Goal 14: Policies, processes and practices

The following page outlines specific policies, process and practices in support of Sustainable Development Goal 14 Life below water

Engagement activities 

Fresh-water ecosystems
We offer free educational programmes on fresh-water ecosystems, including water irrigation practices and water management/conservation, aimed at benefiting local and national communities. For example, Prof. Jamie Woodward’s research on microplastic accumulation in UK waterways has been highly influential. His work has been shared and co-developed with local anglers (Tame Rivers Anglers) and charities (Rivers Trust and Friends of the Earth) to shape UK policy and raise public awareness. The research has been made accessible locally and nationally via educational material; engaging videos, BBC documentaries with a global audience, TedX lectures. Alongisde educational resources for school children, such as the ‘Teach Me in 10’ educational resource on microplastics in rivers. Which is part of a series where leading scientists talk us through a scientific concept in 10 minutes, making science accessible for all. 

Additionaly, we contributed to the creation of the River Rescue Kit, an innovative online resource launched by River Action. The toolkit is designed to empower communities to take action against river pollution by providing expert guidance on protecting local waterways. The River Rescue Kit provides step-by-step guidance for individuals and grassroots organisations on how to gather water quality data, lobby decision-makers and raise public awareness. This outreach initiative equips local communities with the knowledge and tools to hold polluters accountable and to actively participate in restoring river health.

Another example of our educational outreach on fresh-water ecosystems is the event “Water Research at Manchester – Hydrological Change and Society’s Response”, which shared research on water through a series of publicly accessible webinars designed to support learning and dialogue around key freshwater issues, including water resilience, flood risk, and sustainable management.

For instance, Professor Tim Allott, Professor of Physical Geography, led an educational session on peatland restoration and natural flood management. This talk explained the role of upland ecosystems in regulating water flows, improving water quality, and mitigating flood risks, helping participants understand the importance of landscape management in freshwater resilience.

Professor Stephen Scott-Bottoms (School of Arts, Languages and Cultures) delivered another publicly-accessible webinar on his case study work using arts-based educational methods to engage communities and water-sector professionals in discussions about water challenges in West Yorkshire. His work demonstrates how storytelling and creative dialogue can build shared understanding of freshwater issues and foster practical, community-led action.

In addition, our peatland restoration efforts, led by Professor Martin Evans, focus on flood mitigation and reducing greenhouse gases. This work is conducted in collaboration with Moors for the Future, the National Trust, the Environment Agency, United Utilities, Yorkshire Peat Partnership, and other partners.

Sustainable fisheries

We offer a range of free educational programmes and outreach activities for local and national communities on the sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism. A key example is our Shiels lab which combines research excellence with public engagement to build community understanding of marine ecosystems and sustainable practices. The overfishing of sharks and rays is the primary cause for their catastrophic (>80% of populations threatened with extinction) decline in the past 25 years. Shiels Lab contributed key images and a novel developmental scale for catsharks, which were used in one of the largest marine citizen science education projects in the UK, The Great Eggcase Hunt, run in partnership with The Shark Trust. 7,560 eggcases were recorded across the UK and scaled using our data.  The images and scale has also been included in the Field Studies Centre leaflets used at their marines stations for teaching school groups across the UK, furthering our engagement with the public.

Researchers from the Shiels Lab also play an active role in marine-focused educational outreach. For example, Gift Samuel David is actively involved in public webinars and online community education through the Aquaworld Community Development Initiative, where he leads sessions and produces blogs focused on the impacts of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems and fisheries. Professor Holly Shiels also delivers public education on sustainable fisheries through her research on the impacts of fossil fuel-based pollution on commercially important species such as cod and halibut. She shares this work widely through accessible public video.

