The 2023 results showcase 20 Winner, 17 Highly Commended and 65 Finalists institutions. Read about their innovative and replicable sustainability projects, as well as their top 3 project learnings and project specific SDGs. We are extremely grateful to applicants for supporting the Awards ethos: promoting and encouraging sustainability good practice within the higher and further education sector and beyond.
Alison Robinson, NERC Deputy Executive Chair and Director of Business Delivery & Insight, part of UKRI and headline sponsor: “Congratulations to the winners of the Green Gown Awards. It is so great to see this exceptional set of finalists showing us what is being done across our sector to reach net zero. The quality of research and innovation alongside the passion and enthusiasm of all the finalists is inspiring. I look forward to following the progress of these projects as they help us all take climate action.”
Charlotte Bonner, CEO, EAUC, who deliver the Green Gown Awards: “The Green Gown Awards celebrate the most innovative and impactful work being done by those working in the post-16 education sector. The projects, initiatives and people showcased through the awards this year are, as ever, inspirational – it’s been a privilege to be part of the judging. I look forward to seeing them flourish in future and to using their examples to springboard further action for sustainability.”
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Finalists at a Glance (list view).
(Previous years' winners can be found here or on the Sustainability Exchange.)
Highly Commended
The Smart Energy Network Demonstrator & Low Carbon Energy Generation Park
Read more →Finalist
Kingston University a whole-institutional approach to achieving net zero
Read more →Finalist
Green footsteps - our sustainability journey
Read more →Finalist
First UK university to retrofit new geo-exchange heating technology on campus
Read more →Winner
Enabling student impact at Glasgow Caledonian University
Read more →Highly Commended
Creation of a River Cole Community Commons in Birmingham
Read more →Finalist
Enactus Aston - Chance for change – Take the chance be the change. Sustain a plate!
Read more →Finalist
NTU’s sustainability in enterprise: Driving sustainable growth for Nottingham’s SMEs
Read more →Winner
Feeding a changing world while minimising its carbon footprint
Read more →Highly Commended
Keele University’s food and drink: Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do across campus
Read more →Highly Commended
Circular economy in action!
Read more →Finalist
Enhancing sustainability impacts by sharing resources between FE Colleges
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Breaking barriers and driving change: Where industry meets academia, magic unleashes!
Read more →Finalist
Sustainability to the FORE!: Using research and education to support the golf industry’s environmental journey
Read more →Finalist
Virtual Peel Park: Using digital tools to create inclusive natural environments or outdoor spaces
Read more →Highly Commended
Protecting and enhancing biodiversity at the University of Worcester for over a decade
Read more →Finalist
From grey to green – the transformation of a city centre campus
Read more →Finalist
From dull green grass to beautifully wild – the story of our campus
Read more →Highly Commended
An anti-greenwash framework to embed quality sustainability learning
Read more →Finalist
Embedding green and sustainable chemistry and 21st century skills into the chemistry curriculum
Read more →Finalist
MSc Regenerative Food, Farming and Enterprise: Soul, Soil, Society
Read more →Finalist
Edinburgh Earth Fellows: Student power in urgent climate research
Read more →Winner
Regenerating Scotland’s hemp industry for health, climate, and a green economy
Read more →Highly Commended
Reversing the impact of coal for a climate positive future
Read more →Finalist
Effectively applying tree biology to an increasingly urban world
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Making ends meet - transforming the readymade garment industry by amplifying the voices of those affected
Read more →Finalist
Oxford University Research Archive Climate Research Collection
Read more →Finalist
Improving sustainable palm oil conserves biodiversity and reduces carbon emissions in the tropics
Read more →Winner
The University of Plymouth is committed to taking action to reduce its impact on the environment.
Read more →Highly Commended
This report demonstrates a comprehensive overview of the university’s sustainability efforts, including its successes, challenges, and plans for improvement.
Read more →Finalist
Our Annual Sustainability Report communicates clearly to all stakeholders and makes the complex simple for non-expert readers, within and outside the University.
Read more →Finalist
London Student Sustainability Conference 2023
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Energy Advice Centre at London South Bank University
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Conservation on campus - working together for a better future
Read more →Finalist
Kent Community Oasis Garden. A collection of students, staff and community members working to create a sustainability and wellbeing hub around growing food
Read more →Finalist
Nurturing climate concern through learning, sharing, application and empowerment
Read more →Highly Commended
The Open University
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University of Wales Trinity Saint David
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University of Salford
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University of the West of England, Bristol
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University of West London
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University of Brighton
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Cranfield University
Read more →Winner
Transforming futures: Our path to 2030
Read more →Winner
SEEDABLE: Graduates that will create a sustainable future
Read more →Finalist
The Falmouth Curriculum Ladder for Sustainability - a novel curriculum design tool that informs sustainability embedding in curricula at scale
Read more →Finalist
A sustainable shift – developing our future leaders in sustainability
Read more →