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Sustainability Vision
Holy Cross College's Environment and Sustainability Strategy aims to promote the actions it will take to protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy health, social justice and prosperity.
We need to act now to limit global warming and reduce the impact of climate change as the biggest threat our global society faces. Holy Cross has pledged to become NetZero by 2035 to minimise the impact it has on global warming.
Pope Francis in the Encyclical Letter ‘Laudato Si’ sets out the call to action for all humanity, here are just 4 quotations from the text:
- ‘A great cultural, spiritual and educational challenge stands before us, and it will demand that we set out on the long path of renewal’
- ‘Each community can take from the bounty of the earth whatever it needs for subsistence, but it also has the duty to protect the earth and to ensure its fruitfulness for coming generations’
- ‘All of us are linked by unseen bonds and together form a kind of universal family, a sublime communion which fills us with a sacred, affectionate and humble respect’
- ‘There is a nobility in the duty to care for creation through little daily actions’
This call to action is at the heart of the College’s strategy and action plan.
We are committed to helping achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which is fundamental to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations member States in 2015.
The 17 goals are an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership.
They recognise that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.
Read more about the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Goal 1: No Poverty
Ending poverty in all its forms everywhere is the first and most urgent Sustainable Development Goal.
The United Nations reports that despite decades of progress, extreme poverty persists and has recently worsened due to global crises. In 2025, 808 million people—around 1 in 10 people worldwide—were living in extreme poverty, defined as surviving on less than US $3.00 per day at 2021 purchasing power parity. If current trends continue, 8.9% of the world’s population will still be living in extreme poverty by 2030.
Recent years have also seen hunger return to levels not recorded since 2005, alongside rising food prices in more countries than in the years before the pandemic. This combination of poverty and food insecurity represents a major global setback.
Poverty has many drivers, including unemployment, social exclusion, vulnerability to disaster, climate shocks and illness. Strong social protection systems are essential for protecting people from falling into poverty. However, 47.6% of the world’s population—including 1.4 billion children—remains completely without social protection. Between February 2022 and February 2023, 105 countries and territories announced nearly 350 social protection measures, yet gaps remain severe.
The UN emphasises that ending poverty requires inclusive economic policies, investment in human wellbeing, social protection, resilience to climate impacts, and global cooperation.
What we do:
Provide bursaries, food support, travel assistance, and access to essential resources so that financial challenges do not prevent students from succeeding.
Ensuring all students have access to high-quality learning, digital tools, enrichment opportunities and pastoral support, helping reduce inequalities linked to poverty.
Offering counselling, mental health support, and wellbeing initiatives to help students experiencing stress, housing instability or family hardship.
Through careers guidance, employability programmes, apprenticeships and community partnerships, we help students gain the skills needed for secure, fulfilling work.
Working proactively to remove economic, social and digital barriers so every learner can take part fully in college life.
Taking part in foodbank collections, fundraising efforts, volunteering, charity initiatives and community outreach supporting families in need.
Goal 2: Zero Hunger
SDG 2 focuses on achieving a world free from hunger by 2030.
Yet global hunger and food insecurity have been rising steadily since 2015, driven by the combined effects of conflict, climate change, the pandemic and widening inequalities. In 2024, an estimated 8.2% of the global population—around 1 in 12 people—experienced hunger. Around 2.33 billion people faced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2023, an increase of 383 million since 2019. These figures reveal a deepening global crisis.
Extreme hunger and malnutrition trap millions in a cycle of poor health, low productivity and poverty. 2 billion people lack regular access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food. In 2024, 23.2% of children worldwide experienced stunted growth, and 6.6% of children under 5 were affected by wasting. Projections show that over 600 million people may still be facing hunger in 2030 if current trends continue.
The world has returned to hunger levels not seen since 2005, and food prices remain higher in more countries than during 2015–2019. Conflict, climate shocks, rising costs of living and civil instability continue to disrupt food production and supply. To address this, investments in agriculture, sustainable food systems, resilience to disasters, and support for small-scale farmers are critical.
Achieving Zero Hunger would transform global wellbeing, improving health, education, equality and economic stability for all.