The NanoWhales Project, led through the University of Manchester’s Nanomedicine Lab, is a strong example of marine conservation outreach aimed at raising public awareness of the pressures facing marine ecosystems, including plastic pollution and, for instance, the threat of overfishing. Working in collaboration with the Pelagos Cetacean Research Institute, researchers joined marine field expeditions in the Hellenic Trench to collect data on endangered Mediterranean sperm whales. These expeditions provided compelling evidence of how human activities, such as shipping and unsustainable fishing practices, endanger whale populations and disrupt marine food webs. The project’s public engagement campaigns successfully translated scientific research into accessible messages for communities. Through fundraising events, social media initiatives, and outreach activities, the team raised over £11,000 from more than 120 supporters, significantly increasing public understanding of marine conservation challenges and inspiring collective action. This awareness-raising work also supported real-world impact: data collected through NanoWhales informed discussions with industry and conservation groups, leading to the re-routing of MSC Group shipping lanes away from critical whale habitats.

Overfishing
We offer free educational outreach activities for local and national communities to raise awareness about overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices. For example, Professor Holy Shiels partnered with the Physiological Society to produce and share a 4-part video educational outreach series filmed in the Arctic. The series explores the biology and conservation of the Greenland shark and examines how overfishing in the Halibut industry threatens this vulnerable species. These outreach videos were made freely available online, engaging schools, universities, and the general public.

We also partner with Sustainable Fish Cities, which mobilises restaurants, caterers, public institutions, and educational organisations nationwide to remove unsustainably caught fish from menus and promote sustainable alternatives. The campaign’s outreach model provides educational toolkits, handbooks, ‘Top Swaps’ guidance, and public pledges that organisations use to engage their communities on fisheries sustainability and the threat of overfishing.

This provides publicly available evidence for the University of Manchester’s contribution to SDG 14 and focused on educational outreach on marine ecosystems and sustainable fishing practices.

Conservation and sustainable utilisation of the oceans

We actively support and organise events that promote the conservation and sustainable utilisation of oceans, seas, lakes, rivers, and marine resources. These activities engage both the public and the research community, fostering knowledge exchange, collaboration, and practical conservation outcomes.

Our Shiels lab plays a leading role in marine conservation outreach, contributing to events organised by the Shark Trust and the European Elasmobranch Association, where our researchers deliver talks and keynote lectures on shark and ray conservation. The lab also partners with the BBC and the Fisheries Society of the British Isles to host public seminars exploring the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems and fish populations. Professor Holly Shiels, President of FSBI, led the Society’s FSBI Annual Symposium, themed Advancing Fish Ecology, Management and Forecasting through Omics. This major international event included workshops and discussions on how genomic and eDNA methods can support sustainable fisheries and aquatic conservation.

Beyond marine systems, we also host events focused on freshwater and river conservation. Our Water Research at Manchester public webinar series – Hydrological Change and Society’s Response – engages global audiences in understanding water resilience, flood risk, and sustainable management. The annual Water@Manchester Forum, part of the University’s Sustainable Futures initiative, brings together interdisciplinary researchers and students to share work on water challenges and develop collaborative solutions, including activities aligned with World Water Week.

We also contribute to public education through the NanoWhales Project, run by our Nanomedicine Lab in collaboration with the Pelagos Cetacean Research Institute. Researchers joined Mediterranean expeditions studying endangered sperm whales and transformed their findings into community fundraising and engagement campaigns. This project raised over £11,000 for marine conservation and helped influence industry practice by encouraging shipping companies to reroute vessels away from critical whale habitats.

Additionally, at our Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, we partner with IncredibleOceans to deliver interactive outreach programmes on ocean sustainability. These events raise awareness of major marine threats – including climate change, overfishing, pollution, and underwater acoustics – through talks, exhibitions, and educational workshops designed for schools and families.

Together, these initiatives demonstrate our sustained commitment to promoting the conservation and sustainable use of aquatic ecosystems at local, national, and international levels, advancing SDG 14 through research, public engagement, and policy-relevant collaboration.

Sustainable food policy

The University of Manchester has clear policies in place to ensure that all food on campus sourced from aquatic ecosystems is sustainably harvested.

