Warwick has integrated all SDGs in the curriculum to ensure that the learning experiences of our students follow the ESD principles. Some examples include:

The Department of Education Studies Link opens in a new windowoffers an innovative module -Education for Sustainable DevelopmentLink opens in a new window- for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. The module introduces and critically examines Education for Sustainable Development (ESD). Students will be able to demonstrate: an understanding of the key debates within ESD; an informed understanding of the relationship between ESD educational institutions and local, regional, and global education and sustainability policies; a capacity to connect global issues of ESD with the diversity of local ESD programmes; an ability to reflect on the relationship between ESD as goals, strategies and practices; and a capacity to reflect on the desirability and feasibility of future ESD developments. Students have the opportunity to address ESD both as a global project and a series of local initiatives and their connections.

The Warwick Crop CentreLink opens in a new window, situated in the University’s School of Life Sciences, offers postgraduate-level courses on Food Security and Sustainable Crop Production. The MSc courses highlight food security, biodiversity, land use, labour, and urbanisation as well as sustainable agriculture. These courses link to SDG2 Hunger,SDG6 Water, SDG11 Sustainable Cities, SDG13 Climate Action, and SDG15 Life on Land.

Warwick has many modules from different departments, with several modules connecting to specific SDGs. For example, SDG 5 Gender Equality:

• Feminism, Politics and Social Change in Modern BritainLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window(Department of History) provides an overview of the politics of feminism and its relationship to changing gender roles in modern Britain.
• Gender, Race and Sexualities in the Criminal Justice System: Policy and PracticeLink opens in a new window(Department of Sociology) provides a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between gender, crime and its social context.

For SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation:

• Global Water and Sanitation TechnologiesLink opens in a new window(School of Engineering) focuses on the applications of hydraulic engineering to agriculture, process engineering, global water shortages and possible responses.
• Water and Environmental ManagementLink opens in a new window(Institute for Advanced Teaching and Learning) covers the unique chemistry of water, its ecosystems, sanitation, pollution and contamination, management and cultural impact.
• Living with WaterLink opens in a new window(Global Sustainable Development) addresses issues such as sustainable management of water resources and its impact on social, environmental and economic sustainable development. Students also examine the history, geo-politics, culture and governance frameworks that relate to water and sustainable development.

And SDG 13 Climate Action:

• Climate ChangeLink opens in a new window(School of Life Sciences) provides a broad introduction to the science of climate change, its origins and consequences.
• Challenges of Climate ChangeLink opens in a new window(Global Sustainable Development) focuses on the challenges that climate change raises across science, economics, politics and engineering.
• The Politics of Climate ChangeLink opens in a new window(Politics and International Studies) provides an overview of the key debates, arguments and conceptual approaches within global politics.
• Climate Change and DevelopmentLink opens in a new window(School of Law) addresses the science and economics of climate change as the basis for analyses of the limits and potential of the law in addressing the problem.

Take a look at the 2022-2023 University of Warwick's SDG ReportsLink opens in a new window.

ESD is not only about embedding all SDGs in the curriculum; ESD is also about quality education. Warwick is committed to providing UK’s leading learning experiences for our students.

What is quality education?

Quality education endorses education equality and equity, which has always been Warwick’s top priority. The University’sSocial Inclusion Strategy Link opens in a new windowis about removing economic, social, and cultural barriers that have prevented people from accessing and succeeding at Warwick. Warwick is committed to:

1. Increasing the diversity of Warwick’s staff and students to maximise creativity and innovation of its talent;
2. Developing a culture that supports students and staff in achieving their potential; and
3. Becoming an internationally recognised leader in social inclusion by 2030.

Enhancing access to higher education at Warwick

The University of Warwick established the Widening Participation and OutreachLink opens in a new window(WP) Team to better support the University’s Social Inclusion Strategy. The WP Team runs a wide range of events and activities Link opens in a new windowfor young people aged between 9 and 19, targeted at state school educated students, students who would be the first in their family to attend university, students from low socio-economic backgrounds and students who come from neighbourhoods where there is low progression to higher education. The report can be found hereLink opens in a new window. The WP Team’s work spans many geographical areas, supporting young people and their parents/carers in making informed decisions at local, regional, and national levels. During the admission process, Warwick provides a contextual approach to consider both educational and individual contexts, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of academic potential and achievement. This ensures that talented applicants from all backgrounds are fully considered. The goal is to enhance and encourage access to higher education for all those who have the potential to study at university, regardless of their background, and to ensure that the students studying at the University of Warwick are representative of our local and wider national communities.

