Shaping the Future of Global Sustainability Policy

In 2024, the University of Manchester became one of only twenty universities accredited by UNEP and has since actively supported global environmental initiatives, including UNEA-7 and key international consultations.

The need for international cooperation has never been greater. The "triple planetary crisis" of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution is a global threat that requires global solutions. 

Multilateralism – countries working together through shared institutions - has become a key instrument in dealing with transnational issues, supporting global stability and sustainable development. However, the multilateral system is under growing strain, with countries withdrawing from key organisations and agreements, such as the U.S. pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization. Beyond these stark examples, factors threatening multilateralism include rising geopolitical tensions and concerns over national sovereignty, disagreements over funding and resource allocation, as well as scientific uncertainty and scepticism. 

Academic institutions, like the University of Manchester, can bolster environmental multilateralism by providing robust analysis and evidence, and engaging with international bodies to help foster collaboration and trust-building among nations. 

In 2024, the University of Manchester (UoM) was awarded accreditation status by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the leading global authority on the environment – one of only twenty universities worldwide to have been given this accolade. Since our accreditation, UoM has been actively contributing to UNEP processes, notably supporting two working groups and contributing to the draft ministerial declaration of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) regarding Artificial Intelligence. Furthermore, our academics have contributed to open consultations, such as the UNEP Adaptation Gap Report survey, and events - including the Open-Ended Working Group on the prevention of an arms race in outer space, hosted in Geneva. 

"Accreditation provides us with an important vehicle to share our diverse expertise in environmental sustainability, translating our local, national and international efforts into impacting the global environmental agenda on climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution and waste." 

Professor Michael Shaver 

Sustainable Futures has aligned its engagement activities in support of international environmental days. In celebration of the 2025 International Day of Zero Waste ‘Towards Zero Waste in Fashion and Textiles’ led by UNEP and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), we hosted an online “Textiles Takeover” to showcase UoM research. Moreover, we supported Dr Ghada Soliman's Sustainable Threads project with a celebratory lunch and repair cafe, attended by the project cohort, partners and local activists, including Deputy Lieutenant Professor Erinma Bell.  

In July, Sustainable Futures collaborated with Policy@Manchester and organised a packed-out event exploring how academic research can influence sustainability policy on an international scale. The panel shared real-world examples of shaping global policy through research and their expertise in the field. You can view a recording of the event below. 

Recording of our event, Shaping the Future of Global Sustainability Policy

Looking ahead, we look forward to another year of active engagement with UNEP, bringing the best of academic expertise to solve real-world environmental issues.  If you’d like to learn more about the University of Manchester’s accreditation with UNEP and potential opportunities to get involved, contact lucy.latham@manchester.ac.uk.