Our sustainability journey
Take a look back at the last two decades of sustainability initiatives at The University of Manchester.
- Awarded accreditation status by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) – one of only twenty universities worldwide.
- Publish Our Sustainable Future (PDF, 4.7MB), the University’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2023-2028.
- Place first in the UK and Europe, and second in the world in the THE Impact Rankings.
- Place first in the UK and Europe, and third in the world in the QS World University Sustainability Rankings.
- Start using NETpositive zero carbon supplier tool to calculate carbon footprint of our supply chain.
- Set Scope 3 target of net zero by 2050.
- Take part in No Mow May for the first time.
- Remove car parking from front quad to create more pedestrian areas on campus.
- Achieve one star Fairtrade status.
- Receive Green Gown Award nomination in Climate Action category.
- Receive '2030 Climate Action' prize at the Green Gown Awards.
- Launch Energy Innovation Agency as key partner.
- Publish carbon footprints on menus in catering outlets.
- Calculate Scope 3 emissions for the first time.
- Place ninth in the world in the THE Impact Rankings.
- Complete our Zero Campus Masterplan study.
- Commit to halving our emissions associated with staff air travel compared to pre-pandemic levels.
- Gain Earthshot Prize nomination for 50,000 Actions and Living Lab programmes.
- Become founding member of United Nations Nature Positive Universities Alliance.
- Begin negotiations to sign corporate Power Purchase Agreement.
- Place first in the world in the THE Impact Rankings.
- End all investments in fossil fuel companies.
- Start using 100% renewable energy.
- Launch Sustainable Futures.
- Secure Transport for Greater Manchester Platinum accreditation for supporting sustainable commuting, business travel and fleet vehicles.
- Host Manchester Festival of Climate Action as part of COP26.
- Launch £50,000 Steve Biko Sustainability Fund.
- Place eighth in the world in the THE Impact Rankings.
- Announce end to investments in fossil fuel reserve and extraction companies by 2022.
- Announce decarbonisation of all investments by 2038.
- Manchester Engineering Campus Development certified BREEAM excellent.
- Commit to become zero carbon by 2038.
- Place third in the world in the THE Impact Rankings.
- Publish first Sustainable Development Goals (PDF, 19.5MB) report.
- Launch Big Volunteer Days, mass action environmental projects for students.
- Win Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) Sustainability Impact Award for 10,000 Actions.
- Unsworth Park building certified BREEAM excellent.
- Sir Henry Royce Institute certified BREEAM excellent.
- Introduce sector-wide LEAF lab sustainability framework.
- Sign up for UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment.
- Open Want Not Waste in Students’ Union.
- Transform Brunswick Street into Brunswick Park, the largest green space on campus.
- Launch award-winning UCIL Creating a Sustainable World course.
- Win Catey Sustainable Business Award for sustainability work in hospitality and events.
- Install first green wall on campus Install Tree Trail on campus.
- Raise £1.3 million for the British Heart Foundation with Give It, Don’t Bin It.
- Win Green Gown Learning and Skills award for 10,000 Actions and Sustainability Challenge.
- Win Association of University Directors of Estates Impact initiative of the Year for 10,000 Actions and Sustainability Challenge.
- Win University of the Year at the Green Innovation and Finance Awards.
- Win University Caterers Organisation Sustainability Award.
- Win Chartered Institute of Waste Management best reuse and waste prevention project for Give It, Don’t Bin It.
- Win Sustainable Restaurant Association’s Food Made Good Award for best food waste strategy.
- Roll out Sustainability Challenge to all first year undergraduate students.
- Awarded €25 million by the European Union for the Triangulum project.
- Publish Environmental Sustainability Strategy, Living Campus Plan and Sustainable Resources Plan.
- Become the first Carbon Literate University in the world.
- Launch award-winning 10,000 Actions engagement programme.
- Establish first run commute group outside London, UMRUN.
- Publish first campus climate change adaptation study (find link)
- Achieve Level 5 of the Procurement Flexible Framework.
- Introduce car parking charges based on carbon emissions.
- Co-create the NETpositive supplier engagement tool.
- Win Cost Sector Corporate Responsibility Catering Award.
- Win Manchester Evening News Environment Award for Give It, Don’t Bin It.
- Manchester Cancer Centre Research Centre building certified BREEAM excellent.
- Our bike user group, UMBUG, becomes largest bike user group in the country.
- James Chadwick building awarded BREEAM Excellence rating.
- Purchase first electric fleet vehicle.
- Launch Incredible Edible Manchester.
- Win Sustainable Labs Awards for laboratory effectiveness.
- Establish University Living Lab.
- Install first electric vehicle charging on campus.
- Launch Give it Don’t Bin It.
- Win Green Gown Award for Sustainable Consumption Institute Centre for Doctoral Training.
- School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Sciences Building certified BREEAM excellent.
- Launch Furniture4Reuse store on campus.
- Include sustainability in University reporting.
- Launch Green Impact engagement programme.
- Launch hybrid 147 bus service.
- Learning Commons building certified BREEAM excellent.
- Establish MCRStrollers, our walking group.
- Publish first Carbon Action Plan (Word Doc, 227KB), committing to a 40% reduction by 2020.
- Install recycling centres across campus.
- Win Residences Green Gown Award.
- Oxford Road Corridor Travel Plan written.
- Start selling One Water, helping to fund water projects across the world.
- Gain Fairtrade University status.