Equal and equitable education at Warwick

To better foster education equality and equity, the University of Warwick established the Multicultural Scholars ProgrammeLink opens in a new window(MSP) to support talented young people from underprivileged backgrounds. The programme is eligible for LawLink opens in a new window, EngineeringLink opens in a new window, and Warwick Business School Link opens in a new windowstudents from low-income Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Black African, and Afro-Caribbean backgrounds to support them to achieve their academic potential and enable them to influence society as role models in both their own communities and in the boardroom.

Students may also take the optional module Inequalities and Sustainable Development: Inclusion and Dignity for AllLink opens in a new window from Global Sustainable DevelopmentLink opens in a new window(GSD) to understand how inequalities shape our society, economy, and politics. The module uses cross-disciplinary theories and evidence from empirical data and case studies to engage students reflecting on the UN’s decision to integrate inequalities into the sustainable development agenda (SDG 10: “Reduced inequalities”) and examine the relationship between inequalities and sustainable development.

Quality education requires a holistic education process. The Warwick International Higher Education Academy (WIHEA) Learning Circle for Education for Sustainable Development Link opens in a new windowwas established to explore new ESD opportunities and tackle current education challenges faced by Warwick or other higher education institutions across the world. Through the Learning Circle, faculties from different departments come together to investigate and innovate best practices across the sector relevant to embedding sustainability into Warwick.

Lifelong learning at Warwick

Quality education supports lifelong learning. For more than 30 years, the Centre for Lifelong Learning at Warwick Link opens in a new windowhas been a centre of expertise in the education of lifelong learners in different contexts, with a focus on enabling adult learners to achieve their personal and professional goals by accessing a Warwick education, irrespective of background. The Centre offers a wide range of courses varying from short courses, apprenticeships, and undergraduate degrees to postgraduate programmes Link opens in a new windowand PhDsLink opens in a new window, to support ESD in lifelong learning. For example, the centre offers BA Child and Family: Mental Health (part-time) and BA Counselling and the Psychotherapeutic Relationship (part-time)Link opens in a new window to support individuals interested in these fields. These programs are designed to equip adult learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to make a positive impact in mental health and counseling settings. Additionally, the centre's dedicated faculty members provide personalised support and guidance to ensure that students receive a high-quality education tailored to their needs. The signature course –Gateway to Higher EducationLink opens in a new window– gives students a taste of social science theories and develops their skills, knowledge, and confidence through their learning journey.

ESD is also about the learning environment. The University of Warwick is dedicated to working towards a sustainable campus, and has promised to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions from energy by 2030, and Net Zero by 2050 from direct and indirect emissions.

The University of Warwick is proud to be working with Transport for West MidlandsLink opens in a new window(TfWM) and partners in a collaborative two-year project titled: 'Choose Your Way WarwickLink opens in a new window'. Our campus is becoming a living lab, so we can test out new mobility ideas, approaches and technologies that could help to address the climate emergency.

A 'living lab' approach

Another example is the Certificate of Sustainability Consultancy Link opens in a new windowoffered to students in the School for Cross-faculty Studies. This certificate provides a platform for students to express and test their ideas that address sustainability in the learning environment. Students form Learner Project Teams and act as Sustainability Consultants meeting with stakeholders and decision-makers to collectively develop a written brief. Working as a team, groups generate necessary data through an appropriate audit methodology. Student consultants analyse the data and write up their findings and recommendations, which are presented back to internal and external stakeholders for consideration in further action. Clients our students have and are working with include the Solar Power potential in Coventry, Cycle Infrastructure and Use, Campus Biodiversity, Light and Power, amongst others.

Read Dr Alastair Smith's Practice Guide that demonstrates how the University of Warwick is innovating in sustainability within education.

