provides broad ideas for how the university’s estate could be developed over the next two decades and beyond. It will steer our decisions and provide the flexibility to adapt, embrace new technologies and sustainability approaches, whilst navigating new challenges. This Vision will support the University’s ambitions to be operationally Net Zero by 2045.
The University continues to develop its work across all areas to ensure research, education and operations continue to be impactful and creates a world that is more sustainable for all.
The University of Birmingham is seeking to positively change society and the environment. Through its research, education and operations, the University will make major contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and to the UK’s Net Zero by 2050 target.
To find out more about our sustainability activities please visit our Sustainability & Social Responsibility webpages and get involved.
Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sustainability)
David M. Hannah is Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Sustainability), Professor of Hydrology and UNESCO Chair in Water Sciences, and Director of the Birmingham Institute for Sustainability & Climate Action.
Business School Director of Research
Hisham Farag is Professor of Finance and Director of Research at Birmingham Business School. He is also the Founding Director of the Sustainable Financial Innovation Research Centre (SFIC).
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