How to Tell Whether a University Is Really Committed to Protecting the Planet

Whether virtual or in person, an open day is the perfect chance to find out whether a university is right for you. But have you ever thought about using it to learn how a university is protecting the planet?

As climate change rises higher on many students’ lists of concerns, now is the time to start asking our educators what they are doing, how they are responding to the climate emergency, and how they are creating a more sustainable environment for the world’s future leaders and thinkers — that means you!

That goes far beyond recycling schemes and cutting back on printing. We live in the age of Greta Thunberg, and people have a responsibility to stand up for their future and demand accountability from corporations and influential leaders across every sector.

We spoke to Jane and Josh, students and Eco Ambassadors at Nottingham Trent University (NTU), to find out which questions we should be asking.

Does the university have sustainability goals, and how is it working toward them?

Start with the big questions. Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs, are the latest buzzword for anyone serious about sustainability. Proposed by the United Nations, they are an urgent call to action for countries around the world, and they are now being embraced by businesses and organizations of every size. They are one of the clearest ways to see how a university is actively working to make sustainability part of everything it does.

Josh, who studies wildlife conservation at NTU, thinks transparency and honesty are key to understanding a university’s environmental efforts. “A lot of universities have reports about their sustainability plans and achievements, but as a student, I don’t want to read a long report. I think universities should openly promote their initiatives to everyone.

“I’d want to see whether a university talks about sustainability on social media, on its website, and at open days,” he said. “If I were choosing where to study now, I’d want to know the top three things a university is doing to improve sustainability.”

How is the university making its campus more sustainable?

Although some of the oldest university buildings have stood since the 1700s, there are ways to make even the most historic places more sustainable, while also making thoughtful choices when planning new buildings.

Beyond switching off computers and lights at night, how is the university reducing its energy use, and where does that energy come from in the first place? Think renewable energy, carbon offsetting, and the design of new eco-friendly buildings. University campuses can take up a large share of a city’s real estate, so how are they giving something back to the land they occupy?

Jane, who studies international business, said: “At NTU, on the roof of one of our buildings, we have a roof garden. It’s a beautiful green space built specifically for students, giving us a bit of nature in the city. But beyond benefiting students, it also provides an urban space for wildlife such as birds, bees, and other insects to enjoy.”

Is sustainability part of the curriculum?

As you would expect, students of geography, conservation, or environmental science will have opportunities to study sustainability and climate, but are universities working to make sustainability part of everyone’s curriculum, no matter what degree you are taking? With climate change affecting so many areas of life, it is an important topic for all students.

As a business student, Jane believes learning about sustainability is essential for anyone going into business. “In my course, sustainability is everywhere. This year NTU introduced a new module called Sustainability in Business, and I had the chance to work with small and medium-sized businesses in Nottingham, audit their carbon footprints, and help develop solutions to reduce their environmental impact,” she said.

“My current career goal is to become a carbon consultant. There are some new jobs now that nobody would have imagined five years ago, and being able to adapt to things like sustainability will only put you in a strong position for the future.”

How can students get involved in environmental work?

What sustainability societies can students join? How are students encouraged to take part in the university’s sustainability initiatives, and is the university listening to their ideas and suggestions?

Jane and Josh are both part of their university’s Eco Ambassador programme, which encourages students to take sustainability into their own hands and make recommendations to the university on how current practices and policies could be improved. Jane is also working toward her Sustainability Silver Award, an initiative that celebrates students’ environmental efforts through a points system for completing different sustainability tasks.

As a member of the Conservation Society, Josh has had the chance to work with the university to make sure conservation measures are included in the new buildings at Brackenhurst, where he studies. As the home of the School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, the rural campus is an outdoor classroom, and Josh has helped advise on wildlife plans such as providing swift and bat boxes and protecting the amphibians that live around the pond area.

Are there sustainable food options on campus?

How can universities reduce food waste while still making sure that food and drink on campus are affordable for students? Are there zero-waste options in university cafés, and are there vegetarian choices for those who avoid meat and dairy to lower their carbon footprint? Offering Fairtrade products is another way to embed sustainability into campus life.

“Sustainability isn’t just about the environment,” Jane added. “It’s about people and profit, and making choices that ensure we can sustain our livelihoods in the future. Choosing Fairtrade is a big part of that.”

If you are visiting an open day in person, it is worth checking out some of the university’s food outlets to see what is on offer for yourself.

What research is being done to build knowledge and find solutions to the climate crisis?

Academic research may not affect your day-to-day studies directly, but it is useful to see how a university is trying to understand and solve the world’s biggest problems. Are scholars developing innovative solutions? Are they working with local and global communities to understand the impact of climate issues? Are they challenging current sustainability models in search of better alternatives?

You should be able to find these stories on the university’s website, but if you can speak to academics at an open day, you may discover interesting research projects in your chosen subject area.

So now you know what to ask your prospective university about how it is protecting the planet, and how you can get involved. Just keep in mind that the university may need to get back to you later with an answer to a specific question. There are often different teams involved in giving you the most accurate response, so the person you speak to on the day may not have every answer immediately to hand. But if the question matters as much to them as it does to you, they will make sure you hear back later.