Continuing our commitment to sustainable development, globally and locally

With our strategies in place and a firm commitment to achieving our sustainability targets, we continue lead the way in turning ambition into action.  

Global influence and engagement 

This November, our researchers made significant contributions at the COP30 (Conference of Parties) climate summit in Brazil where world leaders gathered to discuss the future of our planet.    

For 2025, our seven-strong COP30 delegation featured experts in Law, Geography and Business, and two students.   

The team contributed to multiple events and led our official UNFCCC side event, which investigated countries’ latest climate pledges and the integration of gender equality.   

It also introduced the Durham Declaration on Climate Change and Sustainability, signed by the COIMBRA Group Universities in Durham, in 2025. 

The Durham Declaration 

The Declaration was signed by 39 European Universities at the Coimbra Group Climate Symposium earlier this year. The keynote speech was from leading environmentalist, Dr Tony Juniper, who stressed the powerful role that Universities must play in addressing climate change through research, education and policy engagement.  

Research driving global change   

Our research contributes to international frameworks such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Paris Agreement, and the Agenda 2030 that sets the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).   

By integrating sustainability into all our academic activities we’re helping shape how we can respond to global challenges through research and research-led education of future leaders.  

Building a sustainable future 

The Waterside, our new Business School location, was officially opened this year by Paul Polman, a global business leader, environmentalist and author.   

Mr Polman told the official opening that there was a shortage of the ‘right leaders’ needed to succeed – and called on those present to play their part.   

“Here at Durham, you already punch above your weight. With the opening of this wonderful Waterside building, you are setting yourselves up very well for success.”  

The facility has achieved the highest Gold SKA rating for sustainability.   

We have ambitious targets to reduce our environmental impact, including achieving biodiversity net gain by 2032 and, net zero carbon emissions by 2035, and increasing our recycling rate to 70% by 2040 

From decarbonising our buildings and restoring biodiversity on our grounds, to delivering impactful research on a global scale, we’ll continue to work hard to maintain our position as a global leader in sustainability.   

Read more:  

• About QS World University Rankings for Sustainability 
• About our involvement in COP30 
• About the COIMBRA Group Symposium and the Durham Declaration 
• About the opening of Waterside