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Sustainable Development Goals

Building a fairer, stronger and more sustainable future.

Our commitment

We support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals – seeking peace and prosperity for all people and the planet now and in the future.

Across academic disciplines and national borders we address the development challenges facing the world today. We work towards building a fairer, stronger and more sustainable future.

Social and environmental justice is embedded in everything we do, including our:

  • research
  • education
  • operations
  • work with communities across the globe

The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2023 recognise our efforts, placing us 5th in the UK and 25th in the world.

Our Global Challenges Academy underlines our commitment and enables us to make our research work for sustainable development. Both University staff and our partners can share ideas and best practice. This helps find evidence-informed solutions to realise the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly where solutions are most urgently needed.

Our action towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals is varied and far-reaching and includes:

  • what and how we teach
  • our research activity
  • how we support our people
  • who we welcome as students
  • who we hire as colleagues
  • outreach to the local community
  • environmental and energy improvements to our campus and operations

Find out more about how we support this United Nations initiative.

How we’re leading the way

Discover our news, insights and more about our research relating to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Engineering Biology research to address environmental challenges

A new £13m research centre, the first of its kind in the UK, is being formed to enhance and develop the natural abilities of micro-organisms in cleaning up our planet.

Clarity needed for businesses to achieve greenhouse gas mitigation

Despite efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change, companies are not set up for success, due to conflicting national and sectorial targets and differing availability of abatement options.

Comment: Methane release from the ocean

Writing for The Conversation, Professor Richard Davies discusses how frozen methane under the seabed is thawing as oceans warm – and things are worse than we thought.

No Poverty

End poverty in all its forms everywhere.

Zero Hunger

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

Good Health and Wellbeing

Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all, at all ages.

Quality Education

Ensure inclusive and quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Gender Equality

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

Clean Water and Sanitation

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

Affordable and Clean Energy

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy.

Decent Work and Economic Growth

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation.

Reduced Inequalities

Reduce inequality within and among countries.

Sustainable Cities and Communities

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

Responsible Consumption and Production

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.

Climate Action

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

Life Below Water

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

Life on Land

Protect and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and reverse land degradation.

Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development.

Partnerships for the Goals

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.