Green Gown Awards 2019 - University of Leicester - Finalist

Are you in business for good? This is the double-edged question we ask our local SMEs as we offer them a unique opportunity to increase their efficiencies and innovate their processes. 

The University of Leicester Innovation Hub trains students to deliver free Sustainability Audits, to help businesses embed sustainability at the core of their operations. As Social Impact Ambassadors, students are trained to audit the businesses’ practices around waste, water, procurement, travel, community, food sustainability, energy and biodiversity, and generate reports for each business, outlining strengths and the steps they can take in order to further reduce their carbon footprint, make cost-savings and contribute to the UN SDGs. 

The audit enables students to have meaningful impact on the local business community in a practical way to address sustainability and bring in new innovation. The report also helps connect environmental services across Leicester and helps SMEs to reduce their environmental impacts. 

Top 3 learnings:

• The University has expertise and skills that local businesses want so collaborations are a win win.  
• Students enjoy getting involved with the local community, particularly in an expert role! 
• Think beyond traditional ‘environmental management’ and use the wider definition of sustainability (SDGs) to encourage innovation. 

Videos

• Innovation for good: Social Impact Ambassadors Audits (click to hide)