"Sustainability is a journey, not a destination” - Swansea University’s Teifion Maddocks reflects during Wales Climate Week

Growing up in the Swansea valleys inspired Teifion’s passion for protecting the natural world. After gaining qualifications in environmental risk management, he began applying his knowledge to real-world challenges - from improving efficiencies and reducing pollution at General Electric to managing carbon emissions and community impacts at Tata Steel.

“I was really fortunate to take up a job with Tata Steel,” he said. “We did some fantastic work there and I gained lots of experience. But I always felt drawn back to Wales.”

Understanding sustainability

Teifion admits that “sustainability” can be a big and sometimes misunderstood word.

Under Teifion’s leadership, Swansea University is embedding sustainability into every aspect of university life. The campus acts as a “living laboratory”, where research, education, and community initiatives come together to address global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and marine pollution.

The university is involved in beach cleans, conservation projects, and Go Green Week, bringing together local organisations and students to take practical action. “We’re always exploring opportunities to innovate and engage our communities in sustainability,” said Teifion.

Swansea University’s Climate and Environmental Sustainability Strategy is currently under review, marking five years of progress. The university is now 40% decarbonised in its Scope 1 and 2 emissions - and remains firmly committed to its targets.

“For us, rolling back on climate commitments is absolutely not an option,” Teifion said. “Our senior leadership team is very clear - we want to lead when it comes to sustainability.”

He added that the university is also looking beyond its campuses: “We’re thinking about our supply chain and how our investments and purchasing decisions impact nature both upstream and downstream.”

Teifion is passionate about individual responsibility too. During Wales Climate Week, he encourages everyone to reflect on their own impact and take small, meaningful steps.

“It’s a journey, not a destination,” he said. “Everyone’s situation is different, but there are always levers you can pull - whether it’s travelling sustainably, reducing food waste, or choosing local produce.”

Teifion himself cycles or walks to work and has transitioned his household to an electric car. “I pledged during a previous Climate Action Week to use sustainable travel - and I’ve stuck to it,” he said. “It’s about setting realistic goals and inspiring others to do the same.”

There is still much to do, Teifion admits, from replacing gas boilers to accelerating nature-positive initiatives across the university. Swansea has pledged to become a nature-positive university, addressing biodiversity impacts both on campus and through its wider supply chain.

He believes sharing this journey openly is key: “We’re creating spaces where students and local children can see how we’re decarbonising our campuses and tackling climate change first-hand.”

As Wales Climate Week reminds us, tackling the climate crisis is a shared responsibility, one that takes time, collaboration and persistence.

“It’s really about enthusing those around you with a passion for sustainability,” Teifion concluded. “Environmental sustainability is a journey, not a destination - and that’s what makes it so powerful.”

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