All United Nations member states agreed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The SDGs aim to be relevant to all countries and aim to promote prosperity while also protecting the environment and combatting climate change. We have embedded these Goals into our Way to Sustainable Strategy by committing to progressing our contribution through research.

During the countdown to Christmas this year, we will be highlighting each of the SDGs through our #17SDGsofChristmas posts. We’ll share with you how you can get involved locally and make Christmas a sustainable time of the year. Follow us on social media @WarwickUniSust to keep up with our countdown, learn about each of the SDGs and see our other tips to have a greener Christmas.

If you don't have social media, check back here every day from the 1st of December for our top SDG-related tips leading up to Christmas.

Goal 1: End Poverty - End poverty in all its forms everywhere

Leamington Spa’s LWS Night Shelter, a shelter for the homeless and vulnerably housed people, is bringing back their annual Reverse Advent Calendar. This means that every day from the 1st - 24th December they will be posting an item they need for the shelter on their Instagram that you can add to a box, collect and then donate at the end of the 24 days.

Goal 2: Zero hunger - End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

Have you bought too much food over this festive season or didn't like something new you were trying? Give it away to someone who needs it. You can use the Olio app to connect with neighbours or local businesses to share this food instead of throwing it away.

Alternatively, you can also donate to your local food bank. This December the Trussell Trust foodbank network faces giving out over 7,000 emergency food parcels a day. Can you help feed someone else this Christmas? Donate, volunteer or fundraise to show your support.

Goal 3: Good Health and Wellbeing - Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages

Although it is colder now going out for walks can be great for your physical and mental health. There are multiple walks and green spaces all can enjoy on campus and the local area. These walks take you through some of the natural areas on campus, which can help with your wellbeing.

You can also get in the festive spirit by taking part in the Myton Hospice’s Santa Dash in Leamington Spa. Dress up and run, jog or walk 5km for your local charity from 10am on Sunday, 11^th December. It’s good for your wellbeing and you’ll be supporting others.

Goal 4: Quality Education - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

Are you completing a dissertation for your degree? Why not consider Research for Good? They offer an opportunity to collaborate on research that can contribute to the betterment of society and the environment, and they help students and organisations connect to complete impactful research together.

You might also consider Warwick’s TRANSFORM: Transformations of Human-Environment Interactions to Sustainable Development, which is a Leverhulme Trust Doctoral Scholarship Programme that provides a new research training pathway for sustainability science at Warwick, offering 18 PhD scholarships to train a new generation of transdisciplinary leaders who are able to address current and future sustainability challenges.

Goal 5: Gender Equality - Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Period poverty affects women, girls and people who menstruate all over the world. Access to menstrual products, safe, hygienic spaces in which to use them, and the right to manage menstruation without shame or stigma, is essential for anyone who menstruates.

According to a YouGov research in 2022, half of Britons (49%) think a great deal or fair amount of period poverty exists in the UK. According to their poll, a total of 362 people, 9% have been unable to afford period products in the last five years, including 6% who have experienced such issues in the last 12 months.

This year’s SU Women’s Officer, Enaya Nihal, pledged to expand the End Period Poverty Campaign. Enaya said “having worked on #EPP with the previous Women’s Officer, I will be expanding the campaign by doubling the number of locations we provide for. I’m also going to lobby to get free sustainable period products in every public bathroom on campus (funded annually by the university). Additionally, I aim to make reusable period products available to those in need as part of the SU’s campaign tackling the cost-of-living crisis.”

There are opportunities off-campus to help tackle period poverty. You can get involved with ActionAid’s Christmas appeal - this Christmas, your donation could help keep the doors of an ActionAid women’s shelter open. You could help a woman to find a warm bed, caring professionals, and a safe, supportive community where she can recover and rebuild her life. Read more on period poverty here.

Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation - Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

20 years ago, bottled water consumption was limited to restaurant and coffee shops. Since then, bottled water consumption in the UK has increased from about 0.8 billion litres in 2000 to 3.2 billion in 2016 (sparkling water makes up 15%).