Our Sustainable Seafood Policy (2023/24), managed by University Hospitality and Events, commits the University to adopting the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) sustainable fish standard. This means that any fish listed as endangered by the Marine Conservation Society is not accepted or used across University catering operations.

The University has also signed the Sustainable Fish Cities Pledge, committing to sustainable seafood purchasing that protects marine environments, supports responsible fisheries, and promotes good fishing livelihoods.

Our Sustainable Food Policy (reviewed 2023) reinforces this approach by requiring all seafood to be sustainably sourced in order to reduce negative impacts on fish stocks, protect marine ecosystems, and provide customers with responsible seafood choices.

In addition, our Animal Welfare Policy states that the University will only source fish from sustainable sources and will avoid all species listed on the MSC endangered list.

Together, these policies commit the University to:

• All fish and seafood served in University-operated catering outlets meet the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) ‘Fish to Eat’ standards, in line with the Sustainable Fish Cities Campaign commitments.

• Monitoring and reporting on seafood sourcing to increase sustainably caught and line-caught species.

• Training chefs and communicating sustainable seafood practices to suppliers, customers, and staff.

• Supporting sector-wide change through participation in the Sustainable Fish Cities Campaign.

Reducing marine pollution 

We have clear policies and processes in place to prevent and reduce marine pollution of all kinds, including from land-based activities. Our Environmental Sustainability Strategy (2023–2028) commits us to achieving zero reportable pollution incidents to air, land, and water across the University estate. This includes measures to prevent pollutants from reaching local rivers and waterways that ultimately flow into marine environments.

To achieve this, we have implemented:

• Our Code of Practice for Design Teams requires all new construction and refurbishment projects to include Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) to capture and treat surface water runoff, reducing the risk of pollution entering watercourses.

• Our Project Tracker mandates that all building projects minimise potable water demand, reduce stormwater runoff, and prevent contaminated discharges to protect downstream ecosystems.

• All water discharge activities comply with UK government guidelines, ensuring that pollutants are not released into the environment.

• Our Responsible Plastics action plan (2022) targets the reduction of single-use plastics across campus to prevent waste and microplastics from entering water systems and contributing to marine pollution.

Maintaining aquatic ecosystems 

We work directly through research, restoration, and partnerships to maintain and extend ecosystems and their biodiversity, focusing particularly on habitats and species under threat.

We are working with the new Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) to assess the roles of Ofwat, the Environment Agency, and Defra in regulating combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in England. This research directly addresses the harmful effects of polluted discharges on aquatic plant and animal life and supports evidence-based policy to protect freshwater ecosystems.

Through the NanoWhales Project Project, researchers are helping combat plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean, highlighting its impacts on marine biodiversity—especially whales and other large marine species. The project includes scientific expeditions and freely accessible educational resources to raise awareness and promote conservation actions.

Additionally, through the River Rescue Kit, co-developed by University experts and River Action UK, we equip local groups with data-collection tools and legal guidance to tackle pollution and restore river habitats.

The Manchester Environmental Research Institute  (MERI) leads applied research to restore degraded aquatic and urban ecosystems. This includes:

• Urban waterway restoration projects in Greater Manchester, where buried or degraded streams are re-opened to improve water quality, reconnect fragmented habitats, and enhance biodiversity.
• Studies on fish survival in low-oxygen “dead zones”, tackling nutrient loading and hypoxia in freshwater and marine systems, and developing practical strategies to restore ecological balance and improve species resilience.

Our work with Moors for the Future, the Environment Agency and United Utilities has delivered large-scale peatland and river-catchment restoration, improving water quality, reducing flood risk and strengthening biodiversity across the Pennine uplands.

We have a defined plan in place to minimise physical, chemical, and biological alterations of related aquatic ecosystems. Our Environmental Sustainability Strategy (Our Sustainable Future 2023–2028) sets a target of zero reportable pollution incidents to air, land, and water across the University estate. This goal is supported by detailed operational procedures that prevent, monitor, and manage any potential impacts on aquatic environments.

