The Sustainability Champions, a group of dedicated student volunteers who choose to take on an additional role alongside their degree programme to promote awareness of sustainability issues among their student peers and encourage environmental action. 

The central Environmental Sustainability team recruits up to 50 Sustainability Champions at the beginning of the academic year. These students then choose a sustainability focus area (Travel and Transport, Sustainable Food, Reduce Re-use Recycle, Energy and Carbon, Nature or Hedgehog Friendly Campus), and work in small groups to promote sustainable behaviour change via engagement campaigns.  

Over the course of two semesters, this year’s cohort organised over 10 environmental sustainability engagement events in respective focus areas. These events demonstrate the passion that our student body has for sustainability.  

Semester two saw a Bakesale that raised over a hundred pounds for the British Hedgehog Preservation Society. 

Another group led a walk around The University of Manchester’s historic Tree Trail, and encouraged participants to utilise the biodiversity monitoring app – iNaturalist. One pair of students designed their own carbon calculator and interactive quiz to engage students on carbon footprint awareness.  

Alongside their own campaigns, students also help to support the central sustainability teams ongoing initiatives. 

The Student Champions are a vital part of our sustainability strategy, and they continue to inspire with their creative and driven campaigns.