Since 2004 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 tertiary education.
The Green Gown Awards are administered by the EAUC and are governed by a cross agency steering group. The judging panel are representatives of sector organisations, which changes yearly.
As the ethos of the Green Gown Awards is to ensure the lessons and examples of good practice are shared within the tertiary education sector. We work hard with the partners of the Awards to ensure this information is disseminated far and wide, by sharing the case studies from applicants and prize winners throughout each awards season.
Click here to find out more about the Green Gown Awards
The Awards were brought to Australasia in 2010 and are delivered by our partners ACTS. The Awards are open to all tertiary education institutions in Australia and New Zealand.
The Australasian Awards are managed by ACTS and governed by a cross sector steering group. ACTS is a non-profit member based organisation representing higher and further education institutions within Australia and New Zealand. ACTS aim to inspire, promote and support change towards best practice sustainability within the operations, curriculum and research of the tertiary education sector.
The International Green Gown Awards were established in 2014 and bring together our regional winners as well as the wider global audience.
Recognising exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by the world's universities and colleges, the International Green Gown Awards set the bar and put every learning institution at the heart of delivering the UN Global Goals.
We are delighted to be working in partnership with United Nations Environment Programme, The Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), L’Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), International Association of Universities (IAU) and the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI).
If you are interested in delivering the Green Gown Awards in your region please contact us.
The University of Strathclyde Material Resource Strategy achieves 100% diversion from landfill and a 90% recycling rate
The Sustainable Garden is a multi-purpose, public space developed on a previously unused plot of land on campus. The garden is utilised for edible planting open to all
By Reducing, Re-using, Recycling and Rewarding, the University of Dundee has reduced litter, increased furniture and stationery reuse and increased recycling through rewarding
The ‘Our Space Your Place’ competition offered a unique entrepreneurial opportunity to University students. Students worked with University faculty and business experts
The University of Gloucestershire Students’ Union aims to grow its Union as a social enterprise hub, acting as advocates for social enterprise as an educational tool with...
The project has provided students with an exciting opportunity to participate in a unique elective module which explores the principles and practices of sustainability
This collaborative project between University of the West of Scotland (UWS), SAUWS (Students Association UWS) and NUS, sees sustainability being embedded into teaching at UWS
Final year honours Geoscience students are ‘para-professionals’ in their subjects. Students design, develop and deliver resources and materials for science and...
South West Energy Centre is a unique multi award winning facility providing advice, guidance and training to industry and consumers in all matters relating to the Low Carbon Sector
Education for sustainable development was utilised to address environmental and health concerns within the existing care curriculum framework.
The Environment and Public Policy MSc embraces and offers an excellent grounding in sustainability, managed ecosystem exploitation, and new and unfamiliar challenges
Linking the part time/distance learning (DL) students with the full time students has facilitated the opportunities for shared learning.
University of Gloucestershire (UoG) has been engaged in sustainability for many years and has worked hard to progress its integrated strategy
Since launching its Social Responsibility and Sustainability Strategy in 2010, the University of Edinburgh has strived to understand its impact on the world
In the last 5 years, Environmental Management at Loughborough has come on in leaps and bounds and is now reaching new heights in waste and recycling
LSE published its first Environmental Policy in 2005. Since then, the School has come a long way on its journey to embed sustainability in all aspects of the School’s day...
Over the last 5 years, Blackpool and The Fylde College (B&FC) has taken on the challenge of integrating sustainability across every corporate department and curriculum area.
From the ground-up: a whole-systems approach to institutional change Ball State University’s Council on the Environment (COTE) represents the many Vice-Presidents,...
This Huddersfield University project sought to identify effective community-based arrangements for sustainable forest use.
The Local Wisdom project explores the rewarding and resourceful practices associated with using clothes, called, the ‘craft of use’.
Aston Go Green is a catchall term to summarise the wide range of sustainability initiatives at Aston University. The main benefits have been legal compliance and financial saving
Worcester Royal Infirmary, the primary teaching and surgical hospital in Worcestershire until it closed in 2002 lay derelict for eight years and has now been sensitively restored
Edinburgh’s historic Old High School has been transformed into an award winning, energy efficient hub for knowledge, innovation and skills.
The Julian Study Centre is an ambitious structure that solidifies a holistic approach to new teaching and seminar spaces
The redevelopment of Durham University Business School produced an eye-catching facility which successfully enhanced the student experience and transformed the working lives of...