To minimise physical alterations, all new construction and refurbishment projects are reviewed through the our Environmental Sustainability Project Tracker, which includes mandatory measures to protect watercourses and reduce runoff. Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) are incorporated into design standards to manage surface water on-site and prevent downstream disruption.

To prevent chemical alterations, our Code of Practice for Design Teams requires that areas with chemical or liquid gas storage include shut-off valves on drainage systems to prevent accidental discharge into natural waterways. Staff receive training through the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) framework, ensuring safe use, storage, and disposal of potentially harmful materials.

Monitoring the health of aquatic systems

We continuously monitor and manage the aquatic environments that may be affected by its estate operations and research activities. Our aim is to protect water quality, reduce run-off and flooding, and enhance the ecological health of surrounding rivers and wetlands.

Through the Oxford Road Campus Masterplan and Fallowfield Campus Redevelopment, the University has installed extensive Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). These capture and filter surface water before it enters the public drainage network, reducing pollution and protecting local aquatic ecosystems in the Medlock and Mersey catchments.

Regular hydrological assessments and maintenance ensure that attenuation tanks, permeable paving and green roofs continue to perform effectively, preventing harmful run-off from university land.

We also follow strict Water Disposal Guidelines and our Environmental Sustainability Policy mandates regular monitoring of laboratory and facilities discharge. Estates and laboratory managers record, test and treat effluent where necessary to prevent pollutants or hazardous materials from entering the water system.

Beyond campus boundaries, University researchers actively assess and restore aquatic ecosystems linked to its regional footprint. We have conducted ground-breaking research by monitoring microplastic pollution in UK’s rivers. Our monitoring has shown current estimates are severely underestimating actual levels, and we have found that this issue originates upstream in river catchments. These findings are now being used to advocate for tighter regulations on waste flowing into urban waterways.

Additionally, Professor Martin Evans leads long-term peatland and upland-catchment restoration projects with the Environment Agency, United Utilities and Moors for the Future. These initiatives restore hydrology, reduce sediment and improve downstream water quality, directly benefiting local aquatic biodiversity.

Environmental audits, conducted under the University’s ISO 14001 environmental-management framework, include monitoring of water use, drainage efficiency and ecological impacts. Findings feed into improvement plans developed jointly with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Environment Agency, ensuring continuous protection and enhancement of aquatic ecosystems influenced by the University’s activities.

Through sustainable-drainage infrastructure, rigorous waste-water management, catchment-scale research and regional collaboration, the University of Manchester demonstrates its commitment to monitoring, managing and improving the health of aquatic ecosystems affected by its operations—in direct support of SDG 14.

Firs Environmental Research Station and Botanical Grounds Pond 

The pond, ~ 6x4m in area, ~1m deep with a marginal shelf, is ornamental in nature with flag stones around the edge. The back of the pond has various stones and marginal plants providing exit and entry for wildlife.

The rockery behind also provides sites for amphibian hibernacula.The pond contains no fish and is maintained with promoting nature in mind, with minimal disturbance. Excessive algae and duckweed; Lemna minor is removed in summer and excess decaying plant material and leaves are removed in autumn. Planting is largely ornamental with Nymphaea water lilies and Iris. Native plant species include Bogbean; Menyanthes trifoliata, Marsh Fern; Thelypteris palustris, Lesser Bullrush; Typha angustifolia and Amphibious Bistort, Persicaria amphibia. There is a healthy population of newts, frogs, dragon and damselflies, and many other insects, crustacea and amphipods. There are also visits from Mallard ducks, Grey herons and other local birdlife. 

The Botanical Grounds Pond allows us to collaborate with local community partners and students to maintain this shared aquatic ecosystem, using it as a source of practical and academic knowledge exchange.  

Michael Smith Quad Pond 

There is a pond in Michael Smith Quad. A survey carried out in 2022 found that the onsite pond was assessed to be in moderate condition due to the pond having good water quality based upon visual appearance, less than 10% of the pond being covered with duckweed or filamentous algae, an absence of fish and non-native plant species, and at least 50% of the ponds area being covered by both marginal and aquatic plants where the pond is less than 3m deep. 

