Engagement
We aim to embed sustainability within all decision making and service delivery. Achieving our targets requires each and every one of us, staff, students, and visitors to take action.
We run a number of initiatives and campaigns to encourage behaviour change across the University, until sustainability becomes engrained in all that we do.
Student representation
The representation of students across committees and planning groups is important for development across the university.
Students’ Union (SU) representatives are a part of:
- Business Continuity
- Health, Safety and Environment Committee
- Warrington Project planning
SU representatives will also be present in the Environmental Management System core group as well as supporting working groups.
Climate Action
In 2020, we launched the Climate Action programme which provides a toolkit for departments to work through and improve their sustainability performance. There are two parts to the programme, a list of ten core actions that cover different themes of sustainability and a project plan. The programme and actions have been designed so that they are relevant and achievable, regardless of whether the team are working from campus, home, or a combination of the two. The programme was re-launched in January 2023.
Hedgehog Friendly Campus Campaign
Hedgehog Friendly Campus campaign is a national campaign that is accredited by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society. The University of Chester has been taking part in the campaign since April 2020 and has achieved the bronze and silver award. Over the past year, the team has organised many activities for students and staff to get involved with, this has included:
- Hedgehog house building (Exton Park and the University Allotment)
- A quiz night
- Hedgehog surveys
- Litter picks
Volunteers have also delivered presentations to students and staff during Go Green Festival and Digital Climate Cafes to update on their work.
If you would like to volunteer with the group, please contact Rebecca Turner, Laboratory Manager for Biological Sciences and project led for University of Chester Hedgehog Friendly Campus campaign. You can also follow the group on Twitter and Facebook.
Awards and achievements
People and Planet League
The People and Planet University League is the only comprehensive and independent league table of UK universities ranked by their environmental and ethical performance. The University of Chester is currently ranked in 78th place out of 154 institutions and received a 2:2 award class. Having previously held a first-class position in 2017, we aim to improve our position through implementing an Environmental Management System. Find out more about the People & Planet League Table.
Fossil Free Declaration
In April 2017, the University joined 48 other UK Universities in pledging our commitment to not invest in fossil fuel industries. So far, 101 universities have committed to divest from fossil fuels in some form.
In an effort to stay within the parameters of the Paris Agreement in 2015, we have confirmed our commitment to the Fossil Free Declaration, demonstrating our pledge to become a low-carbon economy. The University also set out its Socially Responsible Investment Statement.
Green Gown Awards
The Environmental Association of Universities and Colleges (EAUC) run the Green Gown Awards, established in 2004 and recognise the exceptional sustainability initiatives being undertaken by Universities and Colleges. The University of Chester has entered the awards and has been winners and highly commended for a number of initiatives.
| Year | Award Title |
| 2014 | Student Engagement - How to turn the tap off with a trashion show! |
| 2016 | Student Champion - Karen Elliott |
| 2016 | Highly Commended - Student Research and Development - Alex Lerczak |
| 2016 | Winner Food & Drink - Encouraging sustainability through hospitality: the Chester Way |
| 2017 | Highly Commended - Carbon Reduction - Lights, Solar, Action |
| 2017 | Highly Commended Just the VEGANing |
| 2017 | Highly Commended Sustainability Champion - Shaunagh Smith |
| 2019 | Benefitting Society - Caring Cups for the Chester Community |
| 2019 | Campus Health, Food and Drink - Doing it the Chester Way - Championing Sustainable Palm Oil |
| 2019 | Student Engagement - 'Students Give it Some Welly' with Community Conservation Projects |
| 2019 | Sustainability Champion of the Year - Staff - Lauren Holmes |
| 2022 | Campus, Health, Food and Drink – Ready, Reset, Reuse, Go! |