Education for Sustainable Development

Education for
Sustainable Development

A resource for all, hosted by
the School for Cross-faculty Studies

The Way to Sustainable

"Warwick’s Strategy 2030 presents a vision for the University as we build into the future, committing us to excellence with purpose; to having a positive impact on society.

If we are to be credible global citizens and leaders, we need to be prepared to roll up our sleeves, get involved and prove that change can happen. We’re calling Warwick’s approach to sustainability ‘the Way to Sustainable’, a name that reflects our collective journey of continuous improvement and the important elements of curiosity, learning, engagement, collaborative planning, and action needed to achieve the most effective outcomes."

- Professor Stuart Croft, Vice Chancellor at the University of Warwick.

"Leading a university towards sustainability means committing to the long-term wellbeing of our planet, our people, and our purpose. Through responsible practices, innovative research, and community collaboration, we aim to shape a future where education empowers generations to drive sustainable change."

- Professor Stéphanie Panichelli-Batalla, Academic Director (Sustainability)

The University of Warwick is dedicated to enabling our students to become responsible global citizens, providing them with the skills and attributes to be active contributors in our journey towards the achievement of the SDGs, and empowering our students to take responsibility and lead transformative change. Below are the key pillars that will help the University to achieve a more sustainable future for ourselves and for future generations

Education

We believe that education is the key to a sustainable future.

It is our goal to educate and empower individuals to take responsibility and lead transformative change.

At Warwick, we equip students with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to tackle the pressing challenges of our time. From climate change to social inequality, our programmes foster critical thinking, interdisciplinary innovation, and a deep understanding of global interconnectedness. Together, we're shaping a world where sustainability is not just a goal, but a way of life.

"Education is the catalyst for a sustainable future. Our work aims to equip more students and staff with the tools to navigate the complex interplay of environmental, social, and economic challenges across disciplines. By nurturing critical thinkers and innovative problem-solvers, we empower everyone at Warwick to become the changemakers of tomorrow.'

- Dr Tom Ritchie, ESD Action Group Chair and ESD Network Co-Director

Research

Warwick is committed to progressing its contribution to the United Nations' SDGs, guided by the insight from its research and building on its educational excellence. We are a world-leading research-intensive university, and are very well placed to tackle global challenges, through both disciplinary excellence and truly interdisciplinary and innovative research across the social sciences, arts and humanities, and science, engineering, and medicine.

This mission is supported by the Sustainability SpotlightLink opens in a new window, acting as a transdisciplinary gateway to research on global sustainable development at Warwick, and by faculties and many departments across the University that are focused on contributing to the SDGs within their research.

"There is an understanding that change is all around us. What is important is to develop a consensus as to how we make the world more sustainable. Sustainability is everything, and for everyone. It is actually about our real commitment to make the world better. We as a collective body, we need to ensure not only that each one of us is committed, we need to find consensus, share practice, and also have a policy impact, so that all this knowledge will be of relevance."

- Professor Elena Korosteleva, Chair of the Sustainability Research Spotlight

Engagement

To achieve a more sustainable future, we recognise the important role of communities, partners and networks in coming together to consider, explore, and address different ways of thinking, testing and applying practical ideas and solutions.

Many of our suppliers, partners and networks will have their own methods of focusing on sustainability. Therefore, we need to broaden and deepen our partnerships and collaborations with different groups and communities to share our insight, our own experiences and collectively plan to achieve positive outcomes. Our approach will be addressed through local, regional, national, and international engagement.

Sustainable Operations

Warwick is embedding sustainability into our operations to ensure that we can operate resiliently at Net Zero, or beyond, by 2050 from direct and indirect emissions; in doing so, we want to inspire our community, increasing collaboration with stakeholders and supply chain partners to inform and improve what we do.

We know we need to lead by example in reducing our own environmental impact and be guided by the insight from purposeful campus pilots and research that provide the latest knowledge to inform and impact our own operations.

"Net Zero is a clear endpoint. The challenge is finding the way to get there, and that 'way to sustainable' is a journey of many steps. Our role here is about generating knowledge and making sure that that knowledge makes its way into a community where it makes a big difference. We've got a huge amount of work going on here about how you de-carbonise transport, how you de-carbonise energy, how you de-carbonise industry, and that's the mainstay of our research. But it's not enough. We also need to think about Net Zero in terms of economic sustainability."

- Professor Dave Greenwood, Director for Industrial Engagement, and CEO of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult at WMG

The Way Forward

Sustainability has recently been established as the fifth pillar of the University’s strategy, reflecting its importance as a core and continuously evolving focus. As we deepen our institutional knowledge and adapt to emerging technologies and opportunities, this strategy will continue to develop and adapt. We recognize that achieving our mission requires active engagement and collaboration with our communities, along with the development and implementation of action plans centred around our core principles. The University’s Sustainability Committee, which reports to Warwick’s Executive Board and is led by Professor Stéphanie Panichelli-Batalla (Academic Director – Sustainability), plays a key role in driving the integration of sustainability into the University’s strategic planning and operations.

Global Sustainability Event

Join us in celebrating Warwick’s 60th Anniversary with action for sustainability!

As part of Warwick@60 celebrations, we are hosting the Midlands Hub for a global sustainability event, focusing on

Teaching and Researching for a Just Transition: Preparing for a More Sustainable Future.

Event Schedule

Day 1 (May 21st): Panels exploring sustainability in education and community partnerships, highlighting successful initiatives and future opportunities.
Day 2 (May 22nd): A practical hackathon using Kingston University’s Sustainability Toolkit, where participants will collaborate on innovative solutions to real sustainability challenges.

As the Midlands Hub, Warwick is bringing together universities and community groups from across the region to share knowledge, develop partnerships, and co-create strategies with universities worldwide for meaningful sustainability action.

This event is open to all—whether you want to present your work, take part in discussions, or join the hackathon, we encourage you to drop in, contribute, and be part of this collaborative effort.

💡 Drop in on May 21-22, 2025 for discussions, collaboration, and a hands-on hackathon.

Ready to make a difference?

Learn how your everyday actions can help combat climate change. This comprehensive training will equip you with the knowledge and tools to reduce your environmental footprint and contribute to a sustainable future today

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Discover the Warwick Sustainability Challenge

Click here to explore how our students tackled e-waste through an innovative behavioural marathon—a collaborative initiative funded by Warwick Innovation and delivered alongside Hubbub. Hear directly from the participants, external partners who worked with our students, and gain valuable insights from sustainability expert Bret Willers.

Got an idea?

Want to be part of something bigger?

Share your ideas for enhancing our ESD work. We're always looking for fresh perspectives and collaborative opportunities to create a more sustainable future.

ESD Network

Want to connect and stay up-to-date on the latest developments in sustainable development at Warwick. The ESD Network hosts termly events, providing opportunities for students, staff, and faculty to share best practices, network, and collaborate on sustainability initiatives.

Join Us!

Warwick ESD Spotlight

Our ESD Spotlights showcase innovative projects and initiatives led by our departments, demonstrating how we are integrating sustainability into teaching, research, and operations. Learn how Warwick is making a positive impact on our campus, community, and the world.

Learn More!