Annual Report

Annual Report

2021/22

At Ulster University, every community, project, service, and campus contributes towards the global sustainability and climate change agenda.

This Annual Sustainability Report shines a spotlight on specific areas of success, highlights some of the ongoing initiatives and campaigns, and provides an account of our progress aligned to the principles of the UN SDGs.

Annual Sustainability Report 2021/22

Sustainability at Ulster University

Ulster continues to develop and support sustainability initiatives with our staff, students, and external partners across various aspects of teaching, research, professional services operations, and governance.

It is also vital to recognise the sustainable knowledge we create through experience, invention, and research and in the wider connections we make through business development across and between the many partnerships that make these work.

We run courses and research projects across a vast array of discipline areas including sustainable architecture, energy storage and renewable energy engineering, sustainable tourism, marine sciences, biomedical and health sciences, sustainable textiles, and law and human rights.

At Ulster every person, course, research project, and professional service area on every campus either does or can contribute in some way towards the global sustainability and climate change agenda.

Sustainable Development Goals

Discover how our activities support each of the Sustainable Development Goals.

1. No Poverty

Our research is helping governments target those most in need of warmer & healthier homes.

2. Zero Hunger

Our research aims to define, measure and map food poverty in Northern Ireland to inform policy.

3. Good Health and Well-being

We provide quality training to the next generation of health and social care professionals.

4. Quality Education

Our teaching is driven by high quality research and real-world examples encouraging students to explore and tackle the biggest challenges...

5. Gender Equality

We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity and to providing an inclusive and fair environment in which to work...

6. Clean Water and Sanitation

Our research aims to provide safe, sufficient, accessible, affordable and acceptable water to communities across the globe....

7. Affordable and Clean Energy

Our researchers are developing consumer-owned energy solutions such as heat pumps.

8. Decent Work and Economic Growth

Our research seeks to identify future skill requirements to address misalignments and ultimately enhance economic growth....

9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Through our Creative Industries Institute and collaborative partnerships we are increasing employment in the Creative Industries sector....

10. Reduced Inequalities

We place diversity and inclusion at the heart of our culture, supporting us in our endeavours to reflect the society...

11. Sustainable Cities and Communities

Our research supports sustainable cities to tackle global crises and deliver better physical environments providing socio-cultural, economic, and health benefits...

12. Responsible Consumption and Production

We seek to reduce waste on campus and incorporate sustainability considerations into our procurement practices when purchasing goods and services....

13. Climate Action

Our research projects include pioneering solar energy in sub-saharan Africa, heat pumps for homes & an environmentally friendly hydro-foiling vessel....

14. Life Below Water

At a time of unprecedented environmental change on earth our Marine Sciences graduates have the skills and competencies to observe,...

15. Life on Land

We are committed to supporting the Life on Land Goal through careful management of biodiversity on our estate.

16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Our research seeks to imagine new futures and transitions to peace by engaging communities, to help them learn from their...

17. Partnerships for the Goals

Alongside our social partners we proactively contribute to the full spectrum of intellectual, economic, social, environmental and cultural life of...