Now in their 17th year, the Green Gown Awards recognise the exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities and colleges across the UK and Ireland. With sustainability moving up the agenda, the Awards have become established as the most prestigious recognition of best practice within the tertiary education sector.
Having been a leading participant in the United Nations negotiations to develop 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development, the UK and Ireland must fulfil its commitment to deliver the Goals. For this to happen, it is clear from the hundreds of applicants to the Green Gown Awards that the Government must invest more in the solutions being developed in our Higher and Further Education institutes. They are leading the way as agents of change within our communities at home and abroad.
Between the Finalists, the projects touch on every department and permeate across the whole curriculum. They are conducted by students, staff, academics, external stakeholders and can be found across the UK and Ireland.
Here they share their inspirational examples of sustainability best practice, together with some words of advice and encouragement on lessons learnt along the way when implementing their projects. We hope many will be inspired and motivated by these sustainability projects.
The Grounds and Maintenance Team
Helen Baker
Pilar Garcia
Richard Green
Daniela Farina
Dr Ellen Quigley
Dr Eleanor Atkins
Holly Hansen-Maughan
Ankit Duggal
Dr Jemma Browne, Dr Sandra Costa, Dr Matthew Jones & Dawn Parke
Catarina Costa
Callum Jones
Enactus Nottingham - Ecologeco Team
Luisa Deragon
Serena Bashal
Margaret Jennings
Daniel Algie
Leah Bromley
Francesca Topp
Lea Barbett
Ellie Summer Reynolds
YSJgoesgreen
Graduates responsible for a sustainable future
Radical Sustainability
Challenges Online - developing employability by solving wicked problems
University of Gloucestershire
University of Cambridge
Sustainability Plan 2.1 - 4 years of comprehensive whole institution sustainability engagement
Net Zero 2035: Towards a climate positive future in partnership with our students
Instituting change - embedding sustainability at an 800 year old organisation!
Social and civic responsibility: Addressing the climate crisis and supporting society
Sustainability Institution of the Year
“The earth [is lent to us] for our life; it is a great entail” Ruskin
The Third Generation Project
Oxford Climate Society
Urban Biodiversity Monitoring Programme
Live Smart
Up for the Cup
Greener Futures!
Gamifying climate action for mass engagement
East End Community Garden Project
Period Positive
Clean Growth UK (three regional hubs, the University of Brighton, Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Portsmouth)
A new relationship with nature - for human and nature’s wellbeing
Renewable Engine
Out of the fire and into the electric pressure cooker - sparking a clean cooking revolution on a global scale
Sustainable Fashion Glossary
Thinking globally, working locally: Co-developing net zero solutions at scale
An agricultural bio-economy: From green dream to sustainable reality
The UWE Zero Carbon Framework: Enhancement short courses for built environment students and professionals
Sustainability in Action: A short interactive online course designed by students for students introducing the UN’s SDGs
Students as Change Agents
If you go down to the woods today
Using Quality Improvement to build sustainable value in healthcare
Future-fit fashion and textiles: A whole school approach towards transforming the industry
If you go down to the woods today, you’ll see what the buzz is about
Inspiring sustainable curriculum initiatives
Ruskin Modules: Working together on ‘wicked’ problems
Enactus Southampton - Future Brew
Toast of the Town by Enactus Leicester
Making ideas work for a better world: Student-led social enterprise
Field-trips for future
Construction of the future
Reimaging the learning environment
Agile workspace ‘out, but In’
University of Oxford new ways of working
Returnable and reusable container system for food takeaway in Cambridge
Community Solutions Programme
Down to zero: Cynon Taff Community Housing Decarbonisation Project
Enactus Nottingham - Foodprint
A DINEamic sustainable journey
Sustainable Young Minds - University joins forces with school and housing association to increase community recycling
End of term enters the circular economy. Closing the loop of circular economy during pandemic to support local community
Wild Connections - Windowsill Series
Impact tool: Community Carbon Calculator
Circular Textiles Greenwich
Supporting local action for a better Edinburgh
Climate Change Catastrophe! - a new show about climate change, made by kids, for grown-ups
Making the most of the coast - marine plastics
Hero’s Haven student society project
Low carbon SMEs
Tending the conditions for climate action to flourish
Environment and Climate Emergency Roadmap to net zero and beyond
Following the science to go beyond net zero
The University of Edinburgh - Positive Futures: Addressing the climate crisis through a whole institution approach
Climate Action at Newcastle University: Our roadmap to change
Bridgend College - The ‘spider’s web’ - an extraordinary vision for zero emissions