All our latest news

University projects feature in Low Carbon Campuses keynote

University projects feature in Low Carbon Campuses keynote

Dr Jon Furley – Sustainability Operations Manager, showcased the University’s top carbon reduction projects in a headline presentation at a national conference hosted by Salix Finance. Since 2021 the University has received over of highly competitive grant funding...

New Digital Sustainability Report released!

New Digital Sustainability Report released!

We’re proud to share our sustainability performance and achievements from last academic year 2021-2022 in our new online Annual Sustainability Report. This report ushers in the first year of reporting on our new Sustainability Strategy 2022-2027 and on carbon...

FCH Edible Garden brings community together

FCH Edible Garden brings community together

The Edible Garden at FCH campus is a vibrant green space where students and members of the local community come together to grow fruit and vegetables. Relaxed weekly gardening sessions provide time for people to connect with each other and the natural world. The...

Increasing Impact – new Sustainability Strategy

Increasing Impact – new Sustainability Strategy

We’ve launched our progressive Sustainability Strategy 2022-2027, setting out ambitious goals to achieve positive impacts across the University, for students, staff and our wider communities. As a sector leader in sustainability, this is our third cross-university...

EfS summer methodology workshop

EfS summer methodology workshop

In July we hosted partners from University of the Arts London (UAL) and King’s College London (KCL) for a productive two day immersive methodology workshop at University of Gloucestershire (UOG) for our pioneering project ‘Students driving curriculum quality for...

New heating will save 260 tonnes CO2 emissions every year

New heating will save 260 tonnes CO2 emissions every year

As part of our strategy to cut carbon emissions and be Net Zero by 2030, the University has carried out work this year at FCH and Oxstalls to slash the amount of carbon associated with heating our campuses.  Having secured a £1.2 million grant from the Salix Public...

‘Empowering ChangeMakers’ shortlisted for Green Gown Awards

‘Empowering ChangeMakers’ shortlisted for Green Gown Awards

The collaborative project ‘Empowering ChangeMakers’ by Cheltenham Education Partnership, University of Gloucestershire sustainability team and School of Education is a finalist in the Green Gown Awards 2022, recognising the transformative impact of this learning...

We’re on the new Fairtrade standard!

We’re on the new Fairtrade standard!

This month the University of Gloucestershire and Students’ Union have been accredited to the new Fairtrade University award. We gained an extra one-star bonus, recognising our significant efforts to embed policies that ensure trade justice and ethical procurement and...

Sustainability Staff Award 2022

Sustainability Staff Award 2022

Staff throughout the University of Gloucestershire are leading sustainability change through action, research, education and practice. We're always so pleased to celebrate and shine a light on the many achievements of our colleagues.The sustainability award category...

Landmark ESG finance deal for City Campus

Landmark ESG finance deal for City Campus

University of Gloucestershire is one of the first universities in the UK to secure funding linked to our commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) goals. The University has secured £29million in ESG linked loans from Barclays that will contribute to...

Sustainability Student Award 2022

Sustainability Student Award 2022

We are inspired and so proud to see the sustainability changes being led at University of Gloucestershire by our students and each year we celebrate them at the annual Students' Union Gnomie Awards. The Green Gnome in the SU student awards recognises all round...

A prosperous year for the FCH Edible Garden

A prosperous year for the FCH Edible Garden

The Edible Garden at FCH Campus is a hidden gem; it's an oasis for students and members of our local community to come together, connect with nature, and grow and harvest crops at relaxed weekly gardening sessions. This year has been prosperous for the Edible Garden....

Our Annual Sustainability Report 2020-2021 is out!

Our Annual Sustainability Report 2020-2021 is out!

Staff and students at the University of Gloucestershire are making waves in sustainability and pioneering for change – and we’re excited to share them in our latest Annual Sustainability Report 2020-2021.  Sharing performance metrics and celebrating some of our many...

QAA student board advises EfS project

QAA student board advises EfS project

As part of the launch for our QAA-funded collaborative project ‘Students driving curriculum quality for Sustainability’, the UOG team met with the QAA Strategic Student Advisory Committee.  The project purpose is to ensure student views on the depth and quality of...

