The prestigious UK Green Gown Award recognises our impact on student engagement with sustainability. The Green Capital: Student Capital project is a unique collaboration between the University of Bristol, the University of the West of England, and their students’ unions.

Together our students participated in over 125,000 hours of sustainability volunteering in the city, equating to £1.2 million worth of economic contribution to the city. Over 600 students achieved a Change Maker award, helping over 200 local organisations within the city.

The project will now go on to compete in the international Green Gown Awards final.

The University also won the Bristol Post and Bath Chronicle Environmental Public Sector Award for its whole-institution approach to sustainability. Our achievements included reducing carbon emissions by 27 per cent, recycling over 80 per cent of its waste, reusing 23 tonnes of office furniture and building 17 new sustainable buildings. 

The University’s engagement of students in sustainability volunteering, increased biodiversity, sustainable food provision, teaching and research – led by the Cabot Institute – was also celebrated. It is the second year the University has won the award.

Martin Wiles, Head of Sustainability said: ‘It’s been a great night. Not only have we been recognised by the city for our whole institution approach to sustainability, but we have also been recognised by our colleagues in other universities for our sustainability work with students.’ 

Chris Wilmore, added: ‘This award recognises the role our students play in our city. Students make up 10 per cent of the population of Bristol and together have a huge impact on sustainable engagement.’