Save money & drink from the tap! Generally, tap water in the UK is safe to drink unless your water provider tells you otherwise. To check on the quality of the water in your area visit this websiteLink opens in a new window. If there’s a known issue in your area you will find out. The water companies take over 1,000 samples every day to ensure that your tap water is safe. If any risk or issue is identified they will alert customers immediately.

We also have a number of Refill stations across campus that you can find using the refill app. We always encourage using reusable water bottles to not only reduce your single use plastic consumption but also save you money.

Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy

Let's make sure we shut down as much as we can over Christmas and reduce our consumption. Before you go home for the holiday check the lights, equipment, projectors, and computers - make sure whatever can be turned off is off.

Did you know that the University generated 700,000 kWh from PV on campus which is a significant increase from the 520,000 in the 2020/21 academic year?

Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

It's never been more important to shop locally and ethically to help support sustainable economic growth. Try buying gifts through small, local businesses this year where you can or shopping on sustainable websites such as Reyousable. This will help build your local community and strengthen your local economy, as well as provide a more personal gift. Find out more about how to lead a local, sustainable lifestyle in our Sustainable Campus and Sustainable Home guide.

Did you know that there are lots of zero waste shops in the area? They offer a variety of products from grocery items to cleaning products, and from toiletries to reusable period products. Clean Kilo in Birmingham, Zero in Leamington Spa and Stratford, Core in Leamington Spa, Green Bean in Warwick are all places you can buy zero-waste products - and may be much cheaper than you think! Consider supporting these to help foster sustainable growth.

For further tips, read our Eco Secret Santa Guide.

Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure - Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation

Wrap up warm and check out the University of Warwick’s sustainable infrastructure by following the Energy Trail! You’ll be taken on a tour around campus… find the map here.

Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities - Reduce inequality within and among countries

Carriers of Hope is a local charity dedicated to helping asylum seekers, refugees and Eastern Europeans in the Coventry area. Show your support by volunteering or donating this Christmas. They are currently running a shoebox appeal for Christmas, to be able to give gifts to the all the families they support. Check out their Facebook page for more information.

Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities - Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable

The University of Warwick committed to reaching Net Zero for indirect emissions by 2050 and transport and mobility is the biggest contributor to our carbon emissions. There are lots of fantastic ways to reduce your carbon emissions when getting both to and around Warwick Campus. Calculate your carbon footprint nowLink opens in a new window.

Why not ditch your car to reduce your carbon footprint? Use alternatives to driving such as public transportLink opens in a new window, cyclingLink opens in a new window, walking, carpoolingLink opens in a new window, scooteringLink opens in a new window and earn points on the BetterPointsLink opens in a new window app which can be exchanged for vouchers or donated to charities.

You can also try the West Midlands Bus on DemandLink opens in a new window which is a new type of bus service. It does not follow a specific route or timetable. Instead, you book a journey and a bus will pick you up at a time you choose. Or hop on Bus 14, this service is subsidised by the University, so staff and students can use it for a fare of only £1 when you show your University ID card. Interested? Find out more hereLink opens in a new window.

To further promote sustainable travel and to boost confidence, the Transport team teamed up with Sustrans to provide free cycle training until March 2022. You can read more about the different levels of training and book your place hereLink opens in a new window.

Are you an advocate for sustainable transport? Why not inspire other to do the same? The University’s Sustainability team in collaboration with Transport for West Midlands is looking for Choose Your Way Warwick Ambassadors. Find out moreLink opens in a new window about the role and apply hereLink opens in a new window.

Also consider more sustainable transport options for if you are travelling back home for Christmas. Did you know travelling by car emits around 4x the carbon emissions of a coach, and around 5x the carbon emissions by train, for the same distance? Help reduce your personal carbon footprint by travelling home using public transport, rather than getting your parents to pick you up!

Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns