Woodland on Lancaster University's campus in autumn

A commitment to sustainability

Lancaster University is committed to sustainability. We declared a climate emergency in 2020 and aim to become carbon neutral by 2035.

Looking across the fields towards Lancaster's wind turbine

Our commitment on emissions

Changing how our campus is powered is a key part of our commitment to achieve net zero. Lancaster University is the highest producer of renewable energy of all UK universities according to figures published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency. We have already reduced our electricity and heating emissions by 50% since 2005.

Low carbon technologies on campus

The conclusion from our best science is – I would say – unusually clear and plain in communicating the urgency: we need to “bend the emissions curve” if we, as a planet, are to avoid the serious impacts of climate change.

A quote from Dr Paul Young Lancaster Environment Centre

Planning for a sustainable future

Our commitment to become carbon neutral by 2035 is written into Lancaster University's strategic plan.

From better buildings to efficient energy production – innovation, imagination and commitment are helping us achieve our carbon reduction targets. Find out about Lancaster's sustainability practice.

The Facilities Environmental Sustainability Plan is the overarching plan that summarises the approach to managing and reducing environmental impacts that the Facilities Division have influence over. It is formed from a series of specific plans that inform the University Environmental Sustainability Plan.

Get involved

Green Lancaster

Green Lancaster is a collaborative initiative run by Lancaster University and Lancaster University Students’ Union to grow sustainable ideas across the whole university community.

Opportunities for students

Lancaster's Students' Union supports societies that offer a wide range of ways for our students to get involved with environmental sustainability on a practical level.

Community Benefits Fund

Our Community Benefits Fund has been developed to share the benefit of the University's wind turbine with local communities in the Lancaster District by providing grant funding for community and environmental projects.
A cyclist on a signposted cycle route

Travel

Lancaster offers a great transport network with superb links between the city, campus and further afield.

Travel - campus and beyond
Landscape with wind turbines

Energy Lancaster

Energy Lancaster brings together Lancaster University's world-leading expertise in a wide range of energy-related areas covering demand, supply and storage, as well as their environmental and societal impacts.

Energy Lancaster

Sustainability news

Wooden heart filled with healthy fruit and vegetables

Get involved in this term’s healthy living activities

This term we see the launch of Lancaster university’s healthy living campaign. It provides a range of activities for staff and students to make healthy lifestyle choices, focusing on a healthier mind, body, pocket and planet.
Children planting trees with the landscape manager and pre-school manager

Pre-School dig in to help the Grounds Team

The small hands of Lancaster University Pre-School children were a big help as our grounds team planted over 420 new trees from the Woodland Trust.
Stagecoach bus driving on campus

University’s Community Benefit Fund supports free shopper buses

A number of bus services will be free to use between now and Christmas to encourage Christmas shoppers to take the bus rather than a car as part of a pilot by Lancaster BID in partnership with Lancaster City Council and Lancaster Bus Users Group.
The University

Round up for round 8 of the Community Benefit Fund

2021 marks the eighth round of funding from the University’s Community Benefit Fund and this year has been as strong as ever despite the lull in community projects due to Covid 19. 
two members of Green Lancaster hold a recycled plant pot in front of a Relic logo

An insight in to local recycling

Last week, the Don’t Ditch It project supervisors visited Relic Plastic, a local company who take used plastics, including donations from the Don’t Ditch It project and turn them into new, wonderful, long-lasting items. 
From left to right: Director of Lancaster Arts Jocelyn Cunningham, Artist Michael Pinsky, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Global Professor Simon Guy

Looking back on the COP26 @ Lancaster University Festival

A warning about the world of tomorrow rounded out a week of activities for the COP26 @ Lancaster University festival.

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