Students from across Greater Manchester came together to tackle real-world sustainability challenges and support the region’s green ambitions at this year’s Green Careers Mission.

Hosted at the University of Manchester, the 2025 Green Careers Mission built on the success of last year’s inaugural event, bringing together students from multiple disciplines and institutions to address environmental challenges set by Greater Manchester employers.

Each challenge was aligned with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s (GMCA) Five-Year Environment Plan and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, giving students the unique opportunity to contribute to the GMCA’s vision for a fairer, greener and more resilient future.

Teams explored topics including retrofitting homes, community resilience, and sustainable consumption, supported by partners including One Manchester, GMCA, Manchester City Council, Urban 360, and Q Sustain Ltd. Students designed creative and actionable responses to these real-world briefs, applying their academic learning to sustainability issues that directly affect local communities.

The Green Careers Mission reflects the collective ambition of Greater Manchester’s universities to build a greener, fairer future for the region, equipping students with the skills, experience and confidence to lead in the rapidly evolving green economy.

Cllr John Hacking, Executive Member for Skills, Employment & Leisure at Manchester City Council, said: “It’s inspiring to see Greater Manchester’s universities dedicating their time and expertise, during Green Careers Week, by leading the Green Careers Mission. By uniting students from across ​institutions, to channel their skills, knowledge, and passion into real-world challenges, we’re driving innovative and community led net zero solutions. This strengthens our shared ambitions, including those under Manchester’s recognition as a UNESCO City of Learning.”

Professor Jennifer O’Brien, Academic Lead for Sustainability Teaching and Learning at the University of Manchester, said: “Green Careers Mission illustrates the transformative power of bringing together research, teaching and innovation to address cross sector needs. In our turbulent world, it gives me hope.”

Alice Warrington, a Climate Change: Science, Society and Solutions MSc student, said: “The entire day was characterised by the power of coming together to tackle some of the world’s most complex problems and come up with diverse and dynamic solutions.”

As Greater Manchester continues to lead on green innovation, the Green Careers Mission shows how collaboration between universities, employers and civic partners can turn education and research into action – preparing students for meaningful roles in shaping Greater Manchester’s sustainable future.

• Learn more about the Greater Manchester Civic University Agreement.