Now in their 11th year, the Green Gown Awards, recognise the exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by universities and colleges across the UK. With sustainability moving up the agenda, the Awards have become established as the most prestigious recognition of best practice within the tertiary education sector.
We are delighted to present this year’s 85 finalists representing 51 institutions, with 16 Winners and 22 Highly Commended. 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 winners were announced on 26 November at Brunel’s Old Station – The Passenger Shed – Bristol.
Edinburgh College’s fleet of electric pool cars provide staff with a sustainable, low-carbon, low-cost transport option for intra-campus and other corporate travel.
The University of Brighton’s Green Growth Platform supports a thriving green sector in Sussex through a menu of 1-2-1 business support, innovation and R&D support,...
Enactus Nottingham is an initiative within The University of Nottingham where students are given a platform to create social enterprises focused around solving large economic,...
Actually bananas are not that bad when you consider their carbon footprint!
This project was designed to support students seeking careers with a sustainable focus. A series of events were run throughout the year to provide information about career options
CU Social Enterprise CIC is a social enterprise set up by Coventry University to help staff and students of Coventry University set up social enterprises of their own.
Sustainability is one of London College of Fashion’s core values and staff and students across the college, as well as external partners, have been inspired by...
Since 2008, the University’s holistic approach to environmental management has enabled staff and students to come together and deliver significant and quantifiable...
Since 2007 the university has been addressing sustainability across the whole institution; sustainability is cited in the Strategic Plan as a core value of the University.
Sustainability is about making changes and inspiring a new approach to the way we live in the world, use its resources and interact with the rest of the ecosystem.
In order to bring all of Durham University’s environmental initiatives and activities together, the name and concept of ‘Greenspace’ was devised in 2010....
DESIGN+MAKE was a collaborative pilot project with the charity Art Against Knives. It engaged hard to reach young people (18-24) that were potential victims or perpetrators of...
The University of Leeds is responsive to the needs of its stakeholders and wider community. They asked the University to make a more positive impact on society
The sensitive and beautiful restoration of historic Drake’s Place Gardens and Reservoir, and development of related activities, has been undertaken with - rather than for...
This is a campaign that encourages students at the end of the year to donate their unwanted items - promoting a reuse ethos and creating lasting partnerships across...
The project undertook demonstrations of off-grid options using solar PV-based mini/ micro grid systems at four locations in India.
The University opened a new energy centre hosting two ultra-efficient CHP engines to nearly double its self-generated electricity and heat
In 2014/15 investments of £2.1m have covered a range of technologies and buildings, including plant replacement (boilers and chillers), lighting upgrades including main campus...
Keeping Oxford Brookes University moving is a daily challenge. With 2,800 staff and 18,500 students, Brookes needs a clean, green and sustainable means of getting people between...
A 43% reduction in carbon emissions was achieved since 2009/10. This has resulted in a cost saving of £1,513,250 and carbon savings of 5,771 tonnes.