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On Friday 10 November, the University published its fourth Annual Sustainability and Sustainable Development Goals Report. The report highlights the important work of staff, students and stakeholders across the Sussex community, reflecting our vision to be one of the most sustainable universities in the world and our progress towards all 17 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

This report celebrates our achievements in a year where Sussex has been ranked 10th in the UK and 49th in the world out of 1,591 global higher education institutions in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2023 for our performance in relation to the UN SDGs. We were also ranked third in the UK for sustainable institutions and 55th in the world in the first QS Sustainability Rankings, which were published in October 2022. 

Vice-Chancellor Sasha Roseneil said: “During my first year as the University of Sussex’s Vice-Chancellor, I have been hugely impressed by the passionate commitment of our staff and students to addressing the profound environmental and societal issues facing our planet and its people. We know there is much still to do, but the enthusiasm and expertise to make real progress run broad and deep at Sussex. 

“This is our fourth Annual Report and it covers every aspect of our environmental, economic, and social sustainability work, right across the University, including our teaching, research and innovation, policy development, external engagement and partnerships, and operational practice. 

“I want our determination to be one of the most sustainable universities in the world to be evident to all students, staff, and stakeholders when they visit our campus, and for next year to see further progress. For now, I extend my warmest thanks to every member of the Sussex community who contributed to the work reported here, and I hope that you are inspired by reading about what we have achieved in the past year.” 

Key achievements

• We have introduced new policies in key areas of our Sustainability Strategy, especially relating to biodiversity. In response to an extensive consultation involving students, staff, and the wider community, we have committed to increasing the land on our campus that is set aside for nature to 42% by 2027. These policies and practices have resulted in us winning a prestigious Green Flag award, for well-managed green spaces, for the seventh year running. Find out more about our biodiversity and how you can get involved.  
  
  
• This year saw the launch of our first Green Futures event as part of a process to link our student careers initiatives to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. 
  
  
• In 2023, Sussex was awarded the U Dine award for sustainability, along with our catering provider, Chartwells, and we currently hold the highest-possible Sustainable Restaurant Association accreditation. Find out more about sustainability in our catering.  
  
  
• Our Volunteering Policy for staff is now being piloted and gives employees an allowance of at least two days per year (pro-rata) to volunteer in a charity of their choice that is aligned to the SDGs.
  
  
• In June 2023, the University of Sussex Business School received philanthropic funding to establish the Bennett Institute for Innovation and Policy Acceleration to address and develop urgently needed policies and solutions to tackle some of society’s greatest challenges, beginning with climate change.
  

Get involved

There are many ways to join your community in working on sustainability, many of which are explored in the report.  

Sussex staff are invited to join the recently launched Green Impact scheme to work together with colleagues to improve sustainability in their Schools and departments, and to use their Staff Volunteering Allowance to contribute to local charities that align with the UN SDGs. Find out more about these staff schemes. 

Meanwhile, students are encouraged to use their time at Sussex to take action on sustainability by joining sustainability societies, volunteering for local charities, and taking part in events and competitions across the year. Students are rewarded for all of these activities through the Spirit of Sussex Award, which has an Environment and Sustainability category.  

To read more about our Sustainable Sussex strategy and more ways to get involved, visit our Sustainability Webpages, join our mailing list, or email: sustainable@sussex.ac.uk.

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