Sustainability

Explore our work across sustainability, find out how we are tackling global challenges, and what you can do to be a part of our sustainable community.

A student sits reading, surrounded by greenery

Lancaster University declared a Climate Emergency in 2020 and is one of the highest producers of renewable energy within the UK Higher Education sector. Since 2005 we’ve reduced our electricity and heating emissions by 50% and we have committed to becoming carbon net zero from all emission scopes by 2035.

Addressing the climate emergency means much more than how we heat and power our campus; it is the responsibility of our whole university community to embed sustainability into all areas of university life:

  • Our research in the field is future-led, with many of our academics working on locally and globally significant projects.
  • Our curriculum continues to centre teaching around current events and the ever-changing landscape we live in.
  • Day to day, we’re improving the campus environment for nature and our community, using our existing space more efficiently, and working hard to understand the impact of our procurement.

Highly ranked for sustainability governance

Sustainability is at the heart of Lancaster University. In the 2025 QS World University Rankings: Sustainability, which measured and compared the sustainable impact of universities worldwide, we were ranked 22nd in the UK and joint 68th in the world.

We scored joint fourth in the world for sustainability governance, awarded for transparent financial reporting, student representation for sustainability at a senior level, and an institution that supports and promotes a holistic and ethical culture. These rankings measured an institution's ability to tackle the world’s greatest environmental, social, and governance (ESG) challenges.

A students works in the ECOHub
Times Impact Rankings logo

Global rankings for sustainability

Lancaster University is ranked joint 98th globally in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025, an annual ranking of universities looking at their work and research towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, we have been highlighted for our work on Goal 10: Reducing Inequalities and Goal 15: Life on Land.

Additionally, we have been awarded 5 Stars for Sustainability in the prestigious QS Stars rating, which assesses universities against best practices and was developed by leading higher education insight specialist QS Quacquarelli Symonds.

How we are making a difference

Environmental Sustainability has been at the heart of Lancaster University since its foundation with a mission to tackle global environmental challenges both through our teaching and research and our own campus and operations.

A quote from Professor Simon Guy Pro-Vice-Chancellor Global
Students by LICA with wind turbine in background

Achieving Net Zero carbon emissions

Changing how our campus is powered is a key part of our commitment to achieving net zero scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions. We are one of the highest producers of renewable energy of all UK universities according to figures published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

Achieving Net Zero

Annual sustainability report

The Annual Sustainability Report provides details of the University's successes in sustainability, progress against our objectives, the lessons learned and future plans.

Annual report

Sustainability news

Don

Don't Ditch It: College Donation Days

Students leaving accommodation for the summer vacation period are encouraged to donate any unwanted items to the Don't Ditch It project. Each year, donation points are set up across the University for students to donate, exchange, or find new homes for items they no longer need. To make donating as easy as possible, the project team will be stationed at each College on dates throughout June and July.
A view of the HIC building on campus

Wellbeing – for people and planet

The 2025 Planetary Health Report Card has been released, and Lancaster Medical School has been ranked sixth in the table of UK Medical Schools. 
Margaret Fell Lecture Theatre full of people at a conference

Hosting green events using Greengage’s EVENTsmart Carbon Calculator

Lancaster University Conferences & Events+ has taken a sustainable step in hosting green events by adopting Greengage’s EVENTsmart Carbon Calculator. 
Garden at LU Ghana

Sustainability updates: recycling, gardening and planting

This spring has brought a flurry of gardening projects and spring-cleaning suggestions. Here are some examples of positive change on and off campus this March.
British Heart Foundation bins

Don’t ditch it. Donate it.

As part of the Don't Ditch It, Donate It campaign, everyone is encouraged to donate unwanted clothing or household items to help the British Heart Foundation by using one of the new donation bins dotted around campus.
L - R Ian Sturzaker (Landscape Manager) holding the award, Chris Ingleby (Grounds Supervisor), Mark Gould (Grounds Team Member and Thomas Heppell - Mooney (Grounds Team Member) being presented their award by David Hart, Managing Director – Kubota UK

Lancaster University’s Grounds team scoops two national awards

The team behind Lancaster University’s award-winning 578- acre estate has won two prizes at the national Grounds Management Association (GMA) Industry Awards 2025.

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