The University required a purpose built, highly efficient high density data centre to be installed and commissioned within 13 months ready for the start of the new academic year
The KeeleSU fashion show: Sustainable fashion showcases local, ethical and sustainable products to the community in a fresh and inventive way, turning us all into socially...
Accommodation and Hospitality Services within Newcastle University have developed links with charities within the local community resulting in our campaign THE BIG CLEAR OUT!
Green Schools is part of Liverpool Guild of Students ‘Green Guild’ project, in which students lead on community outreach.
Project SEARCH is a one year Internship programme supporting young people with additional needs to gain skills and experience to go on to employment.
In 2006, recognising the need to update facilities, Nottingham Trent University (NTU) took on the largest and most exciting construction and refurbishment project to date
One in three of us will develop Dementia. While we wait for a cure, the Salford Institute for Dementia has been established to research and promote positive approaches to...
The Widening Participation Unit at London College of Fashion (LCF) has set up a long-term partnership with St Joseph’s Hospice and three local Hackney schools.
Through interactive events, Your Green Future demonstrates to school students the employment opportunities available to them within the low carbon economy.
Green Dragons is the first student-led sustainability project at City University London giving teams of students an opportunity to obtain funding for collaborative...
DMU Square Mile has enhanced De Montfort University’s profile locally, nationally and internationally, receiving multiple awards for the concept of mobilising staff and...
Students have improved the green space on the campus enabling the public to see ‘outside’ what students learn ‘inside’ by creating a Sculpture Trail and...
The aim of the project was to build on the lessons learnt from previous projects and further embed sustainable development principles into the new development at the BGLZ.
Since October 2013 the Students Union and the University of Central Lancashire have collaboratively run a range of innovative student engagement initiatives that have seen...
One year ago, the University of Chester became the founding member of the DoNation’s “Do Good for Uni programme”; getting students and staff pledging simple,...
The University of Salford has a challenging carbon target of an absolute reduction of 43% by Sept 2020 from 2005/6 baseline.
The ‘Octave’ is the University of Salford’s state of the art virtual reality suite. At its most extensive, it can present an eight-sided projected environment...
Students’ Green Unit: Students shaping sustainability through behavioural change The Students’ Green Unit bridges the gap between student action and academic...
SmartSpaces is a unique approach to displaying complex utility consumption data in a way which is fun, engaging and simple to understand.
Designed to tackle poor energy efficiency in student housing, the project offers students a range of interventions and incentives to help them to develop appropriate energy...
Upgrading ventilation and controls systems for the University of Reading’s chemistry teaching lab fume cupboards has returned major energy savings
Professor John Brooks has been dedicated to his vision of the University for World-Class Professionals.
Outstanding progress in reducing staff single person car commuter journeys from 40% to 16.5% has been achieved at Newcastle through consistent university wide effort over a decade
The leadership excellence shown by Professor Daniella Tilbury is easy to see: under her direction, the University of Gloucestershire has maintained an excellent performance...
The aim of the project was simply to produce less waste and use less energy in order to improve the ecological footprint of the College.
Professor James Longhurst (Jim) leads the University of the West of England’s (UWE) approach to embedding sustainability into the business of the University, particularly...
The purchase of a real-time energy management system called Eniscope in August 2013 enabled Dundee and Angus College to identify any hidden energy leaks
Diana has grown up in what is classed as one of the most deprived areas of Greater Manchester and understands firsthand the lack of opportunities and community based activities
Students have benefitted from experiencing practical, outdoor activities that are environmentally sound and of benefit to the wider community.
Ian is an inspirational and tenacious individual who has produced a step change in sustainability for Hull College. It seems there has been no stone left unturned in the quest...
Over the last six years, Keith Holmes has been Environmental Champion within Coventry University’s School of Art and Design.
Shane Foster is a committed and dedicated catalyst for change and continuous improvement. Shane has been innovative in driving sustainability from the classroom to the...
Jonathan is a true champion who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to embed, create a legacy for sustainability, and successfully engage his College staff to further...
Joel Cardinal is absolutely tireless, working ridiculous hours to be part of a vast range of environmental activities, from building projects to research to student societies to...
Emily has been a pioneer for the University, carving a place for sustainability initiatives, generating University-wide interest & determinedly driving sustainability up the...