Warwick's Energy Strategy

Warwick's Energy StrategyLink opens in a new window is guided by three key principles: Reduce, Decarbonise, and Smart. Under the principle of Reduce, Warwick focuses on minimizing energy demand through the implementation of sustainable building practices. This includes adhering to our own rigorous building standards, known as 'The Warwick Standards', and providing training to raise awareness about energy conservation throughout the University community. Moving on to Decarbonise, Warwick is committed to transitioning to decarbonized energy sources for both electricity and heat. This involves the widespread deployment of solar photovoltaic panels and the expansion of sustainable heat networks powered by renewable energy. Under the Smart principle, Warwick is developing the campus into a Smart Local Energy System, which will optimize energy consumption and improve overall efficiency. By reducing peak energy demands and implementing energy storage and demand-side management strategies, we aim to enhance our resilience and maximize the utilization of sustainable energy sources.

The Campus Trail

The University of Warwick’s campus offers a variety of trails that promote sustainability and environmental awareness. From green spaces to short walks, visitors can explore areas like the Tocil Wood Nature ReserveLink opens in a new window and the Energy TrailLink opens in a new window, where they can learn about our efforts to reduce energy consumption and address global energy challenges. The Tocil Wood Nature Reserve, although owned by the Warwickshire Wildlife TrustLink opens in a new window, is an integral part of our vibrant campus, showcasing our commitment to preserving biodiversity with its 400-year-old heritage and diverse bird species. Following Warwick’s Energy Trail allows students and staff to delve into the University’s cutting-edge research and technologies in energy, from solar panels and wind turbines to innovative energy storage solutions. The trail not only offers a serene walking experience but also enriches their understanding of sustainable energy practices. Several points along the trail highlight the University’s involvement in developing new energy technologies, aligning with our vision to become a global leader in energy research through initiatives like the Energy Global Research Priority. These campus walks and green spaces contribute to wildlife conservation and biodiversity protection.

Waste Management

Across the University we have over 130 waste streams which include glass, cardboard, plastic, food, pots and pans, and clothing to name a few. With so many students, staff and visitors on campus producing waste every day, the goal is to reduce the total volume of waste produced by Warwick and, if reduction is not possible, to reuse and recycle. Find out the ways in which Warwick will reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover waste. Students are actively helping the waste reduction plan at Warwick as well. For example, the End of Term Donation DriveLink opens in a new window is a campus-wide initiative that supports students in moving out of their accommodation blocks and donating their non-perishable food.. At the end of term 2 in 2024, with the help of Warwick Volunteers,Link opens in a new window more than 3000 students moved out of their accommodation sustainably; and the initiative has collected 125 kilograms of non-perishable food which was donated to the Trussell Trust's Coventry branch.

A few new initiatives were developed recently to sustain the waste management efforts on campus. For example, the Café SafariLink opens in a new window was developed and offered everyone to purchase a special edition reusable cup from any Warwick Retail outlet for £9.95 to redeem 6 FREE drinks worth over £20. This initiative encourages exploring the entire campus while reducing the use of disposable cups. EatWise Link opens in a new windowrepresents a new approach to food provision at the University of Warwick, prioritizing the well-being of the community and the planet. Eatwise embodies the university's commitment to sustainability and wellness, contributing to the reduction of food waste and promoting a healthier lifestyle for all. The Zero Waste ShopLink opens in a new window, located in the new Welcome Hub in SUHQ, offers a range of healthy snacks, core cereals, personal care products, and cleaning supplies. Items are sold either singly or by measure and weight, allowing customers to fill them to their desired quantity. Bringing your own containers is encouraged to save money and reduce environmental impact. The Welcome Hub team welcomes suggestions for future products and values feedback from customers.

ESD is learning about cultural diversity. Warwick is dedicated to embracing culture as part of the University’s top priorities and has established four academic institutions to teach, research, and learn about culture: the School of Modern Languages and CulturesLink opens in a new window, the Global History and Culture CentreLink opens in a new window, the Centre for Cultural and Media Policy StudiesLink opens in a new window, and the School of Creative Arts, Performance and Visual CulturesLink opens in a new window. All of these units offer undergraduate and postgraduate level courses for students to explore culture in the increasingly globalised world.

