Lancaster has an engaged community of staff and students who are already passionate about sustainability, and this community continues to grow. Here are some examples of positive change on and off campus for this month:

University signs the Concordat for Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice

Lancaster has become a signatory of the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice. The voluntary concordat has been co-developed by the UK research and innovation (R&I) sector and represents a shared ambition for the UK to continue delivering cutting-edge research, but in a more environmentally responsible and sustainable way. Signatories of the Concordat will be asked to demonstrate how they are reducing the environmental impacts and emissions associated with carrying out research and innovation. For more information, please contact Dr Georgiana Allison, Head of Sustainability.

Net Zero Energy Project update

Work is underway on the Net Zero Energy Project as it gets closer to helping the University achieve its aim of carbon net zero from energy by 2030. District heating pipes are currently being installed on Alexandra Park which will enable buildings to be connected for efficiency and eventually eliminate the use of gas on campus. Sign up for our next Sustainability Knowledge Exchange on Wednesday 12 March for more information on this and other projects.

Little hands, big help

The University Grounds Team had extra helpers recently from Lancaster University Pre-School Centre. On Wednesday 11 December, children and staff joined them for one of their tree planting sessions, working towards another 300 trees being planted across the campus to enhance the woodland. The children had a great time learning about how trees grow, and it was part of their sustainability learning through the Pre-School Centre curriculum.

UN Sustainable Development Goals photo exhibition on campus

Photography and the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have come together for an updated photography exhibition along the Spine on the Lancaster campus. If you have a spare few minutes on campus, visit the display outside Pizzetta and the Lancaster Environment Centre.

Accessible play area update thanks to University funding

Lancaster University's Wind Turbine Community Benefit Fund supports local projects striving to make a meaningful impact. You can look forward to monthly highlights of the projects that the fund helps on the Sustainability News page – with this month’s focus being the Fairfield Playground, a great project to update the play equipment on this local play area, tidy up the space and to make it accessible for all children.

Got a sustainability story?

The University’s Sustainability team want to hear more from anyone who is working to advance sustainability in any way across Lancaster University, no matter how big or small.

Send your stories, suggestions, ideas, and feedback to sustainability@lancaster.ac.uk.