University of Birmingham celebrates sustainability progress in 2023/24

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 87^th 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:

Leadership and Governance

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.

Awards

The University has gained a range of accolades in the past year. In December 2023, the University of Birmingham was ranked 35^th in the QS World Sustainability Rankings and 87^th 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. 

Events

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.

Learning, Teaching & Research

• The Birmingham Institute of Forest Research (BIFoR) has educated more than 1,000 school students and teachers about the impact of climate change
• The Centre for Environmental Research and Justice has launched two new projects, UPSTREAM and the PINK Project. Both pursue the development of new, state-of-the-art approaches to evaluating chemical risks, engaging with regulators and advancing the implementation of cutting-edge scientific methodologies.
• Our Thriving Planet campaign seeks answer to better understand the impact of climate change whilst striving to develop a sustainable future focused on clean air and water, biodiversity conservation, and clean energy and transport.
• Tyseley Energy Park was honoured with the King’s Award for Enterprise in the category of Sustainable Development, recognising its leadership in sustainability.
• A new online course titled ‘One Planet, One Future: Biodiversity, Climate Change and Sustainability’ was released for all staff and students.
• Our new Sustainability Champions scheme launched this year, welcoming students and staff to develop ideas, attend workshops, and submit proposals for sustainability initiatives on campus.
• £20 million Levelling Up funding which was awarded to the National Centre for Decarbonisation of Heat.

Sustainability Education

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).

Sustainable Travel

Take a look at the travel initiatives introduced since the sustainable travel survey in 2022:

• 53% of our vehicle fleet is now electric and we plan to increase this to 80% by 2030.
• We supported 450 free bike checks in 2023 and offer 1805 cycling parking spaces.
• Campus now has four new bike shelters, 23 individual bike lockers, and 24 electric vehicle chargers.

Sustainable Food

• Our Food Fellows team won a Bronze Award for healthy and sustainable meals, the ‘Food for Lived Served Here’ certification from the Soil Association.
• The University of Birmingham has been awarded the Fairtrade University and College Award in recognition of its commitment to promoting ethical and sustainable practices.
• Food Fellows launched the ‘Love your Leftovers’ campaign in spring. Students and staff were invited to share their food waste-reducing tips and recipes with the University community, which was then shared on the University of Birmingham website and social media.
• The University has teamed up with Too Good to Go, a free app where you can buy food that would otherwise go to waste for a reduced price. Too Good to Go is now available across 10 outlets on campus and has saved 7.4 tonnes of C02 and 2,800 meals from landfill since introduced in 2023.

Operations

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. 

• There are now 13 photovoltaic solar panel installations on campus, producing enough energy to power 150 homes.
• 1200 tonnes of Co2 were saved during construction of our Molecular Sciences Building by using low-carbon concrete.
• There are now 18 wild flora areas on campus, covering 6000m² , which attracts bees, butterflies and other pollinators.
• 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.

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.