Get involved in sustainability

UWE Bristol has over 30,000 students and 3,000 staff and together we have a sizeable impact on the planet and society. With climate action becoming ever more urgent, we are working to make a truly sustainable university a reality. Find out more and get involved in positive ways forward for change and our future.

• Take positive action with The Students' Union Green Team – with practical projects and campaigns there is sure to be something to interest you.
• Make your ideas a reality; put forward an idea at Student Ideas, apply for up to £500 project funding from Change for Change.
• If you are a member of a sports club apply for a Greener Futures award.
• Get involved in oversight of the University’s Carbon Management plan, its Ethical Investment Policy and its all-encompassing Sustainability Plan for 2030; email sustainability@uwe.ac.uk. For a recent example of student involvement, see the Divestment update (PDF) drafted by the Green Team.
• Join the Student's Union at UWE Sustainability Committee, or suggest a topic for discussion to the University Sustainability Board by emailing thegreenteam@uwe.ac.uk.
• Introduce and increase the focus on sustainability in your course. Talk to your course reps and tutors direct and/or contact Vicki Harris, Sustainability Engagement Lead, at vicki.harris@uwe.ac.uk.
• Join in with UWE Bristol Green Week in October and Fairtrade Fortnight in February/March.
• Support the award-winning 'Bring your own bowl' event and other food waste campaigns.
• Take part in projects such as GreenSpace and Green School ambassadors with UWE Bristol Volunteering.
• Learn how to grow your own vegetables on Frenchay Campus at the Community Garden. Contact our Grounds Manager, Richie Fluester, at richie.fluester@uwe.ac.uk.

Visit the SU website for more ideas on getting involved

Knowledge Exchange for Sustainable Development

All academic staff are urged to explore how to embed and develop sustainability within their teaching and research; for support contact Associate Professor Georgina Gough (email georgina.gough@uwe.ac.uk) who coordinates UWE Bristol's cross-institutional 'Knowledge Exchange for Sustainability Education', which has representation for every academic department in the University.

Climate action cafés

All staff are invited to come along to our climate action cafés; informal events which focus on changes you can make in work on campus and at home. The events are wide ranging and tailored to you and your team's needs; find out how to be more sustainable in what you do. Contact us for an initial chat: email sustainability@uwe.ac.uk or call Vicki Harris on +44 (0)7985 982 294.

Social media

You can also engage with the Sustainability Team via our social media channels. We'd love to hear from you on:

• GreenUWE Facebook page
• The Sustainability Team Instagram
• The Green Team Facebook Group.

Around campus and at home

• Enjoy more plant based food: eat less meat and dairy.
• Love food and hate waste: buy only what you need and use up leftovers.
• Travel lighter on the planet: walk, cycle, go by bus/train or car share, and rethink your holidays.
• Save energy, water and money: put lids on pans, turn the tap off whilst cleaning teeth and washing hands, turn off radiators before opening windows, use sleep mode and turn off electronics when not in use.
• Prevent plastic pollution and support wildlife.
• Buy less cheap stuff - check out sustainable fashion.
• Take turns cooking with friends. Alternatively, cook up large batches for yourself and freeze portions for later in the week.

The above tips will save energy and also help you save money. If you have questions or suggestions email sustainability@uwe.ac.uk.

If you see energy or water being wasted on campus, let us know by contacting the 222 Helpdesk or email the Energy Team at energyteam@uwe.ac.uk.

Take inspiration from others

For even more inspiration take a look some of the other ways that students and staff are making a difference here at UWE Bristol:

• taking part in student sustainability inductions in Welcome Week
• working with Hospitality Services and The Students' Union at UWE to increase vegan and vegetarian menu options
• running clothes swap shops
• acting as ambassadors for Fairtrade and holding events in Fairtrade Fortnight
• carrying out green office audits and using our online staff induction (staff login required)
• volunteering in local community groups to help them to become more sustainable
• giving talks to students on the Green team activities and campaigns.