Woodland on Lancaster University's campus in autumn

Sustainability

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

At Lancaster, we recognise that sustainability, the climate emergency and our environment is the responsibility of our whole community. Our commitments are already leading the way; Lancaster University is the highest producer of renewable energy out of all UK Universities, and since 2005 we’ve reduced our electricity and heating emissions by 50%. We know there’s more we need to do, that’s why we’re committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2035.

Beyond that, our community is committed to tackling the climate emergency by embedding sustainability into all areas of university life; our research in the field is future led, with many of our academics working on globally significant sustainability projects. Our curriculum continues to centre teaching around current events, and the ever-changing landscape that we live in, sustainability is a huge part of that. Day to day, we’re committed to evolving our working practices and environment to address the climate emergency from within.

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
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.

Reducing Emissions

Sustainability news

Man on bike

Cycling for sustainability

Adam Mitchell, the Marketing Manager for Lancaster University Management School, is undertaking a grand cycling challenge, in order to raise awareness of the carbon emission impact of business travel.
The Green Lancaster student teampose alongside a Welcome to the Isle of Eigg highway sign

Green Lancaster Goes to Eigg

Green Lancaster’s Sustainability Leadership Development Residential on the Island of Eigg, where the great challenge of the Climate and Ecological Emergency was explored through the prism of the islands' unique natural and cultural heritage.
Image shows horizon over Hardknott Forest

Restoring Harknott Forest: the Lakes’ largest woodland?

On Saturday 19th March, Green Lancaster team and volunteers had the pleasure of learning more about and volunteering for the Restoring Harknott Forest Project in the upper Duddon Valley in the Lake District as part of our ECOWild field trips.
A photo of the St. Thomas

Church community project benefits from Lancaster University grant funding

St. Thomas’ Church in Lancaster City Centre, received funding from Round 7 of Lancaster University’s Community Benefit Fund in 2020 towards its ‘Heart of the City’ project.
A person holding up saplings against a skyline with volunteers out of focus in the background

ECOWild: Expedition to Wild Ingleborough

On Saturday 5th March, we headed up to Selside, in Yorkshire where we spent a day contributing to natural restoration work as part of the partnership project Wild Ingleborough. 
There members of the team at work in the woodland

Green Lancaster ECOWild Trip to ‘The Rewilding’

On Wednesday 9thMarch, we went on an ECOWild field trip to The Rewildingwhere we met with Michelle Parry, the founder, event producer, and community builder.

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