What we do:
Providing access to free or subsidised meals, food bank partnerships, emergency food support and signposting to local community resources.
Collaborating with charities, local food initiatives and community groups to support vulnerable families and promote access to healthy, affordable food.
Empowering students to take part in food related charities, run awareness campaigns in support sustainability initiatives, and projects addressing hunger and poverty.
Supporting ethical sourcing, and campus initiatives that contribute to a fair and sustainable food systems and to support for local food producers.
Monitoring food waste and encourage responsible consumption, to achieve the reduction of food waste.
Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being
Good health is the foundation of sustainable development, yet millions of people worldwide still lack access to essential healthcare, safe childbirth, and lifesaving services.
The United Nations highlights that progress toward global health targets has slowed and, in some areas, reversed due to the impact of COVID‑19, rising conflict, economic pressures and widening inequalities.
Between 2000 and 2019, healthy life expectancy rose by more than five years, but the pandemic reduced global life expectancy by 1.8 years, setting back years of improvement. Major global health challenges persist: 260,000 women still die every year from pregnancy and childbirth complications, while under‑5 child mortality remains 37 deaths per 1,000 live births. Although 133 countries have already met the SDG target for under‑5 mortality, many—particularly in sub‑Saharan Africa—must accelerate progress to reach the 2030 goal.
Communicable diseases remain a significant burden. AIDS-related deaths have halved since 2010, yet 630,000 people still died from AIDS-related causes in 2023, and 9.3 million people living with HIV are not receiving lifesaving treatment. Tuberculosis caused 1.25 million deaths in 2023, and malaria cases continue to rise. Non-communicable diseases—including heart disease, cancer, diabetes and respiratory illnesses—are now responsible for half of all global premature deaths.
To meet global health targets by 2030, the UN stresses the need for stronger primary healthcare, universal access to essential services, equitable immunisation, improved mental health support, cleaner environments, and reduced health inequalities. Deep-rooted disparities mean that vulnerable groups—women, children, persons with disabilities, migrants, older people and those living in poverty—continue to experience worse health outcomes.
What we do:
Providing access to counselling, mental health services, pastoral support, and programmes that encourage physical health and emotional resilience.
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- Student Wellbeing Support
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Maintaining high standards for hygiene, safety and safeguarding, ensuring students and staff feel secure, supported and valued on campus.
Integrating topics such as mental health, healthy relationships, substance awareness, sexual health and emotional wellbeing across the curriculum and enrichment activities.
Providing opportunities for sport, physical activity, and wellbeing initiatives to help students adopt positive long-term habits.
Collaborating with local health providers, charities, and specialist organisations to increase access to health services, workshops and preventative support.
Supporting student led initiatives on wellbeing, mental health awareness, healthy lifestyles and peer support programmes.
Goal 4: Quality Education
SDG 4 aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Although progress has been made globally, the United Nations reports that education advancements remain too slow—especially after setbacks caused by the COVID‑19 pandemic. In 2023, 272 million children and young people were out of school, a 3% increase since 2015, with the highest numbers in low-income countries. Completion rates have risen only modestly over the last decade: primary completion reached 88%, lower secondary 78%, and upper secondary 60% by 2024.
Education is essential for reducing inequality, breaking cycles of poverty, advancing gender equality and fostering healthier, more sustainable societies. However, learning proficiency levels remain low. In 2019, only 58% of children achieved minimum reading proficiency, and 44% achieved minimum mathematics proficiency by the end of primary school. Learning outcomes have worsened further in recent years: lower secondary proficiency dropped by 15 points in maths and 10 points in reading between 2018 and 2022.
Significant challenges remain in access, equality and infrastructure. Globally, only half of primary schools have basic disability inclusive infrastructure, and digital skill gaps continue to hinder learning in an increasingly technology dependent world. Alongside free and compulsory education, the UN stresses the urgency of expanding teacher training, improving school facilities, embracing digital transformation and ensuring equal access to vocational, technical and higher education.
Quality education is central to achieving all Sustainable Development Goals and building peaceful, prosperous, and equitable societies.
What we do:
Ensuring every learner has access to high-quality education, delivered by skilled teachers, supported by strong pastoral systems and designed to meet diverse needs.