GUEST is a student led environmental sustainability body who strive to engage the broader University community to promote ecological awareness and positive environmental action
From saving electricity to increasing biodiversity and pioneering the use of organic calico, Rachel engages community members, students and staff from diverse disciplines
The real question was ‘How does one embed sustainability in the ethos of an institution?' We achieved this through a whole range of initiatives
Industrial irons are frequently used by students for garment-making. They take around 15 minutes to reach useable heat and steam pressure so there is a temptation to leave them on
UEA is helping to build a demand-side power station, turning energy-intensive equipment across its campus into smart devices which can automatically adjust their energy demand
Unsustainable pressure on static infrastructure budgets from increasing energy costs threatened the direct science budget at the Hutchison/MRC Research Centre
‘A building is only as green as the people are’. This motto, created during the year, epitomises OGEC. There will always be a limit to a buildings effect on a...
Met MUnch is a student-led food network with a passion for food! It brings affordable, nutritional, local and sustainable food to student communities and beyond
Using Benjamin Franklin’s premise “Involve Me and I’ll Learn”, the College has actively involved students in a number of projects, events and activities...
The Works is a University of Manchester led employment facility providing access to training and jobs for residents in the University’s immediate communities
This project supports families in-need by transforming run-down and derelict properties into modern and affordable homes in the community.
The CSI is an independent index underpinned by sound academic research that allows suppliers to obtain a score of their social, economic and environmental sustainability...
Over 5.8 million people in about 30 countries utilise the SODIS method, but lack any UV indicator technology, necessary to ensure 100% success.
There are 2.5 billion people without access to toilets, resulting in the death of 1.5 million children annually from unclean water.
Field to fork, bringing the veg back home was the University of Brighton’s vision to see locally grown fruit and vegetables being served across all food and beverage...
Growhampton is a sustainability initiative with a big focus on food – from the seed to plate and palate, from its edible campus, to its bee hives and The Hive sustainability café
The University of Strathclyde is committed to ensuring its students make a useful and positive contribution to social and environmental challenges, locally and globally
The snappily named ‘SCAG’ consortium is an innovative shared services project delivering significant environmental benefits through sustainable waste management.
The Green Trail is an induction activity that raises awareness of the importance of environmental sustainability by familiarising students with the College and its grounds
The Nike Making Project brought together designers, scientists, coders & students to hack the material system & find ways of de-coupling successful design from...
PDSE is a Community Interest Company that has been set up by Plymouth University’s Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry to oversee the education of its dental students
ReFreshed is a collaborative social enterprise project between Coventry University (CU), homelessness charity Coventry Cyrenians (CC), and Coventry Trading Standards (CTS).
Jessica Saunders has woven her passion and knowledge of sustainable fashion through its flexible courses in Fashion Media, Design & Realisation, Business, Branding and...
In 2014, the University of Nottingham offered its first MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) called ‘Sustainability, Society and You’
Nurses have limited knowledge of sustainability and are poorly equipped to deal the challenges working in a changing environment brings
Keele’s growth in sustainability activity has been astronomical, fuelled by dedicated high-level support, incredible local-level passion and engagement, and collegial...
Using HEFCE Revolving Green Funding, the University set out to show that there is life in 1960s building stock, of which there is much in the HE sector.
The aim of the Bodleian Libraries energy project was to reduce annual costs by at least £100,000 so they could continue to offer world class services to students and researchers
Bournemouth University’s Carbon Management Plan is a comprehensive programme of works aiming to meet the challenging 2015/16 target of a 30% reduction in absolute...
The implementation of the Lancaster University wind turbine project was difficult and controversial, but successfully completed in 2012.
“Catching the Carbon Culprits” is a holistic approach to preventing energy wastage. Heat was escaping through poor insulation and lights were being left on...
Glasgow Caledonian University has set the wheels in motion for a project where bikes are transforming lives. reCYCLE has been recognised as contributing to a 2014 Games Legacy...
E-Collegey was launched at Uxbridge College in 2012 to boost participation in green activities and encourage awareness of sustainability issues.
EAUC is delighted and proud to announce the Green Gown Awards finalists 2014 - all vying for the most prestigious recognition of best practice within the tertiary education sector.
In its drive to achieve University key objectives for space and carbon reduction, increased efficiency, effectiveness and life work balance, the Estate Support Service (ESS) set...
This was a ten month, large-scale, complex and high risk project to upgrade the live primary data centre at the University of Aberdeen
GoGreen movement is about creating opportunities to make a difference starting with small actions and aiming to big changes toward sustainability.
Highly Commended in the Smaller Institutions category, Sunshine Coast TAFE was the winner of the Continuous Improvement: Institutional Change category.
A focus on the environment and sustainability has been a key element of Griffith’s evolution since its foundation forty years ago.
Sustainability as a strategy for change has been a feature of TAFE Western’s approach to sustainable practice since 2007.