Student led tree-planting to improve biodiversity

Student led tree-planting to improve biodiversity

Student-led action has resulted in an ecological boost to University of Gloucestershire campuses with 105 native trees planted.  Third-year Geography student, Will Weaving, has a great love of nature and trees and was motivated to graduate this summer leaving a legacy...

Our 2021-22 Travel Survey Winners

Our 2021-22 Travel Survey Winners

Thank you to everyone who completed our 2021-22 Travel Survey. We are delighted to announce the winners of our prize draw as below, along with details of their prizes. Students 1st - Caitlin Blue (iPad) 2nd - Haleemah Jamil (£100 Ethical Superstore voucher) 3rd -...

Empowering ChangeMakers across Cheltenham

Empowering ChangeMakers across Cheltenham

In a new collaborative project, we’ve teamed up with the University’s School of Education and Cheltenham Education Partnership (CEP) to deliver a transformative and inspiring event that will support sustainability action and learning across 10 secondary schools in...

Students win at sustainability design awards

Students win at sustainability design awards

Well done to UoG students Holly McCann and Harriet Lewis who have been awarded Highly Commended for their graphic design work as part of the national Brief Case Awards 2021; an initiative led by sustainability specialists The Heaven Company. Holly, Harriet and fellow...

We achieved Highly Commended at the UK Green Gown awards – twice!

We achieved Highly Commended at the UK Green Gown awards – twice!

As a leader of sustainability in higher education, we were delighted to receive further recognition of the impact UoG has in this sector by gaining two Highly Commended Green Gown Awards 2021. The Green Gown Awards recognise sustainability excellence in further and...

Student-led sustainability podcast launched

Student-led sustainability podcast launched

Hosted by our students Nikki Rimell and Will Weaving; ‘Live Smart Investigates’ is the latest initiative to come out of our student engagement programme, Live Smart. The Live Smart programme was created in partnership with students to connect the big sustainability...

Staff and students headline national educational quality event

Staff and students headline national educational quality event

Staff and students from the University’s Sustainability Team were invited to deliver a headline presentation at the Quality Matters Conference in October 2021 organised by the UK Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). The team were invited to share their expertise in...

How are universities addressing the climate emergency?

How are universities addressing the climate emergency?

Universities have a critical role in tackling the climate emergency, having led pioneering research into the causes and effects of climate change, sharing expertise with government, businesses and local communities. This month, ahead of COP26, Universities UK (UUK)...

Carbon Net Zero Strategy Launched

Carbon Net Zero Strategy Launched

We want to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030. Today we have launched our plan to reach this ambitious target. Our previous carbon strategy (2010-2020) achieved a 47% drop in emissions by 2019 that rose to 63% by 2020 – surpassing our target of 40% by 2020. We...

We’re ‘Leading the Way’

We’re ‘Leading the Way’

We are thrilled to be recognised for 'Leading the Way' in the Higher Education sector when it comes to carbon reduction targets. Following the launch of our Carbon Net Zero Strategy this week, SOS-UK have awarded us a score of 90/100, putting us alongside the top tier...

Enjoy our New Park Garden

Enjoy our New Park Garden

Supported by Estates and Student Services, we're delighted to open a new garden and growing space behind Broadlands Lodge at the South West corner of Park Campus.  With gardening shown to reduce anxiety by 26% and connecting with nature resulting in 30% more...

Staff and Student Awards Results!

Staff and Student Awards Results!

We are incredibly proud of the sustainability changes being led by our staff and students across the University and always enjoy celebrating these at the annual staff and student awards. Staff winners The sustainability award category in the staff awards recognises...

FCH Edible Garden provides a haven during a difficult year

FCH Edible Garden provides a haven during a difficult year

The Edible Garden, located behind Shaftsbury Hall at FCH Campus, has been a tranquil space for students, staff and members of the community since it’s creation, but even more so over the last 12 months due to the pressures of the pandemic. Supported by funding from...