The School of Modern Languages and Cultures

The School of Modern Languages and Cultures Link opens in a new windowprovides a world-class student culture experience for students through language learning alongside interdisciplinary study of cultures, societies, and communities in which those languages are spoken. The School comprises five major language sections - French, German, Italian, Hispanic Studies, and Translation and Transcultural Studies - as well as a Language Centre offering linguistic training in Arabic, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean. The School offers a wide range of research seminars, extra-curricular activities, educational visits, and social events to promote cultural exchange in Warwick.

The Global History and Culture Centre

Established in 2007, the Global History and Culture Centre Link opens in a new windowprovides distinctive perspectives on cultures from all around the world. As an integral part of the Department of History, the centre provides a unique platform for students to explore history and culture and for scholars to discuss micro- and global history.

The Centre for Cultural and Media Policy Studies

The Centre for Cultural and Media Policy Studies Link opens in a new windowwas founded in 1999 and exclusively explores the power, possibility, and value of arts, media, and cultural and creative industries. The Centre’s distinctive vision is based on the critical engagement with both the practical realities of working in the cultural sector and the ideological and conceptual questions which lie behind them.

The School of Creative Arts, Performance and Visual Cultures (SCAPVC)

SCAPVC Link opens in a new windowprovides a place where creativity can flow across different academic disciplines. SCAPVC explores and strengthens links between people, arts, cultural and creative organisations, offering an innovative learning experience for students, graduates, external partners, academics, and for public engagement. This approach enables SCAPVC to reach across, to connect with writers, creative producers, performers, social entrepreneurs, theatre-makers, media managers, literary translators, cultural place-makers, art and heritage specialists, curators, communicators, and artistic producers.

Intercultural Training Programme

At Warwick, students can also benefit from the Intercultural Training ProgrammeLink opens in a new window. The programme offers two interactive workshops and an online independent learning module to help students understand, communicate, and build effective relationships with those from different cultural backgrounds. Participating in the workshops allows students to build an understanding of culture, explore expectations about studying and working across cultures, and develop their own cultural attitudes.

Global learning opportunities

Warwick also encourages students to undertake international mobility opportunitiesLink opens in a new window. Warwick is partnered with world-class universities from more than 40 countries around the worldLink opens in a new window, and provides unique cultural exchange opportunities for our students to develop a new understanding and outlook on culture. Warwick’s Study Abroad programme offers short-term, long-term and online or in-person Link opens in a new windowopportunities for our students to enrich their learning experience at Warwick, and around the world. For example, the Warwick History Department Link opens in a new window(joined later by the Warwick Art History Department) has sent a group of final-year undergraduates to Venice every autumn term since 1967. While they are in Italy, History students take a module on the history of Venice in the Renaissance Link opens in a new windowwhich is taught by Warwick staff. The history of the city and its empire is studied in all its principal aspects: cultural, economic, political, religious, and social.

Warwick International Intensive Study ProgrammeLink opens in a new window(WIISP) is another opportunity for our students to gain global cultural exposure, experience and new employability skills relevant to today’s globalised world. As part of the unique Monash Warwick AllianceLink opens in a new window, the flagship programme brings you a wide range of cross-departmental undergraduate modules with a multi-focal and interdisciplinary approach. WIISP offers the flexibility and access to student mobility and an immersive active learning practice with no additional programme fees and without the need for travel thus supporting global sustainability. Students will be benefited to engage and be part of a wider interdisciplinary community and study alongside students from top international universities in the world.

Local and global collaborations

Institutionally, Warwick works closely with international and local partners to foster cultural development. As one of the principal partners supporting Coventry City of Culture 2021Link opens in a new window, the University of Warwick established a number of initiatives, such as Getting Creative with SustainabilityLink opens in a new window, to support the award for the city of Coventry. Getting Creative with SustainabilityLink opens in a new window is a brand-new initiative involving local artists and creatives working with Warwick researchers and regional organisations around the theme of sustainability. These exciting knowledge exchange-based collaborations see the three parties involved sharing knowledge and insights around sustainable development research in its broadest sense within the context of the organisation or region. These projects will enable researchers, local organisations, and creatives to work together via artistic collaboration. Warwick is proud to be one of the leading universities in the UK that connects culture, sustainability, and education.

