City publishes its annual Global Goals report

Richard Ashcroft , Executive Dean of The City Law School and the University's Senior Ambassador for Sustainability, said:

“As a university, we have a responsibility to enable a more resilient future: operating sustainably and as educators of the next generation, as research leaders, as global citizens. This report shows a selection of the positive impacts and progressive work being delivered by City students and staff and I look forward to relating even greater progress in our 2024 report.”

Dermot Barnes, Head of Sustainability, said:

“In this context, City is delighted to provide a brief overview of the work being carried out by students and colleagues to advance realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals and we look forward to reporting even greater progress towards our own sustainability goals in the years ahead.”

Inspiring change through research and education

The research included in the report provides a small insight into the vast amount of exemplary work undertaken by City in 2023. Highlights include the paper ‘Seeking and Exploiting Synergies Among the UN Sustainability Development Goals’ by Professor ManMohan S. Sodhi, Bayes Business School. The paper was formally accepted by the Production and Operations Management journal which is included in the Financial Times 50 list of journals for top business schools.

At The City Law School, students studying the LLM Module "Minorities and Indigenous Peoples in International Law" were given the opportunity to intern for three months at NGO Incomindios UK. This organisation is the UK Chapter of the International Committee for the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas, a prominent international NGO focused on indigenous peoples’ rights with consultative status at the United Nations.

Engagement and Operations

City is implementing plans to reach net-zero emissions by 2040 and engaging with important behavioural change issues is central to its work. One achievement that illustrates this commitment is the negotiation of discounted bike rentals from Buzzbike for City students and staff. The reduction in carbon emissions associated with how people travel to City will have a huge impact on the University’s carbon footprint.

Operationally, City is dedicated to reducing carbon emissions and fulfilling its responsibilities to limit climate change as one of Islington’s larger institutions. City has introduced a new method of cleaning paving at the entrance to Northampton Square . Swapping jet-washing equipment to scouring pads made from recycled plastic placed on rotary cleaners has saved 80,000 litres of water.

Looking to the future

On the next steps, the report states that climate change must be prioritised to achieve a significant reduction in our emissions at City. Akanksha Kumar, President of City Students’ Union, said meaningful change will require unwavering commitment.

“As we reflect on the findings of this report, let us be reminded of the collective power we possess when we unite towards a common goal,” she said.

“Let us seize this moment as an opportunity to reaffirm our dedication to preserving the planet for future generations. Let us work together, students and staff alike, to create a sustainable and equitable world for all. Because in the fight against climate change, there is no room for division – only unity can lead us towards a brighter, more resilient future.”

Download the Global Goals Report.