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#SustainableBangor

At Bangor University, we are committed to making sustainability central to everything we do. Through our teaching, research, and engagement with the local community, our staff and students help to drive meaningful change and create a more sustainable future.

9th

in the UK

Times Higher Education Impact Ranking assessed against the United Nations’ Sustainability Development Goals, 2025

=64th

in the world

Times Higher Education Impact Ranking assessed against the United Nations’ Sustainability Development Goals, 2025

25th

in the UK

People & Planet University League, 2025/26

12th

in the World

for Responsible Consumption and Production, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, 2025

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The UN on sustainability
A photo showing, fields, trees and mountains over the Menai Strait

Bangor University: A force for good.

"We believe that Bangor University has a leading role to play in creating a more sustainable world. Our ambition is to inspire and support our staff and students to create lasting positive impacts for people and the planet.

"As a bilingual university rooted in Welsh heritage, it is key for us to support our local community - safeguarding the environment and promoting economic, social, bilingual and cultural vibrancy.

"Bangor University is committed to sustainable growth and to conducting research that addressed global challenges such as climate change, health inequalities, and workforce development."

Professor Edmund Burke

We are passionate about promoting a culture and scholarship of environmental stewardship, living in harmony, and caring for the world in ways that meet our economic, social, environmental, and cultural needs. Underpinned by our world-renowned research, we will support the development of Wales as a bilingual learning country with a knowledge driven economy for the benefit of the world and future generations.

Bangor University Strategy 2030

The three strategic pillars of Bangor University’s sustainability strategy.

Research Excellence

Sustainability already drives our research at Bangor University. We will look at tackling environmental, social and economic challenges through interdisciplinary work. Our target is to research and develop solutions that make a real, lasting difference, and help to shape sustainable practices and policies.

Transformative Education

We aim to provide learning opportunities, sustainability-focused projects, and extracurricular activities that encourage students to adopt sustainable behaviours in their academic, social, and personal lives. In this way, they will graduate as informed, proactive stewards of social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

A Thriving Welsh Language and Bilingual Environment

We promote the Welsh language and culture across our university, aiming to create a bilingual environment that supports staff in the workplace, engages students in their learning and strengthens our local community. By fostering linguistic, social, economic and cultural transformation, we aim to ensure that everyone connected with Bangor University contributes to a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable Wales.

Read the Transcript for the Sustainability video

[00:03] Sustainability. It's a word we hear a lot these days, [00:06] but what does sustainability mean to you? [00:11] To me, it means protecting our planet for generations to [00:14] come healing the damage already done and learning what [00:17] we can do to create a better future. [00:20] Like investigating other ways to reduce our dependency on [00:23] fossil fuels by harnessing alternative sources of energy from [00:26] the marine environment which comprises over 70% of [00:29] the Earth's surface. [00:31] But getting to understand how every organism plays [00:34] a part in our world from insects to mammals and [00:37] even microorganisms. [00:39] Learning about ways to minimize wasted energy wasted [00:42] food and wasted resources and studying [00:45] about internet connected devices to guide action [00:48] on air pollution and emissions. [00:53] Our research on wind and tidal stream turbines and more [00:56] could lead to potentially endless source of [00:59] natural sustainable energy. No greenhouse gases. No [01:02] pollution no harm. [01:06] I'm passionate about managing our Landscapes to help nature [01:09] take care of itself. Understanding our world helps [01:12] us to protect it. [01:14] I want a future with cleaner oceans cleaner [01:17] air and much less waste. [01:22] And while we're studying different courses, we all have [01:25] the same passions at heart to create a better future through [01:28] sustainability and research. Sustainability at [01:31] Bangor University - it's more than [01:34] a word. It's a way of life.

More than the environment.

Being a truly sustainable university means not only looking after our natural resources and the environment – it means caring for our communities, our culture and our economic resources. We have a long history of collaborating with our community to raise aspirations, improve quality of life, and tackle some of society's biggest challenges, from health and climate change to the Welsh language, housing, poverty, and an ageing population, By sharing knowledge through social and public engagement, and building strong partnerships, we contribute to the well-being of our region.

Sustainability is more than the environment and it’s more than the work of a single department – it’s in everything we do. Working with the Welsh Government’s Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, we are committed to making an impact to the challenges our global community is facing.

Professor Christian Dunn,  Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor for Sustainability
image of Dr Christian Dunn (white man, with dark hair and facial hair)

Sustainability at Bangor

From our undergraduate modules to our research project, everything we do is being mapped onto the 17 UN Sustainability Goals and using the principles of the Welsh Government’s Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015

UN Sustainable Development Goals

A pink background showing white text saying 25 by 25

Some of our impact so far 25 by 25

We set an ambitious target to reduce our carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 25% in just three years. To achieve this, we focused on reducing waste, cutting electricity consumption, and encouraging more sustainable staff commuting. We are proud to announce that our campaign was a success, marking an important step forward in making Bangor University more sustainable.

Image is of the landing page for Ecosia. Showing a green background, white text saying Ecosia, a search bar and information on number of trees planted and funds for climate action.

Some of our impact so far Ecosia

Following a student's suggestion, as part of our 25 by 25 campaign, Bangor University has made Ecosia its default search engine. Ecosia donates 100% of its profits to climate action, in particular through reforestation projects around the world. Every search helps restore biodiversity hotspots and combat deforestation, allowing our university community to contribute directly to a greener, more sustainable planet.

A colourful wheel showing the image icons of the UN's 17 sustainable development goals

Module Badging

Students benefit from learning experiences that reflect our commitment to sustainability, with programme modules badged using the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Relevant SDGs are highlighted in teaching materials and the University's bilingual SDG badges help to reinforce learning and awareness.

Image shows students undertaking practical work in a laboratory

Some of our impact so far Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers 2025 List

Five of Bangor University's leading researchers have been named among the world's most highly cited, placing them in the top 1% globally. Each has demonstrated significant influence in their field, with research spanning human health, ecosystem management, decision-making in health and social care, climate change impacts, and investment in human and well-being.

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What are we working on

We are working on many items to improve our environmental and ethical performance, in areas such as education for sustainable development, staff and student engagement, and finance and procurement

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Person signing document

Policies, Strategies and Reports

Our policies and strategies shape the future of the University as well as focus on issues that face current staff and students. Whilst our Reports evidence our efforts so far.

People holding hands

Meet the Team

Everyone involved in Sustainability at Bangor shares a common vision and set of values, while bringing a diverse range of expertise, and experience.

As a team, we believe that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. However, if you would like to learn more about the individuals who contribute to our work, you can explore the team list below.

Get in-touch

 If you have any questions about sustainability at Bangor University please email sustainability@bangor.ac.uk

#SustainableBangor

 Follow and use the hashtag #SustainableBangor for all things sustainable at Bangor University on social media.