In September 1994 it established a new Environmental Practices Group. Institutional greening at the University of Sunderland has extended the national picture of how a university might react to the environmental challenges of the future. The organic progress of 'greening' in the University of Sunderland stresses the interdependence of a number of key components. The integration of these strands via institutional policy frameworks, networks, projects and activities occurs naturally but is encouraged by key personnel. The University has signed both the Copernicus Charter and the Talloires Declaration and developed its own specific environmental policy in April 1994.
Universities educate most of the people who develop and manage society's institutions.
In March 1998 the University of Sunderland held Environment Week .