Sustainable Development Goals

We are strongly committed to creating a sustainable future, and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are woven into our research, teaching and day-to-day life at Surrey.

Through our Institute for Sustainability we are undertaking multidisciplinary research aimed at bringing us closer to sustainable living, net-zero energy, clean air for all, and sustainable prosperity. On our campuses we are committed to net-zero carbon emissions by 2030 and are working towards ambitious targets for heat de-carbonisation, solar power generation and electrifying our vehicle fleet, among other projects.

THE Impact Rankings 2023

9th in the UK

Surrey is placed 9th in the UK and 46th in the world in the latest THE University Impact Rankings.

The Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings are the global system which assesses universities’ performance against the UN SDGs. These goals will continue to define our culture and community, enabling us to help shape a fairer, healthier and more sustainable world in the future.

Find out more about sustainability at Surrey and our sustainability strategy led by the Executive Sustainability Steering Group.

What are Sustainable Development Goals?

The United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are aimed at achieving a better and more sustainable future for all by addressing the global challenges we face today such as poverty, inequality, climate change and environmental degradation.

The 17 Goals were adopted by all UN Member States in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which set out a 15 year plan to achieve the Goals.

As a University, our combined commitment to achieving our sustainable goals not only defines our culture and community but will enable us to shape the future for a fairer, healthier and more sustainable world. Professor Max Lu, President and Vice-Chancellor

How does Surrey contribute to the SDGs?

Surrey is contributing to the SDGs both in the way it runs its operations and engages with its communities, and through far-reaching research conducted across many different disciplines. Below we demonstrate how Surrey is contributing to just a few SDGs.

Good health and well-being (SDG3)

We aim to broaden access to a healthy lifestyle for our students, staff and the local community, running a range of activities and taster sessions at Surrey Sports Park which enable local people to benefit from top class sporting facilities at minimal cost and offering support to students and staff.

Kid playing hockey with some adults at the Surrey Sports Park

Saturday Sports Club

Saturday Sports Club for children with special educational needs and disabilities and their families to try new activities in a welcoming and relaxed environment.

Holiday camps

Holiday camps and courses for local children to develop their skills across a number of sports.

Surrey Youth Games

Surrey Youth Games, hosted at Surrey Sports Park every year, benefiting around 1,300 children.

Hiring to local groups

Surrey Sports Park is also hired out to local groups and partners including Guildford Borough Council, Halow Project, Basketball Foundation and Surrey Football Association.

SurreyMoves app

We have launched SurreyMoves+, a free-to-use physical activity app for students and staff which tracks activity, rewards efforts and challenges users to reach their goals. Over 3,000 people are currently active on this app.

Girls team playing Rugby at the Surrey Sports Park

Sport and Physical Activity Access fund

We provide a Sport and Physical Activity Access fund for students experiencing hardship, and fund programmes through British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) to increase physical activity and mental health amongst students.

Centre for Wellbeing

Our Centre for Wellbeing gives students access to free, confidential advice and support for mental, emotional and psychological issues from a team of professional counsellors.

Gender equality (SDG5)

Surrey is strongly committed to gender equality for all students and staff. Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Plan 2020-25 (PDF) outlines our strategy to develop an inclusive and supportive culture; eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation; and advance equality of opportunities.

The University offers a number of women’s access schemes such as mentoring, scholarship and return to work programmes.

Springboard mentoring

The award-winning Springboard mentoring scheme for female staff – a four-day programme aimed at helping women to develop personally, grow in confidence and acquire new skills.

Women at Surrey Network

Women at Surrey Network, which allows women to share their experiences and views, and encourages women to be more active through female ‘takeovers’ of Surrey Sports Park

Surrey Women in Engineering Society

Surrey Women in Engineering Society, which aims to motivate and support female engineering students by providing social, educational and networking opportunities.

The Menopause Project

The Menopause Project is a University initiative focusing on support for those experiencing menopause at work or study. Aiming to raise awareness, encourage conversation, provide support, retain talent and promote wellbeing.

Returners Initiative

We care about the welfare and experience of staff and students who leave Surrey to have a child, ensuring we provide the right support and equip all managers and colleagues to create an inclusive and supportive environment for returning staff and students.

Clean water and sanitation (SDG6)

We are working to reduce our water consumption on campus and improve access to clean, safe drinking water across the world.

The Borehole Project

In 2022 our Estates and Facilities team completed a borehole project, installing a 132m deep chalk aquifer at our Stag Hill campus, which has given us the means to extract over 1 million litres of water a day. Providing over a third of our total campus demand, this has reduced costs and carbon emissions associated with pumping.

Water reduction

We have exceeded our five-year target of 15 per cent water reduction through measures such as better leak detection, reduced consumption and the introduction of intelligent controls.

Improving safe drinking water guidance

Researchers in our Centre for Environmental Health and Engineering have contributed to the World Health Organization (WHO)’s latest safe drinking water guidelines. Surrey is one of only two institutions in the UK designated as a Collaborating Centre for Protection of Water Quality and Human Health by WHO.

Over 300

Of our health science students deployed in the NHS during first wave of Covid-19 pandemic

80

Upcycled bird boxes installed across campus ready for the bird nesting season

12 schools/departments

Hold Athena SWAN awards to recognise their work towards the advancement of gender equality

Sustainable development goals annual report

Our report showcases what we achieved in 2020/2021 to meet the United Nations 17 sustainable development goals.

Read our report (PDF)

Key SDG projects

Efficient next-generation solar panels on the horizon following breakthrough

20 September 2023

Scientists call for a tree planting drive to help tackle heatwaves

18 September 2023

A lorry drives large crates of apples along a road

New research published by Nature Food reveals food is primary driver of the EU-27’s outsized Ecological Footprint

14 September 2023

Surrey wins Cannes World Film Festival award with sustainability animation

6 September 2023

The kitchen is key to improving indoor air quality

4 September 2023

Best paper award in international business and policy at the Academy of Management conference

24 August 2023

New Surrey research promises the end of potholes to create safer roads