Integrating digital learning, ICT skills and emerging technologies into lessons so students are prepared for modern workplaces and higher education.
Working actively to eliminate gender, wealth and disability related barriers by offering targeted support, accessibility measures, assistive technology and inclusive learning environments.
Offering mental health support, safeguarding, personal tutoring and guidance, ensuring every student feels supported throughout their learning journey.
Supporting a wide range of academic, vocational, technical and enrichment pathways, helping students access the right progression route—university, apprenticeships, employment or training.
Developing students’ transferable skills, encourage students to engage in work experience programmes,and promote lifelong learning as a continuing journey beyond college.
Investing in our facilities, digital access, specialist equipment if required and safe, inclusive spaces that support high-quality learning for everyone.
Goal 5: Gender Equality
Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls is essential for creating a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world.
The United Nations highlights that while progress has been made, the world is still far off track in reaching gender equality by 2030. Women and girls continue to face discrimination, violence, barriers to opportunity, and unequal access to education, leadership, and economic resources.
Global data shows persistent challenges: women hold only around 30% of managerial roles, spend over twice as many hours on unpaid care work as men, and face high levels of violence and limited decision-making power over their own health and wellbeing. Harmful practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation still affect millions. At current rates, equal representation in leadership and politics could take more than a century to achieve.
Despite these challenges, the UN stresses that meaningful change is possible with strong political commitment, investment, and policies that dismantle systemic barriers. Progress is being made in legal reforms, the fight against harmful practices, and increasing women’s political representation — but much more action is urgently needed.
What we do:
Ensuring all students — regardless of gender — have equal access to education, enrichment opportunities, and support services.Actively supporting initiatives that empower young women, encourage leadership, and challenge stereotypes both inside and outside the classroom.
Through campaigns, events and curriculum enrichment, we educate our community about gender equality, global challenges, and the importance of human rights.
Providing safeguarding support, encourage reporting of concerns, and promote a respectful culture where discrimination, harassment and violence are never tolerated.
Ensuring our staff are equipped with training on diversity,equality, inclusion, unconscious bias, and pastoral support relating to gender issues.
Working with local partners, national networks, and global frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals to strengthen and amplify gender equality efforts.
As part of our wider sustainability vision, we recognise that gender equality is essential for social sustainability and a thriving community.
Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
Ensuring universal access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene is one of the world’s most urgent challenges.
The United Nations identifies water and sanitation as the most basic human need for health and wellbeing. Demand for water continues to rise due to population growth, urbanisation and increased pressure from agriculture, industry and energy sectors.
Despite progress, billions of people still lack safely managed drinking water and sanitation services. In 2024, 2.2 billion people lived without safely managed drinking water, 3.4 billion without safely managed sanitation, and 1.7 billion without basic hygiene facilities at home. Water scarcity is projected to worsen due to climate change, with regions already experiencing dangerously high levels of water stress.
Global water ecosystems are under increasing strain from pollution, overuse and weak governance. Achieving universal access to safe water by 2030 requires significant investment in infrastructure, protection of water-related ecosystems, hygiene education and a more integrated approach to water management. At the current pace, sustainable water management will not be achieved until at least 2049. Still, progress has been made: the global share of people with access to safely managed drinking water increased from 68% in 2015 to 74% in 2024.
Ensuring clean water and sanitation is not only a human right — it is also essential for poverty reduction, food security, health, education, peace and sustainable development.
What we do.
Integrating global sustainability themes, including water conservation and sanitation challenges, into teaching, enrichment activities and student-led initiatives.
Actively working to reduce water waste through efficient facilities, responsible consumption practices and regular monitoring across campus buildings.
Ensuring access to clean drinking water, supporting wellbeing.
Empowering students to engage in sustainability projects, campaigns and volunteering activities focused on global water issues and environmental stewardship.
Participating in activities that maintain healthy natural spaces, promote responsible waste disposal.
Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy
Affordable, reliable and sustainable energy is essential for development across every sector — including health, education, business, agriculture and technology.
The United Nations stresses that while global access to electricity and clean energy has improved, progress is far too slow to meet the 2030 targets.
