UN Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023-24

Our Commitment to a Sustainable Future

At the University of Warwick, sustainability is a shared responsibility and a strategic priority. Through our Way to Sustainable Strategy,Link opens in a new window and under the governance of our recently established Sustainability CommitteeLink opens in a new window, we are embedding the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)Link opens in a new window across our research, education, engagement, and operations.

Our 2023–2024 SDG Report showcases how Warwick is delivering impact locally, nationally, and globally— aligning institutional excellence with global responsibility.

Download the UN Sustainable Development Goals Report

Strategic Alignment with Warwick’s 2030 Vision

Our SDG Report is structured around the goals outlined in the University’s “Excellence with Purpose” 2030 StrategyLink opens in a new window

We structure our impact around five strategic themes:

Foster a culture of innovation
Facilitate a more inclusive environment for staff and students
Commit to a shared regional leadership, to enhance our local area
Grow our global networks, engagement and influence
Focus on sustainability in research, education, and our campus operations

The report showcases how our work in research, education, governance, engagement, and operations aligns with the University’s strategic objectives, reinforcing that sustainability is embedded across all areas of institutional activity and is a core part of Warwick’s future.

Voices from Our Community

Stuart Croft

Vice Chancellor

'Since our last report, and now three years on from the launch of our sustainability strategy, we have seen important progress: sustainability has been elevated to a university priority; a new role of Academic Director has been created; our new Sustainability Committee is working inclusively; and sustainability is increasingly embedded within our research spotlights and education offering'

Professor Stéphanie Panichelli-Batalla (Academic Director, Sustainability) & Parvez Islam (Director of Environmental Sustainability and Infrastructure)

Since the launch of our sustainability strategy in 2022, the University has made strong progress in embedding sustainability across teaching, research, and education. This report highlights interdisciplinary case studies that reflect the creativity and collaboration of our academic community, integrating sustainability into curricula, research agendas, and student experiences.

Professor Nigel Driffield

Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Regional Engagement

'We recognise that the major sustainable development challenges we face – whether they be economic, social or environmental – are best addressed in partnership. The University works closely with stakeholders locally and regionally to make the West Midlands region a better place to live, work and study. From leading conversations around clean technology, industrial decarbonisation and green skills, to working with communities to consider how we can mitigate against the impact of the changing climate, we are committed to the ongoing sustainable development of our region.'

Delivering on the SDGs: Highlights of our work

Coordinating Sustainability Across Campus: A Whole-Institution Approach

The University of Warwick’s Sustainability Committee Link opens in a new windowplays a central role in shaping and coordinating the institution’s environmental and social sustainability strategy. The committee brings together academic, operational, and student voices to embed sustainability across all areas of University life.

The committee oversees five specialist action groups, each addressing a key area of environmental sustainability at Warwick. Each group is led by academic and professional staff, with student representation ensuring inclusive and collaborative decision-making.

Creating the golden thread, an ambition for major events in the UK

Researchers at the University of Warwick have played a pivotal role in shaping the future of UK major events through the expert advisory report Creating the Golden ThreadLink opens in a new window, commissioned by Spirit of 2012. Drawing on extensive evaluation experience—including Coventry’s City of Clture 2021 and the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games—Warwick Business School researchers proposed a national strategy to maximise the long-term social, cultural, and economic impact of major events

Driving Innovation in Creative and Immersive Technologies Across Coventry and Warwickshire

The University of Warwick has been selected by Innovate UK to lead a £7.5 million investment programmeLink opens in a new window aimed at accelerating the growth of creative and immersive technology industries in Coventry and Warwickshire. This initiative will support businesses working in areas such as gaming, virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence, helping to develop new products, services, and high-value jobs

Workwear Wardrobe and Donation Drive

The Workwear WardrobeLink opens in a new window, launched at the University of Warwick in September 2023, supports students and promotes circular fashion by providing free professional clothing for interviews and work experience. Initially collecting 140kg of donated clothing, the project rehomed 120kg to 300 students at its first pop-up

In 2024, the University of Warwick’s Donation DriveLink opens in a new window exemplified a proactive approach to sustainability. This initiative facilitated the donation of unwanted items by students during move-out, significantly reducing waste and promoting circular economy practices. Approximately 8,600 kg of goods were collected, with an estimated 74% reused—diverting waste and avoiding around 15,524 kg of CO₂e emissions, equivalent to driving around the world 2.3 times. One key element, the Kitchen Kit Market, redistributed over 2 tonnes of kitchenware to 1,000+ students on a “pay as you feel” basis, raising £5,900 for Carriers of Hope, a local charity aiding refugees and asylum seekers.

Embedding Sustainability Across Disciplines at Warwick

Sustainability is increasingly central to education and research across the University of Warwick. From business to engineering, academic departments are embedding sustainability principles into curriculum design, professional accreditation and operational practice to ensure graduates are equipped to respond to global challenges and ensure they are prepared to meet the environmental and social challenges of their future careers.

Beyond Rankings: Our Enduring Commitment

While this SDG Report was originally developed as part of our submission to the Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Ratings (previously THE Impact Rankings), the University of Warwick has chosen to discontinue our participation in this ranking. This decision, made following thoughtful discussion within the Sustainability Policy and Reporting Action Group (SPRAG), reflects a strategic shift in focus, allowing resources to be directed toward areas of greater impact, including the QS rankings. Although the submission process has become increasingly resource-intensive, our commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains unwavering. We will continue to engage with this important agenda, monitor our progress via our forthcoming refreshed Sustainability Strategy, and maintain relevant data to enable future participation if priorities evolve. We also look forward to collaborating with other institutions navigating similar decisions, sharing insights and best practices to collectively support global sustainability efforts.

This report continues to serve as a transparent and strategic reflection of our sustainability journey—demonstrating how our research, education, governance, engagement, and operations contribute meaningfully to global challenges. Publishing this report is part of our broader responsibility to our community and the planet, and reflects our belief that impact goes beyond metrics—it lives in the actions we take every day.

Environmental Sustainability at Warwick