Annual Sustainability Report published for 2019-2020

Annual Sustainability Report published for 2019-2020

We’re proud to release our Annual Sustainability Report for 2019-2020 which shares performance and celebrates achievements, across all aspects of sustainability in the life of our university. This is the 4th report on delivery of the University’s Sustainability...

UOG Wins at the Green Gown Awards

UOG Wins at the Green Gown Awards

A project aimed at putting sustainability at the heart of the curriculum, that reached thousands of teachers throughout Europe, secured award success for the University of Gloucestershire last night (24 March) at the 'Green Gown Awards, UK & Ireland'. The awards...

Travel Survey winners announced

Travel Survey winners announced

Thank you to everyone who completed the recent travel survey and congratulations to our 6 lucky winners! Staff First prize Atique Miah (winner of an iPad) –based at Park and Oxstalls Second prize (winner of £100 Ethical Store voucher) – Jacob Law – based at Oxstalls...

Global recognition for Live Smart’s community collaboration

Global recognition for Live Smart’s community collaboration

The University’s student-led Live Smart programme has been recognised as an ‘Outstanding Flagship Project’ by the United Nations University’s Institute of Advanced Studies in Sustainability. The Live Smart programme was created by the University Sustainability Team in...

#futuregen: Chancellor’s Lecture with Jane Davidson

#futuregen: Chancellor’s Lecture with Jane Davidson

“This is the most significant decade in our lifetimes.” But how can we become part of the solution to climate change, and not the problem? In uncertain times, Dr Jane Davidson explored how we all have our part to play in protecting future generations at this year’s...

University win at the Northern Marketing Awards

University win at the Northern Marketing Awards

The University of Gloucestershire and our creative partner Waterfall have been awarded Best Green/Sustainable Campaign at the Northern Marketing Awards 2020 for our Who Cares? campaign​. Judges described the campaign as refreshing and disruptive in its aim to 'kill...

Mission Net Zero: delivering positive climate action

Mission Net Zero: delivering positive climate action

The 2019 Environment Bill has focused minds on the ambition for ‘Net Zero’ carbon reduction that covers all our direct and indirect emissions. The Net Zero challenge is complex and requires fundamental adaptation but this is an imperative that no individual or...

Oxstalls Biodiversity Project wins award

Oxstalls Biodiversity Project wins award

The Oxstalls biodiversity project partially-funded by the European Regional Development Fund has won a ‘nature-based solutions’ award from the Countryside Charity Gloucestershire (CPRE). The joint award is between the University of Gloucestershire and Gloucester City...

Smart Travel – Tell us what we can do to help you travel smarter

Smart Travel – Tell us what we can do to help you travel smarter

We want to find out how you are travelling to and between campuses, to help you travel smarter. Smart travel could benefit your health, save you money, reduce congestion, cut carbon and improve local air quality. Take our online travel survey and tell us about your...

Community challenge opportunity – can our students help you?

Community challenge opportunity – can our students help you?

Do you have a meaningful mini-challenge that supports sustainability? Our student-led engagement programme, Live Smart is launching its annual community challenge which aims to help students connect with their local community and across social groups while taking...

Get involved in our community gardens and growing spaces

Get involved in our community gardens and growing spaces

With ‘active gardening’ shown to reduce anxiety by 26% and ‘connecting with nature’ resulting in 30% more people reporting their health as ‘excellent’; getting involved in our campus community gardens and growing spaces could be the perfect way for you to boost your...

Question the professional – Facebook live series

Question the professional – Facebook live series

As society attempts to re-build for a greener, fairer, more resilient economy, professional skills in sustainability are more important than ever in all career choices. We know it can be hard to understand what these skills look like in practice though. Join our...

FCH Edible Garden flourishes through lockdown

FCH Edible Garden flourishes through lockdown

Hidden behind Shaftesbury Hall at FCH, the Edible Garden provides an oasis for staff, students and the local community to grow food and work collaboratively for sustainability and wellbeing. Last year with the funding and support of the Estates and Sustainability...