From 2010 to 2023, global access to electricity rose from 84% to 92%, yet at the current pace 645 million people will still lack electricity by 2030, and 1.8 billion will continue relying on polluting fuels for cooking. Energy consumption remains the largest contributor to climate change, producing two-thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions. Achieving universal access requires major investment in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and thermal systems, alongside expanded infrastructure and modernised technology.
Clean, modern energy systems are vital for economic opportunity, healthcare (including vaccine storage), education, and improving the daily lives of women and children. Despite gains in renewable electricity and improved energy efficiency, significant challenges remain — especially in delivering clean cooking solutions and ensuring equitable access to sustainable energy worldwide.
The UN emphasises that accelerating electrification, increasing renewable energy investment, improving energy efficiency and strengthening policy frameworks are critical to achieving SDG 7 and ensuring a healthier, more sustainable future for all.
What we do:
Integrate climate change, sustainable energy and environmental responsibility into our curriculum, enrichment activities and student led initiatives.
Through efficient lighting, heating, and equipment management, we work to lower our energy consumption and improve sustainability in college operations.
Encouraging students and staff to adopt energy saving behaviours, raise awareness through campaigns, and take part in sustainability events.
Supporting student groups and eco ambassadors who lead projects focused on energy reduction, climate action and sustainable living.
Continuously reviewing our buildings, equipment and learning spaces to ensure energy efficient and environmentally responsible.
Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth is vital for building a prosperous future for all.
The United Nations highlights that SDG 8 focusses on creating quality jobs, supporting entrepreneurship and ensuring that economic progress benefits every part of society.
Global progress, however, remains uneven. While the unemployment rate fell to a record low of 5.0% in 2024, nearly 58% of workers worldwide are still employed informally, with particularly high rates in least developed countries and sub‑Saharan Africa. Economic pressures — including post pandemic recovery, rising national debts, trade tensions and geopolitical conflicts — continue to slow global growth, with GDP per capita projected to increase by only 1.5% in 2025.
Significant inequalities persist across age and gender. Young people struggle the most to find stable employment, and women continue to experience major barriers, including wage gaps and reduced access to economic opportunities. Increasing employment opportunities, reducing informal work, improving labour rights, and expanding financial inclusion remain urgent priorities.
Achieving SDG 8 will require sustainable economic policies, strengthened worker protections, investment in innovation, and a renewed focus on social justice — ensuring that economic growth uplifts everyone, particularly the most vulnerable.
What we do.
Providing high quality education, careers guidance and skills development to prepare students for meaningful, productive employment in a rapidly changing economy.
Championing equal access to learning, work experience and enrichment opportunities, helping to reduce inequalities that affect young people entering the workforce.
Our programmes and events support creativity, enterprise and problem solving, inspiring students to become innovators and leaders.
Promoting wellbeing, dignity and safeguarding across the college, reflecting the principles of decent work — safety, fairness, respect and opportunity for all.
Supporting students facing economic, social or personal challenges through financial aid, mental health support, pastoral care and inclusive learning practices.
Working with employers, universities, and community organisations to expand pathways into training, apprenticeships and employment.
Goal 9: Industries, Innovation and Infrastructure
Sustainable development depends on strong, resilient infrastructure, inclusive industrial growth and continuous innovation.
The United Nations’ SDG 9 highlights that economic growth, social progress and climate action all rely heavily on investing in modern infrastructure, advancing sustainable industrialisation and supporting technological progress.
Global manufacturing has faced setbacks in recent years due to tariffs, supply chain disruptions, energy price shocks and inflation. Despite this, medium-high and high-technology industries have shown strong resilience and growth. Since 2015, global manufacturing value added (MVA) per capita has increased by 17.3%, and maritime freight volumes reached 11.6 billion metric tons in 2023, driven especially by developing economies. Connectivity has expanded as well, with 5G mobile broadband reaching 51% of the global population in 2024.
However, deep inequalities persist. Many least developed countries (LDCs) still face systemic obstacles to inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and remain far from achieving the 2030 targets. Even with expanding connectivity, 4% of the world’s population had no access to mobile broadband networks in 2024, highlighting digital divides that hinder innovation and economic opportunity.
