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.
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