Michael Harpham, Senior Sustainability Performance Officer, Sustainability Team

Have you read our new Annual Sustainability and Sustainable Development Goals Report for 2022/23?

I only joined the Sustainability Team in July, yet over the last five months I have had the privilege of getting to know a diverse range of stakeholders across the University, as I compiled and wrote the report, including members of research groups, Schools, staff, and students. The result is a comprehensive overview of our fantastic achievements in sustainability research, teaching, external engagement, and operational practices.

Forming many relationships has been key in broadening out the content of the report and it is impressive to witness the extensive engagement in sustainability and how embedded it already is within many of our departments. It is also remarkable to see how our community contributes to all 17 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

For context, the SDGs are a set of global goals that aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all by 2030. They cover areas such as climate action, gender equality, health and well-being, education, and social justice. As a university that values sustainability and human flourishing, we are advancing to meet these goals through our academic activities and our campus operations.

For example, the collaborative model of our Sussex Sustainability Research Programme’s interdisciplinary work on SDGs is unique to our institution. With 53 projects funded and nine projects co-sponsored since the SSRP first began, this is something to celebrate! Having spoken to key professors from Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS), I was also particularly struck by their research on green surgeries and decarbonising healthcare systems this year, and I hope this sets a precedent for us to continue making waves globally on the Planetary Health Report Card.

These are just two of my favourite examples of our Sussex community working together towards our ambition of becoming one of the most sustainable universities in the world. In fact, just this week we have been ranked joint 26^th in the world, out of 1,397 leading institutions, in the latest QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2024.

I feel incredibly proud to have played a part in reporting on this journey, and I hope in reading this report you will feel emboldened too. I would like to give a huge thanks to all of those across the many fantastic departments for their support in providing updates on their work from over the last year, and not forgetting the Digital and Creative Media colleagues for their dedication and input in making the graphics and content of the final document shine!

If you want to learn more about our sustainability achievements and aspirations, you can read the full report, as well as our Sustainability webpages. You can also follow us on Instagram (@sustainablesussexuni) or sign up to our mailing list for regular updates and news.

Thanks for your interest and support in making Sussex a greener and fairer place for everyone.