To build a sustainable future, the UN emphasises the need for major investment in resilient infrastructure—such as transport, energy, irrigation and broadband—along with support for research and development, improved access to finance for small manufacturers and stronger innovation systems.
What we do:
Continually strengthening our facilities—classrooms, labs, digital systems and campus infrastructure—to support high-quality learning and long term sustainability.
Encouraging students to experiment, problem-solving and innovate through STEM activities, creative projects, digital skills programmes and enterprise initiatives.
Helping students build the digital literacy needed for the modern economy, including coding, data skills, emerging technologies and responsible digital citizenship.
Collaborate with local businesses, universities and organisations to create opportunities for real world learning, work experience, apprenticeships and careers pathways.
Making responsible choices around energy, equipment and digital tools, supporting climate aware campus improvements and resource efficient practices.
Working to reduce digital inequality by ensuring students have access to devices, connectivity support and high-quality digital resources.
Through enrichment, career guidance and extracurricular opportunities, we inspire students to become innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders in a rapidly changing world.
Goal 10: Reduce Inequalities
Inequality remains one of the greatest barriers to sustainable development.
The United Nations highlights that inequalities based on income, gender, age, disability, migration status, ethnicity, education and social identity continue to restrict opportunities and harm wellbeing globally. Inequality threatens long-term social and economic development, undermines poverty reduction and impacts people’s dignity, fulfilment and sense of belonging.
Although the incomes of the poorest 40% of people in many countries had been improving faster than the national average in recent years, evidence suggests that the COVID‑19 pandemic disrupted this positive trend. Between country inequality has reached its highest point in three decades. At the same time, discrimination is rising worldwide: 1 in 5 people report experiencing discrimination prohibited under international law, with the highest rates found in least developed countries. Those most affected include women, people with disabilities, migrants, refugees, urban residents, and individuals with lower incomes or less access to education.
The global refugee population has surged to 37.8 million, driven by conflicts and displacement in countries such as Afghanistan, the Syrian Arab Republic, Venezuela and Ukraine. Rising humanitarian pressures highlight the urgent need for fairer global systems and stronger protections for vulnerable groups. To reduce inequalities, the UN calls for equitable resource distribution, inclusive economic growth, expanded access to education and skills, targeted social protection, stronger anti discrimination measures and greater international cooperation.
What we do:
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Embed diversity, equality and inclusion into all aspects of college life to ensure every student can access equal opportunities and support.
Provide comprehensive learning support, financial help, pastoral care, mental health services and reasonable adjustments so disadvantaged students can thrive.
Use curriculum content, events and enrichment activities to build student understanding of inequality, discrimination and human rights issues locally and globally.
Offer tailored guidance for students from diverse cultural, linguistic and migration backgrounds.
Maintain a safe and supportive environment where discrimination, bullying and hate speech are not tolerated, and where all students feel valued and heard.
Help students develop empathy, global awareness, leadership skills and the confidence to challenge inequalities in their future workplaces and communities.
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 11 focuses on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
As the United Nations highlights, more than half of the world’s population lives in cities today, and this figure is expected to rise to 70% by 2050. Cities drive innovation and economic growth, but rapid urbanisation means that many cannot keep pace with the demand for housing, transport, infrastructure and services. This has led to rising inequalities, increased slum populations and greater pressure on resources.
Globally, 1.12 billion people live in slums or informal settlements without adequate housing or basic services. Up to 3 billion people struggle to afford a suitable place to live. Urban areas face major challenges including air pollution, overcrowding, climate related risks and limited access to safe public spaces. Cities occupy only 3% of Earth’s land but account for 60–80% of global energy consumption and 75% of carbon emissions, making sustainable urban planning essential.
Climate vulnerability is also increasing: by 2040, more than 2 billion urban residents could face temperature rises of at least 0.5°C, and 1 billion people already live in areas prone to severe flooding—half of whom live in cities. Although progress has been made, with the number of countries implementing disaster risk reduction strategies more than doubling since 2015, many cities still lack resilient infrastructure and equitable access to services like public transport (available conveniently to only half of the world’s urban population).
