Environmental Sustainability Academy at York Launched

The Academy is a pan-institutional initiative aiming to better connect research, education, and knowledge exchange activities with each other, and with the University’s new Sustainability Plan. In addition, by drawing these activities together the Academy creates a clear gateway for external partners and communities to connect with the University, facilitating the discovery, co-creation and sharing of knowledge and expertise.

Ahead of the COP26 United Nations Climate Change Conference, with the world’s attention focused on the issue of climate change, the University of York is taking decisive action to live up to its founding vision to be a University for public good by;

• Launching a new University Strategy 2030 clearly demonstrating how it will continue to position environmental sustainability at the heart of its activities, as a guide for our future. 
• Launching the University of York 2021 to 2030 Sustainability Plan, comprehensively setting out how it will tackle current and future challenges by promoting a sustainable community here in York, and playing an important part in global change. 
• Committing to a net zero carbon pledge, to achieving net zero carbon emissions on campus by 2030 (including carbon dioxide equivalent emissions of other greenhouse gases). 
• Launching the Environmental Sustainability Academy at York, watch the launch video here.

YESI's Director Professor Matthew Thomas said "YESI is excited to be part of this new initiative, helping to support and promote the environmental sustainability research mission on behalf of the university and its community of world class researchers."