Sustainability Skills in 2025: Measuring and Strengthening Sustainability Literacy at the University of Worcester

The transition to a sustainable future requires graduates who can understand complex environmental and social challenges, think critically, collaborate across disciplines, and develop practical solutions. To understand how effectively these capabilities are being developed, the University of Worcester participates annually in the SOS-UK Sustainability Skills Survey, providing an evidence-based assessment of students’ sustainability literacy, skills and learning experiences.

This year’s survey provides valuable insight into what Worcester students know, what skills they are developing, and where opportunities remain to strengthen Education for Sustainable Development across the institution.

The University of Worcester measures student sustainability literacy through annual participation in the SOS-UK Sustainability Skills Survey. The survey gathers evidence on students’ sustainability-related knowledge, attitudes, skills and educational experiences, helping the University understand how effectively sustainability is being embedded across teaching, learning and the wider student experience.

In 2025, the survey received responses from 379 University of Worcester students. The results contribute to a growing longitudinal evidence base that allows the University to monitor progress over time and identify areas for improvement.

Sustainability literacy goes beyond awareness of environmental issues. It encompasses the knowledge, understanding, values and skills needed to respond effectively to global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, social inequality and resource depletion.

The survey explores several important dimensions of sustainability literacy, including:

• Understanding of sustainability and climate-related challenges.
• Exposure to sustainability issues through teaching and learning.
• Critical thinking and reflective practice.
• Collaborative and interdisciplinary working.
• Problem-solving and future-thinking skills.
• Attitudes towards sustainable development and social responsibility.

Together, these indicators provide a picture of how prepared students feel to contribute positively to a more sustainable society.

The latest survey reveals a student community that is engaged, motivated and increasingly equipped with the skills needed for a sustainable future. However, it also highlights areas where sustainability content is not yet reaching all learners consistently.

Students reported strong development of a range of future-focused competencies:

More than 80% reported gaining skills such as critical thinking, reflection and goal setting.
Around 60-80% reported experiences of collaborative and interdisciplinary learning.
A large majority agreed that universities should play a role in developing sustainability-related skills.

The survey also found evidence that active learning approaches are becoming increasingly common:

88% of respondents reported experiencing collaborative learning.
Case studies, simulations and problem-based learning approaches were widely experienced and viewed positively by students.

These findings suggest that many students are developing the transferable competencies needed to navigate complex sustainability challenges throughout their personal and professional lives.

While skills development appears strong, the survey identified a significant challenge regarding the consistency of sustainability content within programmes of study. A sizeable proportion of students reported that major sustainability topics such as climate change, biodiversity loss, adaptation and future employment impacts had not been covered within their learning experience.

At the same time, students overwhelmingly expressed a desire to learn more about sustainability and viewed sustainability knowledge as increasingly important for their future careers and personal values.

The results suggest a clear opportunity: students are ready and willing to engage with sustainability, but provision remains uneven across different disciplines and programmes.

1. Students are Developing Strong Sustainability Skills

Students continue to report high levels of competence in critical thinking, reflection, collaboration and problem-solving, all of which are essential components of sustainability literacy.

2. Active Learning Approaches Are Effective

Collaborative, experiential and problem-based learning approaches are helping students develop the skills needed to address complex real-world challenges.

3. Demand for Sustainability Learning Is Now Mainstream

Students increasingly view sustainability as fundamental to their education and future careers, rather than an optional addition to their studies.

Monitoring sustainability literacy helps the University evaluate the effectiveness of curriculum development, co-curricular activities and student engagement programmes. The findings support evidence-based decision-making and help identify where further work is needed to ensure all students have opportunities to engage with sustainability during their studies.

By measuring sustainability literacy annually, the University can:

• Track progress over time.
• Compare year-on-year improvements.
• Identify gaps in student learning experiences.
• Inform curriculum enhancement.
• Strengthen Education for Sustainable Development initiatives.
• Respond to student expectations and priorities.

The results also contribute to wider institutional sustainability objectives and support the University’s commitment to preparing graduates for a rapidly changing world.

The 2025 findings present an encouraging picture. Worcester students are developing many of the skills associated with sustainability literacy and demonstrate a strong appetite to engage with sustainability challenges. At the same time, the survey highlights the need to ensure that sustainability content is embedded consistently across all disciplines and programmes.

Annual participation in the SOS-UK Sustainability Skills Survey provides the University with a robust mechanism for measuring sustainability literacy and evaluating progress. As the University continues to embed sustainability across teaching, research, operations and community engagement, this evidence will help ensure that every student has the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to contribute to a more sustainable future.