Building sustainable cities requires coordinated investment in affordable housing, climate resilient infrastructure, green spaces, sustainable transport, inclusive planning and environmentally responsible urban development.
What we do:
Encourage walking, cycling, public transport use and low carbon travel through awareness campaigns, facilities, and practical support for staff and students.
Working to lower energy use, cut carbon emissions, and reduce waste across campus, creating a cleaner, more sustainable local environment.
Maintaining a safe, accessible, inclusive buildings and outdoor spaces that support wellbeing, belonging and a positive student experiences.
Through curriculum content, projects and events, we help students understand urban sustainability, climate resilience and responsible community living.
Collaborations with local councils, charities and community groups on projects that improve public spaces, protect the local environment and strengthen community wellbeing.
Empowering students to take part in eco initiatives, volunteering, awareness campaigns and sustainability-focused clubs.
Offering opportunities that build understanding of sustainable development, environmental challenges and the skills needed for emerging green sector jobs.
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
SDG 12 focuses on ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns—an essential shift if the world is to support both current and future generations.
The UN warns that as the global population grows, the demand for natural resources is rising so rapidly that by 2050, sustaining current lifestyles would require the resources of almost three planets.
Governments and industries are beginning to take action. By 2024, 530 national policies supporting sustainable consumption and production had been adopted across 71 countries—a 6% increase from 2023. Sustainability reporting by businesses has also grown significantly, reflecting a rising commitment to environmental responsibility.
However, major challenges persist. Although fossil fuel subsidies dropped by 34.5% in 2023, from $1.68 trillion to $1.10 trillion, they remain nearly three times higher than in 2020—continuing to distort markets, encourage overconsumption and divert public funds away from sustainable development.
Food waste represents one of the most urgent areas for change: the world wastes 931 million tonnes of food every year, even as millions face hunger. Shifting towards sustainable consumption means improving resource efficiency, reducing waste, supporting circular economy models and redesigning products to be recyclable, repairable and longer-lasting.
Achieving SDG 12 requires action from governments, businesses, communities and individuals—transforming how societies produce, consume and reuse materials to protect the planet for future generations.
What we do:
Minimise waste by promoting recycling, responsible purchasing, paper free systems where possible, eco stationary, using a reputable waste management company.
Monitoring food waste and encourage responsible consumption, to achieve the reduction of food waste.
Encourage the use of reusable bottles and cups.
Purchase where possible environmentally friendly food packaging.
Promote the reuse, repair and recycling through donation initiatives, clothing swaps, and equipment reuse schemes.
Provide opportunities for students to take part in eco committees, campaigns, volunteering activities and sustainability challenges.
Work to cut energy use, lower emissions, improve resource efficiency and choose responsible suppliers across all college operations.
Goal 13: Climate Action
Climate change is affecting every country and every person on Earth.
According to the United Nations, climate change is driven primarily by human activities—especially the burning of fossil fuels—and is accelerating rapidly. The planet is already 1.2°C warmer than in the late 1800s, and 2024 was confirmed as the hottest year ever recorded, at about 1.55°C above pre-industrial levels. Rising greenhouse gas emissions are causing more frequent droughts, floods, storms and sea level rise, putting lives, ecosystems and economies at risk.
If global warming is to be limited to 1.5°C, emissions must be cut by almost half by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. However, emissions continue to climb, and there is an 80% chance that one of the next five years will break the record set in 2024. The impacts of climate change—resource conflicts, displacement, economic disruption and loss of biodiversity—threaten to reverse decades of development progress.
Despite the severity of the crisis, solutions exist. Investment in renewable energy such as solar and wind is rising worldwide, and global frameworks like the Paris Agreement provide direction for climate action. Climate action requires three major areas of work:
Mitigation (cutting emissions), adaptation (protecting communities from climate impacts) and climate finance (funding solutions and supporting developing countries). At COP29, governments agreed to a new climate finance goal of at least $300 billion per year by 2035, with commitments to scale total public and private support to $1.3 trillion per year.
Urgent action across energy, transport, food systems, agriculture, forestry and industry is essential to secure a liveable future for current and future generations.
What we do:
Cutting emissions by improving energy efficiency, switching to low carbon technologies and promoting awareness across campus.
