Our work to keep Durham beautiful

We all know what a beautiful place Durham is, to work, live, study, and visit.

Durham University is now internationally recognised as one of the leading universities for addressing the environmental challenges facing society today. We rank 19^th globally in the QS Sustainability Rankings.

How our research is making a difference

Our research is deepening our understanding of the challenges we face, and helping develop solutions. Just last week, an international team of scientists, co-led by Durham, set sail on the RRS Sir David Attenborough polar research vessel bound for Greenland, where they will study the rapidly decaying ice sheet.

A week earlier we launched the National Geothermal Centre, a partnership between ourselves, the Net Zero Technology Centre and SHIFT Geothermal, that will accelerate research and innovation in geothermal energy – drawing heat from underground, including abandoned coal mines.

Making a difference closer to home

We are also doing much work on the ‘home front’ – we have made great strides in reducing our own carbon footprint, and now have ambitious targets to achieve net zero by 2035 and a biodiversity net gain by 2032.

Within the past two weeks, we achieved platinum status in the Hedgehog Friendly Campus Awards, and were named a finalist in the Green Gown Awards, which recognise sustainability initiatives from universities and colleges.

The jewel in our crown here is undoubtedly the Botanic Garden, a Gold Award winner in the most recent Northumbria in Bloom competition, which is open throughout the summer for all to enjoy. Earlier this month, for example, 150 children from Wolsingham School visited to learn about the importance of soil health, and how getting your hands dirty can actually be good for you. Those with younger children might like to visit for the Teddy Bears’ Picnic, Crazy Creatures day or storytelling during the school summer holidays.

But also, beyond the Garden, we have a wonderful campus, much of which is open to the public. This includes woodland, grassland, and wetland; and a vast array of wildlife, including roe deer, badgers, otters, and over 100 bird species.

You may have seen how we are re-wilding some areas – reducing mowing and planting wildflowers. This is not letting areas decline – it is a deliberate initiative, to encourage wildlife.

As – we all dearly hope – the weather improves and we can spend some time outdoors, I encourage you to visit and discover some of these spaces for yourself.

Find out more

- Read more about our QS Sustainability Ranking
- Explore the RSS Sir David Attenborough expedition to Greenland
- More about the National Geothermal Centre
- Why we won Platinum Status in the Hedgehog Friendly Campus awards
- Find out what happened when children from Wolsingham School visited to learn about soil health
- Environmental, Social and Economic Sustainability at Durham