ESD is about competence training. The University of Warwick offers multiple initiatives for students to continue to learn and practice their knowledge and skills in real-life experiences. Warwick is proud to provide opportunities that are outside of the curriculum for our students to continue their learning journey under ESD influences.

A New Sustainability Points System

A new sustainability points system is set to launch before the end of 2024, aiming to fully coordinate campus-wide sustainability initiatives and motivate students to engage in these initiatives via a rewarding system. Both students and staff will have the opportunity to sign up, pledge, and participate in over 300 activities. These activities include but not limited to bringing your own bottles, car sharing, attending lectures and activities related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and participating in ESD events. The new points system intend to collaborate with various groups, such as the Warwick Food GroupLink opens in a new window, and all academic departments, to encourage comprehensive participation across the campus. Continuing this momentum, the system is designed to track and incentivise sustainable development conscious behavior, creating a culture of sustainability within the university community. By offering tangible rewards for participation, the initiative seeks to foster a sense of ownership and pride in sustainable practices among students and staff. Further enhancements to the system may allow users to monitor their contributions to sustainability efforts in real time and setting the stage for a greener campus future.

Sustainability Certificates for Students

The Carbon Literacy Certificate, Link opens in a new windowdesigned and offered by the School for Cross-faculty Studies, is the first step for students to become carbon literacy trainers or consultants. Students will learn to communicate about climate change and how to use tools to induce change for a more sustainable future. Learners will learn how to take effective action to reduce carbon footprints in different spheres of life and in a variety of sectors. On this Certificate, students will reflect on how reduction of carbon footprints fits within the wider efforts to achieve a more sustainable future and decide how high a priority it should (or shouldn’t) be. Learners will also reflect on the consequences of taking action to reduce carbon footprints for themselves, their immediate community and elsewhere, to discern why it is necessary that as a society we move towards carbon neutrality (or beyond).

The Certificate of Sustainability ConsultancyLink opens in a new window, developed collaboratively by the University Estates Sustainability Team and the Global Sustainable Development, is a unique offering at The University of Warwick. It focuses on institutional environmental auditing, providing participants with hands-on workshops to learn various auditing processes. Participants will then engage in a real-life consultancy project for a specific area of university operation or an external partner. Through this project, student consultants will collaborate with stakeholders to develop a written brief, conduct audits, and present findings and recommendations for further action. Successful completion of the certificate results in the award of Certificate of Sustainability Consulting (Auditing), enhancing students' academic credentials.

Developing Students' Employability Skills

The Warwick Award Programme Link opens in a new windowis designed to recognise and showcase the employability skills that students build during their time at Warwick. The programme is based around 12 core skillsLink opens in a new window, including but not limited to critical thinking skills, sustainability competence, and problem-solving ability, to reflect on and articulate skill development for students. These skills are carefully designed by experts from Warwick's Skills Team and academics from different departments and backgrounds. The Warwick Award is open to all students at Warwick.

Warwick also encourages students to undertake placements to engage learning in the world of work and learn about the professional environment. Students may choose one of the following three options:

• A year abroad with the aim of obtaining additional language skills (spent either studying or working);
• A year working in industry or commerce either in the UK or elsewhere;
• A placement you have arranged yourself through which you will be able to demonstrate additional subject-related knowledge or work-based skills.

For example,the School of Engineering Link opens in a new windowhas a dedicated Placement and Internship Officer who actively encourages students to gain relevant work experience through a summer internship or year-long placement as part of their optional Intercalated Suite of ProgrammesLink opens in a new window. They also provide guidance to help prepare students for the rigorous recruitment and selection procedures used by employers in the UK and overseas. Students with relevant work experience tend to fare much better in the graduate recruitment process as they can demonstrate greater skills, competencies, strengths and experiences. Recent placement and graduate destinations have included Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Microsoft, Honeywell, GE Aviation, etc.