Sustainability Staff Award

Sustainability Staff Award

The Sustainability Award category in the University’s Staff Awards recognises colleagues whose contributions are making the university an innovative environment for learning, collaboration and practice in sustainability The following staff were shortlisted finalists...

Annual Sustainability Report 2018-2019

Annual Sustainability Report 2018-2019

We’re proud to release the Annual Sustainability Report for 2018-2019 which shares performance and celebrates achievements, across all aspects of sustainability in the life of our university. This year’s report is our first digital only ASR, in support of the bold...

System change workshop at Hawkwood College Climate Action Lab

System change workshop at Hawkwood College Climate Action Lab

Dr Alex Ryan and Miriam Webb collaborated with Yolande Booyse, President of the students’ Green Team, to deliver a workshop on engaging people in system change for the Climate Action Lab hosted by Hawkwood College in Stroud. The event in March 2020 gathered...

Miriam Webb recognised as Young Sustainability Talent

Miriam Webb recognised as Young Sustainability Talent

We’re proud to share news that Miriam Webb, Sustainability Engagement Manager, has been chosen from hundreds of nominees as one of the ‘30 under 30’ sustainability leaders to watch for 2020, through Edie corporate sustainability. 30 under 30 is a new programme to...

Partnerships for sustainability

Partnerships for sustainability

Partnerships are key to building a better and more prosperous future for all people and our planet (UN Global Goal 17). At UoG we host RCE Severn – one of the Regional Centres of Expertise in Sustainability Education - a global network co-ordinated through the United...

UoG and Climate Change

UoG and Climate Change

The climate agenda is rising fast with the recent youth-led action, as well as declarations, targets and plans emerging from governments, businesses and organisations in all sectors. In our sector, we are seeing an increasing momentum for universities to take more...

Travel Survey winners announced

Travel Survey winners announced

Thank you to everyone who completed the recent travel survey and congratulations to our 6 lucky winners! Staff First prize Anton Brady (winner of an iPad) –based at Park Second prize (winner of £100 BaxterStorey voucher) – Anne Dawson based at Park Third Prize (winner...

Community challenge opportunity – can our students help you?

Community challenge opportunity – can our students help you?

Do you have a meaningful mini-challenge that supports sustainability? Our student-led engagement programme, Live Smart is launching its new community challenge which aims to help students connect with their local community and across social groups while taking local...

RCE Severn presents at RCE Europe conference

RCE Severn presents at RCE Europe conference

Dr Alex Ryan - Director of Sustainability, and Miriam Webb – Sustainability Engagement Manager joined 12 RCEs from 10 countries across Europe to share curriculum development and community collaboration projects for sustainability at the RCE Europe conference in...

University Tops the UK Sustainability League!

University Tops the UK Sustainability League!

The University has taken the top spot and is now number 1 in the 2019 People and Planet University League of all UK universities published today in the Guardian. The league table has been running since 2007 and ranks all universities in the UK against a set of...

Three Finalist entries in the UK Green Gown Awards

Three Finalist entries in the UK Green Gown Awards

The University has been shortlisted into the finals in all 3 categories it entered for the 2019 UK Green Gown Awards. The awards recognise sustainability excellence in further and higher education institutions across a range of categories and are increasingly...

Student action at Gloucestershire Climate Summit

Student action at Gloucestershire Climate Summit

Delegates from across the county came together in May to discuss the development of a new strategy for the county to tackle climate change. The summit offered a variety of workshops, table discussions and feedback sessions, with keynote speeches and presentations from...

Sustainability Staff Awards Results

Sustainability Staff Awards Results

We are incredibly proud of the changes being led by our academic teams and professional services departments to deliver our sustainability goals. The Sustainability Award category in the University’s Staff Awards recognises colleagues whose contributions are making...

Annual Sustainability Report 2017-2018 released

Annual Sustainability Report 2017-2018 released

The University’s Annual Sustainability Report for 2017-2018 has now been published following approval by UEC and Council. It shows our performance against the targets we have set for limiting our negative impacts as well as increasing our positive impacts through...