Technologies preventing aquatic ecosystem damage

We works through research and industry collaboration to develop technologies and practices that prevent or minimise damage to aquatic ecosystems.

Through the National Graphene Institute  (NGI) and the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC), researchers have pioneered graphene-based membranes that filter salts, heavy metals and micro-pollutants from water. These membranes are now being scaled up with industrial partners for real-world desalination and wastewater-treatment applications, helping reduce reliance on chemical filtration and lowering energy use. Since 2023 and 2024 GEIC projects with UK water utilities and European partners advanced graphene-oxide coatings that capture microplastics before they enter rivers and coastal systems; translating laboratory innovation into field-tested environmental protection.

Our work in hydrology and hydrochemistry to understand metals, carbon and gases in water systems has led to the development of a highly successful spin-out company, Salamander, which has brought to market two cutting-edge pieces of water monitoring software – chloroclam and hydroclam. These are devices used in water distribution networks to continuously monitor chlorine, turbidity, conductivity, temperature, pressure, and other parameters. The company also offers a Clam RTU datalogger which integrates various water sensors across rivers, lakes and reservoirs, uploading data to the cloud for monitoring and alerting purposes. These devices greatly improve our understanding of water quality and supports smarter infrastructure management, allowing companies to identify leaks, stagnation zones, and contamination risks early. This leads to less pollutant leakage, fewer discharges, and better water quality downstream, all of which are key to protecting aquatic ecosystems.

Environmental engineers at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research (Manchester) are applying AI-enabled water-quality sensors to detect nutrient loading and early pollution events in real time.These low-cost monitoring tools, developed with local authorities and the Environment Agency, allow communities to track ecosystem health and respond rapidly to contamination, strengthening local environmental governance.

By combining cutting-edge materials science, smart sensing and sustainable chemistry, the University translates research into technologies with measurable environmental impact.

Water disposal guidelines

Our university has water quality standards and guidelines for water discharges (to uphold water quality in order to protect ecosystems, wildlife, and human health and welfare). Our policies surrounding water quality standards are outlined in our policy on the Management of Water Systems and the Control of Legionella; which provides a comprehensive set of water quality management procedures designed to protect human health and uphold regulatory water standards. This guidance ensures that water systems across the estate are managed in line with the UK Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) Approved Code of Practice. We have implemented these guidelines in order to protect and mitigate risks to human health. We have also registered licenses with the Environmental Agency for water discharges relating to our Jodrell Bank campus. 

As a University we are committed to supporting the circular economy by considering the whole lifecycle of the products we purchase and the resources we use and have formed a Single Use Plastic Action Group to develop and implement an associated action plan. Our Single-Use Plastic Action Group developed the corresponding Responsible Plastics action plan outlining the University’s approach to tackling single-use plastic. Actions in this plan inlcude our ‘Plastic 6R’ framework (refine, reduce, reuse, refill, replace, recycle[d]), that is applied across teaching laboratories, home, campus and workplace environments. Through this framework we have eliminated more than 37,000 pieces of single-use plastic annually. Further measures include; publicly available water dispensers, the Bee Cup initiative to reduce the number of single-use cups used, plastic-free drinks service at campus bar Squirrels, Want Not Waste Store in the Student’s Union which offers a stationery recycling facility via Teracycl. Our sustainability website also includes our progress to date alongside advice and guidance for staff and students on reducing their plastic consumption.

Our Sustainable Materials Innovation Hub (SMI Hub) led by the Henry Royce Institute has also been set-up to support SMEs from across Greater Manchester to develop innovative solutions to develop a more sustainable approach to plastics use and lower their carbon footprints.

Watershed management 

We have implemented a watershed management strategy based on location specific diversity of aquatic species. As outlined in our Environmental Sustainability strategy (2023-28), we are committed to achieving zero reportable pollution incidents impacting air, land, or water throughout the University estate.

