Roar news editor Emma Fallside on King’s rankings in the recent Times Impact Report, and how the university has maintained a credible commitment to its sustainability goals. Also, how students can get involved in sustainability at King’s in the 2022-23 academic year.
This year, the Times Higher Eduation Impact Rankings 2022 ranked King’s College London as 24th in the world and 5th in the UK for overall commitment to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, King’s stands out on goal numbers 15, 12, 11, and 17. These are, respectively, Life on Land (SDG 15), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), and Partnerships For the Goals (SDG 17).
Ranking among the top 25 universities in the world in terms of the SDGs places King’s commitment to sustainability and the environment at the forefront of its identity as an institution. This is reflected through vectors such as the Sustainability Team, one of the main groups on campus working on climate awareness and changes to the university’s operations, as well as the annual Sustainability Championship Awards granted to staff and students each year.
So, what makes King’s specifically stand out in terms of climate and sustainability?
In terms of research actions, King’s has a number of ventures, including taking part in research for the Leverhulme Centre for Wildfire, Environment, and Society, and divesting entirely from fossil fuels. Most recently, in August 2022, King’s has begun taking part in FirEUrisk: a new European-based initiative to spread information to improve wildfire preparedness and strategy as the Continent sees increasing numbers of fire. King’s academics will use satellites to detect early signs of wildfire and monitor the spread of smoke.
On a more local scale, the Sustainability Team at King’s has been in operation for a number of years, and has provided a huge range of sustainability resources and projects for the King’s community. Maria Rabanser, one of the Sustainability Officers, told Roar about the King’s Climate Action Network (King’s CAN): a project initiative aiming to get King’s to net zero carbon emissions by 2025. The Team is aiming to make this way in which to “allow students and staff to work on climate initiatives within King’s, to have ownership over projects.”
“We really want any action plan that we come up with isn’t just one that the Sustainability Team has written, but is really relevant to what students and staff want to do.”
The Team has also published an annual Sustainability Report for the university since 2016. The sustainability targets outlined in the 2020-21 report include a range of actions for the King’s community, including actions such as: “reducing water consumption 2% each year over the 2013 to 2021 period”. While some of the targets, including having: “70% recycling by weight of total non-hazardous office and residential waste by July 2021” were not met in their given timescale, the breadth of targets which have been achieved is very impressive.
The current sustainability goals for the 2022-23 academic year are published on the King’s Sustainability page. The paper outlines a number of broad and specified goals, including their timescale, and which teams at King’s are responsible for their achievement. You can read the full list of goals on the King’s Sustainability webpage under “Policies and Strategies.”
So as an institution, King’s has made a real effort towards sustainable operations and exterior research initiatives. However, as with most institutions, the university still has a ways to go in order to meet its targets within a reasonable timeframe. So, how can current and incoming students contribute towards a more sustainable King’s?
Maria Rabanser advises students to get involved through a number of areas. As we mention above, King’s CAN is a very accessible outlet for students and staff looking to try new projects and get involved with the Sustainability Team. Information can be found on the King’s Sustainability webpage under “Policies and Strategies: Carbon.”
Rabanser also recommends various pre-existing societies which run climate-related events and talks, sometimes in partnership with the Sustainability Team. A few mentioned include:
The KCL Climate Action Society, which publishes regular tips on how individuals can reduce their own waste and emissions, as well as leading campaigns on campus and hosting events to discuss bigger picture climate action.
The King’s Impact Investing Society, which is a financially-focused group which explores the impact of ESGs, and hosts events with various investment organisations.
And the Vegetarian and Vegan Society, which does regular veggie-friendly outings, as well as running food-making classes and events to discuss the environmental impact of food.
These are just a few of the societies which are available for students to join in 2022-23, all of which are on the KCLSU Student Group website.
Besides joining a society, the Sustainability Team also has a number of volunteering opportunities available for students to undertake in 2022-23. Most of these can go towards achieving a King’s Experience Award, and topics include things like supply chain emissions research, and a community listening campaign. More information can be found on the King’s Sustainability page under “Get Involved.” Rabanser also recommends checking out the Sustainability Team’s instagram (@kings_sustainability), as well as their Sustainability newsletter to stay up to date on new campaigns and opportunities being released this year.
For students looking for more general information about sustainability, the Sustainability Team has started running a Sustainability & Climate KEATS course which is open for students and staff. The course covers: “the climate crisis, social justice, sustainable business and how sustainability is relevant to your degree, work and career goals.” The course has been “co-created by students”, and the module includes a seminar on a new topic related to the course every month. It is an excellent way to learn more about how to incorporate sustainability into your studies and work. More information can be found on the Sustainability page under “Jobs and Courses.”
Beyond the existing pathways for students looking to learn more about sustainability at King’s, Rabanser encourages students to reach out with their own ideas: “if students have an idea around sustainability or a sustainability project and they want to find out more, we’re always really happy to have conversations and help with projects.”
The Sustainability Team can be contacted through email at , or through instagram.
King’s has made an impressive commitment to sustainability, as reflected in the 2022 Times Impact Report. However, the the most basic tenant of institutional sustainability is often the most difficult to achieve: a continuous, sustainable change. In order for King’s to maintain dedication to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, it is important for staff and students to be involved at all levels. This year, try getting involved in some of the student groups and initiatives to make a difference both for yourself, and your planet.
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