Green skills, ethical careers and civic engagement all feature strongly in revised Responsible Futures framework

Since its pilot in 2014, the Responsible Futures framework has remained dynamic, ensuring that it is fit for purpose and reflects the changing landscape of embedding sustainability in the curriculum, celebrates progress made in the sector, and challenges universities and colleges to centre student voice through a student-led approach. In summer 2025, the Responsible Futures team reviewed both the UK and International frameworks through consultation with participating institutions and their students. The result is refreshed and revised frameworks speaking to, and recognising the needs of the sector, while challenging institutions to go further and faster with urgent sustainability work.

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Responsible Futures was originally developed with invaluable input from the sector and its students, and we continue to draw on the expertise and experience of the brilliant colleagues leading Responsible Futures’ 30 participating institutions. Heartfelt thanks to everyone who provided feedback throughout their participation, and especially during the consultation period.

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Some of the changes made to the frameworks include:

• Streamlining of how institutions evidence their work and progress, ensuring the audit preparation process is efficient and straightforward for those involved
• Stronger emphasis on key sector priorities, including ethical careers, green skills and positively influencing local or national sustainability policy and practice through civic engagement and outreach
• Emphasis on new topics, practices and pedagogies, including lifelong learning and how this work differs for distance learning providers, and guidance on AI and greenwashing

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We're delighted that the new frameworks have been warmly welcomed by colleagues across Responsible Futures partnerships:

"The refreshed version of the Responsible Futures framework is a valuable and timely update, reflecting the ongoing evolution of the theory and practice of sustainability in higher education as well as contemporary trends within the university sector as a whole."

Dr Chris Ribchester, Sustainability Project Officer at Manchester Metropolitan University

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"I appreciate how clearly the refreshed Responsible Futures framework reflects the collaboration required, through both top‑down and bottom‑up action, to truly embed sustainability. Streamlined criteria and practical examples make it easy to use and free up our capacity to focus on impact."

Allison Maxted, Manager of the Sustainability Office at Mohawk College

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"UWE Bristol and The Students’ Union at UWE are delighted to continue our longstanding partnership with SOS UK through the refreshed Responsible Futures framework. Education for Sustainable Development remains an institutional commitment here at UWE Bristol, and the updated framework provides a welcome opportunity for us to stretch, challenge and inspire ourselves in this space. We value the way Responsible Futures drives sector innovation, and we’re excited to keep developing new approaches that equip our students with the skills, confidence and insight to shape a more sustainable future."

‍Rachel Colley, UWE Bristol and The Students’ Union at UWE Partnership

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The revised frameworks reflect a changing and dynamic sector, where initiatives and narratives around sustainability and climate justice have progressed and strengthened over the years, but there is much more to do. Through the programme, we also help institutions continue to prioritise sustainability, ensuring we are maintaining momentum together in challenging times. We are excited to continue working with current, and new Responsible Futures participants on progressing the embedding of sustainability in the curriculum in further and higher education.

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As we prepare for another year of Responsible Futures, we are keen to work with institutions who want to do more to develop empowered graduates ready to shape a sustainable world. Get in touch at responsiblefutures@sos-uk.org to discuss how we could work together in the coming year.

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About Responsible Futures

Responsible Futures is a supported change programme and accreditation partnering students with their institutions to embed sustainability in all student learning, powered by SOS UK. The programme was shortlisted for the 2024 Okayama ESD Award.