In addition, our Valuing Nature Action Plan (reviewed 2023) includes ambitious goals:

1) increasing green space by 10% by 2028 from a 2018 baseline,

2) improving the quality of green space by 30% from 2022 levels, and

3) achieving a minimum of 20% biodiversity net gain on all major construction and refurbishment projects.

These targets are designed to enhance the conservation of natural habitats and species to support our local watershed, playing a critical role in maintaining key ecosystem services such as water filtration and nutrient cycling.

Through regular biodiversity surveys, we actively monitor and identify key species and their habitats, shaping conservation strategies that align with local aquatic & land based ecological needs. To support these habitats and improve water management, we have implemented green infrastructure such as rain gardens and bioswales, which help manage stormwater and minimize runoff into nearby rivers. This approach enhances both water quality and biodiversity within the watershed.

Our Design Code of Practice (Section 9.1.16) and Environmental Sustainability Project Tracker further integrate sustainable urban drainage strategies into design and construction, reducing runoff flow and safeguarding aquatic ecosystems. For example, we are reducing runoff into the River Medlock on campus, and at Jodrell Bank, we protect local watercourses to support species like the great crested newt, which relies on healthy aquatic environments.

Aquatic stewardship

We support a wide range of practical ongoing and ad hoc programmes of work to encourage and maintain good aquatic stewardship practices.

For instance, we launched the River Rescue Kit, an innovative online resource designed to empower campaigners and ordinary citizens to protect local waterways. Developed in partnership with the campaigning organisation River Action, the kit provides step-by-step guidance on how individuals and community groups can take practical action to conserve rivers and canals. It covers methods for gathering water quality data, lobbying decision-makers, and raising public awareness, equipping communities with the knowledge and tools to hold polluters accountable.

Additionally, we are working with UK, Cambodian and Indian government agencies on reducing arsenic from ground-water systems; enhancing community engagement with rivers and canals; and working with UK water regulators to combat microplastic pollution in rivers and oceans. Professor Martin Evans also leads long-term peatland and upland-catchment restoration projects with the Environment Agency, United Utilities and Moors for the Future. These initiatives restore hydrology, reduce sediment and improve downstream water quality, showcasing and encouraging good aquatic stewardship practices.

Our Sustainable Seafood Policy commits us to a programme of work that adopts the Marine Stewardship Council’s sustainable fish standard. This means that any fish on the Marine Conservation Societies endangered list will not be accepted or used in any café restaurant or processing site across the University. The University has also signed up to the Sustainable Fish Cities Pledge. This ensures that we will commit to take the appropriate steps to buy sustainable seafood, to protect precious marine environments fish stocks and support good fishing livelihoods.

Collaborating to maintain shared aquatic ecosystems

We collaborate with the local community across a variety of efforts to maintain shared aquatic ecosystems. We’ve partnered with the River Stewardship Company which works with local communities to repopulate Sphagnum Moss in the nearby Peak District to increase water retention in highlands and reduce flooding downstream. Additionally, Professor Martin Evans leads long-term peatland and upland-catchment restoration projects collaborating with the Environment Agency, United Utilities and Moors for the Future. These initiatives restore hydrology, reduce sediment and improve downstream water quality, directly benefiting local aquatic biodiversity.

We are also an offical partner of the city-wide iniative Cyanlines, a bold plan to link and transform Manchester’s rivers, canals, parks and green corridors into over 100 miles of connected blue–green networks across the city region. Delivered through partnerships between businesses, public agencies, charities, community groups and individuals, CyanLines creates structured opportunities for residents and organisations to participate in planning, maintaining and enhancing waterways and surrounding green spaces. By bringing diverse partners together, it establishes a coordinated framework for community involvement in aquatic ecosystem management, encouraging local stewardship through collaborative project delivery, shared decision-making, and ongoing engagement.

We’re also working with Manchester City Council on the project, Our rivers our city. As part of this, there is a range of local community collaboration on work such as river restoration and habitat enhancement.