Radical Sustainability Masterclass

Radical Sustainability Masterclass

In 2019, the University hosted an exclusive event to advance sustainability as critical to the future of business in partnership with Interface, corporate sustainability pioneers who placed 3rd in the 2018 Globescan sustainability leaders survey. 25 companies took...

Live Smart – helping students to travel smarter

Live Smart – helping students to travel smarter

The first theme of our new Live Smart programme aimed to help students travel smarter – improving wellbeing, saving money and reducing the University’s scope 3 carbon emissions. The theme ran through October in tandem with our Annual Travel Survey and as part of our...

University Highly Commended in the Green Gowns Awards

University Highly Commended in the Green Gowns Awards

We’re really pleased to share news that the University was Highly Commended (runner up) for Outstanding Leadership Team of the Year at the Green Gown Awards 2018.The shortlisted finalists each had to make a team presentation on the night, to showcase the way that...

Tell us what we can do to help you travel smarter

Tell us what we can do to help you travel smarter

We want to find out how you are travelling to and between campuses, to help you travel smarter. Smart travel could benefit your health, save you money, reduce congestion, cut carbon and improve local air quality. Take our online travel survey and tell us about your...

Paid student project opportunities

Paid student project opportunities

Be part of a team to develop and deliver a new project that benefits students and makes a difference to the local and global community We have 4 exciting new paid opportunities to join the Live Smart team - closing date 9am Friday 28th September: Events Co-ordinator ...

University into the Green Gown finals

University into the Green Gown finals

The University has been shortlisted for both its submissions to this year’s UK Green Gown Awards. The awards recognise sustainability excellence in further and higher education institutions across a range of categories and are increasingly competitive each year. This...

Sustainability Service Awards 2018

Sustainability Service Awards 2018

We are pleased to share news of the Sustainability Service Awards for 2018, made to colleagues nominated by Heads of School and Heads of Department, for their notable contributions to sustainability at the University. Four awards were made, with presentations by Karen...

Edible Garden 10th birthday celebrations

Edible Garden 10th birthday celebrations

Happy 10th Birthday, FCH Edible Garden! Such a pleasure to celebrate with you today and present an award to St Paul's Road Area Residents Association - SPRA for their long dedication to this community-University collaborative project at the University of...

Awards success for sustainability staff and students

Awards success for sustainability staff and students

The Sustainability Team was pleased to win Outstanding Team at the University of Gloucestershire staff awards at the end of May. Praised for our collaboration, it's a real pleasure to work with such a range of inspiring colleagues across the University to drive change...

RCE Severn Forum – Local Action for the Global Goals

RCE Severn Forum – Local Action for the Global Goals

The challenges that face the RCE Severn region in the next few decades also bring opportunities to advance on sustainability. You are warmly invited to join our RCE Severn Forum to explore how we can improve sustainability in our regions by 2050. The Forum aims to...

Local Fun for the Global Goals – Student-led Festival Pop-up

Local Fun for the Global Goals – Student-led Festival Pop-up

In brilliant sunshine on May 7th 40 final year Events Management and Performing Arts students delivered a pop-up events experience for festival-goers, exploring the Sustainable Development Goals as part of Cheltenham Jazz Festival, creating over 800 interactions with...

University commits to divest from fossil fuels

University commits to divest from fossil fuels

The University has taken the decision to fully divest from fossil fuel extraction companies with immediate effect. It follows a review of the University’s Ethical Investment Policy, concerns of staff and students and a decision to support the Students' Union campaign...

LIFT LAB – Educational Experiments in Sustainability

LIFT LAB – Educational Experiments in Sustainability

The LIFT LAB celebrates the range of projects funded in the University’s LIFT: Learning Innovation for Tomorrow programme this year. LIFT supports staff to change their academic practice, inspired by Education for Sustainability (EfS). 10 new projects across 7...

