Sustainability Development Goals

Loughborough University is a proud signatory of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals(SDG's)having signed the declaration in 2020. The (SDG's) make up a global framework to achieve a better and more Sustainable future for all. There are 17 goals, each addressing global challenges such as poverty, climate, peace and justice, which are all connected. The SDG's drive our work on Sustainability.

Our commitment to the SDGs

Our aspiration is to equip our staff and students with the knowledge, skills, values and attributes needed to work and live in a way that will bring about solutions to the urgent environmental, economic and social challenges that we face. We're working to embed the SDGs through our teaching, operations and research.

Loughborough University is committed to:

  • Annually report on our work on the SDGs
  • Aligning all activities with the Sustainable Development Goals
  • Involve all stakeholder groups, such as students, staff and the local community
  • Collaborate with other institutions across the world who have pledged to support the SDGs

Our SDG Impact

1 No poverty

End poverty in all its forms.

  1. Our Research at the Centre for Research in Social Policy on Minimum Income standards for the UK. The impact of the MIS has been wide-ranging, with the focus not just on being able to afford food and a roof over your head, but it also includes having enough income to take part in society too. It is used frequently in policy debate and analysis, and at a more practical level by some charities to target financial support. Most importantly, it forms the basis for setting the Living Wage.
  2. Loughborough University offers several support schemes for students who come from backgrounds that are less represented at Loughborough University, including care leavers, students from areas of low participation in HE and those from low-income households. The programme aims to ensure that every student can access the same opportunities and succeed at Loughborough.

 

2 Zero hunger

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

3 Good health and well-being

Ensure healthy lives and promoting the well-being for all at all ages.

  1. Loughborough University has dedicated mental health support for its Staff and Students recognising that these groups have differing needs. 
  2. Our research at the Centre for Lifestyle Medicine and Behaviour (CLiMB) aims is to identify and evaluate innovative health behaviour interventions and policies to prevent and treat chronic diseases. The overall ambition of the Centre is to help the public to live long, healthy and happy lives. The Centre works with researchers nationally and internationally, members of the public, public health organisations, health charities, the voluntary sector, commercial partners and the NHS.

4 Quality education

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

5 Gender equality

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

  1. Loughborough University is committed to supporting the career development of talented women and has held the Bronze Institutional Award under the Athena SWAN Charter since 2009.
  2. The gender pay gap is associated with a need to address an unequal distribution of men and women across the levels of an organisation. We take our responsibility to close this gap seriously, and publish an annual Gender Pay Gap report 

6 Clean water and sanitation

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

  1. Our research in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) is focused on developing the underlying analysis of evidence to influence policy and practice in the related fields of water sanitation and hygiene. Working with many development sector partners around the world including the World Bank and several non-governmental organisations.
  2. Our Water Management for Development (Distance Learning) MSc under our Water Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC) is designed to develop careers managing water supply and environmental sanitation infrastructure and services for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

7 Affordable and clean energy

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

  1. The Centre for Sustainable Transitions: Energy, Environment and Resilience (STEER) is a leading research centre based at Loughborough University. Our mission is to accelerate the transition to inclusive, sustainable and resilient energy systems through innovative research, analysis and capacity building. The following programs are lead by The STEER centre.
    • Modern Energy Cooking Services Program (MECs). MECS is implementing a strategy focused on including the cooking needs of households into the investment and action on ‘access to affordable, reliable, sustainable modern energy for all’.
    • The Climate Compatible Growth (CCG) programme aims to support investment in sustainable energy and transport systems to meet development priorities in the Global South.
  2. The Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology (CREST) is the largest and leading UK sustainable energy research centre, and a leading European academic group.
  3. As a university we are working towards achieving Net zero carbon for all scope 1 & 2 emissions by 2035. Loughborough University has developed a comprehensive Energy Strategy to drive towards those goals.

8 Decent work and economic growth

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

  1. The Start-up Fund (SUF) grant. Designed to support your business ventures – including existing businesses/developed ideas and/or new ideas.
  2. We will align our research and innovation activities, raise the level of our research ambition, encourage collaborative and interdisciplinary working and invigorate our research culture.

10 Reduced inequalities

Reduce Inequalities within and among countries

  1. Loughborough University actively reports on and aims to reduce the Race Pay Gap as part of Race Equality Charter (REC) application. The race pay gap measures the difference in the average earning of white employees and Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) employees across the organisation.
  2. Loughborough University continues to be at the forefront of Para sport in the UK. Our vision is to create life-shaping opportunities through the development of an inspirational and inclusive Para sport offer.

11 Sustainable cities and communities

Sustainable cities and communities

  1. Loughborough University has a dedicated Sustainable travel plan aimed at creating a campus that prioritise and encourages sustainable modes of transport.
  2. The is a dedicated Arts program at Loughborough University aimed at protecting natural heritage, campus buildings and artwork.

12 Responsible consumption and production

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns for resources, good and services

  1. Give ’n’ Go is a campus-wide campaign we run every year at the end of the academic year as students begin to move out of their halls. Our aim to repurpose and recycle as many items as possible that would otherwise end up in general waste and landfill.
  2. WARPit is an online portal and reuse network which makes it easy for Schools and Departments to share surplus resources on our two campuses.

13 Climate action

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

  1. Climate Change and Net zero in one of three core themes of the main University Strategy and Loughborough University is committed to achieving net zero for all Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2035.

14 Life below water

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

15 Life on land

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.

  1. Loughborough University has been a recipient of the Green Flag awards since 2018. It shows that the public space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.
  2. Fruit Routes is a unique project and art installation made up of over 150 trees providing an enriched habitat for people, plants, insects and animals, as well as a location for cultural activities and outdoor learning. 

16 Peace, justice and strong institutions

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

17 Partnerships for the goals

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.