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The University of Reading

Partnering for the Planet

The University of Reading is taking a leading role in finding lasting solutions to save our planet. We strongly believe that to deliver a better global future, we must work together. We work alongside governments to inform and change public policy and perception. As an institution and community, we’re committed to taking leading, collective action to find lasting solutions – on a local, national and international scale.

Leading change and taking action

The University of Reading is taking a leading role in finding lasting solutions to save our planet. We strongly believe that to deliver a better global future, we must work together. We work alongside governments to inform and change public policy and perception. As an institution and community, we’re committed to taking leading, collective action to find lasting solutions – on a local, national and international scale.

The University of Reading is proud to be ranked 4th in the People & Planet University League 2024/25 and named The Times & The Sunday Times Sustainable University of the Year 2025. We’ve also been awarded a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for climate research and action, the inaugural Times Higher Education Award 2023 for Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Leadership, and the London Higher Award 2024 for Outstanding Contribution to Sustainability Leadership.

We’re a world leader in climate science and our scientists played a central role in creating the latest UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report (Sixth Assessment Report (AR6)). Our beautiful campuses include the Whiteknights campus in Reading, which is recognised as one of Britain’s top green spaces and has been awarded a Green Flag Award 15 years running. We’re committed to reaching net zero carbon by 2030 and have already reduced our carbon footprint by more than 63% since 2009. We refuse to invest in fossil fuels, 1% of our waste goes to landfill, and 100% of our electricity has come from renewable sources since 2009.

We’re the first university in Europe to join the Menus of Change University Research Collaborative, which aims to provide healthy and sustainable meals on campus. And we’ve been awarded Fairtrade University three-star status, the highest attainable, recognising our sustainable practices, ethical support towards fairtrade communities and livelihoods, and commitment to reducing the impact of our consumption.

Global Sustainability Leaders Scholarship

This undergraduate scholarship scheme is focused on creating a community of global sustainability leaders of the future.

We’re offering up to 400 scholarships per year to high-achieving students. Scholars receive £6,000 per academic year, subject to terms and conditions, for maintenance and living costs.

Whatever their subject of study, scholars access additional opportunities to develop their knowledge and leadership skills relevant to addressing climate and nature issues, engaging in cross-disciplinary learning and activities, and become part of a growing community of global sustainability leaders of the future.

Global Sustainability Leaders Scholarship

Climate education in schools and colleges

At our Climate Education Summit in 2021 we brought together young people, scientists, teachers, policymakers and campaigners, to identify how a step change in climate education can be made in schools and colleges across the UK, so that young people have the skills and knowledge needed for the twenty-first century.

The National Climate Education Action Plan emerged from the Summit and was launched at COP26. Since then, we have continued to build the network and work with others to deliver action. We are proud that huge progress has been made and young people across the UK are already significantly benefiting from the impact of our collective actions.

National Climate Education Action Plan

Climate Ambassadors Scheme

We developed and launched the Climate Ambassadors scheme to connect volunteer climate and environmental sustainability experts with schools and colleges, for free. With funding from the Department for Education, we now co-lead the scheme to match volunteer Climate Ambassadors with nurseries, schools and colleges across England to provide free support to develop and deliver tailored climate action plans – covering decarbonisation, adaptation and resilience, biodiversity, and climate education and green careers.

Connect with Climate Ambassadors

Empowering trainee teachers

The University of Reading’s Institute of Education has developed a Climate Education and Sustainability Initial Teacher Education (ITE) Framework to empower trainee teachers to effectively incorporate climate education within their teaching – across all levels and subjects. The Framework is available, for free, to other teacher training providers. All students of our teacher training courses should graduate with knowledge and understanding of the climate crisis and the skillset to support the young people they teach to build resilience and thrive in a world with a changing climate.

Find out more about the Framework
Explore courses at our Institute of Education

Supporting our students

At the University of Reading we aim to empower all of our students with the skills and knowledge needed to help build a sustainable future. Advocating for a Better Planet: Essential Skills for Climate and Sustainability Action is our free, short online course, exclusively for University of Reading students. Our students have opportunities to develop their understanding of sustainability issues through modules, as well as co- and extra-curricular activities such as awards, internships, projects, students societies and volunteering. And we are working to embed education for sustainable development, appropriate to the discipline, into all of our subjects.

Study at the University of Reading
Opportunities for Reading students

Short online courses

The University of Reading offers a range of short, online courses across a range of climate and sustainability-related topics, which are free to join.

For example, our 4-hour beginners course Planet Partners: Tackling the Climate Crisis Together investigates the impacts of climate change, the research being done to tackle it, and helps you understand what you can do to take meaningful action. This course is co-designed by two University of Reading students – Meteorology and Climate student Nick Mitchell, and German Studies student Emily Woodall – working closely with academics from the across the University.

Discover free-to-join online courses

Get inspired

Read stories of our staff, students and alumni, many of whom are applying their knowledge and skills to tackle global challenges.

Join with us to help the planet

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