University of Reading
A Defining Moment: Embedding Sustainability at the Heart of the University
Finalist, Sustainability Institution of the Year
Finalist
About
In its centenary year, the University of Reading marks the culmination and success of its 2020-2026 strategy: a defining moment, how sustainability has moved from ambition to whole-institution practice.
A strategy-led approach has embedded Sustainability across governance, finance, operations, research, education, student partnership and civic engagement. This integrated approach connects environmental responsibility with social value and long-term economic resilience.
Reading has delivered measurable impact, including a 63.8% reduction in carbon emissions against its 2008/09 baseline, 312,700 tCO₂ saved cumulatively, £57.9m in cumulative financial savings, a 100% fossil-fuel-free investment portfolio and an externally-certified behaviour-change programme delivering a 12.9% reduction in energy use over two years.
Students and staff are active co-creators through Students’ Union leadership, Sustainability Champions, curriculum and co-curricular initiatives, community partnerships and decision-making structures.
Looking ahead, to our strategy to 2040, sustainability will remain central to how Reading leads, learns, invests and collaborates to address environmental and societal challenges.
Top 3 learnings
- Embedding sustainability in decision-making systems drives lasting, institution-wide change.
- Co-creation with students and staff unlocks deeper engagement, innovation and social impact.
- Clear measurement of environmental, social and economic impact strengthens accountability and ambition.
What it means to win
Winning ‘Sustainability Institution of the Year’ in the Green Gown Awards recognises the immense collective effort that our entire University community has contributed over the last decade and beyond, to collectively drive the sustainability agenda beyond anything we might have imagined. As we celebrate our centenary year and set out our next University strategy, this award provides both a chance to celebrate, and an opportunity to double down on our efforts to lead for a better future.
SDG
| 2026 | |
| Sustainability Institution of the Year | |
| Finalist, UK and Ireland |
More from the 2026 awards
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Finalist, Nature Positive
Green Gown Award Regions
Australasia