University accredited to new global standard

University accredited to new global standard

The University has now received its formal certification onto the ISO 14001: 2015 environmental management standard, following a 2 year transition overseen by Estates and Sustainability. Professor David James, as executive lead on sustainability, presented the new...

UOG’s Annual Sustainability Report released for Go Green Week

UOG’s Annual Sustainability Report released for Go Green Week

The University's new look Annual Sustainability Report (ASR) for 2016-2017 has been released today following approval by the University Executive Committee. Using infographics and stories, it shows the performance data and key achievements from the past academic year,...

Projects Highly commended at UK Green Gown Awards

Projects Highly commended at UK Green Gown Awards

Great result at last night’s Green Gown Awards with 2 of our finalists highly commended. Huge congratulations to: Robin Hare, Procurement and Contracts Manager, for leading the sustainable procurement initiative that has raised the stakes to improve our supply chain,...

University celebrates 2nd place in the UK sustainability league!

University celebrates 2nd place in the UK sustainability league!

The University has been awarded First Class honours and jumped up 6 places to 2nd position in the 2017 People & Planet University League published today. The league ranks all HE institutions against a set of criteria that takes in all aspects of their...

Win prizes: Tell us what we can do to help you travel smarter

Win prizes: Tell us what we can do to help you travel smarter

We want to find out how you are travelling to and between campuses, to help you travel smarter. Smart travel could benefit your health, save you money, reduce congestion, cut carbon and improve local air quality. Take our online travel survey and tell us about your...

Director of Sustainability awarded National Teaching Fellowship

Director of Sustainability awarded National Teaching Fellowship

Dr Alex Ryan has been awarded a National Teaching Fellowship from the HEA. These highly competitive fellowships are awarded to leading University educators across the UK based on selection by expert peers. Alex leads the University's sustainability strategy and LIFT:...

University shortlisted for 3 national Green Gown awards

University shortlisted for 3 national Green Gown awards

We are delighted to announce the University has been shortlisted in all 3 categories entered for the UK Green Gown Awards this year: Facilities and Services – Sustainable Procurement project – Robin Hare and Sustainability Team Sustainability Champion – Dr Michelle...

Thanks for joining Go Green Week

Thanks for joining Go Green Week

We celebrated national Go Green Week with a series of fun, participatory events for staff and students. Activities connected with a different theme each day, and our social media channels showcased sustainability practice and education projects, within the University...

“Changing Communities – Changing Perceptions”

“Changing Communities – Changing Perceptions”

Photojournalism and Documentary Photography students showcased their work throughout June in an exhibition at Leisure At in Cheltenham. The exhibition explored the theme of migration, challenging assumptions and strengthening communities. The exploratory and...

Civic Day celebrations of the Cheltenham Lower High Street

Civic Day celebrations of the Cheltenham Lower High Street

Our Learning Innovation for Tomorrow (LIFT) project in the Department of History has been examining the history of the Lower High Street area in Cheltenham by analyzing themes of identity, community and heritage. The aim was to create a wider appreciation of the...

UoG launches its Thread Counts project

UoG launches its Thread Counts project

Our new project, Thread Counts launched in April 2017, with a shared vision to inform, engage, inspire and innovate, promoting ethical design and responsible business with students and in the community. Supported by the University’s Learning Innovation for Tomorrow...

Regeneration Repair Café turns 1 year old!

Regeneration Repair Café turns 1 year old!

Happy 1st Birthday to our Regeneration Repair Café! Over the last year over 300 items have been repaired, given a new lease of life and diverted from landfill. Congratulations to Dr Michelle Williams, Product Design Course leader; and our partners, Vision 21,...

Student Switch Off

Student Switch Off

Massive congratulations to all of our students living in halls of residence who participated in our energy saving competition this academic year, and helped achieve a 4.8% reduction in electricity usage and costs compared to the baseline year. Particularly...

European collaborative project on education practice

European collaborative project on education practice

UE4SD developed an active network of 53 partners across the European region to develop an expert group focused on advancing the professional development of academics in sustainability. UE4SD has supported the growth of Education for Sustainability in the professional...