Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action
Climate Action is a key priority for the University with action being driven across operations, teaching and research.
University Climate Action Plan
In 2023 the University launched their Net Zero Plan which provides a road map to how we will embed action across the University to decrease our emissions, and enable us to achieve net zero by 2040.
Carbon Data Tracking and Analysis
The Sustainability Team track, measure and analyse data across the whole University associated with energy, travel, procurement, waste, and engagement. Our data can be found within our Annual Sustainability Report and Net Zero Webpage.
Local Educational Programmes on Climate
Since 2020, in collaboration with Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, Queen's have hosted free Carbon Literacy Training for our local community. This training covers risks associated with climate change, impacts, mitigation and adaptation.
Since the programme launched in 2020, over 2,900 people have undertaken the training.
Co-operative Planning and Support for Climate Change Disasters
Queen's University work closely with local, and national, government departments to drive research and action around climate change.
Queen’s participated in the development of the 2017–21 Belfast Agenda (City Strategy) and its 2023–27 refresh, collaborating alongside public bodies, community groups, and businesses. Not only did the University participate, but its expert voices—especially around environmental sustainability and inclusive civic engagement—helped shape key thematic priorities.
Queen’s University Belfast plays a strategic role in overseeing the development and delivery of the City’s climate and sustainability commitments through active participation on several Belfast City Council oversight boards. Notably, the University holds seats on both the Planet Board and the Connectivity and Active and Sustainable Travel Group, as well as the Belfast Food Partnership Board, under the Belfast Agenda framework. These boards are instrumental in shaping and monitoring progress on the city’s environmental goals, including net-zero targets, green infrastructure, and sustainable urban development. In addition to this through the University’s civic partnership with Belfast City Council, Queen’s contributes academic expertise, data insights, and policy recommendations to ensure that local strategies are evidence-informed and future-facing.
Queen’s University Belfast is a key partner in the Belfast Promise and has recently been awarded Ambassador status—the highest level of recognition within the scheme. As part of this city-wide initiative, the University has actively contributed its expertise to help shape and guide the sustainability pillar of the Promise programme.
Through the UPSURGE project (Horizon 2020, launched March 2024), Queen’s is partnering with the local municipality Belfast City Council and local community groups (e.g., Friends of the Field) to develop a living “demonstrator site” in the Lower Botanic Gardens. This site tests green infrastructure—community gardens, rainwater harvesting, wildflower meadows, solar energy—generating evidence for biodiversity, air quality, and climate resilience that will inform and influence the municipalities urban planning and council policy.
As part of its civic mission and commitment to place-based sustainability, Queen’s University Belfast leads the Open Botanic project—an urban ‘living lab’ situated in the Lower Botanic area of South Belfast. The Open Botanic project has played a vital role in supporting local policymakers responsible for road and cycling infrastructure in the South Belfast area. Through its collaborative living lab approach, the project provided evidence and community insights that directly informed the development of a new cycling infrastructure initiative. This initiative has since been incorporated into the wider Belfast Cycling Plan, helping to advance sustainable and active travel options aligned with the city’s climate and mobility goals.
The University provided expert evidence during the development of the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022, advising policymakers on scientifically grounded emission reduction targets and practical policy mechanisms necessary to meet Northern Ireland’s climate commitments. This work was led by Dr Amanda Slevin.
Collaborate with Non-Government Organisations on Climate Adaptation
Climate adaptation is a key priority for the University with a specific focus on ensuring our campus is being adapted for current, and future, pressures. To achieve this we work with a range of NGOs, including BE-ST, community groups and RSPB, on a number of projects:
- Annual Sustainability Conference to share best practice on climate adaptation practices, such as blue roofs, green roofs and SuDS.
- Embedding climate adaptation techniques within our built infrastructure such as Passivhaus, to ensure overheating doesn't surpass 10%, resulting in a more comfortable indoor environment.
- Research projects that investigate nature based solutions via Living Lab Projects. This includes the Upsurge Project.