Helping reduce reliance on fossil fuel based transport, by supporting staff and students to take part in walking and cycling schemes, and car sharing and public transport initiative.
Embedding climate science, sustainability and environmental literacy into curriculum areas and enrichment activities, empowering students with knowledge to take action.
Work to cut energy use, lower emissions, improve resource efficiency and choose responsible suppliers across all college operations.
Provide opportunities for students to take part in eco committees, campaigns, volunteering activities and sustainability challenges.
Create forward‑thinking policies and action plans that equip our college and surrounding communities to handle extreme weather, safeguarding the wellbeing of everyone on campus and beyond.
Goal 14: Life Below Water
The world’s oceans are essential to life on Earth—regulating the climate, producing over half of the oxygen we breathe, and supporting billions of people through food, livelihoods and coastal protection.
However, the United Nations warns that oceans are under severe threat from human activity, pollution and climate change. Over 40% of the ocean is heavily affected by pollution, depleted fisheries and loss of coastal habitats, putting marine ecosystems and human wellbeing at risk.
Marine pollution—particularly plastic waste—continues to rise, harming wildlife and entering the global food chain. Coastal ecosystems such as coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds are being destroyed faster than they can recover, while ocean temperatures and acidity levels are increasing as a direct result of greenhouse gas emissions. These changes endanger biodiversity and threaten the livelihoods of millions of people who rely on fishing and coastal resources.
Climate change is accelerating the damage. Rising sea levels, warming waters and more frequent extreme weather events are reshaping coastlines and disrupting marine life. The UN stresses that protecting the ocean requires urgent global action to reduce pollution, restore marine ecosystems, manage fisheries sustainably and strengthen climate resilience for vulnerable communities. Frameworks such as the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals help guide coordinated international efforts to protect the oceans.
Healthy oceans are vital—not only for nature, but for food security, economic stability and the future of the planet. Protecting them now is key to safeguarding life for generations to come.
What we do:
Minimising single‑use plastics, improve recycling systems, promote reusable alternatives and educate students about the impact of waste on marine environments.
Embedding ocean literacy, climate change education and sustainability topics across the curriculum to help students understand global environmental challenges.
Supporting eco‑groups, sustainability committees and student‑led initiatives that focuses on protecting ecosystems and promoting action for the planet.
Goal 15: Life On Land
SDG 15 focuses on protecting, restoring and sustainably managing Earth’s land-based ecosystems.
According to the United Nations, the world is facing a triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss, which threatens both nature and human wellbeing. Forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands are essential for life, contributing to over half of global GDP and supporting cultural, economic and social values. Yet biodiversity is declining faster than at any time in human history.
Forests currently cover 4.1 billion hectares (31% of global land area), but between 2000 and 2020, the world lost 100 million hectares of forest. Land degradation is also worsening: from 2015 to 2019, degraded land increased from 11.3% to 15.5%, affecting the wellbeing of 3.2 billion people. Agricultural expansion drives nearly 90% of global deforestation, with crops like palm oil contributing significantly. Although deforestation is slowing, at the current pace it would take 25 more years to halt forest loss completely.
Biodiversity loss poses major threats. Forests are home to over 80% of terrestrial species, yet species extinction rates are accelerating. One‑fifth of Earth’s land is degraded—an area nearly the size of India and Russia combined—pushing species toward extinction and weakening ecosystems that help communities adapt to climate change and disasters.
In response, countries have adopted the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which sets four long‑term goals for 2050 and 23 targets for 2030 to protect and restore nature. Achieving SDG 15 requires transforming humanity’s relationship with nature and placing ecosystem protection at the centre of sustainable development.
What we do:
Create and maintain green spaces, support pollinator‑friendly areas, and protect local wildlife habitats.
Promote the learning about ecosystems, conservation, climate change, and human impact on the natural world across our community.
Reduce waste, lower carbon emissions, use sustainable procurement practices and encourage responsible consumption to lessen pressure on ecosystems.
Encourage staff and students to support local organisations on rewilding, protecting wildlife, habitat restoration, tree‑planting events, and community conservation initiatives.
