The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the world’s to-do-list for achieving social, environmental and economic sustainability by 2030. The SDGs aim to end poverty and inequality, build peaceful societies and safe-guard a healthy planet for future generations.

This month, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester, signed the SDG Accord as part of our ongoing commitment to social responsibility and environmental sustainability. The Accord calls upon universities and colleges to embed the SDGs into everything we do – our education, research, leadership, operations, administration and activities. By signing the SDG Accord, The University commits to involving students, academic, professional staff, local communities and external stakeholders in its efforts to help achieve the SDGs. This includes collaborating with other institutions and sharing our learning with local and global communities.

By signing the Accord, the University also commits to reporting annually on how it contributes to the SDGs. The Social Responsibility and Environmental Sustainability teams are currently working on a public report and web presence showcasing the University’s efforts towards sustainability, and are gathering information on how our staff are playing an active role in achieving sustainable development.

We are inviting staff to share examples of how they or their teams are contributing to the SDGs by filling in this short survey before Friday, 30 November. The survey takes just five minutes to complete and for every response £2 will be donated to the Big Change Fund to tackle homelessness in Manchester.