At the university level, Warwick is dedicated to provide resources to inform individuals about their rights to equality, offer support through our Careers ServiceLink opens in a new window to enhance employability and personal skills, and organize events, workshops, and opportunities to aid in career development. Warwick also organise careers fairs and collaborates with employers to create opportunities that help individuals overcome barriers and gain fair access to graduate roles, regardless of their background. Our goal is to support students and staff throughout their career planning, decision-making processes, and job searches. As part of the Social Inclusion StrategyLink opens in a new window, Warwick aims to harness the full potential of our talent pool and cultivate a culture that fosters creativity, innovation, and success, as outlined in our

ESD at Warwick is not always led by the university and faculties; the University of Warwick is proud of student-oriented and student-led actions as well as education opportunities responding to urgent global sustainability challenges.

Three Students' Union societies, GLOBUSLink opens in a new window, the Warwick Global Sustainable Development SocietyLink opens in a new window, and the Climate Reality Society Link opens in a new windowformed the Climate Emergency Coalition, encouraging the University to recognise a state of climate emergency and to commit to Net Zero emissions by 2030. After a series of statements, petitions and motions, the student-led movement made a real difference to the University’s approach towards climate change, first influencing the Students' Union's declaration Link opens in a new windowof a climate emergency in July 2019, followed by the University-wide declaration Link opens in a new windowin September 2019.

The Warwick Climate Negotiating Link opens in a new window(WCNF) is another example of student-led activities. WCNF is a student-run platform that simulates the UN’s global climate negotiations at Warwick. The three successful events in 2019, 2021 and 2023 incentivised students at Warwick to actively participate in climate negotiation and understand the potential impact of the country’s decisions on the climate crisis in the real-world – seeing the consequences of trade-offs that would play out over decades to come in real-time.

GLOBUS Link opens in a new windowis a student-run online publication at the School for Cross-faculty Studies. Founded in 2016, the central theme of the online journal is sustainability, and the journal aims to address some key areas of sustainability challenges such as climate change, global inequality, ‘post-truth’ politics, and more. GLOBUS is a platform to provoke thought and discussion, and a place where people can come to access knowledge and thoughts on a multitude of sustainability issues, all from a students' voice. It is a platform and a network for all Warwick students to explore all aspects of sustainability, spanning social, economic, and environmental topics. Publications range from the national issue of Trumpism in the US, up to the global threat of climate change denial, and down to the ways in which student houses can be made more sustainable. No question is too big, and no challenge is too small.

Green ChampionLink opens in a new window offers an exciting opportunity for students, staff, and researchers to actively engage in sustainability initiatives and contribute to the University's sustainability goals. Green Champions are individuals who are passionate about environmental conservation and are committed to driving positive change within the university community. Through their active participation, Green Champions contribute to student co-creation by actively engaging in initiatives that promote awareness and behavioural change. By sharing knowledge, ideas, and best practices, Green Champions foster a collaborative environment where students play an integral role in shaping the university's sustainability agenda. By empowering students to become Green Champions, Warwick is creating a culture of sustainability that inspires future generations to become stewards of the environment and champions of sustainable development.

The Enactus Warwick SocietyLink opens in a new window, which is officially supported by Warwick Enterprise Link opens in a new window(WE), is a platform for students to undertake entrepreneurial action through social enterprises and pro-bono consulting to create a better and more sustainable world. The United Nations' SDGs form the basis of each Enactus project. From local projects such as Food Intercept Link opens in a new window(a local food re-purposing project) and The Gateway (enhancing employability skills/livelihoods for local refugees and asylum seekers in Coventry), to International projects such as Project Baala Link opens in a new window(created to reduce the trade-off between food, education and sanitary products that prevails in India (and financially supported through Warwick Enterprise’s Lord Rootes Memorial FundLink opens in a new window)) and more recently I-Cycle (re-purposing plastic into eye wear in India to uplift livelihoods and reduce plastic waste issues (supported through Warwick Enterprise’s Student Enterprise FundLink opens in a new window). Over the past years, Enactus Warwick Link opens in a new windowhas achieved incredible feats: turning plastic bottles into prescription glasses, preparing refugees for employment and tackling the food waste crisis in Coventry. Warwick is extremely proud of the student-led initiatives and opportunities that Enactus Warwick provided, and will continue supporting the society to make further social/environmental impacts both locally and internationally.