Using our outdoor spaces for learning, wellbeing and nature connection, helping staff and students to appreciate and understand local biodiversity.
Through events, workshops and Green Week activities, we highlight key global issues such as deforestation, endangered species and ecosystem protection.
Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
SDG 16 focuses on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, ensuring access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable and transparent institutions.
According to the United Nations, people everywhere should be able to live free from violence and discrimination, regardless of ethnicity, faith, gender or orientation. However, global conflict and insecurity are rising. In 2022, conflict‑related civilian deaths increased by over 50%, driven largely by the war in Ukraine. In 2024, lives lost in armed conflicts rose by a further 40%, marking a third consecutive year of escalation.
Women and children are especially vulnerable. Between 2023 and 2024, four times more women and children were killed compared with the previous two‑year period, with the majority of these deaths occurring in Gaza. High levels of violence, exploitation and torture thrive where the rule of law is weak, and corruption continues to undermine institutions worldwide.
Corruption remains widespread: around 1 in 5 people globally report being asked to pay a bribe after interacting with a public official. Meanwhile, 3.5 million people—nearly a third of the world’s prison population—are held in pre‑trial detention, highlighting inequalities in access to justice. Human rights defenders also face growing dangers; in 2023 alone, 320 journalists, activists and trade unionists were killed.
The UN stresses that peace, justice and strong institutions are essential for sustainable development. Reducing violence, protecting human rights, strengthening governance and increasing public participation are critical for building fair and resilient societies. Achieving SDG 16 requires collaboration between governments, organisations, communities and individuals.
What we do:
Uphold safeguarding practices, antibullying measures and equality policies to ensure every staff and student feels safe, respected and valued on campus.
Integrate topics such as human rights, justice, democracy, conflict, media literacy and citizenship into teaching and enrichment activities.
Empowering students to take part in decision making through student councils, representation roles, surveys and leadership opportunities.
Promote positive behaviour, restorative approaches, conflict resolution skills and respectful communication across the college community.
Ensuring fair, accountable systems for reporting concerns, providing feedback, monitoring wellbeing and making decisions that affect staff and students.
Collaborate with local organisations, charities and public service partners to encourage volunteering, social action and community improvement.
Through events, campaigns and themed weeks, we highlight major global challenges—including conflict, corruption, inequality and human rights violations.
Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
SDG 17 focuses on revitalising global partnerships to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals.
The United Nations emphasises that the SDGs can only be achieved through strong collaboration between governments, civil society, the private sector and communities worldwide. The 2030 Agenda is universal and requires every country—developed and developing—to work together so that no one is left behind.
However, major challenges are slowing global progress. Low‑ and middle‑income countries faced record‑high $1.4 trillion in debt‑servicing costs in 2023, worsening a $4 trillion annual investment gap needed to achieve the SDGs. This investment gap is 60% higher than was estimated in 2019 due to the impacts of the pandemic, global crises and financial instability.
Official Development Assistance (ODA) also declined by 7.1% after five years of growth, with contributions in 2024 totalling $212.2 billion, representing just 0.33% of donor countries’ combined national income. Reduced humanitarian aid, lower contributions to international organisations and decreased spending on hosting refugees all contributed to this decline.
Despite these challenges, the UN stresses that revitalised global partnerships—financial, technological, and institutional—are essential to achieving the SDGs. Strong multilateral cooperation, better access to financing, supportive trade systems, and improved data and capacity building are vital steps toward a more equitable and sustainable future.
What we do:
Working closely with local organisations, charities, schools and councils to improve opportunities for young people and strengthen our collective impact.
Engage in sustainability networks, education partnerships, and professional associations that support the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Empowering students and staff to participate in fundraising, volunteering, and awareness‑raising campaigns supporting global and local causes.
Collaborate with partner institutions to exchange ideas, develop curriculum resources, and share innovative approaches to sustainability and student support.
Help ensure all learners can access digital tools and online learning, supporting the global push for improved digital connectivity and reduced inequality.
Through projects, events and curriculum activities, we encourage staff and students to understand global challenges and take meaningful action toward a fairer, more sustainable world.
Documents
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| Holy Cross College Sustainability Strategy update Aug 2023 |